In Aikido we try to recreate these same Laws of Nature to promote and activate these spiritual energies to sustain a better life. Everything that means anything in the Universe is brought into the techniques and principles of Aikido. That is why an understanding of the Tao, the Five-Elements and the fundamental principles of Yin and Yang must be acquired to achieve fulfillment. The Ikkyo's and Nikyo's are important techniques, but more importantly is for one to look past the physical techniques and understand the very essence of life. To do this we have to recognize the virtues of man and sacrifice a part of ourselves.
Compassion is a word that perhaps simplifies the first step of the ladder to self-realization.
The ingredients of compassion are joy, respect, honesty, truth, understanding, sharing, caring, kindness and any positive emotion we can think off. The hardest thing is to recognize these emotions in ourselves which is the first barrier to overcome. In my experience I have found so many who deny themselves the great joy that awaits them because they haven't the courage to face up to life and only use their acquired intellect to justify life. Quoting words of wisdom does not signify greatness but humility in our lives gives us a chance to move on. Aikido is not the only way of achieving satori but it does have a profound implication in our lives because of what it represents.