Friday Knight News
What is a Warrior? To understand what a warrior's life is all about we must first have a working definition of what makes a warrior. Most dictionary definitions of the warrior agreed that a warrior is someone that has experience in dealing with conflict or combat. Many people look at warriors purely as soldiers returning from battle. From my point of view, anyone returning from battle that has to deal with the consequences of violence and destruction is a warrior. However, my assessment does not make all soldiers warriors and furthermore, I'm sure that not all warrior's are soldiers. A warrior does not give into their base emotions, but they follow their own code. They can make a distinction between necessary levels of response and they seek to curtail violence but are capable to using it. They struggle with the inward battle as much or more than the physical ones.
"All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible." T. E. Lawrence
In the martial arts there are many legends of warrior monks and tales of wandering characters throughout the ages that have been deemed warriors. Since the dawn of the modern age, we have had professional soldiers protecting the interests of our countries and cultures. Perhaps for the first time in history have so many martial arts instructors never seen the reality of armed conflict. In fact, some of the highest skilled master instructors I have met and trained with have never even had to deal with a realistic, outside of the dojo, unarmed conflict. The skill sets and curriculum that they teach have been passed down from various schools of the martial arts. I know that many of these men have struggled with learning how to integrate skill sets and knowledge from various schools into a viable concept that is applicable for today. On top of this, they spend a lot of time learning to control themselves and their own inner demons, so in my eyes that makes them authentic warriors.
"When you attain the Way of strategy there will not be one thing you cannot see." Miyamoto Musashi
It is my opinion a martial artist is a warrior when they reach the point where they rely on the daily discipline of their training to come to grips and cope with the conflicts of their inner world. This is the point when martial arts are no longer a hobby, or something that you do on the weekend, instead of a host of other types of entertainment. I follow a basic daily routine, but I allow for variations and adaptations to my training. I also use my training to relate to the world by seeking similarities and principles between the art that I study and various interests that I encounter.
I know many martial artists use the focus that they have achieved to deal with personal demons and struggles with various addictions. Some martial artists have personal issues with the loss of a loved one, sexual assaults, violence or other types of control that less scrupulous human beings have tried to impose upon them. Many of these individuals find an initial release in taking some control of their life and their personal safety that the martial arts provides. Real martial artists continue training throughout their lives despite frustration with plateaus, injuries, and disabilities because they need the release.
"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved." Helen Keller
To live the life of a warrior I believe that it only takes three components. The first being that there is mental stimulation in both the acquisition and employment of the constant variables in martial art training. The second of these components is that there is a continual effort to maintain fitness and a healthy lifestyle. The final aspect of being a warrior consists of developing a measure of emotional stability. True warriors are always known by their strong character traits.
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.
"All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible." T. E. Lawrence
In the martial arts there are many legends of warrior monks and tales of wandering characters throughout the ages that have been deemed warriors. Since the dawn of the modern age, we have had professional soldiers protecting the interests of our countries and cultures. Perhaps for the first time in history have so many martial arts instructors never seen the reality of armed conflict. In fact, some of the highest skilled master instructors I have met and trained with have never even had to deal with a realistic, outside of the dojo, unarmed conflict. The skill sets and curriculum that they teach have been passed down from various schools of the martial arts. I know that many of these men have struggled with learning how to integrate skill sets and knowledge from various schools into a viable concept that is applicable for today. On top of this, they spend a lot of time learning to control themselves and their own inner demons, so in my eyes that makes them authentic warriors.
"When you attain the Way of strategy there will not be one thing you cannot see." Miyamoto Musashi
It is my opinion a martial artist is a warrior when they reach the point where they rely on the daily discipline of their training to come to grips and cope with the conflicts of their inner world. This is the point when martial arts are no longer a hobby, or something that you do on the weekend, instead of a host of other types of entertainment. I follow a basic daily routine, but I allow for variations and adaptations to my training. I also use my training to relate to the world by seeking similarities and principles between the art that I study and various interests that I encounter.
I know many martial artists use the focus that they have achieved to deal with personal demons and struggles with various addictions. Some martial artists have personal issues with the loss of a loved one, sexual assaults, violence or other types of control that less scrupulous human beings have tried to impose upon them. Many of these individuals find an initial release in taking some control of their life and their personal safety that the martial arts provides. Real martial artists continue training throughout their lives despite frustration with plateaus, injuries, and disabilities because they need the release.
"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved." Helen Keller
To live the life of a warrior I believe that it only takes three components. The first being that there is mental stimulation in both the acquisition and employment of the constant variables in martial art training. The second of these components is that there is a continual effort to maintain fitness and a healthy lifestyle. The final aspect of being a warrior consists of developing a measure of emotional stability. True warriors are always known by their strong character traits.
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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