Zen in the Martial Arts

Rating:
Summary: An OK read, but don't buy the hardcover...
Review: I read a few pages of this book at my dojo and became a little intrigued, so I ordered it when I got home. After reading the whole thing, I will admit that there are some gems of wisdom hidden among vast amounts of name dropping and self promotion that lace the pages. Apparently Mr. Hyams studied martial arts for many years and was fortunate to meet and train with people who would eventually be considered pillars in the history of martial arts in the USA. He learned some worthy lessons from them, but takes you through a lotta hoopla before he tells you what those lessons are. I recommend buying the book used or in paperback. Its not worth the price of hardcover -if its even in hardcover.

Rating:
Summary: A classic work on an often misunderstood topic.
Review: The real beauty of Mr. Hyams' book is that--unlike his often ad hominem and jingoistic contemporaries--he has sought out and shared the wisdom and insight one can obtain through martial arts training without putting the techniques of one person, style, or country above others.

When Hyams' asserts that the principal goal of martial arts training is to defeat the antagonist that resides within yourself, he turns his back on the ubiquitous 'do unto others before they do unto you' martial arts curriculum and gently leads the reader toward introspection, reflection, and insight.

Over the past 17 years, I have returned to this book again and again. Each time, I come away with something new and useful. There are only a handful of books in my ever growing library that I can say that about.

Many have criticized Mr. Hyams' book because it is not an exhaustive thesis on the subject. To these persons I would ask, could anyone possibly write an exhaustive treatment of this subject?

Rating:
Summary: A book that should be read by everyone
Review: Everyone, no matter who you are, should read this book. Especially if you have had no formalized training in its subject matter. Even if you never before have been involved in the martial arts and never plan to be, this book contains a lot of valued insights into life that will help you no matter what it is you do.

Rating:
Summary: there are much better books out there
Review: i was fairly interested in this book when i got it but after reading it i was left with the sense that i should have read something else. the book isn't bad, it just didn't give me any insight in regard to the title. it was a quick read and didn't bore me but i felt no new ideas about Zen or the martial arts were gained. if you want to understand Zen better read D.T. Suzuki and Eugen Herrigel gives a great account of Zen as it relates to training. for martial arts there are far better books. this book was a huge disappointment for insight into martial arts and i was left with the sense that while Hyams has certainly trained in a vast array of disciplines his understanding does not go beyond the surface of any of them. one thing this book may be good for is that there are numerous quotes from other books, some of which i have read, and i would recommended reading some of the books he quotes instead of this one.

Rating:
Summary: Simple words for intense meaning.
Review: In this book, Joe Hyams sheds light on obscure facets of our personality, many of which we are not even aware of. Why are we so anxious, why do we fear pain, why are we so eager to show our force to others, why do we have to go through daily confrontations with our family, spouse, colleages ? Through a short but clear description of the issues that make our lives sometimes difficult and a thorough analysis of the mental process involved in overcoming them, Joe Hyams explains all the internal revolutions that a sound mentality can create in human beings. Non martial artists will find in this book some answers to those questions they have always been asking themselves about their behavior and how to make the most out of their lives. Martial artists will be exposed to the Zen aspects of martial arts, which is probably essential to a mastery of these disciplines. As a beginner in Shotokan-Karate, I found this book enlightening on some issues that take a life-long to master and even understand. The simple examples given in this work allows the reader to have a general understanding of the Zen principles behind martial arts and behind everyday life.

I strongly recommend this book, both to martial artists and to others, it will land you on the ground and make you understand that your way to happiness is still long and wanderous but may be stated in simple words understandable by all. The Zen principles and adages punctuating the book also constituate a good volume of meat for the mind.

Thank you for reading through. Stephane

Rating:
Summary: This book may change your (way of) life.
Review: I found this book in a small store in Chinatown hidden behind some others. Each time I read it each time I am impressed and my horizon opens again and again. I recommend this book to advanced martial artists due to better understanding. For me it was and is a perfect book that combines Zen, Martial Arts and the way of life. Thank you Joe Hyams.

Rating:
Summary: A message of Zen through Myth?
Review: I feel the book is enspiring and does well to communicate the philosophy of Zen to the western mind. However, after of years of research after reading the book, I have come to question the author's ability to recount his stories accurately. An example is the author's description of Choki Motubu being a giant of over 7 feet in stature when in reality he was well under 6 feet.

Rating:
Summary: Don't think twice...BUY THIS BOOK NOW!
Review: This is an excellent book for anyone at ANY stage in martial arts. If your a master of the art or someone with an interest in it, you will find Zen in the Martial Arts to be an amazing book. You will certainly find it is well worth ten times its value in the key insights and helpful philosophies within it. I am almost certain you will find yourself re-reading it many times over as I have. Don't wait..get it now! You will not be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: The best and most dynamic martial arts book i have ever read
Review: I do not own the book yet, but the book was lent to me by my sensei after a hard round of sparring that left me bleeding and dazed. Over the next few days, i found myself reading the book whenever i had the chance, trying to understand the lessons learned by the author and convey them to my life. Technical ideas such as "belly breathing" are covered as well as more thought provocking ideas such as "emptying your cup". The next time i sparred, my whole outlook changed. This book is a great read for anyone, involved or not in the martial arts.

Rating:
Summary: Zen made easy
Review: This is a great book about Zen, making it easy to understand comparing it to real life situations, instead of just saying a bunch of complex ideas that would make no sense to a beginning Zen practictioner. A great first book of Zen to start off with, written by a man who learned under great instructors (Bruce Lee). And had serious situations in which Zen was used better explaining Zen to you the reader. Goes over all aspects of Zen (ki, peace, breathing), short and outlined nicely.