Aikido is the Way of Peace , a martial art aimed at harmonizing body and spirit with the natural forces of the universe. In The Secrets of Aikido, John Stevens explores the hidden teachings and deeper dimensions of Aikido, especially Aikido`s spiritual wisdom as taught by its Founder, Morihei Ueshiba. The book explores practices for the purification of mind and body; the tantric dimension of Aikido, unifying masculine and feminine; the Aikido science of sound and how it parallels the use of mantras and other verbal practices in various spiritual disciplines; breathing techniques for calming the spirit and returning to the source of life; the six pillars of Aikido - physical techniques based on spiritual principles that link us to a higher realm of being. Included are over two hundred photographs, calligraphies, and other artwork, including many vintage photographs of Morihei himself teaching his students.