Friday Knight News
"Although it is important to study and train for skill in techniques, for the man who wishes to truly accomplish the way of budo, it is important to make his whole life in training and therefore not aiming for skill and strength alone, but also for spiritual attainment." Mas Oyama
Are you just a martial artist, and what does that entail? I was chatting today with a retired professor in the college library where my wife works. He speaks seven languages, so I try to keep him on his toes by switching back and forth between words I recall from a half dozen or so languages that I stumble around with while trying to keep up with him. We were discussing how much more meaning is derived from reading a text in the original language. I noted that from my point of view he was the expert on this subject. I could see from my position that he was reading Plato in the original Greek.
It pleased him that I had noticed (even from reading it upside down from where I was standing), so he read a passage for me. As my knowledge of all things Greek is slim to none, I hypothesized that he was somewhere around the discussion of the cave. I told the professor that I had derived at this conclusion not from my understanding the language, but from his position in the book. He told me that I was in the ball park as the cave discussion started on the next page. I told him I had read Beowulf in the original Old English, but that having a modern English passage alongside certainly helped with my understanding of it. I read the Go Rin no Sho over each year if the text is in English and can read it in a similar fashion if the text is in romaji. I can even do a few quotes from memory in Japanese as he had with Beowulf.
Still all my life I have heard people say someone was just a martial artist. To me that is the equivalent of saying someone is just a Jedi. Of course, I had been in the martial arts for years before I ever heard of the Jedi. Still to me the mastery of ki and the force were much the same. Reading a person's intentions, via body language, or manipulating their vestibular system, while controlling our own thoughts by breath manipulation, et cetera is somewhat Jedi like. I've thought that it was strange as many people seemed to think that anyone could buy a black belt and fancy pajama uniforms to make them feel special. It is as if the world thinks that becoming a martial artist is like joining a lodge with funny outfits. Although, I have seen those types of groups, so I guess I can't blame them. Even though the study and physical work to legitimately attain these skills and knowledge requires a lifelong effort.
Are you just a martial artist, and what does that entail? I was chatting today with a retired professor in the college library where my wife works. He speaks seven languages, so I try to keep him on his toes by switching back and forth between words I recall from a half dozen or so languages that I stumble around with while trying to keep up with him. We were discussing how much more meaning is derived from reading a text in the original language. I noted that from my point of view he was the expert on this subject. I could see from my position that he was reading Plato in the original Greek.
It pleased him that I had noticed (even from reading it upside down from where I was standing), so he read a passage for me. As my knowledge of all things Greek is slim to none, I hypothesized that he was somewhere around the discussion of the cave. I told the professor that I had derived at this conclusion not from my understanding the language, but from his position in the book. He told me that I was in the ball park as the cave discussion started on the next page. I told him I had read Beowulf in the original Old English, but that having a modern English passage alongside certainly helped with my understanding of it. I read the Go Rin no Sho over each year if the text is in English and can read it in a similar fashion if the text is in romaji. I can even do a few quotes from memory in Japanese as he had with Beowulf.
Still all my life I have heard people say someone was just a martial artist. To me that is the equivalent of saying someone is just a Jedi. Of course, I had been in the martial arts for years before I ever heard of the Jedi. Still to me the mastery of ki and the force were much the same. Reading a person's intentions, via body language, or manipulating their vestibular system, while controlling our own thoughts by breath manipulation, et cetera is somewhat Jedi like. I've thought that it was strange as many people seemed to think that anyone could buy a black belt and fancy pajama uniforms to make them feel special. It is as if the world thinks that becoming a martial artist is like joining a lodge with funny outfits. Although, I have seen those types of groups, so I guess I can't blame them. Even though the study and physical work to legitimately attain these skills and knowledge requires a lifelong effort.
On the other hand, I have had many of these moose and elk lodge style dojo people tell me that they just do this (insert the art name here), as a hobby for fun. Many of whom have their 10th degree in three of four arts after only fifteen years of accumulative training. So, what does it take to be just a martial artist? I am posting examples from a few martial artists that I believe fulfill these requirements for what a modern day martial artist ought to use as a template. We as martial artists might not be Jedi or imbued with the Force but training with a real martial arts often makes one feel as if it were so.
"Until the day I die, I never want to be separated from my dogi; I never want to cease my training efforts in the dojo." Mas Oyama
To be just a martial artist one needs to maintain their instrument. This is geared to both regulating and what you consume and how you train and working around injuries. Secondly, all the examples continue to train at maintaining and/or refining their art. Tertiary they follow the example of the college goal of lifelong learning. Three of the four men have a college education. I also know that at least two were offered the opportunity to continue their education at Harvard, and one had actual done some course work there. The other individual was trained and educated on the job, becoming certified to instruct for the state government in several law enforcement related fields. All of the men have been noted by their peers for their abilities and two of the men have achieved a measure of fame in the martial art community at large. The most notable is Bill Wallace and below is a video clip of him teaching.
Oh, and I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Now for a word about my books, inside the pages of these following volumes are stories gleaned from life experiences although the examples have been fictionalized.
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.
"Until the day I die, I never want to be separated from my dogi; I never want to cease my training efforts in the dojo." Mas Oyama
To be just a martial artist one needs to maintain their instrument. This is geared to both regulating and what you consume and how you train and working around injuries. Secondly, all the examples continue to train at maintaining and/or refining their art. Tertiary they follow the example of the college goal of lifelong learning. Three of the four men have a college education. I also know that at least two were offered the opportunity to continue their education at Harvard, and one had actual done some course work there. The other individual was trained and educated on the job, becoming certified to instruct for the state government in several law enforcement related fields. All of the men have been noted by their peers for their abilities and two of the men have achieved a measure of fame in the martial art community at large. The most notable is Bill Wallace and below is a video clip of him teaching.
Oh, and I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Now for a word about my books, inside the pages of these following volumes are stories gleaned from life experiences although the examples have been fictionalized.
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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