About the author
William Gleason is credited with two Destiny Books titles on the spiritual dimensions of aikido: Aikido and Words of Power, which presents the sacred sounds of kototama and their connection to aikido's founding principles, described as the first English-language treatment of this material, and The Spiritual Foundations of Aikido, which situates the art within the intentions of its founder, Morihei Ueshiba, who saw aikido as a path toward unifying humanity rather than a competitive sport. Both books combine martial arts instruction with the spiritual and philosophical framework behind aikido's founding, aimed at practitioners seeking the tradition's underlying intent rather than a purely martial or fitness-based reading of the art. The catalogue does not provide further biographical detail on Gleason.
📖 Where to start with William Gleason
💬 What our editors say about William Gleason's books
“William Gleason successfully bridges the gap between martial arts instruction and deep mystical understanding, offering a refreshing perspective on Aikido’s spiritual underpinnings. The detailed explanations of Kototama provide a…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on Aikido and Words of Power: The Sacred Sounds of Kototama
“Gleason successfully bridges the gap between physical technique and metaphysical depth, revealing how Morihei Ueshiba infused Aikido with profound spiritual truth. The text is particularly strong in decoding elusive Shinto…”
Esoterica Books editorial team, Occult literature desk · on The Spiritual Foundations of Aikido (Original)
