Maitta: I Surrender Part I

Friday Knight News

"Do nothing which is of no use." Miyamoto Musashi

We should not continue doing anything out of habit or ritual if it serves no purpose. Learning how to say maitta: I surrender, or I submit is an Aiki way to say, "Uncle" and it is used often in judo and jujutsu. We can also say matte, which means wait; or by double clapping a hand or foot to the mat, or on our partner which carries the same message, but it also can serve us philosophically if we desire. Learning how to submit is a great tool in learning. We find the best way to continue on while not giving up is by learning to submit to change.



In the martial arts we all wish to forge an indomitable spirit. Many times we look at this strength of will only as a resolute commitment to forge ahead, fudoshin: an unmovable mind or heart. However, in keeping with martial art tradition, we may have to accept the fact that it is also possible to submit to circumstances beyond our control and still continue on. To do this one has to develop a mind like water, (mizu no kokoro). The river still runs its course, but it flows around or goes over the rock that it cannot move. Eventually the river will wear down the rock or it will undercut its foundation eroding the ground below it, causing the rock to tumble and roll with the river.

“You must be shapeless, formless, like water. When you pour water in a cup, it becomes the cup. When you pour water in a bottle, it becomes the bottle. When you pour water in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Water can drip and it can crash. Become like water my friend.” Bruce Lee

In essence learning to submit or adapt is what being like water is all about. A martial art friend told about his encounters with people who gave up training due to age. I notice that many times senior black belts encourage me to stop training so hard since I was past a certain age. I was not willing to relinquish training due to age as I had already experienced the need to make adaptation to my training due to multiple injuries I had from outside the dojo. I realize that eventually we all slow down, my goal was to do this only after I died. Eventually we all die, my advice is just don't accept it prematurely.

These are the things that I have done to keep moving forward. First I learned to change the way I trained and on top of this I would rotate my training to keep it fresh, it could be anything to keep it going and make progress even if it was in different areas. The best benefit adaptation is knowing you can get better in different ways, despite your age. Learning to submit is like saying chotto matte: wait a moment, instead of maitta: I surrender.

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.