Fudoshin

Friday Knight News

"Men for the sake of getting a living forget to live." Margaret Fuller 

Fudoshin is an immovable mind. To have an immovable mind we need to recognize the impermanence of nature. All known matter exists in these three dimensions and they can be labeled by a combination of three terms: Length, width, or height. As three-dimensional space is a model of the physical universe, it also continually tests our limitations and that is even without considering the constraints of time. When we also include time into the mix, that changes everything. Time changes everything still that is what a warriors life is about, challenging yourself against these elements of change. It is about fighting to overcome your own short coming and feelings of inadequacy made more apparent because of these obstacles of space and time. Living life as an adventure is part of living life fully, hopefully we can do this without foolishly risking our lives on self-aggrandizing stunts.

The mental and physical lessons of the martial arts are about teaching us how to cope and contend with desire, decisions, and development. The obstacles of doubt, delay, and death focuses us to utilize our time span in this three dimensional world despite the seeming redundancy of life. Our achievements and accomplishment of gaining rank and or prestigious or recognition especially often seem frivolous unless we consider that they represent time and dedication. The preciousness of life is made more apparent with the losses. Life is more fulfilling when we are living a life of service, but that too has its failings and short comings.



Even the pursuit of gaining skills or the attempts to achieve them seem to be futile to most of us at some point, but the importance of the activity is determined by the desire of the seeker. I'm sure we all have heard people in the past that have told their kids not to waste their time playing: music, sports, drawing, watching television, movies or even reading. I've also heard this as well as comments about running around in pajama's play fighting. The thing is if the desire is there, and the decision is made to follow it then only determination will bring some measure of fulfillment. From this effort we garner our artist, musician, and performers that often inspire the scientist, doctors and engineers.



Then again those that become martial artists often save the lives of others or teach others how to save their own life. Almost every sensei, at one time or another, has had a student that has come to them privately and told them that their teaching and example had helped the student turn their life around. Some sensei have had students that have called them in the wee hours of the night, thanking them for directing the student to the knowledge that saved the students life. By saving it from a dangerous attack or situation or even for gaining the awareness to avoid the danger.

For the martial artists that have had to utilize their skills in life and death situations we often don't think much of what has happened. However, we never forget the relief that rushes over us when we hear that the lessons we have dedicated our lives to has saved someone we love from a violent death. This alone makes up for the self-doubts, delays and hindrances of life. Our development of fudoshin (immovable mind), is about being steadfast in our resolve to meet these hardships, or changes and our willingness to continually face them.

"One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure." William Feather

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.