"Remember
that you live always under the protection of some mysterious force. This
force is nature. Therefore, true self-defense does not stop with defending
oneself against others, but strives to make oneself worthy of defense by nature
herself. It respects the principles of nature. True practice must be
in consonance with the will of nature. When man observes the principles of
nature, he helps to make them the principles of humanity because they are
directed toward the good of humanity. True self-defense must be according
to the will of God. When your mind and your acts become one with nature, then
nature will protect you. Fear no enemy; fear only to be separated from the
mind of nature. If you are on the right path, nature will protect you, and
you need not fear anything. When an enemy wants to attack you while you
are asleep, nature will awaken you. When an airplane has an accident, you
will fortunately not be on that plane. Trust nature and do not worry. Leave
both you mind and body to nature. Do not recognize friend or foe in your
mind. In your heart let there be generosity as large as the sea, which
accepts both clean and unclean water. Let your mind be as merciful as
nature, which loves the smallest tree or blade of grass. Let your mind be
strong with sincerity that can pierce iron or stone. Repay the forces of
nature, work for the good of all and make yourself a person whom nature is
pleased to let live. This is the true purpose of training."
Aikido
master Tohei, in his book, Aikido, the Arts of Self-Defense