Rating: 
Summary: Beginner's Zen for Experienced Martial Artists
Review: Joe provides us insights into the art not the science of martial arts. Don't be put off, however, by the suggestion on the cover page of "a way to spiritual enlightenment". For Joe's work is neither a lecture nor a sermon, but a totalling enjoyable relaxed journey exploring key experiences in his martial arts life. It is a book I feel you should first read from cover to cover to fully enjoy - it is not a manual. It is a tapestry of insights into those areas of martial arts that go beyond the learned physical techniques of kata or kumite. Woven into this work are the insights, wisdom, and practical advice from a diverse range of acknowledged masters of the martial arts. Brought home to us in many cases from his personal experience with the likes of Ed Parker, Bruce Lee, and Jim Lau, just to name a few! And where is the Zen, you well ask? The reader is asked (Page 1) to accept that "for the true master.... martial arts are essentially avenues through which they can achieve spiritual serenity, mental tranquillity, and the deepest self-confidence." If you cannot accept this, then please read on regardless. The book is full of wonderful martial art "lore" and interesting anecdotes and quotable advice from accepted modern day masters as well as ancients. A great read. You may, however, be like many who have reached that stage of your martial arts training where you have more questions than answers about the mental techniques such as emptying the mind, living in the moment, ki energy, controlled breathing, the circle of control, kime, mushin, "sixth-sense" awareness, "mind over matter", "sparking", visualization, and focus. For those of us in this situation, this book makes us aware of these as applications of "the principles of Zen, as reflected in martial arts, to our lives opening up a potential source of inner strength" (Page 3). The author encourages us to see our art and ourselves in a new light. Perhaps best encapsulated (Page 118) in the words of the martial arts master and Zen master Mas Oyama:
"Karate is not a game. It is not a sport. It is not even a system of self-defence. Karate is half physical and half spiritual. The katateist who has given the necessary years of exercise and meditation is a tranquil person. They are unafraid - they can be calm in a burning building". If that is a direction in which you now wish to further develop your art, then I feel this book is an excellent place to start that journey.
Rating: 
Summary: Great
Review: This book is great. It's short, written in a simple style, and is uplifting. It gives great advice on living a meaningful life but it is only (as the author states) a starting point. It will not give you the answers, but it will start you on your journey.
Rating:
Summary: One Of The Best Books I've Ever Read
Review: I've owned this book for over 20 years before I started studying martial arts, and I have found the lessons imparted from this little book to relate to just about every facet of my life. This 144 page book is divided into 28 small chapters that speak about presence, chi, zen, focus and perceived and real threats, etc. Also, the author (Joe Hyams) trained for years with Bruce Lee and his recollections of the teachings of Bruce's are invaluable. Zen In The Martial Arts, is a book you can read dozens of times and still get some new insights every reading. Kudo's to Joe Hyams for this fine book.
Rating:
Summary: Worth reading multiple times.
Review: One never quite finishes reading this book. Its portable size and its direct language make this a book that is easily picked up at any time that it is needed. The author, through the use of his experiences in the martial arts, illuminates wisdom that has echoed down through the ages from the practice of martial arts as well as the study of zen. Each idea is covered in its own chapter and is short enough to not belabor the point, while giving the reader a glimpse into the higher meanings of each lesson learned. While this book is directed specifically towards practitioners of the martial arts, it contains messages that anyone can learn to apply in their daily lives. Knowledge of the martial arts and zen can be of benefit to anyone reading this book, but the lay person should have little difficulty in catching on as well.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Quick Read
Review: This book is a great read. The author is a regular guy - living the Martial Way.
Rating:
Summary: Keep this book on your nightstand
Review: When I purchased this bookI thought that I would be introduced to the actual Zen principles in the martial arts, however I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was a real-world somewhat motivational read. I like it because the author is an American and struggles with approaching the martial arts with an ingrained Western mindset (competitive, impatient). He includes some very interesting, poignant quotes from Eastern philosophers, both ancient and contemporary, as well as quotes from Bruce Lee (with whom the author studied martial arts). I pick it up and read it anytime I am frustrated with myself, my progress in martial arts or even with work. It is a nice, handy book to keep around and helps you keep on the path of wisdom and patience. I highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: excellent book for martial artists,laypeople
Review: The title of my review is somewhat misleading.In fact,I should have written,"ZEN IN THE MARTIAL ARTS is an excellent book for martial artists,all other athletes,Bruce Lee fans,Eastern philosophy/religion buffs,Zen/Taoism practitioners,and casual readers." It must be noted that author Joe Hyams never intended to write a definitive text on Zen as a spiritual practice,or an instructional book on martial arts.Rather,he plays the role of a student;the student of some great teachers. Mr. Hyams learned how to live his life better because of the martial arts and because of the application of Zen in martial arts and everyday life.The anecdotes about Bruce Lee are alone worth the price of the book.Hyams also recounts stories about hapkido expert Master Bong Soo Han,American kempo founder the late Grandmaster Ed Parker,wing chun gung fu master Sifu Jim Lau,and other experts from a wide cross-section of styles.The book also embodies the spirit of Eastern thought,particularly in its discussions of "effortless effort" and "thinking without thought."
Although the book is anecdotal in nature,I do not believe that it is overly simplistic tripe or egomanical name-dropping.Some other reviewers have been unfair in their judgments.Hyams is a sportswriter who is best known for his marriage to actress Elke Sommer.He never was Alan Watts or Bruce Lee,and he never claimed to be.The book is about the application of the theory,not the theory itself.The applications of Zen spirituality and meditation techniques are, in fact, depicted accurately.I have studied eastern thought,personal development, and martial arts for a number of years,and I see no gross inaccuracy.
If anything,there are two glaring omissions in the book.First,Mr.Hyams did not discuss the Christian faith, or the fact that many great martial arts,including some of the late Master Lee's former associates,were/are profound Christians who drew at least as much from Christianity as from Eastern religions.Second,Mr. Hyams fails to mention the complexity of the "chi"(life-force)theory and the profound Chinese science and philosophy underlying it.... Nevertheless,this book is wonderful.As a college-level philosophy instructor,I have allowed students in certain of my classes to write book reviews and term papers based on Hyams' book.That is great praise in and of itself.Yes,a popular tome about Eastern practices by a lay wrtier has been the subject of a term paper in a college course in Western philosophy.Go figure.
Rating:
Summary: You need this book
Review: The section on pain managment and healing are worth the cost of the book alone. This is a great book.
Rating: 
Summary: "name-dropping and ego filling"
Review: Unbelievably shallow. As one of the reviewers has put it: "just name-dropping and ego filling." There are much better books on the subject: "Zen and Japanase Culture" by Suzuki, "Zen in the Art of Archery" by Herrigel, "The Zen Way to the Martial Arts" by Deshimaru.
Rating:
Summary: Very Inspirational Book
Review: This is one of the first books that I have ever read on Zen. Needless to say this started a whole new interest for me. I have now read quite a few and this book is still one of my favorites. For anyone interested in martial arts training or in particular Zens relationship to the Martial Arts and in life in general, you should read this book. I read this book probably once or twice a year. It helps keep things simple for me and remiond me of the things in life that are important.
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