Zen in the Martial Arts

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book
Review: Clear and Short stories. Excellent insight to the depth of the martial arts.

Rating:
Summary: You've got to be kidding?!
Review: Where did all the 5 star reviews come from? This book is little more than an egotistic, self promoting, shallow piece of tripe. Joe Hyams is no maritial artist, no Zen Roshi, and a nobody. Much better to buy 'The Zen Way to the Martial Arts' or 'Zen and the Art of Archery'.

Rating:
Summary: Essential Simplicity
Review: This is a core volume in my library. Thin but packed with exceptional lessons. The simplicity of philosophy makes it quite readable, and it's lightness is Zen in itself. A must read for anyone introspective enough to not fear personal growth.

Rating:
Summary: Shallow but enjoyable book on Zen and Asian Martial Arts
Review: Joe Hyams is not a great martial arts master, or a Zen Roshi. His book is rather glib regarding Zen practice or the martial arts. Yet this doesn't mean it's worthless.

"Zen in the Martial Arts" is a little collection of vignettes from Hyams' own training under various martial arts masters in the 50's and 60's, including Bruce Lee, among others. He discusses lessons in concentration, visualization, and various Zen techniques that he recieved from the masters he studied with, and observations he made in their lessons. Hyams is easy to read and inspiring, like a typical new-age motivational writer.

If you're looking for something enjoyable and provocative to read on an airplane flight, this will do nicely. If you're looking for a serious book on Zen or the Martial Arts, however, look elsewhere.

Rating:
Summary: Martial Arts for those looking beyond dojo doors
Review: I have heard criticism of this book citing the fact that Mr. Hyams is not a very accomplished martial artist (He never claims to be in this book.) and that the depth of his understanding of zen is open to question (As would be my own). For me neither of these criticisms bother me in the least and shouldn't dissuade anyone from placing this little gem on their bookshelf.

Here we have a book about a man who trained with many of the best martial arts practitioners available in the West in his time ( Parker, Lee, Han etc. )and while he may not have drank as deeply from the cup as some (who am I to judge?)he was able to sample what there was to offer from far more sources than many of us ever will. He also was able to learn many lessons which he was able to apply with significance to his life outside the dojo. Hitting a special chord within me was his recounting how, during a very dramatic medical emergency, he was able to slow down his breathing by using the breathing exercises he had learned in his aikido class and avert having a heart attack. A clear example of the benefits of training extending beyond the the narrow confines of martial technique.

This book really is one man's odyssey through various martial paths and their significance to him, but they are written so well and in such an engaging way that I feel that I have learned these lessons along with him.

I felt that this book was one of the more significant books on the subject that has actual appeal even to the less serious practitioner or the non-practitioner of the martial arts

Rating:
Summary: A Must Read
Review: If you are a martial arts student or are just interested in martial arts, then this book is a must read. Hyams has written an important book. "Zen in the Martial Arts" is not really about martial arts, nor is it about Zen either. Using martial arts and his personal experiences, Hyams tries to explain the martial artists mind. There is a state where the artist stops thinking and just does. This is the point of this book. Hyams explains that most of the lessons are not taught but learned from the student at their pace when they are ready. Hyams also explains that the best teachers learn from their students as well as teach.

For me, the most interesting note in this book was that Bruce Lee was not perfect, but had his own personal limitations and he worked within them. This was a big point within the book. This is a very good book and is a great place to start the mental portion of training. Highly recommended.