Inner Training

Friday Knight News

Energy is never lost, it just changes forms. I guess that is why they say life is all about change.  In the martial arts people typically respond to attacks in one of the following three fashions.
Sen no sen: (Defensively) attack first
Sen: Simultaneous attack
Go no sen: Counter attack

It is the contention of some to say that everyone has a predominant response and I tend to agree with this assessment.  Although the situation dictates variations to this as I have found that generally people respond to threats based upon their physical and psychological strengths.  That is why some people are predisposed to being aggressive fighters, some are runners, and others are primarily counter fighters.

It doesn't matter what style of fighter you are you can adapt to the situation and use aggressive or defenses tactics as well as the guerrilla fighter or runner mentality when appropriate.  All of these elements are enhanced not only by physical fitness but through the application of relaxation.  The ability to relax under stressful conditions is best learned through control of your breathing. This brings us to the study of internal energy which is primarily concerned with internal changes that allows us to respond without mental roadblocks.

Ki: Attention / Intuition / Measure Five Senses /Feelings/Contemplation
Who are you?
Where do you need change?
Why do you need change?
What can you change?
When can you change?
How can you change?

Once we are able to focus our attention on the problem at hand we can respond intuitively to our five senses without hesitation.  Many times this type of subconscious response is perceived as a sixth sense by others and often we fool ourselves into thinking this as our responses surprises us. The reaction often seems to come out of nowhere and we make a mental leap to a forgone conclusion it was the mystic power of ki or chi.

I have found that training with the following exercises along with regular martial art practice is beneficial with the invoking the subconscious type of response. I believe it is necessary to not limited ourselves to only seated meditation but to practice mindfulness in movement (martial arts training), as well as it allows greater ease in accomplishing this goal in similar situations.
Furitama: (Standing meditation).
Misogi: (Breath training with cold water).
Mokuso: (Seated meditation).
I use this both in my personal life and in the lives of my characters, after all I wield both the pen and sword.

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.