Aikido and Words of Power: The Sacred Sounds of Kototama
✍️ Gleason, WilliamCurrently unavailable
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This groundbreaking volume finally reveals the profound esoteric connection between Aikido and Kototama, the sacred sounds of universal consciousness. Author William Gleason, a seasoned Aikido master, guides readers through the spiritual underpinnings of the discipline, explaining how the five fundamental vowel sounds embody the various dimensions of awareness. Through detailed explanations and over 300 illustrative photographs, he demonstrates a unique approach to Aikido techniques, transforming physical movement into a conduit for advanced spiritual evolution. This work bridges the gap between martial arts and deep mystical understanding, offering a path to integrated mind, body, and spirit.
Praise for this book
“. . . a breath of fresh air for a discipline that largely receives martial arts attention. . . . recommended for sports and spirituality patrons alike.”
📝 Description: Aikido and Words of Power: The Sacred Sounds of Kototama
📑 What's inside
- FOREWORD by Hiroshi Ikeda shihan SHOBU GOHO: THE FIVE PRINCIPLES OF AIKIDO AMATSU SYLLABRIES The Fifty-Sounds Tables Shown in Three Different Orders A NOTE ABOUT PRONUNCIATION
- INTRODUCTION
- 1. AIKITAMA: THE SPIRIT OF UNIVERSAL HARMONY
- In the Beginning--The Kototama of Su
- Ichirei Shikon: One Spirit, Four Souls
- Classification of the Vowel Dimensions
- 2. SANGEN: THE UNIQUE PRINCIPLE OF DYNAMIC MONISM
- Dynamic Monism
- The Function of Ki
- The Spirit and Form of Principle
- Tate and Yoko in Motion and Form
- Tate-Yoko of Hachiriki
- 3. IKI: THE BREATH OF LIFE
- The Breath of Heaven, Earth, and Man
- Three Stages of Kokyu
- Kokyu as Power and Timing
- What Is Ki?
- Buddhist vs. Taoist Breathing
- Breath as Spiritual Purification: The Forms of Misogi
- Fire, Water, and Earth Ki
- Kokyu Ho
- Kokyu Nage
- 4. SHUGYO: THE SPIRITUAL TRAINING OF TECHNIQUE
- The Ranking System of Aikido
- The Levels of Training
- Body Movement
- Ukemi
- The Spirit of Ikkyo
- The Spirit of Irimi Nage
- The Spirit of Shiho Nage
- Kote Gaeshi and Kaiten Nage
- 5. INOCHI: AIKIDO AS A SPIRITUAL PATH
- Mechanical Judgment: Realm of the Insentient
- First Three Instincts: The Animal World
- Birth of the Islands: The Potential of Higher Judgment
- Inochi: The Path of a Human Being
- Returning to the Origin
- APPENDIX. THE FIFTY SOUNDS OF THE KOTOTAMA
- NOTES GLOSSARY BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX
💎 Expert review
📖 Why choose it
Why this book is worth reading
Readers seeking to deepen their understanding of Aikido beyond mere physical technique will find this book invaluable. It is perfect for practitioners who feel a spiritual dimension in their training but lack the theoretical framework to articulate it. By revealing the connection between sacred sounds and universal consciousness, Gleason offers a unique path for those desiring integrated mind-body-spirit evolution. The inclusion of over 300 photographs aids visual learners, making complex esoteric concepts more accessible. If you are curious about how vowel sounds can embody awareness and transform movement into spiritual practice, this guide provides the necessary keys to unlock Aikido's hidden essence.
⭐ Reader reviews
Reader rating
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 novel lens through which to view physical technique. However, this book may not suit readers seeking purely historical accounts of Aikido’s development or those who prefer strictly secular, biomechanical approaches to martial arts. It requires an openness to esoteric concepts that might feel abstract to skeptics. Nevertheless, for the dedicated practitioner interested in the sacred sounds of universal consciousness, it is a significant and transformative contribution to the literature.
❓ Frequently asked questions
📖 Who should read this
If you're an Aikido practitioner seeking to deepen your spiritual understanding, or a martial artist intrigued by esoteric wisdom, this book is for you. It offers a unique lens for integrating physical mastery with profound inner awareness, revealing Aikido's true potential as a path to personal transformation.
🎯 Key themes and symbolism
Sacred Sound & Martial Art
Delve into the profound integration of Kototama, the ancient science of sacred sounds, with the physical discipline of Aikido. This book elucidates how specific vowel vibrations, representing dimensions of consciousness, are not merely philosophical concepts but practical tools for enhancing martial techniques and spiritual growth within Aikido practice.
Aikido's Esoteric Path
Beyond mere physical self-defense, Aikido is presented here as a potent spiritual vehicle. The author reveals how dedicated practice, when informed by an understanding of Kototama, transcends physical form to cultivate inner strength, heightened awareness, and a deeper connection to universal energies, transforming the practitioner from within.
Five Vowels, Infinite Space
Explore the foundational concept of the five vowel dimensions of infinite space, which the founder of Aikido, Ueshiba Morihei, considered central to the discipline. This work unpacks how these vowels are not just sounds but keys to understanding universal consciousness, manifesting as the 'one spirit, four souls' at the heart of Aikido's spiritual strength.
📜 Historical context
📚 Glossary
- Kototama
- Aikido
- Ueshiba Morihei
📔 Questions to reflect on
- How might understanding the spiritual significance of sounds transform your physical practice or daily movements?
- Reflect on the concept of 'one spirit, four souls' in your own life. How do these dimensions manifest in your personal experiences?
- In what ways do you currently integrate mind, body, and spirit in your chosen disciplines, and how could this book enhance that integration?
📖 Read on the blog
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