The Practice of Freedom
Aikido Principles as a Spiritual Guide
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- $16.99
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- $16.99
Publisher Description
Drawing on the poetic wisdom of the Tao Te Ching, American sensei Wendy Palmer translates the powerful teachings of aikido for use in everyday life. With poignant reflections on her own life, including teaching inmates in a woman's federal prison, she describes how we can regain our sense of freedom, vitality, and integrity when under the duress of life's "attacks" by transforming our negativity into budo, or unconditional love.The Practice of Freedom is invaluable not only for students of aikido and other movement and martial arts, but also for those who seek to live with confidence and self-reliance, to establish clear and compassionate boundaries, and to deepen their capacities for relationships.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Palmer, aikido instructor and author of The Intuitive Body, has constructed a passable if unremarkable synopsis of personal reflections, favorite spiritual authors and principles of this unique martial art. At its best, the book is informed by Palmer's own life experiences, which include teaching aikido principles and mind/body exercises to federal prison inmates inspiring some fine musings on freedom. Unfortunately, Palmer seldom renders her personal story in any detail, often employing an impressionistic and elliptical style that lacks vividness and leaves the reader fumbling to establish a sense of narrative connection. Palmer's intended audience seems to be neither aikido practitioners, who might prefer more specific examples, nor the uninitiated, who will miss the significance of many terms and allusions. The book's most surprising feature is its lack of substantive references to aikido practice, aside from a few quotations from O-Sensei (aikido founder Morihei Ueshiba) and some very general allusions to aikido concepts such as blending and centeredness. Instead of focusing on a psychological-spiritual explication of aikido itself, as found in Richard Heckler (In Search of the Warrior Spirit) or C. M. Shifflett (Ki in Aikido), most of the book's material is a generic pastiche of Taoist, Buddhist, Hindu, Christian and New Age teachings on suffering, compassion and freedom. This content is solid enough, and Palmer's dedication and love for her students and her art is obvious. But given the existing breadth of books on spirituality and aikido, there is little here that makes a distinctive contribution.
