My rating:
add to my books
Loading...
Zen In The Martial Arts
"A man who has attained mastery of an art reveals it in his every action."--Samurai Maximum.
Under the guidance of such celebrated masters as Ed Parker and the immortal Bruce Lee, Joe Hyams vividly recounts his more than 25 years of experience in the martial arts. In his illuminating story, Hyams reveals to you how the daily application of Zen principles not only developed ...more
Under the guidance of such celebrated masters as Ed Parker and the immortal Bruce Lee, Joe Hyams vividly recounts his more than 25 years of experience in the martial arts. In his illuminating story, Hyams reveals to you how the daily application of Zen principles not only developed ...more
Mass Market Paperback, 144 pages
Published
June 1st 1982
by Bantam
(first published October 1st 1979)
There is a good chance some of your friends read this book. Sign in to see!
sign in »
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
This book is currently not featured on any Listopia lists.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
545)
This is a short book written from the personal perspective of the author, Joe Hymas, who trained under such noted masters as Bruce Lee and Ed Parker.
Written in 1979, he recounts more than 25 years of experience in the martial arts, writing how Zen principles gave him the mental discipline to cope with issues of self-image, work pressure and competition, and how, through mastering the spiritual goals in martial arts, you can dramatically alter the quality of your life, enriching your...more
Written in 1979, he recounts more than 25 years of experience in the martial arts, writing how Zen principles gave him the mental discipline to cope with issues of self-image, work pressure and competition, and how, through mastering the spiritual goals in martial arts, you can dramatically alter the quality of your life, enriching your...more
When I first ordered the book online I didn't expect it to be this thin. (But I guess every book that includes Zen in its tittle is not supposed to be too long. 'Cos it's not about words, right?) Confused by the high ratings here I thought it would be a deep and complex research of the matter - explaining techniques as well as giving global overview. Instead, it is just quickly passing by the subjects, not digging into them. And it gets pretty naive at times. The next American... I won't say bul...more
Stuart
rated it
Recommends it for:
Martial artists seeking an easy read.
Shelves:
zen-books,
stories-martial-arts
Some of the "original stories" of martial arts. First printed in 1979 this book was a source for martial arts students for the last thirty years.
The Classical Man (Richard Kim)The Classical Man and Karate Dojo(Peter Urban) The Karate Dojo: Traditions and Tales of a Martial Art are similar types of stories of the same era.
The Classical Man (Richard Kim)The Classical Man and Karate Dojo(Peter Urban) The Karate Dojo: Traditions and Tales of a Martial Art are similar types of stories of the same era.
I trained extensively in the martial arts as a teenager. This book was in my library as I tried to incorporate the philosophy of it into my training. As an adult and a born again Christian who still practices martial arts, I recognize the "zen" philosophy as being evil and quite contrary to the Biblically-informed, Holy Spirit-directed mind.
Practicing the martial arts is disputed among Christians. Which martial arts to avoid is even more controversial. This book is not rec...more
Practicing the martial arts is disputed among Christians. Which martial arts to avoid is even more controversial. This book is not rec...more
Told to read it by TaeKwonDo instructor. It was a quick read. Presented in two-page chapters, a very digestible way. Not bad, but no major revelations. If I were in my teens or twenties, or if I'd read it when it came out in 1979 perhaps it would have been more enlightening but this is the sort of philosophy that the media and the yogis cover extensively these days. Similar to "mindfulness". I think it was more interesting for the personalities and the martial arts history than f...more
Andy Segura
rated it
Recommends it for:
Martial Artists, people who are interested in Zen and Enlightenment.
If you are looking for a quick fix in Enlightenment.. Sorry, but no book can do that for you. Enlightenment takes a long journey. Zen in the Martial Arts helps with the first step into Enlightenment, though. You have a short, but interesting read. You have interesting stories of Bruce Lee as well. Joe Hyam does not condescend nor does he offer quick fixes. He simply gives out his applied knowledge and shares it with anyone that is interested.
Whether or not you are in...more
Whether or not you are in...more
Graham
added it
Actually quite good.: I ordered this expecting to be mildly entertained but ultimately I thought that I probably wouldn't get a lot of useful information out of it. Indeed it did entertain, and the amount of Zen in it is quite thin on the ground. But when it is used it is with (I found) remarkable results. In each chapter the author will talk about a time when he had a problem with life or training, and how he overcame it through "Zen" wisdom supplied to him by instructors he has train...more
I found this book on a table of give away books. The title interested me plus the thin size of the book. I wanted a quick read.
Only it hasn't been a quick read. The chapters are only 2 pages but there is so much to think about in those 2 pages that I find myself taking my time with this book. And seriously I'm sure not enough time.
The book was published in 1979 and is well written and easy to read. Thoughts and concepts are put across well.
Only it hasn't been a quick read. The chapters are only 2 pages but there is so much to think about in those 2 pages that I find myself taking my time with this book. And seriously I'm sure not enough time.
The book was published in 1979 and is well written and easy to read. Thoughts and concepts are put across well.
Joe Hyams really helps the reader understand the life applications to the philosophy behind the martial arts by sharing how he used them in his life in and out of the dojo. The martial arts, for him, became more than just physical exercise and fighting techniques; it became a vessel for self mastery and inner peace.
We can find the philosophy of Zen and the Martial Arts in all the literature for peak performers in business, sports, etc. The idea of training ourselves to developing habits so that ...more
We can find the philosophy of Zen and the Martial Arts in all the literature for peak performers in business, sports, etc. The idea of training ourselves to developing habits so that ...more
It's the first book of my life that lead me in the sacred way of martial arts. I hope everyone who interest in this way. Don't hesitate to read it for your first step on the way of wisdom and courage. Open up the world inside your heart.
Wasn't a bad read at all and one a beginning Martial Artist might want to read simply for the story value. It's really not about anything more than the author's experiences with Zen in his life, not just Martial Arts.
This is a good book for a martial artist to read. I'm not sure how much the general population would appreciate it. You get some nice bits of philosophy from some of the world's great martial artists.
Dana
added it
Short chapters.
Very inspirational. Stories of the author's intearctions with various martial arts masters from different styles. Moral at the end of each chapter. I gave it to Shannon.
Very inspirational. Stories of the author's intearctions with various martial arts masters from different styles. Moral at the end of each chapter. I gave it to Shannon.
Of all the books I read in my first year of studying karate, this one probably helped most in the formation of my understanding of the mental and spiritual side of the martial arts.
This is a fantastic book for anyone in the Martial Arts. For a long time after I read it, I gave copies to everyone from my school who graduated to black belt.
I still think about the conversations he decribes with Bruce Lee, lasting power.
I almost memorised the book until someone took it. I want to get another copy again soon.
Awesome, just awesome. Is definitely one to read again and again.
highly recommended to anyone interested in zen or martial arts (duh). loved it.
I think this man was a student of Bruce Lee? Not a bad read.
Some knowledge cannot be gained except by practical experience.
Simple pieces of advice told through engaging stories
Nita Galambos
added it
must read for any martial artist
This book os a must for every Martial Arts library.
It's one that you will return to over and over again over the years as you progress through the arts.
Hyams is an outstanding story-teller, and the images that he uses to make his points are fantastic teaching tools.
As an artist and a teacher, this book formed many of the key ideas that I have about Martial Arts and the philosophy that drives our art.
It's one that you will return to over and over again over the years as you progress through the arts.
Hyams is an outstanding story-teller, and the images that he uses to make his points are fantastic teaching tools.
As an artist and a teacher, this book formed many of the key ideas that I have about Martial Arts and the philosophy that drives our art.
I loved and learned from each and every page. This book is a keeper to be read and re-read. The ideas and philosophy are generations old, but the author writes about them in a clear simple manner which somehow manages to make it seem both to be more profound and to contain more common sense than one would imagine. Loved it. Loved it.
A very small book especially when you discount the artwork and lifted zen quotes. Hyams tries to suppose his martial arts training to everyday career and life problems and situations. While some parables are useful analogies, others do not work or can be diagnosed without martial arts. Entertaining bit not particularly memorable.
Not something I would have picked up on my own (I know nothing of the martial arts beyond the Karate Kid movies), this came highly recommended by a friend. For a tiny book, it is packed full of insightful -- and deceptively simple -- observations about how to live.
view 2 comments
This book in incredible. If you are a martial artist serious about the self-growth side of the art you owe it to yourself to read this book. The author has many short stories of personal examples from his life. Each of these stories have deep 'zen' meaning to them.
Awesome book. It is a really short book about how this one person feels one should approach the martial arts and life in general. I am rather partial to it due to my fondness for the martial arts. However, I would say almost anyone would find this book thoroughly enjoyable.
Sayira
is currently reading it
as a martial artist, so many of these things are true. It's as though he read my thoughts and put it in my own personal book. It also relates to everyday life.
Lets just say... easier said than done
Lets just say... easier said than done
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
