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Warrior Wisdom: Ageless Wisdom for the Modern Warrior

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Back in the early eighties there was a statistic floating around that said out of 50,000 people who began karate training only one earned a black belt. Lured by misconceptions that resulted from movies like "The Karate KId," or "Enter The Dragon," the novelty quickly wore off as the realization set in that you can't, unless you're exceptional, become skilled enough to beat a black belt with an attitude in six months. Even those who "stuck it out" for that long still didn't get the gist of the art and drifted away in the face of the effort and focus required to become a true karateka. Even many who got a black belt did so while pursuing dubious goals.
The physical aspects of karate are, to a point, easy to understand. Unfortunately, for many who become reasonably skilled that is the end all of their training. Winning trophies for kumite and kata at tournaments becomes the ultimate measure of success.
So, just what is it that they are missing? Gichin Funakoshi, generally accepted as the "Father of Modern Karate," set, as the ultimate goal of the art, "the perfection of character." In his book, "Karate-do: My Way of Life," Master Funakoshi wrote that he only had two fights (outside of training) in his life and regretted them both. If you end up in a fight, he wrote, you've failed. In my dojo, and in Shotokan dojos around the world, you will (or should) find, conspicuously posted on one of the walls, the Dojo Kun, a set of five precepts he urged all his students to live by. Karate, for him, was indeed a way of life. They are: to seek perfection of character; to always be faithful; to endeavor to excel; to always respect others; to refrain from violent behavior. Karate, Master Funakoshi taught, is 10 percent physical and 90 percent mental. True students take that seriously and "endeavor" to be the best person they can be.
As I said, the physical part is straight forward. You make a commitment and train faithfully. As for the other 90 percent, well, a great deal more is necessary. Introspection is, in its way, much more difficult than doing heian shodan a thousand times, and requires an even more rigorous dedication. The good news is reinventing the wheel is not necessary. Enter Bohdi Sanders and his "Warrior Wisdom" trilogy.
Sensei Sanders has laboriously compiled a treasure trove of wisdom that crosses many centuries, and many cultures. His goal is to share this wisdom with us so that our journey, if we choose to take it, will be illuminated by his years of research and practice. As he says: "Bushido, the way of the warrior, is not meant to be self-serving, it is meant to be of service for a higher purpose."
With that in mind, he takes us on an odyssey that includes visits with some of the most cogent thinkers of this, or any time. One of those, Bayard Taylor, is quoted in Volume 1, and sums up the value of Sensei Sanders's work: "Opportunity is rare and a wise man will never let it go by him." Passing these volumes by would, indeed, be an opportunity lost.
They are not simply a compilation of quotes. Sensei shares his thoughts on each, but, in no way implies that we should fall into lock step behind him. He offers a starting point and, like all good teachers, expects that we'll find our own way. These books aren't sit down reads from cover to cover. They, like karate-do, are a life long endeavor. One page a day, for instance, read and considered, then on to the next. Read, think, repeat. Used properly, you might have to replace them every three or four years unless you're handy with Scotch Tape.
Sensei has made us an offer we can refuse, but we do so at our own personal risk. Buy all three and wear them out, even if you have no intention of ever stepping into a dojo. We all should seek perfection of character and make the world a better place, one person at a time. (Also, watch for Bohdi's latest book, "Life Lessons: Politically Incorrect Wisdom," due out later this month.)

This is not your typical book on martial philosophy in that it contains neither ambiguous one-liners of wisdom nor zen riddles. What it does contain is a wealth of deeply pondered wisdom that is relevant to all warriors and aspiring warriors. If you're someone who understands that being a warrior means far more than possessing physical attributes or a state of mind, but that being a warrior is a way of life, then this book is for you.

In this book Bohdi Sanders has collected 167 bits of wisdom pertinent to the warrior lifestyle and expounded upon them with his own thoughts in order to apply them to everyday life in the twenty-first century. His collection of wisdom comes from a variety of different people, ranging from the ones you would expect such as Sun Tzu and Miyamoto Musashi to ones such as George Washington and Napoleon Bonaparte.

Warrior Wisdom additionally has a tremendous amount of inspirational value. It is the kind of book that can be read over and over, and if you're at a point where you need motivation in your training, picking up this book and reading a few passages from it just may be the thing that prods you to drive on.

The book is written in a format that allows the reader to read it cover to cover or jump in at any point in the middle without losing any of the value. Dr. Sanders does an excellent job of defining the way of the warrior as living a life of selflessness in which those around benefit from the unwavering character of the warrior - a concept seemingly lost in today's society. The bottom line is that I highly recommend this book as I believe that martial artists and non-martial artists alike can benefit from the wisdom contained in it.

This is a review of Warrior Wisdom, by Bohdi Sanders. I found this book to be quite more than I expected. Unlike most books with ambigous translations of ancient wisdom each quote is very clearly explained, in clear concise language. What also makes this book unique is the fact that the interpretations of many of the quotes can be applied to daily life, even if the reader is not a martial artist. All in all I woould say that this book is a must have.

Warrior Wisdom is a great book for everybody who chooses to live the martial way. Regardless of the martial art you train in or the self defense system you practice, this book has valuable information for you. But especially for LEOs and soldiers, the nuggets of wisdom in these pages hold tremendous value. Simply because they help you think about the life you chose, that of a warrior.
Warriors live an unusual life and are confronted with situations most people haven't even heard of. By meditating on the quotes in this book, they can get a better understanding of their own lives and how to interact with "civilians", for lack of a better word.

You get the most out of this book by reading a few pages and then thinking about the implications of the information on your own life. Even if you don't agree with the conclusion, at least you'll have re-affirmed your own position. but in many cases, you'll find the words inspiring and comforting.

Highly recommended!

The Wisdom Warrior is proof that "dynamite comes in small packages". Dr. Sanders has assimilated the wisdom of the ages, which defines what it means to be an ethical, responsible, and honorable person, not just a warrior, into a guide that is applicable to everyone, not just Martial Artists. By using simple, yet painstakingly accurate, explanations of the gems of wisdom passed down to us from a thousand years of intellect, he has crafted an excellent guide for the application of that wisdom. Sadly, this fine work will probably not get the acclaim it deserves outside the field of Martial Arts, though it should be required reading for all in the hopes that it would become a guide to adulthood, for both those already there and those yet to become adults. I applaud you, Dr. Sanders, for your contribution to mankind.

Warrior Wisdom is not just for the martial artist. This book is a guide for life and can be quite life-changing if you reflect on the wisdom contained in it. This book is well-written, easy to read, and much, much deeper than it appears at first glance. I am now reading the second book in the series and it is just as good as the first one. This is information, guidance and wisdom which everyone can benefit from. I think that it is especially life-changing for young people who are looking for guidance or direction in their life.

This is a book that EVERYONE SHOULD READ, not simply martial artist. Too bad this is not required reading in our schools. Buy it. Read it. And live it! This book is great!!

Benjamin Franklin reputedly said,"study makes a man learned, meditation makes a man profound."Warrior Wisdom by Bodhi Sanders is a guide and an exhortation to become both in the way of a warrior.

The subtitle contains the goal for the student,"Ageless Wisdom for the Modern Warrior". The book opens a way that is essential and part of the highest way to make our way through the human condition. If you want to know why and how to be a warrior this book is more than a begining. It is composed of the prime number of 167 quotations and one page examinations of their meaning.

The first quote,"The student must beome a true warrior in an age where there are no more warriors." Bohdi qualifies this immediately, "The fact is that the true warrior is a rare breed." ie. there are some, and they are not always where you think they might be, and you should aspire to be one. If you want to be "the best you can be."(not a quote in this book), you must embody a a lifetime commitment to "a specific life style that revolves around honor, responsibility, wisdom, courage, and character."
Bodhi's quotes and explanations present real material and answers, but not all. You must do your own thinking. The last quotation, #167, "It is your who must make the effort: the sages can only teach."

Two goals overarching many that are presented are #50, " The master warrior is a man of character, a man of wisdom and insight." and #95, "He who conquers others is strong, he who conquers himself is mighty." A great reason for studying this book is #133, "Be careful of your thoughts; they are the beginning of your acts." On how to proceed,"Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of wise men, seek what they sought." Bodhi Sanders, Ph.D., a perspicacious man, has done a massive amount of work and study to select and assemble these 167 wise quotations that range throughout recorded history from writings East and West, ancient and modern. His commentaries are good and lead to further reflection. A book worth time and study. Reviewed by Eric N. Young.

This is the first in Bohdi's outstanding series on Warrior Wisdom. The beauty of this book is that it is not limited just to warriors and martial artists. The tenets and golden nuggets embraced within these pages have value in all walks of life and all corners of society and for all ages!

This is the type of book that you can read cover to cover, but you don't have to. Pick it up, flip to a random page, read it, discuss it with your spouse, kids, colleagues and think about how to apply it to your life!

Bohdi has done society a great service by researching, collecting and assembling this invaluable wisdom in an easy to read volume. Warrior Wisdom I spans all the greatest thinkers in human history from Miyamoto Musashi (the greatest Japanese swordsman to ever live) to Sun Tzu (The Art of War), to Proverbs, Napoleaon, Cherokee warrior wisdom, George Washington, Shakespeare,Confucius, Aristotle and countless others.

There's something in here for everyone! Buy it, read it, live it and see the improvements in your own life. Pass this on to your children - the next generation.

Kevin Brett
Author: "The Way of the Martial Artist: Achieving Success in Martial Arts and in Life!"

This is not just a book, this is a a masterpiece, this is pure gold for those who have chosen to live like true warriors... with honor, discipline, and courage.

It makes you think and meditate about the warrior lifestyle, how you can be aware and think strategically at all times.

In this great work, Bohdi Sanders gives you lots of sayings and thoughts that are applied to the true warrior's way of life, it opens your mind and guide you towards understanding the purpose of being a warrior, to serve the whole society... to control your emotions, stay alert and focused... to be clearminded and calm. It gives you guidelines to become the warrior you want to be (and that's 50% right there) the other 50% is pure attitude it's about you really wanting to become that warrior.

"Do not worry about things you can't control, accept them and live in peace"

Warrior Wisdom by PHd. Bohdi Sanders is a comprehensive quote book. That is one of the best on the shelves of todays bookstores. Dr. Sanders is a modern day sage of old wisdom that should never be forgotten. Truly a must have for anyone with a thirst for knowledge. This book presents a revolutionary system for understanding the knowledge and philosophies of the old world. I think the best way to utilize this book is to read one of the quotes on a weekly basis and meditate, and act on the information to improve ones quality of life.