Some book reading that I think is interesting. Part of my martial education has led me to think that the intentional study of martial arts has to include readings from various other disciplines. These books are some of the many I have read that caused me to think and reflect on myself, life, society, and or the martial arts.
If you know of other good books please e-mail me a list, thanks
This list will change and expand as I get some of my loaned books back.
Living the Martial Way
by Forrest E. Morgan Published by Barricade Books Inc.
1530 Palisade Ave. Fort Lee NJ 07024 ISBN: 0-942637-76-3
This is a great book that does not try to teach technique, but gives ways to think as a warrior. I liked it even more the second time around, great depth and perspective.
The Lost Art of War
by Sun Tzu II,Translated by Thomas Cleary.
HarperCollins Publishers 10 East 53rd Street New York NY 10022 ISBN 0-06-251361-3
This is a "recently discovered" companion to the famous Art of War. Though it was not written by Sun Tzu the writing style and level of thought are consistent.
Mind over Matter, Higher Martial Arts
by Shi Ming, translated by Thomas Cleary
Published by Frog Ltd. Distributed by North Atlantic Books P.O. Box 12327,Berkeley CA 94701 ISBN: 1-883319-15-3
Shi Ming first caught my attention on a Bill Moyers PBS series "Healing and the Mind." Shi Ming tries to convey the belief that martial arts is not just about kicking and punching, but that it is actually a way to refine consciousness.
The Sword and the Mind
by Yagyu Munenori, translated by
Hiroaki Sato
Published by The Overlook Press Lewis Hollow Road Woodstock NY 12498 ISBN: 0-87951-209-1
Written at the same time as Miyamoto Musashi's Book of Five Rings This is another great strategy book. It is DEEPER than it first appears.
The Martial Artist's Book of Five Rings
Interpreted by Steve Kaufman. Published by Charles Tuttle Company Inc. Boston, Tokyo ISBN 0-8048-3020-7
This translation is geared specifically for the martial artist "as it was originally intended." I appreciated that it is a reality check of what is your intention when you enter into a fight.
In the Gravest Extreme
by Massad F. Ayoob Massad F. and Dorothy Ayoob Publishers. Available from: Police Bookshelf P.O. Box 122 Concord NH 03301 An excellent book for a very general overview of when it is legally appropriate to use a firearm in your own self-defense. I always told my students to "substitute using Tukong Moosul techniques for discharging your firearm." I was not trying to be egotistical, just trying to give them an idea of what the law might think. Better safe than sorry, on both sides of that equation.
The Art of Strategy
by R.L. Wing Published by DOUBLEDAY Publishing,
New York ISBN:0-385-23784-7 Published in 1988
A different translation of Sun Tzu. I like it because of the breakdown of "Conflict in the Self, Conflict in the Environment, Conflict with Another, and Conflict among Leaders." An interesting and informative way of viewing differing effects of conflicts, and of ways to deal effectively with these conflicts.
Taoism is NOT Spirituality, however it is a great, functional way of looking at the world. Taoism is more a 'philosophical perspective' than anything else; but it was a great step along the Path in my Spiritual evolution.
Lieh~Tzu
by Eva Wong. Published by Shambala Press Boston & London ISBN: 1-57062-153-5 This is a great collection of stories that offer "a Taoist guide to practical living." Eva Wong does a great job of giving a modern voice to ancient writings.
The Tao is Silent
by Raymond M. Smullyan Published by Harper Collins New York NY ISBN: 0-06-067469-5
This is a hilarious look at Taoism. Smullyan uses humor very appropriately to convey his thoughts on Taoism.
Thinking Body, Dancing Mind
By Chungliang Al Huang & Jerry Lynch Bantam Books New York ISBN: 0-553-37378-1
This is a great book that blends Taoism and physical training. I loved their concept that the body is thinking in movement and the mind is dancing. Just what I love about training.
Scholar Warrior
By Deng Ming-Dao. Harper Publishing Sanfrancisco ISBN 0-06-250232-8 Published in 1990 This is a great book that deals with the connection of physical discipline and mental discipline. The contention is that in order to aquire mental discipline one must use physical discipline. There is also a good explanation of Chi Gung, and of meditation practices.
The Book of Changes and the Unchanging Truth
by Hua-Ching, Ni. Sevenstar Communications Group Inc. 1131 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 300, Santa Monica CA, 90401 ISBN 0-937064-81-5 First edition published in 1983. A truly amazing book, I was unsure weather to list it here or in the Acupucture section. The first 1/3 of the book deals with the Chinese 5-element theory. Well worth finding and reading.
TAO ~ The Subtle Universal Law and the Integral Way of Life
By Hua-Ching NI Sevenstar Communications Group Inc. 1131 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 300, Santa Monica CA, 90401 ISBN: 9 780937-064658 This book is an even deeper exploration of Taoism and the perspective of life that entails.
I would be remiss if my list did not include
The Tao of Pooh
By Benjamin Hoff. Published by E.P. Hutton, 2 Park Ave. New York, NY 10016 ISBN: 0-525-24124-8. Yes Winnie-the-Pooh. It is a great read!
Though my formal study of acupuncture has only started six years ago I have begun to develop a list of some of the books that I think have a good working explanation of acupuncture.
An excellent introduction that lays a solid foundation for understanding acupuncture is:
THE WEB THAT HAS NO WEAVER
By Ted J. Kaptchuk Published by Congdon & Weed, Chicago, IL. ISBN 0-86553-109-9 Published in 1983. Mr. Kaptchuk does an excellent job of describing the concept of "Eastern Diagnosis" in a language that is simple to grasp, yet thorough.
Between Heaven and Earth
By Harriet Beinfield & Efrem Korngold published by Ballantine Books New York ISBN: 0-345-37974-8 Published in 1991 This is a great book that explains some of the ways Eastern medicine views our bodies and the ways of maintaining health.
Healing with Whole Foods
by Paul Pitchford. Published by North Atlantic Books, Berkley California. ISBN: 0-938190-64-4 Published in 1993 What I like about this book, aside from the well worded explanation of Oriental Medicine, is that Mr. Pitchford explains the western nutritional aspect as well as the 'eastern energetics' of the foods. And he has some great recipes too.
For a more technical book try:
The Foundations of Chinese Medicine
By Giovanni Maciocia Published by Churchill Livingstone. ISBN0-443-03980-1 Published in 1989 This is an excellent text book, but it is a text book. (Translation: expensive, and in depth material) Maciocia gives excellent explanations of "Yin & Yang" and of the Five Element theory (though not as good as Hua-Ching Ni's). Those alone are worth looking for. Maybe you can find it in a library.
This will require some effort on your part. You will have to write to me, then I will be more than happy to share my thoughts on this.