The Martial Way

I’ve held off on gushing about a book I’ve been reading, until I reached the end. I just finished it … and without a doubt it’s one of the most accurate, direct, and well written texts on the martial arts that I’ve ever read. Beginning to end, it’s a totally worthwhile read … whether you fancy yourself a follower of a martial “way,” or are just curious about people who do. This book takes a set of feelings and impressions that I’ve been slowly gathering, and gives them incisive and expert voice.

Living the Martial Way by Forrest Morgan.

I’ve become more than a little bit fanatical about my martial arts training over the past three years. Part of this was the fact that I could easily walk to the self defense training center at the corner of my street. Part is due to my tendency to take whatever I do with a good dose of the ole’ obsessive compulsive seasoning. The close friendships that I developed there have played a role, and I’ve really come to like being in excellent physical shape. However, something extra has been growing on me as well. For me, at least, the structured discipline, knowledge of techniques intended to physically stop an attack – often before it has any chance of harming me, and culture of respect have brought to light an aspect of life whose lack wasn’t clear to me before. In short, I’ve become aware that there is something of value in living with a set of beliefs and behaviors that, taken together, might be called “honor,” a “warrior” mindset, or budo in the Japanese tradition.

Morgan feels the same way, and he’s been thinking about it a lot longer than I have. He goes deeply into the several ways that a “warrior” approach to life will cause you to approach every day differently … and how they will improve your life if you commit to them. Now, keep in mind: I’m a computer geek. Morgan is a Major in the Air Force. I’ve studied one art for a little over three years. He’s studied all over the world.

I’ve read a lot of crap lately. Every Borders and Barnes and Noble has a “Martial Arts” rack populated with drivel of the lowest sort. I’ve plowed through much of it. I got your “secret teachings of the shaolin,” right here. I’ve also been through a pile of mealy mouthed self help Buddhism-esque new age junk. Living the Martial Way is different.

Morgan touches on a wide variety of truths – each set of chapters addresses an aspect of what it might mean to live what he refers to as a “warrior” lifestyle. He provides succinct (and to my eye, accurate) definitions of very difficult concepts, including “honor,” moving “gracefully,” and the ever elusive “ki.” There is even a chapter summarizing the religious and philosophical roots of the four major asian religions. That chapter is next to the section on diet and physical training. He really covers all the bases.

All books and all people have their flaws. The most obvious one in this book is pride. He feels strongly that living in the way that he suggests makes for a morally superior human being, and he makes no bones about the fact that – given the choice – you really ought to do so.

This one is going up on the reference shelf in the public area of the apartment.