"Always keep your mind as bright and clear as the vast sky, the great ocean, and the highest peak, empty of all thoughts. Always keep your body filled with light and heat. Fill yourself with the power of wisdom and enlightenment"

Morihei Ueshiba’s words urge the reader to cultivate clarity, openness, and vitality both mentally and physically. He likens the ideal state of mind to the vastness of the sky, the depth of the ocean, and the majesty of the highest mountain peak. Each of these images evokes a sense of boundless expanse, peace, and unshakeable presence. A mind that is “bright and clear” is unclouded by restless thoughts or negative emotions. Emptiness, as referenced, does not mean void in a nihilistic sense but rather a state free of clutter, where creative insight, intuition, and awareness can arise. Like an endless sky, thoughts are allowed to drift by without clinging to them; like a calm ocean, emotions are acknowledged but do not disturb the underlying tranquility.

The physical aspect Ueshiba addresses is just as vital. “Always keep your body filled with light and heat” suggests maintaining vitality, energy, and health. Light is often associated with purity, understanding, and inspiration, while heat connotes the invigorating force of life, warmth, and active engagement with the world. To fill the body in this way is to embody the energy and spirit necessary for action, compassion, and growth.

Finally, by advocating for filling oneself with “the power of wisdom and enlightenment,” Ueshiba emphasizes that the purpose of clearing the mind and energizing the body is not merely for personal gain. It is to become a vessel for higher understanding, right action, and benevolence toward others. Wisdom and enlightenment are states of being that benefit all around us. The integration of a serene mind and an energized, luminous body forms the foundation for a life of balance, harmony, and deep insight in both martial practice and daily living, aligning heart, mind, and action with universal principles.