Barefoot Zen
Title | Barefoot Zen PDF eBook |
Author | Nathan J Johnson |
Publisher | Weiser Books |
Total Pages | 290 |
Release | 2000-11-15 |
Genre | Sports & Recreation |
ISBN | 9781578631421 |
Most books about Kung Fu or Karate deal with techniques or history. Few examine the underlying purpose of these arts, or approach them as a tool for spiritual, rather than physical, development. Barefoot Zen is a brave new approach to the martial arts, which clearly demonstrates that the traditional movements of both Kung Fu and Karate, contained in the solo choreographed sequences of movements known as forms (or kata), grew out of the spiritual practices of the Shaolin order of Buddhist monks and nuns. Nathan Johnson explains that this mystical and non-violent teaching is a profound and beautiful expression of Chan (Zen) Buddhism and its pur-suit of wisdom, peace, and enlightenment. Contrary to popular assumption, he contends that it was never intended to be an actual means of self-defense. Barefoot Zen bridges the gap between Kung Fu and Karate, and reveals their common origin through the disclosure of vital research material on three of the world's most important Karate kata. Part I explains the spiritual disciplines that contributed to what we know as the martial arts. Part II explains the creation of the art along with practical instruction for performing kata. Part III explains the formation of many of the world's Kung Fu styles. We learn that the original "empty hand art" was used as a method of kinetic meditation between pairs and was designed as a practical tool to assist practitioners in transcending the fear and insecurity of everyday living. Barefoot Zen makes the legacy of the Shaolin way accessible to all, releasing the art from the clutches of popular images and painful concerns about self-defense. The legendary courage of the Shaolin (Chan/Zen) order was not developed by fighting with enemies, but by not fighting! The Shaolin teaching was designed to free us from fear, the only true enemy.
Zen Shaolin Karate
Title | Zen Shaolin Karate PDF eBook |
Author | Nathan Johnson |
Publisher | Tuttle Publishing |
Total Pages | 493 |
Release | 2012-08-28 |
Genre | Sports & Recreation |
ISBN | 1462904343 |
"Nathan Johnson has captured the essence of true karate-do." —Paul Clifton, Editor, Combat and Traditional Karate Kata, the "present movements forming the backbone of all Karate styles", have been a source of endless confusion for the vast majority of karate students. Nathan Johnson, third degree black belt in Karate and fourth degree black belt in Kung fu, gives the reader an ultimate interpretation of how Kata is applied to those Karate forms in this readable martial arts guide. In Zen Shaolin Karate, Johnson explains and illustrates in precise detail every subtle movement of two of karate's most common Kata, and provides historical testimony for his explanations by integrating his findings with Zen philosophy. The author's unique interpretations of the Nai Fuan Chin and Saam Chin Kata will destroy the barriers separating Karate, Kung Fu, and Aikido, and will revolutionize how Kata are applied in all martial arts styles.
Esoteric Martial Arts of Zen: Training Methods from the Patriarch
Title | Esoteric Martial Arts of Zen: Training Methods from the Patriarch PDF eBook |
Author | Edward Orem |
Publisher | Lulu.com |
Total Pages | 72 |
Release | 2014-04-04 |
Genre | Family & Relationships |
ISBN | 1304990117 |
Zen in the Martial Arts
Title | Zen in the Martial Arts PDF eBook |
Author | Joe Hyams |
Publisher | Bantam |
Total Pages | 145 |
Release | 2010-05-05 |
Genre | Philosophy |
ISBN | 0307755509 |
"A man who has attained mastery of an art reveals it in his every action."--Samurai Maximum. Under the guidance of such celebrated masters as Ed Parker and the immortal Bruce Lee, Joe Hyams vividly recounts his more than 25 years of experience in the martial arts. In his illuminating story, Hyams reveals to you how the daily application of Zen principles not only developed his physical expertise but gave him the mental discipline to control his personal problems-self-image, work pressure, competition. Indeed, mastering the spiritual goals in martial arts can dramatically alter the quality of your life-enriching your relationships with people, as well as helping you make use of all your abilities.
American Shaolin
Title | American Shaolin PDF eBook |
Author | Matthew Polly |
Publisher | Penguin |
Total Pages | 384 |
Release | 2007-02-01 |
Genre | Biography & Autobiography |
ISBN | 1101216840 |
Bill Bryson meets Bruce Lee in this raucously funny story of one scrawny American’s quest to become a kung fu master at China’s legendary Shaolin Temple. Growing up a ninety-pound weakling tormented by bullies in the schoolyards of Kansas, young Matthew Polly dreamed of one day journeying to the Shaolin Temple in China to become the toughest fighter in the world, like Caine in his favorite 1970s TV series, Kung Fu. While in college, Matthew decided the time had come to pursue this quixotic dream before it was too late. Much to the dismay of his parents, he dropped out of Princeton to spend two years training with the legendary sect of monks who invented kung fu and Zen Buddhism. Expecting to find an isolated citadel populated by supernatural ascetics that he’d seen in countless badly dubbed chop-socky flicks, Matthew instead discovered a tacky tourist trap run by Communist party hacks. But the dedicated monks still trained in the rigorous age-old fighting forms—some even practicing the “iron kung fu” discipline, in which intensive training can make various body parts virtually indestructible (even the crotch). As Matthew grew in his knowledge of China and kung fu skill, he would come to represent the Temple in challenge matches and international competitions, and ultimately the monks would accept their new American initiate as close to one of their own as any Westerner had ever become. Laced with humor and illuminated by cultural insight, American Shaolin is an unforgettable coming-of-age tale of one young man’s journey into the ancient art of kung fu—and a funny and poignant portrait of a rapidly changing China.
The Art of Shaolin Kung Fu
Title | The Art of Shaolin Kung Fu PDF eBook |
Author | Wong Kiew Kit |
Publisher | Tuttle Publishing |
Total Pages | 244 |
Release | 2022-07-19 |
Genre | Sports & Recreation |
ISBN | 1462923526 |
The Art of Shaolin Kung Fu is the ultimate guide to Kung Fu, from theory to practical application. This unique martial arts book, by a renowned Grandmaster, is a complete and comprehensive introduction to Kung Fu and all other aspects of ancient Shaolin wisdom. You will learn the ancient art of the Shaolin monks from the famous Shaolin monastery. It will prove invaluable to everyone interested in martial arts, chi kung, and meditation, showing how Kung Fu and other Shaolin arts can bring you health, vitality, mental focus, and spiritual joy. Chapters include: What is Kung Fu?--Four Aspects of Kung Fu; The Importance of Force Training; Application for Combat and Daily Living; Kung Fu Philosophy for Deeper Understanding; The Benefits of Kung Fu The Historical Development of Chinese Martial Arts--Kung Fu in Prehistoric and Ancient Times; The Glorious Han and Tang; The Modern Period From Shaolin to Taijiquan--Shaolin Kung Fu; The Various Styles of Taijiquan; Soft and Hard, Internal and External A Comparative Study of Kung Fu--Contrasting Shaolin and Wudang Kung Fu; Xingyi Kung Fu and Taoist Concepts; Tanglangquan or Praying Mantis Kung Fu; The Spread of Southern Kung Fu Defining Aims and Objectives--Setting Aims for Kung Fu Training; Personal Objectives; Course Objectives The Foundation of Shaolin Kung Fu--Inheritance from Past Masters; Various Shaolin Hand Forms; Basic Shaolin Patterns From Form to Combat Application--The Four Directions of Attack; The Principles of Effective Combat; Specific Techniques Against Kicks Combat Sequences and Set Practice--Relieving Injuries Sustained in Sparring; Composing Your Own Kung Fu Sets Shaolin Five Animals--Understanding Characteristics and Essence; The Five-Animal Set; The Names of the Five-Animal Patterns Five-Animal Combination Set--How to Improve Combat Efficiency; Spacing and Timing in Combat The Internal Force of Shaolin Kung Fu--The Relationship Between Technique and Force; The Compassionate Art of Qin-Na; The Internal Force of Tiger Claw Tactics and Strategies--Using Continuous Attack Effectively; A Tactic to Distract Your Opponent; Selecting Strategies to Suit Particular Situations Classical Kung Fu Weapons--Staffs; Whips, Knives and Other Weapons; Light and Heavy Weapons Understanding and Developing Chi--The Various Genres of Chi Kung; Lohan Embracing Buddha; Abdominal Breathing Shaolin Kung Fu and Zen--Culitvating Heart, Nourishing Nature; Bodhidharma and Taoism in Zen The Shaolin Way to Enlightenment--Attaining a Focused Mind; Meditation to Train Awareness; Shaolin Kung Fu for Spiritual Development
Warrior Origins
Title | Warrior Origins PDF eBook |
Author | Hutan Ashrafian |
Publisher | The History Press |
Total Pages | 242 |
Release | 2014-07-07 |
Genre | Religion |
ISBN | 0750957476 |
WARRIOR ORIGINS is an account of the history and legends of the world’s prominent martial arts and how they share a common heritage. It chronicles the origins of the Shaolin warrior monks, Shaolin Kung-Fu and their celebrated founder, Bodhidharma, who is also considered the first patriarch of Zen (Chan) Buddhism. The book considers Bodhidharma’s origins in the context of ancient Persia and its royal houses and continues with the rise of Karate from ancient Okinawan roots to Japan and then into a global sport. It connects the record of Ninja and Ninjutsu and the influence of some of its latter luminaries, including Seiko Fujita, whilst also revealing new evidence on renowned martial artists such as Bruce Lee.This work takes a dramatically original approach to the heart of the martial arts and their founders. Author Dr Hutan Ashrafian, who holds black belt grades in several martial art styles, including a 5th Dan in Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate and championship medals in Karate and Judo at World and European Masters level, delineates the inheritance of these arts using innovative evolutionaryapproaches to find previously unidentified links between them. Warrior Origins traces the pattern from Bodhidharma to the remarkable diversity of modern martial arts.