Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

What is a Trinity? Is it Soul, Mind, and Body? Is it the Father, the Holy Ghost, and the Son? Is it the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha?

What I got from this book is the idea that that only enemy is within. What I get from the author is the idea that the Way is One. Christian Zen Master? What is that? I see it as a trinity just as we all are. I see Christianity as his path, Zen as the method, and the Master as the man that can make harmony with the three in one.

I've witnessed the man in action in Fresno. And honestly I was absolutely confused why these martial artists and even a prize winning wrestler went down so easily when he touched them. I had read his book and accepted the possibilities of what he was saying. I long came to terms with the fact that I will leave this world not knowing everything.

But it wasn't until I stood perplexed, by these what I thought were "mental weaklings" falling so effortlessly that I understood the books message fully. Seeing the look on his face indicating that he was equally in awe to whatever was causing them to fall, it clicked. A Spirit Warrior has no enemy.

These people weren't falling, they were surrendering to the Truth of the moment. Kitabu Roshi was not their enemy. There is no enemy in One. He touched them with love as they were baptised in the Spirit. They let go because they felt safe in that moment. They trusted what he was representing.

Many of us will have a difficult time accepting what he has written because all we know is conflict. It's us against them. And them is whoever isn't us. But if it is true that the only enemy is within, let us give thought to how difficult it is for those who have made the choice not to project their inner enemy onto others like this man must be doing.

A house divided can't stand. Eventually we'll see that the Way is One. Jesus said he was the Way. It is probably better understood, I manifest the Way. What is the Dao? It means the Way. Jesus is the Dao? Consider the possibilities. Books like this can help unify, much like Thich Nhat Hanh's "Living Buddha, Living Christ" and "Jesus and Buddha: The Parallel Sayings" by Marcus J. Borg.

I'm greatful to live in a time when people are choosing to see more of what we have in common than what we have different. I encourage all seekers to look over the walls that have been built around them just as men like this are doing.

I was sure this was going to be a real Zen Buddhist message about facing the war we call life. And it starts out that way. It reminds one of the writing of Bruce Lee.

But as you read more, you discover that the words "God" and "Jesus" and "Holy Spirit" become more frequent until you begin to realize you're not reading a Buddhist text at all but a Christian text.

This is another example of a writer using the word "Zen" to sell books. In his defense, he did quote a few Buddhist passages and he mentioned Buddha a time or two. But the book is steeped in the Bible and Christianity. And that's okay. If that's what you're looking for.

Apparently the author felt the need to explain this dichotomy after page 102. He says, "As a warrior who began the Path in the Christian church, I never saw any reason to stop worshiping God in the same way as my fellow Christians, even though I later became a Zen-Dhyana Initiate. Church was my focus on God as being Supreme and Zen and the yogi paths reveal who I am as a single human being. The two do not conflict in any way when you actually practice."

My point is that no school of Buddhism, to my knowledge, acknowledges a god or supreme being, a heaven or a hell. So to that extent, if that is the sort of book one expects, he'll be disappointed.

Having said that, this is a beautiful book with a lot of wonderful insight and a lot of help for the warrior of life. It helps one to understand a good deal about life and fear and death and how we can relate to them in a healthy way.

I expect I'll re-read parts of the book frequently. But I will have to leave out many parts of the book because it espouses thoughts that I can't buy into.

With all that out of the way, I highly recommend this book.

Susanna K. Hutcheson

Soul Sword definitely gets five stars from me. From the moment I picked this book up I couldn't put it down. I still refer to it often as a daily guide. Myself being a personal student of Master Kitabu Turner consider myself truly blessed to have such an intriguing, insightful, master as my spiritual guide.Master Kitabu Turner has definitely been an inspiration to my whole being since having come in contact with this great man. Whether you're a martial artist or not Soul sword is must reading for anyone looking for answers on how to deal with the battlefield of life. I give Soul Sword five stars.

There are a lot of books on spiritual awakening. Some are easy to understand and some are not.Soul Sword showed me a more peaceful depth within myself.

Contrary to some other reviews this man is the real deal on many levels. This book is not a quote "Christian Book" disguised as a zen book. In a careful read of the book you not only learn what an amazing story this is, but how he reconciled his Christian roots with his amazing "Satori" and connection with spirit. The book covers all the classic zen concepts in a new and refreshing light. These include, Mushin or no mind, Bushido, and the code of the samurai. He offers incredible insight into Spirit, Mind, and body and the connection between them all. He gives several exercises and meditations that are invaluable. This book is not just for martial artists but anyone who is a spiritual seeker, or just likes a wonderful read. I felt so inspired I called the man, and received a warm audience with a true Zen Master. If you doubt his awesome powers, and you shouldn't because there are videos on the net that are nothing short of amazing. I might mention that I have studied the martial arts and eastern philosophy for over 30 years. This book is one of those rare finds that could change your life.

An easy to understand book, which describes how the author reached a place of being able to defend himself against several attackers, blind-folded, using aikido moves not learnt but occuring naturally from the self within. It did not deal with many day to day issues common to every day living, but then it was called 'soul sword', so it was always going to be about defending one's self the natural way. I enjoyed the simple style of writing.

I ordered this book for my son to teach him more about Zen and the Martial Arts. What I got was an ego filled recounting of one man's unsupported accounts of stories that seemed to be right out of the movie, The Last Dragon. The stories seemed egotistic, self promotional and unbelievable, certainly nothing evidencing any zen enlightenment. Furthermore, he brings God into every aspect of this book, which has nothing to do with zen or bushido. There is very little classical zen here and I can't help but question some of his Steven Segal like fantasies. He even misspells the name of one of the most famous New York martial artists, Jiu Jitsu Master Moses Powell, not Power (p. 54). I really have never heard of Mr. Turner and wonder if it were his friends who wrote these extremely positive reviews. On the jacket cover he includes himself in the same sentence with the Dali Lama. I'm sure he's a wonderful person and martial artist, but I find that this book has very little to do with zen and too much to do with ego and self promotion.