Tea Geniuses

Friday Knight News

Everyone in the martial arts generally knows the story of the master of Zen who encounters a student that knows all the answers to his riddles.  The student is so full of himself after having read and memorize all of the answers to the puzzles he assumes he is on the same level as the master.  So as they sit and discuss philosophy over a cup of tea, the student babbles on as the master pours the teacup to over flowing.  The Zen master only stops when the student becomes aware of the overflowing tea and protest.

The definition of a genius is someone who is in exceptional intellectual or possesses great creative power or other natural ability.  I found that people with high intelligence quote starting at 140 and up are labeled as the genius.  Sometimes genius is limited to certain areas and aspects of a person's life many standardized tests do not account for various aspects of cleverness, brilliance, and intelligence. Genius goes beyond the realm of simple academics.

I grew up in a neighborhood where all of the children in one household suffer from mild to extreme levels of mental retardation.  One of these children had been a close friend.  He had never done well in school but he was always happy and everyone was his friend at least from his point of view.  I often took long walks and bike rides with him and occasionally helped him deliver newspapers at 4 o'clock in the morning.  I was always amazed at his ability to remember every home and the name person (or a nick name variation), on his route and where they wanted their paper delivered.

We talked all the time we were together which was odd for me at the time, I had been somewhat shy and hesitant about speaking to others as my observations generally got me picked on or beat by both children and adults in my early school years.  One thing that stood out to me in my early morning discussions with my friend was his awareness about being different which was a trait we had in common.  Throughout my life some of the people closest to me often pointed this out.  Some geniuses are exceptional in their ability to convey thoughts and ideas although often these individuals have difficulties in relating with other people. Later on after I had moved away I found that I was put in a category with several other social outcast; many of these geniuses had difficulties with simple task like tying shoes like my earlier friend.  Others had difficulty with reading, math or spelling but they still tested out to have genius level IQ's.

Today many of these individuals would have been diagnosed as having dyslexia, autism, or asperger which is an autism spectrum disorder. I often felt that some even approach the idiot savant classification where all of their knowledge seems to be directed to a singular area. Most people that I have encountered in my life referred to many of these individuals with genius level IQ's as idiots.  They generally labeled these individuals as book smart but without having enough common sense to pour sand out of their boots if the instructions were printed on the heel.

I have not met a sifu or a sensei that has not encountered a student at one time or another (and often on a daily basis), that tries to mimic a movement and cannot understand why it doesn't work for them.  A nice thing about Chinese martial arts having the label of kung fu come to symbolize this study is the definition of kung fu (work in practice).  This is where we find the true secret of martial arts.  It is only after a lot of this work in practice that we are able to unlock the advanced techniques from the door of the basic techniques.

It doesn't matter what the subject is take writing for an example there are only so many alphabets but arranging them into words that convey ideas and feelings takes practice. I have seen artist who cannot paint still they protest following their teachers advice who can paint.  Even though they know the theory and the procedures to follow, they are unwilling to do the work and make the technique a part of themselves.  The same is true with musicians after all there are only so many notes in the scale but there is a difference in the execution between the student and the master. Like the tea master's student and the student of Zen we must constantly seek to empty ourselves. Self awareness of our situation is the first step in understanding or else we may wind up being considered tea geniuses.

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. 

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.

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 and the Tutelage of Ming Wu: Dream Walker 6 

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.