Friday Knight News
"Reading good books implants good ideas in the mind, develops good aspirations, and leads to the cultivation of good friends." Mas Oyama
The three secret powers of a warrior is first to be able to model or imitate an artist you admire and respect. By finding a role model you can proceed with less hindrances. Still it's hard for me to pick just one person as my role model. In the martial arts Mas Oyama, Morihei Ueshiba, Bruce Lee, Joe Lewis, Bill Wallace, and Tony Annesi were inspirations and they all have had an impact on my point of view and how I trained. My two favorite sensei that I was ranked under were Jim Musser, and Tom Manson, my first and last sensei. They both helped form my practice and the way I teach. Jim (a former amateur boxer and shodan), introduced me to the concepts of leading the mind, he was also a professional magician after retiring from the military. Tom taught both for the state and privately. He specialized in armed and unarmed combat tactics and applications. He taught in a very relaxed nonmilitary manner and he had a way of blending styles and concepts together in a street applicable manner that was needed in law enforcement. Tom also encouraged his yudansha to train in outside systems and explore new ways to understand their art.
Still if I had to choose just one role model I would say books. This is because before Sun Tzu wrote "The Art of War" the mind has been the greatest weapon and reading develops the mind; this is the second secret. Read not only martial art text, but any books that suits you. I have found that in fiction I love books that inspire and are about overcoming great hardships. "The Count of Monte Cristo" by Alexandre Dumas; "Dune" by Frank Herbert; "The Hobbit" by JRR Tolkien; "The Walking Drum" by Louis L'Amour. In non-fiction I tend to like biographies of people who have followed their dreams especial when we share a common interest. With martial art non-fiction I would have to say that for me the "Go Rin No Sho" by Miyamoto Musashi has had more influence than any other martial art treatise.
Yet, every student that I've taught and seminar instructor that I've trained under has had their influence on me in one way or another. Some men like James Williams have impressed me with both their martial arts skills and their principles of warrior conduct. I too hope that I have been at least an inspiration to someone every now and again. Which brings us to the third secret which can be defined as persistence, or at least being consistent with your training, both in mind and body. Having the resolve of a warrior, and the will to never give in. We might not be able to go through every obstacle, but we can at least learn how to go around them.
"A human life gains luster and strength only when it is polished and tempered." Mas Oyama
The three secret powers of a warrior is first to be able to model or imitate an artist you admire and respect. By finding a role model you can proceed with less hindrances. Still it's hard for me to pick just one person as my role model. In the martial arts Mas Oyama, Morihei Ueshiba, Bruce Lee, Joe Lewis, Bill Wallace, and Tony Annesi were inspirations and they all have had an impact on my point of view and how I trained. My two favorite sensei that I was ranked under were Jim Musser, and Tom Manson, my first and last sensei. They both helped form my practice and the way I teach. Jim (a former amateur boxer and shodan), introduced me to the concepts of leading the mind, he was also a professional magician after retiring from the military. Tom taught both for the state and privately. He specialized in armed and unarmed combat tactics and applications. He taught in a very relaxed nonmilitary manner and he had a way of blending styles and concepts together in a street applicable manner that was needed in law enforcement. Tom also encouraged his yudansha to train in outside systems and explore new ways to understand their art.
Tony Annesi
James Williams (holding bokken)
"A human life gains luster and strength only when it is polished and tempered." 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, which 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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