The Two Fold Path

Friday Knight News

"It is said the warrior's is the twofold Way of pen and sword, and he should have a taste for both Ways." Miyamoto Musashi

"There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed." Ernest Hemingway

I have selected four out of many quotes available by two men I hold in high esteem. I consider them both masters of their craft in their respective areas of expertise. It seems to me that they are two of the most notable individuals in either field (writing and the way of the sword), that I have ever come across. They both have admirers and detractors, but they both have had much of the same insights into the nature of man. As the selected quotes in this blog will attest. Recently it was pointed out to me that my blogs were lacking in visual content, and so I am considering adding more recordings to the format as a test. I will try to select short demonstrations that illustrate the way as I see it, and practice the art. That is even when it is from a style outside of my own experience, as long as the techniques, feeling and/or principle are similar.

"Every man's life ends the same way. It is only the details of how he lived and how he died that distinguish one man from another." Ernest Hemingway

“All man are the same except for their belief in their own selves, regardless of what others may think of them” Miyamoto Musashi

Of course I intend to continue spouting off about what inspires me despite the fact (I have been told), that many people don't have the time or inclination to read. So today I will leave you with this two sword kata of Niten-Ichi-ryu of the Mushashi lineage. I enjoyed seeing the reenactment of some of the lessons Mushashi spoke of in the Go Rin no Sho in the link below, even though the kata differs greatly from the Itto ryu Kenjutsu that heavily influenced our family style.

 (You Tube Link)

Mushashi Niten Ichi Ryu 

Itto Ryu Kenjutsu

Thanks to my readers for your support, you give meaning to my life and training and justify my time bleeding into the keyboard. 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.