I have read many books on the path to bettering myself, improving my way of life personally, consciously, at the same time researching and practicing, applying what I learn. I enjoy experiencing moments of contentment and I am humbly satisfied sharing my knowledge and lessons with others (if they are willing to learn!) and I am always open to learn from others.
Here are a few books I have read that may help you see things differently and possibly help you live better:
The Shaolin Workout: 28 Days To Transforming Your Body and Soul the Warrior's Way by Sifu Shi Yan Ming
-I always tell people everything happens for a reason. On a day when I was emotionally distraught and letting my anger get the best of me even after all my training and research and practice, eying this book and opening it made me feel even more enlightened and feeling better. Sifu Yan Ming is a widely known Shaolin monk and teacher of Kung Fu and Chan Buddhism and has trained many people all over the globe from businessmen to chefs, from police to gymnasts. He has even trained various celebrities such as John Leguizamo, the RZA, and Wesley Snipes among others.
This book not only gives the reader an excellent workout routine, it emphasizes how important it is to be grateful to have this mind, body, and soul every single day you are alive and teaches in each meditation(aptly inserted after every stretching and training exercise) to be grateful, use martial arts only as a means of defense, and to find peace and paradise within yourself first and foremost----since in Buddhism it is taught nothing is permament and all your money and material possessions are temporary happiness. In one section Sifu Yan Ming states that no matter how wider your tv screen gets, you are still the same person in front of it. An insightful, educational, and important book whether for improving your body, mind, or spirit...I highly recommend reading it(and practicing the workout, no matter what fitness background you hail from!)
If you would like to check out Sifu's website, you can check it out here: Shaolin Temple U.S.A.
The Spiritual Practices of the Ninja: Mastering the Four Gates to Freedom by Ross Heaven
-I know Ross gets somewhat of a bad rep, but I didn't read this book for Ninjitsu. I skimmed through it at the bookstore and thought it would be good to open my eyes more to a better understanding of life and spirituality, and to increase my discipline. Upon taking it home and reading it, I came face-to-face with an early death and a future self, and I have taken the path that leads me to a longer, more fulfilling life. Give it a chance if you want to better your mind, body and soul, or at least open your eyes to shamanism and a different spiritual mentality.
Bushido: The Soul of Japan by Nitobe Inazō
-A very insightful book into the educational outline of the code of ethics such as Bushido. Nitobe wrote it in English to be originally for Western readers, then it was later translated to Japanese. At first, it may be a little difficult to understand or hard to read, but it will sink in with time and with rereading. Being someone that is extremely based on "feeling" things and others, and having good intuition or gut feeling, I understood what I was reading after it settled in. In other words, I didn't quite understand what I was reading until I stopped reading it or until I passed the sentence I was on. Weird, but that's how I understood it. A great read, Nitobe explains the Soul of Japan in very noble words.
Hagakure: The Book of The Samurai by Yamamoto Tsunetomo, translated by William Scott Wilson
-Hagakure means "Hidden by Leaves" or "In the Shadow of Leaves". This book, if you haven't read or heard of it before, is basically a collection of quotes and day-to-day anecdotes of a samurai retainer of Nabeshima Mitsushige, the third ruler of what is now the Saga prefecture of Japan. Upon being denied an honorable samurai death(seppuku, or ritualistic suicide), Yamamoto became a Buddhist monk. A beautiful book, it details the very life of a samurai in 17th century Japan and emphasizes the utmost duty, honor, and loyalty to one's master. Throughout the book, there are humorous little stories or thoughts by the author which add to the entertaining read. I recommend it for anyone who wants to read what life was like as a warrior in feudal Japan.
Of course, there are more I have read and more I am reading, but for now one can start with these. Enjoy.
"There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting."
-Buddha
Here are a few books I have read that may help you see things differently and possibly help you live better:
The Shaolin Workout: 28 Days To Transforming Your Body and Soul the Warrior's Way by Sifu Shi Yan Ming
-I always tell people everything happens for a reason. On a day when I was emotionally distraught and letting my anger get the best of me even after all my training and research and practice, eying this book and opening it made me feel even more enlightened and feeling better. Sifu Yan Ming is a widely known Shaolin monk and teacher of Kung Fu and Chan Buddhism and has trained many people all over the globe from businessmen to chefs, from police to gymnasts. He has even trained various celebrities such as John Leguizamo, the RZA, and Wesley Snipes among others.
This book not only gives the reader an excellent workout routine, it emphasizes how important it is to be grateful to have this mind, body, and soul every single day you are alive and teaches in each meditation(aptly inserted after every stretching and training exercise) to be grateful, use martial arts only as a means of defense, and to find peace and paradise within yourself first and foremost----since in Buddhism it is taught nothing is permament and all your money and material possessions are temporary happiness. In one section Sifu Yan Ming states that no matter how wider your tv screen gets, you are still the same person in front of it. An insightful, educational, and important book whether for improving your body, mind, or spirit...I highly recommend reading it(and practicing the workout, no matter what fitness background you hail from!)
If you would like to check out Sifu's website, you can check it out here: Shaolin Temple U.S.A.
The Spiritual Practices of the Ninja: Mastering the Four Gates to Freedom by Ross Heaven
-I know Ross gets somewhat of a bad rep, but I didn't read this book for Ninjitsu. I skimmed through it at the bookstore and thought it would be good to open my eyes more to a better understanding of life and spirituality, and to increase my discipline. Upon taking it home and reading it, I came face-to-face with an early death and a future self, and I have taken the path that leads me to a longer, more fulfilling life. Give it a chance if you want to better your mind, body and soul, or at least open your eyes to shamanism and a different spiritual mentality.
Bushido: The Soul of Japan by Nitobe Inazō
-A very insightful book into the educational outline of the code of ethics such as Bushido. Nitobe wrote it in English to be originally for Western readers, then it was later translated to Japanese. At first, it may be a little difficult to understand or hard to read, but it will sink in with time and with rereading. Being someone that is extremely based on "feeling" things and others, and having good intuition or gut feeling, I understood what I was reading after it settled in. In other words, I didn't quite understand what I was reading until I stopped reading it or until I passed the sentence I was on. Weird, but that's how I understood it. A great read, Nitobe explains the Soul of Japan in very noble words.
Hagakure: The Book of The Samurai by Yamamoto Tsunetomo, translated by William Scott Wilson
-Hagakure means "Hidden by Leaves" or "In the Shadow of Leaves". This book, if you haven't read or heard of it before, is basically a collection of quotes and day-to-day anecdotes of a samurai retainer of Nabeshima Mitsushige, the third ruler of what is now the Saga prefecture of Japan. Upon being denied an honorable samurai death(seppuku, or ritualistic suicide), Yamamoto became a Buddhist monk. A beautiful book, it details the very life of a samurai in 17th century Japan and emphasizes the utmost duty, honor, and loyalty to one's master. Throughout the book, there are humorous little stories or thoughts by the author which add to the entertaining read. I recommend it for anyone who wants to read what life was like as a warrior in feudal Japan.
Of course, there are more I have read and more I am reading, but for now one can start with these. Enjoy.
"There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting."
-Buddha
