Three Golden Pearls on a String: The Esoteric Teachings of Karate-Do and the Mystical Journey of a Warrior Priest

Rating:
Summary: Karate Do in Poetry
Review: As a 16 year practitioner of the martial arts I found Thomas White's words to be inspiring. He has captured the essence of budo training in what normally must be read between the lines of technical manuals - The non-physical elements of Karate Do that are always assumed to be there, but most cannot explain...because no technical manual can guide one to the spirit of the arts. Thomas White has created a wonderful book that describes these mystic elements in what is the only literary form that could capture such an essence - poetry. Sometimes direct to the point, other times more abstract, but always with purpose. All passages reflect the experiences of this humble man on his journey toward self perfection through the martial arts. I have brought this book out countless times to share appropriate quotes and passages with my students. Buy this book. Share in the journey.

Rating:
Summary: Karate Do in Poetry
Review: As a 16 year practitioner of the martial arts I found Thomas White's words to be inspiring. He has captured the essence of budo training in what normally must be read between the lines of technical manuals - The non-physical elements of Karate Do that are always assumed to be there, but most cannot explain...because no technical manual can guide one to the spirit of the arts. Thomas White has created a wonderful book that describes these mystic elements in what is the only literary form that could capture such an essence - poetry. Sometimes direct to the point, other times more abstract, but always with purpose. All passages reflect the experiences of this humble man on his journey toward self perfection through the martial arts. I have brought this book out countless times to share appropriate quotes and passages with my students. Buy this book. Share in the journey.

Rating:
Summary: Good book for personal renewal of the spiritual Karate.
Review: As stated in the title, this is one mans journey for understanding through Karate. The book is an excellant rendition of the thoughts and awakenings felt by some one deciding to take the journey for understanding through a Martial Discipline. Beginners in Karate may have some difficulty in grasping the content, but beginner and teacher alike can enjoy the shared feelings of gained knowledge. For further study I suggest; Nicol's Moving Zen or Jay Gluck's Zen Combat, although both are more technique extensive, the end is the same.

Rating:
Summary: which self do you defend?
Review: Sometimes the mental side of the martial arts gets lost in training. Mr. White's book attempts to put back some of the earliest lessons of the martial arts. It is one book that should be reread the longer you train. My copy is now falling apart, but after first reading it some ten years ago I am still learning from this small book.

Rating:
Summary: which self do you defend?
Review: Sometimes the mental side of the martial arts gets lost in training. Mr. White's book attempts to put back some of the earliest lessons of the martial arts. It is one book that should be reread the longer you train. My copy is now falling apart, but after first reading it some ten years ago I am still learning from this small book.

Rating:
Summary: Best understanding yet
Review: This small volume does more to explain the understanding of the benefits of a martial art than many larger books. From the very begining the simple and clear journey of one man to understand himself by following a way makes this a welcome addition to any serious student's library.