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Shoji Nishio: “Aikido’s Innovative Genius,” by Stanley Pranin

“If you stand naturally you can enter immediately when it appears that your opponent is about to move. When your opponent moves you have already won.”

The young are often moved to action by heroic images. Like their heroes, they long to become strong and just. As they are young and inexperienced, the path most immediately obvious to them is that followed by their heroes before them. Uncritical imitation is the first step in the quest of the young to become like their heroes.