The Way of Aikido

“George Leonard is a remarkable man who embodies what he teaches: an amazing curiosity, a passionate intelligence, and the rare combination of someone who has both a broad vision and the focus mastery of details. An extraordinary book, uniting the mystical and practical, the one and the many, with new possibilities that capture the imagination. It is compassion in action.”—Dean Ornish, M.D., bestselling author of Love & Survival and Dr. Ornish’s Program for Reversing Heart Disease

“Leonard lays out the spiritual benefits gained by practicing the Japanese art of Aikido, which he describes as protecting both the defender and the attacker. And he presents these benefits in a way that anyone can incorporate into their lives to achieve spiritual equilibrium… Leonard breathes new life into concepts as familiar as chop-socky film clichés… Leonard urges his readers, martial artists and otherwise, to apply the principles of blending and centeredness to everyday life. Simple experiments demonstrate the power a change in mental focus can provide.”—Gregory Harris, BookPage

“Blending colorful anecdotes with thoughtful philosophizing, Leonard has created the essential guide to this unique martial art… a philosophical gem.”—Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality & Practice

“This book is a warmhearted handshake, a graceful and practical invitation to enter and blend with the ahhh of the world. It is as natural and wise an introduction to the spirit of the martial arts as you can find on paper.”—Jack Kornfield, bestselling author of A Path with Heart

“A classic statement of aikido’s philosophy and its translation to everyday activities. This book will take its place among the great and lasting works about the marital arts in relation to life.

“The Way of Aikido does no less than open the door to the universe and invite you through to become one with it, to become balanced, powerful, energetic, alert, and present.”—Susan Trott, author of The Holy Man and Crane Spreads Wings 

“A classic statement of aikido’s philosophy and its translation to everyday activities. This book will take its place among the great and lasting works about the martial arts in relation to life.”—Michael Murphy, author of Golf in the Kingdom and The Future of the Body

“A lively and intimate account of the way in which a martial art became a path of life.”—Sam Keen, author of Fire in the Belly and Hymns to an Unknown God