Soft and Jolting Aiki

Friday Knight News

"Always remember that the true meaning of Budo is that soft overcomes hard, small overcomes large." Mas Oyama 

It seems to me that true progression in the martial arts follows the same path no matter what the discipline. This is seen in all arts or at least that is the way I have perceived it. Sometimes the art may be seen as either large or small, and at other times it may be felt as either hard or soft. There are, of course, variations to each group or application in any art. Still some will be large and soft in movement or small and hard and visa versa. Some masters of the arts glide between these blurred lines almost effortlessly. Below is a demo by Gozo Shioda who happens to be one of my favorite aikido masters to watch.

Gozo Shioda, Sensei

I used quotes from one of my favorite karate masters to illustrate that this concept is universal in budo. There are a host of other quotes from various artists and styles that I could have used to make this same point, but I felt this should suffice. I always consider Shioda, Sensei to be a great example of the hard and small applications of techniques, although his application at times seems to be soft, but the effects are still jolting.

"If you do not overcome your tendency to give up easily, your life lead to nothing." Mas Oyama

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. 

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.