A Spirit Warrior Has No Enemy

books:


	• Soul Sword: The Way and Mind of a Zen Warrior Vernon Kitabu Turner Hampton Roads Publishing Company, 2000 - 192 pages average customer review:based on 11 reviews view larger image
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Easy Reading

An easy to understand book, which describes how the author reached a place of being able to defend himself against several attackers, blind-folded, using aikido moves not learnt but occuring naturally from the self within. It did not deal with many day to day issues common to every day living, but then it was called 'soul sword', so it was always going to be about defending one's self the natural way. I enjoyed the simple style of writing.

A Spirit Warrior Has No Enemy

What is a Trinity? Is it Soul, Mind, and Body? Is it the Father, the Holy Ghost, and the Son? Is it the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha?

What I got from this book is the idea that that only enemy is within. What I get from the author is the idea that the Way is One. Christian Zen Master? What is that? I see it as a trinity just as we all are. I see Christianity as his path, Zen as the method, and the Master as the man that can make harmony with the three in one.

I've witnessed the man in action in Fresno. And honestly I was absolutely confused why these martial artists and even a prize winning wrestler went down so easily when he touched them. I had read his book and accepted the possibilities of what he was saying. I long came to terms with the fact that I will leave this world not knowing everything.

But it wasn't until I stood perplexed, by these what I thought were "mental weaklings" falling so effortlessly that I understood the books message fully. Seeing the look on his face indicating that he was equally in awe to whatever was causing them to fall, it clicked. A Spirit Warrior has no enemy.

These people weren't falling, they were surrendering to the Truth of the moment. Kitabu Roshi was not their enemy. There is no enemy in One. He touched them with love as they were baptised in the Spirit. They let go because they felt safe in that moment. They trusted what he was representing.

Many of us will have a difficult time accepting what he has written because all we know is conflict. It's us against them. And them is whoever isn't us. But if it is true that the only enemy is within, let us give thought to how difficult it is for those who have made the choice not to project their inner enemy onto others like this man must be doing.

A house divided can't stand. Eventually we'll see that the Way is One. Jesus said he was the Way. It is probably better understood, I manifest the Way. What is the Dao? It means the Way. Jesus is the Dao? Consider the possibilities. Books like this can help unify, much like Thich Nhat Hanh's "Living Buddha, Living Christ" and "Jesus and Buddha: The Parallel Sayings" by Marcus J. Borg.

I'm greatful to live in a time when people are choosing to see more of what we have in common than what we have different. I encourage all seekers to look over the walls that have been built around them just as men like this are doing.

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Insightful book

The author provides keen insight on Martial Arts and Zen. He uses everyday situations to fit the context of his philosophy, which in my opinion are powerful. This book is a primer of sorts, a 'how to' manual for awareness skills development. The book is also an autobiography of the authors life and spiritual path. I enjoyed the book and thought the examples of how to use or develop awareness in the NOW were timely and relevent. Methinks the point of the book. This wisdom is counter to contemporary values, thus offering a view point outside the 'box' of Western Culture.

In any personal memoir such as this, it would be difficult to seperate the man from the philosophical traditions he affirms. His fidelity to his craft echos throughout the book, and apparently some commentators have taken umbrage with this practice. But from my point of view, this is the main reason I enjoyed the book: the author walks his talk!

I think if you have an interest in Martial Arts or Zen, seeking ways to apply these propositions to your life, this book represents a decent guide. Decide for yourself as to its value. Apply the lessons and see where they take you.

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3