Soul Sword, 2nd Edition: The Way and Mind of a Zen Warrior [Paperback]

Vernon Kitabu Turner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2000

The power of the Warrior Mind is its ability to act from Mushin...a state of No Mind. As a mirror reflects objects without clinging to the images, the Warrior Mind is free to flow from one object to the next without impediment. From this state arises instinctive wisdom, the power that allows ordinary people to perform extraordinary feats.

This is the power that lives within each of us: the power which the author, a legendary black belt and Zen master, hopes to awaken in his readers. It functions within us daily but is counteracted by the false mind and its endless projections. The task is to still the mind to the point where "the action and the actor [are] a seamless thread."

Daily life is the battlefield for the Warrior Mind. The author shows us how to "flow into the affairs of the day. Meeting the rising and falling of circumstance, we learn how to . . trust our true selves once again."

Soul Sword is an active meditation for those who wish to be in the world but not of it.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Zen-warrior and literary lion Vernon Kitabu Turner shares his experience and insight with clarity and compassion. His words ring like temple bells, resonating with the eternal truths of transcendent teachings, conveying both substance and spirit." --Dan Millman, author of Way of the Peaceful Warrior

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Hampton Roads Publishing; 2 edition (November 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1571741518
• ISBN-13: 978-1571741516
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #529,463 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Like nothing you'd expect..., May 19, 2001

By 

Gerald Ladmirault (New Orleans, LA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Soul Sword, 2nd Edition: The Way and Mind of a Zen Warrior (Paperback)

This is an incredible book by a profound author. At first I picked it up because I enjoyed reading about his awakening into martial artistry with no formal training, defending potential victims from violent gangs, meeting with a Zen Master and learning meditation training-- and then, much like the founder of aikido, culminating his combined training into the instantaneous realization of what martial arts are really about. . . and then giving many demonstrations in which he defeats martial arts masters WITH ONE FINGER, earning a Ronin (masterless warrior) award from the BUDO council and a 4th degree black belt in Aiki-jutsu. And doing it all while remaining as humble, benevolent, and loving a person as you will ever meet.

Then I got past the amusing anecdotes and listened to what he had to say about how he got to them, and what he learned in the process. I read the entire book in a single sitting; it blew me away, and immediately assisted me in making some tough decisions with courage. I look forward to finding out what will happen when I try the exercises (Dancing to No-Music, Wingspan Theory, counting breaths, etc.) he suggests.

While this book does dive deeply into Zen, that should not frighten away Christians-- Zen is not a religion (Buddhism is), and Turner comes from a very strong Baptist background. This book is also not a self-help book, and you will not put it down and be able to defeat skilled martial artists with one finger-- you'll have to put forth the effort. But _Soul Sword_ does illustrate what true martial artists are still trying to get across to the public-- it's not about arrogance and violence; it's about humility and love.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Few, October 25, 2001

By 

The Blade of Bushido (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Soul Sword, 2nd Edition: The Way and Mind of a Zen Warrior (Paperback)

It is said that only a few men may ever know the taste of true enlightenment. Vernon Kitabu Turner is one of those men. When I first saw this book, I thought to myself, "Oh, no, another self-proclaimed master," but then I leafed through it and ended up purchasing it. All I can say is, "Wow." What a writer, what a poet, what a philosopher, what a man! This is truly an awe-inspiring book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spectacular!, June 27, 2001

By 

joshua a lukeman (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Soul Sword, 2nd Edition: The Way and Mind of a Zen Warrior (Paperback)

After this book caught my eye on the shelf, I read it without knowing anything about Vernon Kitabu Turner. I couldn't help but feel captivated by the amazing story of this man, and I quickly investigated more about him. Needless to say, the more I learn, the more impressed I am. What's particularly interesting is that Vernon is a talented poet and writer, a quality that is unusual to find today for someone who writes with an eastern/enlightened perspective. I highly recommend the book - truly one of a kind.