Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking

Bibliography:

Gladwell, Malcolm. "Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking." Bay Back Books. France. 2007.

Review: I am always amazed, I shouldn't be by now, at what is out there that teaches us why we do what we do. Blink is one of those books that turns a light on inside my mind. 

In martial arts we talk about the mind, the state of mind-no-mind, and about being present in the moment but there is more to that then these teachings. We talk about the mind, conscious and unconscious (the logic mind, the monkey mind and the lizard mind, etc.), but we don't really spend much time learning how the unconscious mind actually works and the why it works to well especially when we need snap judgement and instantaneous responses or actions. 

Blick helps open the door to that process and explains just how much we depend on the unconscious, a faster processing part of the brain, to achieve instant answers or in the field of martial defense - actions. 

The rub is once you understand how it works and learn how to acknowledge it for what it is you, like in mind-no-mind, simply forget about it and then be more accepting as to its purpose, function and use in life and in defenses as they apply to life. It is an amazing journey. I started reading and could not put it down till the end. I am at this writing starting the second reading of this fine book. 

Violence: A Writer's Guide

Bibliography:

Miller, Rory. "Violence: A Writer's Guide." Pacific Northwest. Wyrd Goat Press. 2012.

Review: Again Sgt. Miller has coupled his life experiences in a violent work world into something educational and useful, for a writer as well as a person learning about violence for self-defense. This book, as is his other efforts, is well done. It refreshes about information from his other efforts as well as provide solid clues on how to write about it with authenticity and accuracy. 

Example of content: The three essential elements of self-defense he provides in this book are a good primer for anyone seeking self-defense training. Knowing of and about these elements gives a person ammunition to seek out good self-defense training. When you couple this with the information Sgt. Miller provides in this book as well as his other efforts you have a good foundation to separate the chaff from the wheat of self-defense instruction. 

What are the thee essentials? Awareness-Initiative-Permission. I could give you my view of this but prefer recommending you read his book as mentioned above. His explanations are far better than mine. 

Tales of Old Japan

Bibliography:

Freeman-Mitford, Baron Algernon Bertram. "Tales of Old Japan." Indy Publishing and Amazon Kindle. Britain. 1910.

Review: First, this book is free on Amazon in the kindle edition. It does not get any better than that guaranteed. 

Second, this book was first published in 1910 and written with the intent to provide greater insight into the culture and belief of the Japanese during a period of time that has deeply influenced how Japan is in modern times. 

Third, anyone be they martial artist or just interested in learning about Japan will benefit from this book. As an example there is one small quote that adds to the explanation in the practice of sitting in a Zen posture under a waterfall during the coldest times of the year in Japan. In a nutshell it is about cleansing the soul as that is perceived by Japanese. 

An excellent edition to anyone's library and the expense is "nothing." :-)