FRIDAY KNIGHT NEWS
Great news for X-Men fans the trailer for the movie “The
Wolverine” is out. The movie itself should be out in cinemas by July 25th 2013
and it is based on the character Wolverine portrayed by (Hugh Jackman). In the
movie our favorite X-Men confronts his own vulnerability in modern day Japan. It
looks like this movie should appeal to X-Men fans and fans of the samurai arts as
well.
In the sport of basketball Louisville player Kevin Ware suffers
a bone crushing injury. I’m glad to say that I have never had a compound
break like that, ouch and I thought spiral breaks were bad.
For all of the Tony Annesi fans he has released a new DVD
entitled “Aiki Refinements”. It centers on functional and effortless aiki
techniques. As always Hanshi Annesi concentrates on explaining in depth so that
you can understand the technique.
My thanks to Adam Chan. He has offered me a chance to link my
books on his Facebook wall. The following is Adam's foreword to my book, “Enlightenment
Kicking and Screaming” (The Paradox of Martial Art Training).
"The (Warrior Hero's Quest) is a universal story that is
told through the ages in countless myths and legends. It is one of the most important stories of
the human race; even now, the biggest block busters are action-hero flicks.
The main elements of the warrior archetype, and his story are outlined by the
great mythologist, Joseph Campbell: First, the young boy receives the call to
adventure, but the young boy refuses to leave the wasteland (a metaphor for
ones conditioning), and after much frustration, eventually he begins his
journey. Along the way, the young boy will have to fight endless battles with
the darkest demons (a reflection of his dark side), until finally he finds the
grail, the ring, the force whatever it maybe, he finds his power, the
manifestation of his inner nature's gift, and in that moment of awakening, the
boy becomes a warrior.
Finally,
the last stage is the return, the new warrior who has found his power returns
to the world, to the realm he came from; to use his new found power for the
good of humanity. Only with this purpose, the warrior becomes the hero.
Everyone has a warrior/hero archetype within our collective consciousness, so
say Dr. Carl Jung. Since the beginning of time, individuals have always
innately been inspired by the universal warrior/hero myth, and for good reason,
because power without the return stage (return with the power to serve
humanity), will be power misuse. There is no third choice, power demands expression,
and so with real power, you are either a hero or a villain as suggested in
every hero/warrior legend, and myth.
Perhaps,
this is the most important lesson for our time because martial arts knowledge
"IS” power. So the real question is will you use it as a villain or as a
hero? Martial arts are a practice, and what you practice, you will become, who
will you become? Do our mainstream, global martial arts media promote an
education that produces heroes? Someone who is compassionate and will use their
talents to help others or is our current mainstream martial arts education a
way to glorify violence, producing big egos, and overly aggressive members in
our society? Looking around in our communities, it is obvious that the lessons
of ancient universal myths of warrior-heroes are desperately needed in our
time.
Marital
arts should once again be a path that produces heroes, a way to forge, and
unite the mind, body, and spirit. It is for this reason that in all
warrior/hero paths there is always an old wise teacher. A master is a must, and
the author gives as an inspiring picture of such a teacher with the stories of
a master, and his way (of MAKA KNIGHTS)!
This
book is unique in that Taro Sensei, the old wise teacher that you are about to
meet in this beautiful book communicates with a smooth blend of eastern
philosophy, spirituality, and western psychology, and religion. This blend
effectively points to universal truths, leading the reader consistently into
the bigger picture. The book reveals hints of Taro Sensei's life story, giving
lessons to the hearts of warriors from all walks of life.
Philosophy
however, no matter how great is only the beginning; for if wisdom is merely
stuck in the frontal lobe, instead of internalized deeply into ones being, it
will not be too useful in dark times when needed the most. This is why having a
path, a practice is essential. In this regard, the author did a wonderful job
connecting philosophies, and concepts with descriptions, and introducing
training methods. Such as Taro Sensei meditation, ki training, hard body
training and its connection to self-defense etc.
For
me, one of the most beautiful feeling I felt after reading this book was the
(beginner's mind), the feeling of unlimited possibilities, the aliveness from
feeling the unknown with curious gratefulness and excitement. I would like to
thank the author for giving such a feeling on the journey. This will be one of
those classics that people will learn something different each time they read
it."
Adam Chan (Pragmatic Martial
Arts)
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