Friday Knight News
"Iron is full of impurities that weaken it; through the forging fire, it becomes steel and is transformed into a razor-sharp sword. Human beings develop in the same fashion." Morihei Ueshiba
How do we justify training in a violent art form and where is the balance that brings us peace? As martial artists we train every day, even if our careers and lifestyle doesn't subject us to violent confrontations on a daily basis. Still, we never know when or where violence might find us. Even if our lives are comfortable this doesn't mean that we aren't struggling with difficulties in life; this is where the inner work of the martial arts happens.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that we as Americans don't have it good. What I am saying is that everyone has a struggle no matter their station in life. While having money in the bank, food in the pantry, a roof over your head and comfort at the touch of a button is great, there is a price to it. Just as there are difficulties with not knowing if you will live out the day, where your next meal will be coming from, if and where you will be able to sleep. I've lived in both worlds and have been equally happy and miserable in both situations.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that we as Americans don't have it good. What I am saying is that everyone has a struggle no matter their station in life. While having money in the bank, food in the pantry, a roof over your head and comfort at the touch of a button is great, there is a price to it. Just as there are difficulties with not knowing if you will live out the day, where your next meal will be coming from, if and where you will be able to sleep. I've lived in both worlds and have been equally happy and miserable in both situations.
Kuroda Tetsuzan Kenjutsu Bujutsū
It seems to me that the trick to it all has been to be able to step outside of myself for a moment. Expectations, and desires all bare great weight with them. Training at least has helped curb these burdens even if it is only for a few hours despite the hardships. When all of our basic needs are met, it is even easier to extend this feeling of content. Even though my physical skills have changed, or diminished some with age, I have improved in other areas that are more beneficial.
I still train daily doing light stretching, and striking the makiwara or iron palm bag one to two thousand times on average, plus there is suburi, kata, and meditation too. I also write daily and I generally only do physical conditioning three times a week. Even so, martial arts has helped me in every facet of expression via writing, music, art, and in my fictional writing. With my writing I draw from my past, while hiding truth in a fantasy tale. In this way I forge the steel of my spirit over the fires of my past and the blows from the hammer marks of time. My practice of the martial arts gives me the balance I seek and I find it in good measure from time to time.
I still train daily doing light stretching, and striking the makiwara or iron palm bag one to two thousand times on average, plus there is suburi, kata, and meditation too. I also write daily and I generally only do physical conditioning three times a week. Even so, martial arts has helped me in every facet of expression via writing, music, art, and in my fictional writing. With my writing I draw from my past, while hiding truth in a fantasy tale. In this way I forge the steel of my spirit over the fires of my past and the blows from the hammer marks of time. My practice of the martial arts gives me the balance I seek and I find it in good measure from time to time.
"One must try, everyday, to expand one's limits." Mas Oyama
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 meditation. 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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