Winning Without Fighting: Reflections on Aikido Principles for a Meaningful Life

Aikido, a Japanese martial art developed by Master Morihei Uyeshiba, is more than just a martial art: Underlying its self-defense techniques is a philosophy and spirituality with practical application in daily life. If modern "life is war," then aikido provides the path to victory and meaningful living: a paradoxical blend of strength through perceived weakness, of winning by yielding. This is not a technical book on aikido techniques but rather shows how selected 8 key principles provide a guide to a meaningful, richer life. Rather than a cook-book approach, it aims to inform and nudge the reader towards self-reflection. Each chapter commences with a description of a principle, relates it to daily living, and ends with "Reflection" questions that invite the reader to further reflection on applying the principle to daily life. This book can therefore be used for self-growth, enhance conflict resolution abilities, spiritual development regardless of one's religion, improve knowledge of aikido, or as a philosophical discourse.