Because it is non-resistant, it is victorious from the beginning. Those with evil intentions or contentious thoughts are instantly vanquished. Aikido is invincible because it contends with nothing."
Aikido was developed by Ō-Sensei ("Great Teacher") Morihei Ueshiba (December 14, 1883–April 26, 1969). Ueshiba envisioned aikido not only as the synthesis of his martial training, but also an expression of his personal philosophy of universal peace and reconciliation.
Aikido is often translated as "the Way of unifying (with) life energy" or as "the Way of harmonious spirit." O-Sensei's goal was to create an art practitioners could use to defend themselves while also protecting their attacker from injury.
Aikido is not primarily a system of combat, but rather a means of self-cultivation and improvement. Aikido has no tournaments, competitions, contests, or "sparring." Instead, all aikido techniques are learned cooperatively at a pace commensurate with the abilities of each trainee. According to the founder, the goal of aikido is not the defeat of others, but the defeat of the negative characteristics which inhabit one's own mind and inhibit its functioning.