Customer Reviews

Moving toward Stillness: Lessons in Daily Life from the Martial Ways of Japan

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This books brings together a number of Lowry's columns over the years on Zen and the martial arts, and you can learn a lot that is worthwhile about Zen and how a Zen master would apply these principles in everyday life from reading this book. There is no doubt in my mind that many martial artists and westerners in general could benefit from adopting certain Zen principles in their lives, especially in regard to the West's dysfunctional obsession with the individual ego and individual consciousness.

That having been said, I have a problem with books like this. The problem is the same one I had with Alan Watts's famous work, The Book, On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are, back in the 60's and 70's, which I saw as catering to that segment of the western readership who are perennially eastern-obsessed and therefore too naive and uncritical of their philosophy. Back then, there were just too many young people, who, having rejected whatever western culture they were brought up in, simply accepted, lock, stock, and barrel, Zen, Tao, Vedanta, and/or Buddhism after having read one or two books and therefore having finally discovered "the truth."

Well, looking back, that is perhaps too harsh an assessment, and as I said, you can learn a lot that is important and worthwhile from reading Lowry's books about Zen and eastern philosophy. But having studied many of the world's philosophies and religions, I would have to point out that no one philosophy, whether eastern or western, has a monopoly on the truth. They all have their strengths and weaknesses, and no one philosophy or system has all the answers. But overall, I think Lowry has done an important service by writing so clearly and articulately for the westerner who may be at a loss for how to approach a subject as esoteric as Zen philosophy.

I had one more comment, by way of leaving you with a little more perspective perhaps on the relationship between east and west. The great philosopher of history and culture, Frederick Northrop, in his comparison of eastern and western modes of thinking, once pointed out that at the highest levels western epistemology and Zen both become theories of perception, although they take different approaches. The western approach is to look "hard" at something, trying to analyze every possible facet of the perceived object. The Zen master's approach is just the opposite. His approach is more passive, but also more reflective and receptive. He sees more by "looking softer," and letting the object reflect its qualities to him by emptying his mind of all preconceived thoughts. This is the principle of "mind like the moon," and it is one of the most interesting Zen principles, and a useful one for the martial artist too (at least Mas Oyama thought so, which is good enough for me). Lowry discusses many other Zen principles in his book and how a true master might apply them in his everyday life, and that you may also find useful in your own life.

It should be noted that the subtitle of this book is: Lessons in Daily Life from the Martial Ways of Japan. This is a well crafted and engaging work, it should appeal to those who are not martial artists. Yet, the primary audience is likely to be those who practice some form of martial art.

Clearly, Mr. Lowry's thoughtful insights were derived from his life long pursuit of excellence using the vehicle of traditional Japanese martial arts. Thus, he strikes a rather aristocratic tone that is hardly in keeping with our equality and self-esteem obsessed culture of instant gratification and self-worship. In this area I applaud Mr. Lowry's willingness to go against the grain.

Unfortunately, Mr. Lowry also feels the need to take a number of swipes at those who practice nontraditional martial arts. His supercilious characterizations in this regard are shallow and stereotypical. Perhaps he forgets that once upon a time the traditional martial arts were new and innovative and pragmatic. One person's body of tradition is another person's rigor mortis.

Also, his nipponophile tendencies are a bit much. I believe his view of Japanese society and culture is overly romantic and unrealistic. Japan, like American society, is under profound assault by the forces of modernity, materialism and anti-culture.

But these points aside, there is much to savor in Moving Toward Stillness and it merits a wider audience than it is likely to achieve.

Lowry's book, a collection of his articles, is surprisingly consistent in theme. His outlook reminds of Merzel's "Beyond Sanity and Madness" for his fairly stern reminders that the Path lies within simplicity and that the early lessons in any of the martial arts (and many other Eastern disciplines such as Qigong and Zen) contain the essence that you, as a beginner, are unfortunately unlikely to recognize for a long time.

I also enjoy his viewpoint regarding the the 'need' for less ego and posturing; instead he consistently points out that 'Master' depends upon what is deep inside and is displayed through consistent behaviour at all times. Certainly this viewpoint is sorely lacking in many so-called 'Masters' at this time.

Lowry also gives some valuable insight into aspects of Japanese culture that are quite fascinating including Noh and the tea ceremony. He also includes many tidbits about visiting Masters that I found very informative.

Even if you are not that interested in martial arts I believe there are many lessons in this book that make it worthwhile to read.

Written by a Westerner with a Japanese mind. I have followed Dave Lowry's column, The Karate Way in Black Belt magazine for years. Some issues I purchased just for his work. This delightful book is a collection of his best stuff. It is an insightful look at Zen, the martial ways, the mindset necessary to truly master a Japanese art, and the implications thereof in Western society. He is clear, articulate, and never preachy. I liked it a lot.

Lawrence Kane
Author of Surviving Armed Assaults, The Way of Kata, and Martial Arts Instruction

I was first introduced to Mr. Lowry through "Autumn Lightning", and have been a fan ever since. It is very rare to find martial arts texts that go beyond the monotony of Lists of techniques, even more so to find a martial artist who can humble himself in his writing. Mr. Lowry puts all those self proclaimed masters to shame. Although he writes specifically about the Budo, the ideals in these pages can be applied to anyone with a craft or skill that absorbs them, that helps them find insight in their lives. Particular favorite essays in this book are "Catching Catfish in a Gourd" "What Shape are Your Morals in?" and "Sabi Shiori: the Art of Being Alone"

The author is literally the first to admit (via his introduction) that some of his essays sound a bit "curmudgeonly", however please don't miss out on a good thing by letting that stop you from reading these very insightful and interesting essays.

I initially found Lowry's extreme veneration of traditional (Japanese) martial ways, and his shots at those who choose to ignore them in their martial training, to be annoying. In fact, I still strongly disagree with many of the positions that he takes on these subjects.

Having said that, I have to admit that by the time I finished these essays, I did have a new appreciation for many traditions and skills that I previously took lightly or simply thought to be blatantly ridiculous. I now plan to learn a bit more about some of them ! Therefore, the book had the unexpected benefit of opening my mind and making me rethink my opinions. It also gave me a better appreciation of Japanese culture in different periods in history.

Each essay is brief (a couple pages), but often contains a wealth of history, philosophy and psychology. Lowry's analysis of these areas is applied specifically to the martial "Ways", however there are clearly broader applications to much of what he is saying.

In fact, as with other books of this nature, there is really so much content that it is nearly impossible to absorb or apply all of it once (although it is relatively easy to read the book in a short period of time). Therefore I plan to occasionally bring it along with me on my train ride to work, read an essay and perhaps give it a little additional thought. To my mind, that is the best type of endorsement that someone can give to a book of this nature !

The overarching framework for the book is well summed up in its subtitle. Each essay starts with an anecdote or quotation that leads to the author musing on its application to budo. This is by no means of interest only to martial artists; the ideas presented here apply equally to any serious endeavor, from carpentry to cooking to the visual arts.

The author comes down solidly on the side of tradition, both in values and in training. Some writers in that camp sound either reactionary ("Why must we do it? Tradition!" while slamming the table) or defensive ("They just don't wanna do it the right way anymore!" while whining). Lowry is neither. He acknowledges that this is not the path for everybody, while calmly making his case (although he does quite rightly allow some venom for the self-proclaimed GrandMasters and their McDojos).

The writing is consistently spare and elegant, tempting the reader to keep on reading the book straight through in one or two long sessions. Resist the temptation, and limit yourself to a very few at each sitting: each essay invites savoring and merits contemplation.

If you study martial arts to become mentally strong and approach that "zen" state, this is the book for you. The chapters are like short lessons; each can be read independently and out of sequence. David Lowry does a great job emphasising martial arts is not about being better than everyone in your dojo or becoming an ultimate fighter, there is an art and a "way" to be gained by studying martial arts.

First of all, let me say that I have looked forward this book for a long time. Being an avid student of budo, I have followed Mr. Lowry's writing with much interest over the years. In a market which more often than not caters to the latest sensational fad in the martial arts world, it is refreshing to hear a voice which reminds us of our history and the reasons we took up the Way in the first place. What you will get in this book is a collection of articles culled from the monthly column which Mr. Lowry has been writing for Black Belt magazine over the past 14 years. Instead of the often overly simplistic (and often just downright bad) writing which seems to be the norm these days, you will be treated to articles whch will educate, enlighten, and ultimatly guide you a little further down the road along whatever martial path you have chosen. If you're tired of the "How to be a Karate Master in 10 days" variety of article I absolutley recommend that you get this book and read it. You may also wish to pick up some of Mr. Lowry's other works such as "Persimmon Wind", Autumn Lightning", and the wonderful "Sword and Brush". Better yet, read them several times.

I recommend Dave Lowry's "Moving Toward Stillness: Lessons in Daily Life from the Martial Ways of Japan." The book comprises 45 essays that Lowry wrote for Black Belt magazine, about budo practices and concepts that transcend any one martial art. (Many of the examples are from the art of tea ceremony. One essay even concerns the art of testing swords by cutting corpses, and how that relates to flower arranging.) I particularly liked the tale of Yasuhiro Yamashita, nine-time national judo champion of Japan. (No other judoka has won more than three consecutive titles.) Yamashita's lifetime record included 528 wins, 15 losses, and 15 draws. Part of his preparation for tournaments was to keep his surroundings "neat and well-ordered, so I won't be ashamed even if I die during a match." Death was hardly likely, but settling his affairs helped him focus on the competition. I also want to reach a state where the world itself is my to-do list: when it needs my action, I will know. Dave Lowry's essays can help me get there.