Customer Reviews

Liuhebafa Five Character Secrets: Chinese Classics, Translations, Commentary

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this book awhile ago, with every intention of reading but just never got to it until now. However, I should have started to read it the moment I purchased it. It really helps with those who are advanced in their martial arts practice to truly understand finer things of their art. I've also enjoyed some of the discussions of the more spiritual aspects that were handed down from the Immortal Chen Tuan. It's vital to every serious martial artist to have the spiritual dimension in their life or else they may find themselves out of control.

I would not however recommend this for beginners right away. It's important that you have a good teacher and that you listen to him/her because they will be able to impart their experience so that you may gain some yourself. Later it will be up to you to investigate in things yourself.

The five character secrets should definitely be reserved for those who practice advanced internal martial arts, therefore, this book is perfect in branching one's understanding of the deeper intricacies of living as a martial artist as well as being a practitioner. Paul Dillon admits that this information is usually only passed down from the master to his most advanced students and only a little at a time, so it is more easily digested. Yet how many people have obtained this advanced level that the five character secrets should be easily obtainable through a bookstore for anyone? Most people are not ready for this. For a guy like me, I love it. Dillon provides word for word, literal, and interpretive translations including commentary. One translation is usually easier to ponder than the other and Dillion says to take a realistic fortnight to digest each secret: Very Doable. This book reminds me of "Liang Zhen Pu Eight Diagram Palm" which provides intricate information through written song and poetry; too advanced in thought for most people, yet definitely for the advanced.

This excellent book by Paul Dillon is an extraordinary resource and doorway into understanding how energy becomes matter and matter transforms to energy. In a very real way, it is the heart of the teachings of the internal martial arts - it is a transformative practice, not for defeating others, but for the spirit of protection, compassion and spiritual development. If you are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to study with Paul, you will find him a generous and knowledgeable teacher.

I normally try to convey a more eloquent description concerning the worth of a literary source. I will not have to do the same thing for a review of this book. If you are a a seasoned fighter and sense that your power comes from more than muscle and sinew; moreover, you wish to find the additional source of your power, then this is the book for you.
I have researched and applied the essential aspects of this book. It works. There are other literary sources that you need to read concerning the development of internal skill such as Taoist Yoga: Alchemy & Immorality and Daoist Nei Gong: The Philosophical Art of Change but the application of these sources greatly enhance ones execution of internal skill. The enhancement is in form and function when the information of Paul Dillon is used as a guide. In fact this literary source should be used as a guidebook.

If you are a dilligent practitioner of neijia form you will go through changes concerning ones conscious (mind), energy (emotion) and physical (body) states of beingness. This book has wisdoms that can remind and inform you as to how well one can maintain a balance between states of beingness. This is the worth of the book as one will continually train and research the book and during the process cultivate ones expression of internal skill. If the video review allows me to show you the power of integrating the wisdom of the book into a Wu Stylist's knowledge you can see first hand the importance of the book for an adept wishing to personally mature his skills.

Buy the book.... It is worth it!!!

The Art of Western Tai Chi Ch'uan: The Supreme Ultimate & Sweet Science Of Boxing With 10 Limbs

I bought Paul Dillon's book on a whim. In the bookstore I thought the same thing as the three star reviewer Ronin noted in his review, especially about photos of Paul in a dopey sweater. Despite those misgivings I still bought the book. I can't say exactly why other than I felt compelled to have it at the time; but, it was an unripe ambition and I remained uninspired to read it for a time. It just sat on my shelf for a couple years.

After that period I finally met Paul at his workshop in Idaho through other influences (I hadn't realized until just before meeting him that it was his book I bought years before and never read). After his introduction and my instruction, I can vouch that Paul's book has served me very well as a student of Liu He Ba Fa from the beginning. I later shared my initial misgivings about his book with Paul, and commented about his dopey sweater and "goofy white guy in street clothes" look. He said it was intentional. We both smiled.

Will this book work for you? It depends on what you want of yourself and if you are seeking practical wisdom to use or theoretical knowledge to talk about.

My personal and direct experience is that I've found this book to be highly useful and applicable as an almost literal, daily road map for my practice. I constantly refer to it for specific insights and seeds of wisdom that I can make come alive in my own progress. I am on my second copy.

I can say there are true riches in this book without hyperbole in anticipation of being discounted as one of Paul's periodic students from afar: I keep notes on my daily progress in my journals over the years and parts of this book are in my journals often, and usually verbatim. It is a learning aid as well as a wonderful reference for the internal arts practitioner.

Can beginners pick up Paul's book and get value from it--yes, but it will be different value than a more dedicated practitioner can discern and animate. If you feel this book speaks to you on any level, I heartily recommend you buy it. Perhaps you'll be off to the races immediately. It might also slowly germinate around you until one day you find you've become deliberate, methodical and focused... working with a jewel of a teacher like Paul, or even with deeper parts of yourself.