Friday Knight News
Lao Tzu wrote the book Tao Te Ching just before he quit working for the emperor. Lao Tzu means “Old Master” and he supposedly lived in the 6th century before Christ. His text called Tao te Ching (The way of all life), is based on the practice of doing by not doing (wu-wei). The following are my five favorite quotations of Lao Tzu.1. “The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao.” To me this is the essence of wu wei. I have found that by adhering to this principle in armed conflict and with dilemmas in writing everything works out best when it is not forced.
2. “Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power.” Self-mastery is the basis for success in martial arts and in life. This statement is a ubiquitous teaching found in many ancient texts throughout the world. I've always said if something is true in one place it is true everywhere.
3. "Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage." I have found this to be true. I've also found that loving and respecting even a tradition or teaching can also enhance courage.
4. “Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” I believe this is also the basis of the adage that 50% of success is just showing up.
5. “When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.” This leads me to the fifth and final lesson of my top five favorite teachings from the old master. I found it to be true to matter if I was joining a martial art class, studying art, music or writing a book. I am hoping that I will succeed in letting go of what I am so that I can become what I might be. Of course I will not try to force it but will instead rely on doing wu wei.
My stories are about martial arts adventures that are intertwined with paranormal or supernatural events. The following links are to the Kindle version books from the "Dream Walker” series. Our adventurers find themselves on a quest where they are confronted with both conspiracy and mystery. Their challenge is to unite their mind and body skills together utilizing what they have learned in the martial arts with the transcendental power of dream mediation. They attempt to do this while they are trying to make a life for themselves and elude those that seek to use and control them.

Conversations with a Sage (Book 1 of the Dream-Walker)
Conversations with a Sage: This explores Xander Davidson's early encounters with the mysterious fog like Dream Walking martial art sages. He ponders if they are real or if they are only remnants of his dreams. He mainly keeps this secret world to himself as he tries to copes with abuse, growing up without support or guidance and the mystery of his family's past.
Conversations with a Sage: This explores Xander Davidson's early encounters with the mysterious fog like Dream Walking martial art sages. He ponders if they are real or if they are only remnants of his dreams. He mainly keeps this secret world to himself as he tries to copes with abuse, growing up without support or guidance and the mystery of his family's past.

Xander and the Assassins Gift (Book 2 of the Dream-Walker)
The Assassins Gift: Xander Davidson struggles with the conspiracy of his family and the group that is actively trying to manipulate him to join them or die. The young Dream Walkers learns an early lesson to be careful about whom they let into their circle.

Warriors of Perception (Book 3 of the Dream-Walker)
Warriors of Perception: Xander Davidson and his band of friends embark on a mission to free themselves from their oppressors. They bravely face the challenge all the while vying for the right moment to turn the tables.
The Assassins Gift: Xander Davidson struggles with the conspiracy of his family and the group that is actively trying to manipulate him to join them or die. The young Dream Walkers learns an early lesson to be careful about whom they let into their circle.
Warriors of Perception (Book 3 of the Dream-Walker)
Warriors of Perception: Xander Davidson and his band of friends embark on a mission to free themselves from their oppressors. They bravely face the challenge all the while vying for the right moment to turn the tables.

Jace Lee The Shift (Book 4 of the Dream-Walker)
Jace Lee The Shift: We find a new apprentice, Adam, that is fighting for his life. He is struggling to understand the amazing skills of his mentor, Jace Lee; a younger man that has trained under Xander Davidson. All the while his mentor attempts to reconcile the fact that his skills do not match up with the other Dream Walkers.
Jace Lee No Agenda (Dream Walker Book 5)
Jace Lee No Agenda: Jace Lee attempts to find himself on a self-imposed vision quest of sorts. Instead he finds himself being stalked by the same group that had previously sought after his teacher, (Xander Davidson). Instead of mastering his odd Dream Walking skills he finds love and the potential loss of his powers.
Jace Lee The Tutelage of Ming Wu: Jace Lee rejoins his teacher Xander Davidson as they cope with a possible combined threat (the mysterious), Ming Wu and the Council that has continuously monitored the Dream Walkers.
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