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A Quest for Survival, Peace and Enlightenment: A History of Martial Arts
In Search of Harmony: Buddhism and Martial Arts
Action Without Action: Taoism and Martial Arts
Collective Subtlety: The Influence of Sun Tzu's Treatise: The Art of War
The Japanese Legacy: History of Ninjutsu
Changing the Flow: History of Other Forms of Martial Arts
Here and Now: Philosophy of Martial Arts
Emptiness, Wind, Fire, Water, and Earth: The Philosophy of Ninjutsu
The Path to a Better Mind and Body
A Day in the Life of a Warrior-1: Preparation for Training
A Day in the Life of a Warrior-2: Combat Without Weapons
A Day in the Life of a Warrior-3: Combat with Weaponry
The Ultimate Wisdom: Mind Over Matter
Appendix A: A Typical Training Session
"To my friend, Dr. John Chiu, your book has given me a deeper insight of Martial Arts."
Professor Wally Jay
Jujitsu 10th degree black belt
Judo 6th degree black belt
Martial Arts Hall of Fame
" . . . After reading this manuscript, my immediate response is that I would recommend to all those who are studying Tai Chi to read this book. This book will help them to see how Tai Chi fits into the various schools of Martial Arts and the pattern of the mind-body harmony in the Oriental tradition.
Not only those who are learning Tai Chi, but also those who are involved in various forms of Oriental Martial Arts such as Judo, Aikido, Karate, Taekwondo and various forms of Chinese Kung Fu, of course, also the Ninjutsu, should read this book. It points the reader to concentrate on the mind-body harmony, to excel toward enlightenment, and to avoid falling into the traps of devious paths."
Hillman Chow, Tai Chi Ch'uan Master
"My friend, Dr. Chiu has written a fascinating overview of the martial arts, covering not only technique, but also cultural and spiritual aspects."
Shinzen Young
Senior Buddhist Meditation Teacher
Vipassana Support Institute
"Your new manuscript about martial arts is not only a very comprehensive compilation of the subject, but a fascinating historical perspective of eastern philosophy and athletic culture. The "Breath is the flywheel of life" legacy of Bodhidharma's was especially appreciated."
Nance S. Frank
Skipper and CEO, U.S. Women's Challenge
U.S. Women's Challenge to the Whitbread Round the World Race
"From a psychological point of view, I am always grateful for a book which brings together mind, body and spirit. Dr. Chiu's fascinating work can help readers develop greater respect for a holistic view of the self."
Dr. Ronald Soderquist, PhD.
Clinical Psychologist
"I have read your manuscript entitled 'Martial Arts: A Path to a Better Mind and Body'. I find the book fascinating and am in general impressed with what you have done with it. I am impressed by your devotion to and your lurid exposé of this and related disciplines."
David Yu, Ph. D.
Theoretical Particle and Nuclear Physicist
"Dr. Chiu has provided us with an indepth overview of the historical and philosophical foundations to martial arts. I'm sure that martial arts students and practitioners will gain insight and will deepne their practice by reading and applying the tenants set forth in this book."
Nozumo Yosh Yamanaka
Attorney
Practicing Buddhist
I wish to acknowledge my late father Stanley Chiu, my mother Irene, my wife Susan, and especially my son, John Chiu, Jr., for the countless hours he spent studying martial arts with me, both at home and at the Shaolin Temple; I'd also like to acknowledge the martial arts masters and monks, Grand Master Jia-shong-po and Master Chi Shixingxue, under whom I studied; Ninjutsu Master Rolf Englehardt, Kung Fu Master Li Lue of Shanghai, Kung fu San Soo Master Andre Salvage, Master Robert Bussey and others; the various martial arts masters: Jujitsu Grand Master Professor Wally Jay, Tai Chi Master Hillman Chow; Theoretical Physicist Dr. David Yu and my brother Professor Charles B. Chiu; my friends, English teacher Mary Reyna and Nozuma Yosh Yamanaka; Buddhist meditation teacher Shinzen Young; Skipper and C.E.O. of the Women's Challenge to the Whitebread Round the World Race Nance Frank; Clinical Psychologist Dr. Ronald Sodoquist, Ph.D.; and last but not least, my daughter Elizabeth L. Chiu, my sister Eleanor H. Yuan, Ruth Tseng, calligrapher Johnson Yuan, artist Craig Leese of California Lutheran University for his excellent illustrations; and my staff, Jenise Bell, Jay Goldman and countless others not mentioned here for their contributions and suggestions. A special thanks to Bill Harrell for his editing and publishing skills.
Chuck Norris leaps from a burning building, rolls like a cat, jumps to his feet and boots three assailants in the head with one fell kick. Bones crack. Necks break. Men--bad guys one and all--scream in agony. The audience cheers as Norris prevails in the face of tremendous odds. Foe after foe is slain, as the good guy, barely scathed, wreaks havoc, conquers, anguishes his opponents and wins the girl.
Western culture has evolved based on the notion that humans are the measure of all things; he can both dominate and change the environment in which he lives. It is no surprise then that Western approaches to the martial arts emphasize physical prowess, machismo and competition. But to a master of the martial arts, the physical dimension is only one aspect of an individual's overall development. More important to the master is his mental and spiritual development. Physical skills and discipline act as stepping stones toward this end.
Dominance and control often emphasize the physical and the violent. But Eastern culture--where martial arts originated--emphasizes man's place in nature, not his control over it. To achieve proper harmony with nature requires heightened sensitivity and spiritual enlightenment. Thus, Eastern culture emphasizes cooperation rather than conflict, flexibility rather than dominance, and the channeling of existing energy rather than the expenditure of needless energy. According to Lao Tsu:
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Martial arts are deeply embedded in Eastern religions as well, particularly Buddhism and Taoism. Taoist and Buddhist monks seek the rhythm of the universe without changing it.
There is an old saying: "Those who live by the sword die by the sword." A prime example is Mohammed Ali. Once a brilliant World Heavyweight boxing champion, Ali suffers from severe, irreversible brain damage he sustained from repeated blows to the head. In the end, this type of competition brought him dysfunction, speech difficulty and psycho-motor disturbances. The point is, violence as a contest is not only pointless but can also be counterproductive. Martial arts is instead a means for preserving the peace.
There have been hundreds of books written about the Oriental martial arts. But almost every one stresses the physical, violent nature of the discipline. Few, it seems, address the real essence of martial arts. This is unfortunate, because martial arts in its purest form is much more than a contest of violence a means of dominating or inflicting physical damage upon others. Instead, for a true master of Ninjutsu, Kung-Fu, Karate and the many other forms, martial arts is the avenue by which one can achieve spiritual serenity, mental tranquility, physical well-being and the deepest self-confidence.
As a physician, I understand what the rigors of life in Western society can do to a person physically, mentally and spiritually. In an attempt to relieve the pressures of presiding over a medical practice in none-too-sedate Southern California, I looked for (and found) relief in what I consider a very special form of martial arts: Ninjutsu. I discovered that it is much more than a way to relieve stress and stay in shape. Rather, it is a new way of looking at life.
Martial arts can heal one physically and spiritually. As a doctor, healing is my professional concern. My personal experience is with Ninjutsu, but this book is not intended to provide formal training. Instead, it is designed to help establish a frame of mind with which formal training is apt to be more successful and worthwhile. I hope to convince the reader that he or she can have a better mind and body through martial arts. If you decide to travel this road, you'll need formal training from a master to become proficient at martial arts.
Many people erroneously believe that training in martial arts can rescue them from virtually any dangerous situation. We have visions of a lone woman in a dark alley slaying an attacker with a swift kick to the face or a Jujitsu hold. While martial arts can help, it is sometimes easier to prevail, or to save your life by doing nothing. An important concept in martial arts is winning by losing. Self-defense is part of the larger, overall approach to life. The self-defense aspect alone is not necessarily a means to an end.
The Eastern martial arts provide for far more internal, rather than external rewards. The training hall for martial arts (kwoan in Chinese, dojo in Japanese and dojang in Korean) is traditionally called "The Place of Enlightenment".
With Respect,
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