George Leonard QUOTES

​George Burr Leonard (August 9, 1923 – January 6, 2010) was an American writer, editor, educator, and martial artist renowned for his contributions to the Human Potential Movement and the popularization of Aikido in the United States.

Early Life and Career

Born in Macon, Georgia, Leonard served as a pilot in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. After the war, he pursued a career in journalism, becoming a senior editor at Look magazine from 1953 to 1970. During his tenure, he covered pivotal topics such as the Civil Rights Movement, politics, and social change, earning eleven national awards for his education writing.

Involvement in the Human Potential Movement

Leonard was deeply involved in the Human Potential Movement, serving as president emeritus of the Esalen Institute and past president of the Association for Humanistic Psychology. He co-founded Integral Transformative Practice (ITP) with Michael Murphy, aiming to integrate physical, mental, and spiritual development.

Martial Arts and Aikido

Leonard began practicing Aikido in 1970 and achieved the rank of fifth-degree black belt. He co-founded the Aikido of Tamalpais dojo in California and developed Leonard Energy Training (LET), a practice inspired by Aikido principles for centering mind, body, and spirit.

Legacy

Leonard's work continues to influence discussions on personal development, mastery, and the integration of martial arts philosophy into everyday life. His teachings emphasize the importance of continuous practice, self-awareness, and the pursuit of excellence.