Book Review: My Connections To Zen In The Martial Arts
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My Connections to Zen In The Martial Arts
I recently read “Zen In The Martial Arts,” by Joe Hyams. The author Joe Hyams was a Hollywood columnist and an experienced martial art student who has learned from several famous martial artists such as, Bruce Lee and Ed Parker. He has studied karate, judo, jujitsu, jeet kune do, hapkido, aikido, taekwondo, and wing chun.
The book “Zen In the Martial Arts” consists of several chapters, each about a lesson the author has learned. The first chapter is named, “Empty Your Cup.” In “Empty Your Cup,” Joe Hyams recalls meeting at his house with Bruce Lee hoping to take lessons. When asked by Bruce Lee if he realized that he would have to forget all his former martial art experience, he replied, “No.” Bruce Lee smiled, put a hand on his shoulder, and then told him a story about a Japanese Zen master. The Japanese master was talking to a university professor who wanted to talk about his opinions of Zen to look smart. It was obvious that the professor did not actually want to learn Zen as much as he wanted to boast how smart he was and all his opinions about Zen. After talking for a…show more content… When I was reading Zen In The Martial Arts I was stressed because I knew I would have to get my essay done in time for my exam. It felt like I had a weight on my back because even when I was reading I was thinking, “I have to hurry up and get my reading done, I have to hurry up and get my reading done.” I ended up reading slower instead of faster because it literally felt like I had a weight on my back and when someone walks with a weight on their back it is harder. A few chapters after reading “Process Not Product” I reflected on it. I tried to listen to the moral and act upon it. When I eliminated my deadline reading all the other chapters got a lot