The culmination of 25 years of research, Alex Bennett's groundbreaking English translation of Miyamoto Musashi's The Book of Five Rings reveals the true meaning of the original work. Plus, definitive translations of five more known works of Musashi! This piece of writing by famed samurai Musashi (1584-1645) is the single-most influential work on samurai swordsmanship, offering insights into samurai history, the Zen Buddhist state of "no-mind" that enables warriors to triumph and the philosophical meaning of Bushido--"the way of the warrior." Until now, English translations of The Book of Five Rings have been based on inaccurate copies of Musashi's long-lost original manuscript. Bennett's translation is the first to be based on a careful reconstruction of the original text by Japan's foremost Musashi scholar. By identifying discrepancies among the existing copies, adding missing texts and correcting over 150 incorrect characters, this source is the closest representation of Musashi's original work possible. Utilizing this new source, Bennett captures the subtle nuance of the classic Japanese text, resulting in the most accurate English translation of The Book of Five Rings available Enjoy complete, richly annotated translations of Musashi's most-known works: The Book of Five Rings Mirror on the Way of Combat Notes on Combat Strategy Combat Strategy in 35 Articles The Five-Direction Sword Pathways The Path Walked Alone The texts are richly annotated by Bennett, who includes an extensive introduction on Musashi's life and legacy. This paperback edition also includes a new introduction by Kendo Kyoshi 7th Dan Graham Sayer, who talks about the influence Musashi's writings have had on him as a person and martial artist. The Complete Musashi: The Book of Five Rings and Other Works will be widely read by those interested in Japanese culture, Samurai history and martial arts--setting a new standard against which all other translations will be measured.

Is everything just as it should be, or is the world spiraling out of control and we must try to save it? Is life simple, once we understand how it works, or is it so complicated only a nuclear physicist could understand it? The authors claim that life is simple, but only if we accept what we encounter with equanimity and are willing to replace old ideas with new ones that make more sense. Attachment, resistance, and emotional reactions are what make life difficult. Is there a personal God? Does Satan exist? Do politics have a role in the spiritual development of our world? What part does sex play in our spiritual development? This is not a "safe" book. The authors have answers for all these questions and more, but not all readers will agree with them. And that is as it should be, according to them. Their concepts of how life works, based on Ancient Wisdom teachings, will make you analyze, ponder over, and re-assess your entire belief system. The overall message is one of assurance. As one reader said, "It gave me hope. I never considered myself a spiritual person until I read this book." "This book speaks in today's language to seekers of all ages. Whether a seasoned student or a beginner, it opens new doors and fresh vistas on the soul's journey to wisdom. It is indeed a practical guide, at the same time surveying all the principles necessary for understanding the wisdom-tradition we know as Theosophy. This book brings the Ancient Wisdom into the 21st century " - Joy Mills, author of Reflections on an Ancient Wisdom "Ancient Wisdom for a New Age provides some very important advice for those who want to live the spiritual life. The chapter on reincarnation is especially well-done. Hunt and Benedict are to be commended for making a noble effort to help spiritual pilgrims on their way. By far the most practical chapter in the book is 'Your Spiritual Practice'." - Quest Magazine

Originally published in 1927. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Obscure Press are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork. Researches into Japanese Buddhism. This book is full of suggestive thought, with the essays on Japanese religious belief calling for particular praise for the earnest spirit in which the subject is approached. Contents Include A Living God. Out of the Street. Notes of a Trip to Kyoto. Dust. About Faces in Japanese Art. Ningyo-No-Haka. In Osaka. Buddhist Allusions in Japanese Folk Song. Nirvana. The Rebirth of Katsuguro. Within the Circle.

A New Way of Healing

""Tao of Surfing" is an inspired book and a unique reflection that will have a lasting effect on anyone who reads it."
-Bob Walch, "The Monterey County Herald"

The roads I travel and the waves I search for and ride exemplify the flowing movement and continuous change of life itself. - From the book

"Author Allen.in fine, thoughtful fashion.writes well, informally, and there is haiku in his observations.A delightful book, effortlessly wise."
-The Book Reader

"From the first pages of this remarkable book I was captivated by the gently profound philosophy of riding through life with graceful balance."
-Greg Ambrose, author of "Surfer's Guide to Hawaii" and co-author of "Memories of Duke, the Legend Comes to Life"

Internationally acclaimed and Pulitzer Prize nominated author Michael A. Allen, takes you on a journey into the recesses of your soul and explores the ontological question, "What is our underlying essence?" Mr. Allen uses the metaphor of the sea, and its ebb and flow, to describe the Tao of life's cycle. And he discovers within this unique reflection a new way to comfort and heal the Self from the trauma of death.

His long time interest in film brought him to write the screenplay adaptation with his brother in law Alex Carig in order to make "Tao of Surfing" into a full-length feature motion picture. Mr. Allen was initially inspired to write "Tao of Surfing" after his brother-his surfing partner-died from the complication of AIDS.

The Psychology of the Yogas explores the dissonance between the promises of the yogic quest and psychological states of crisis. Western practitioners of yoga and meditation who have embarked upon years-long spiritual quests and who have practiced under the guidance of a guru tell of profound and ongoing experiences of love, compassion and clarity: the peaks of spiritual fulfillment. However, after returning to the West, they reported difficulties and crises in different areas of their lives. Why did these practitioners, who had apparently touched the heights of fulfillment, still suffer from these crises? The author explores the psychological theory of yoga and its concrete yogic psychological methods such as 'cultivating of the opposite' (pratipaksa bhavana), transforming it to 'imagining the opposite', a practice aimed at healing negative habitual tendencies. These methods are extracted from an in-depth study of the Yoga of Patanjali and the Tibetan-Buddhist Ati-Yoga of Longchenpa - the Dzogchen. The works of Patanjali (3rd century) and Longchenpa, (14th century) provide a profound psychological framework for understanding the human psyche. These methods are effective but at times difficult to implement. However, as demonstrated through a case study Western psychology can effectively undo habitual tendencies in a manner which may complement yoga practice, enhancing the integration of one's spirituality and psychology.

Knowledge plays a very significant role in Buddhism, as it is the gateway to enlightenment and nirvana. This volume provides a clear and exhaustive exposition of Buddhist epistemology and logic, based on the works of classical thinkers such as Vasubandhu, Dinnaga, and Dharmakiriti. It traces the historical development of the Buddhist theory of knowledge and analyzes some basic issues like the nature of reality and knowledge, the criteria of truth, and nature of perception and inference, the only two sources of knowledge accepted in Buddhist philosophy. The appendix contains the Sanskrit original and an annotated translation of Nyaya Pravesa, a basic text of Buddhist epistemology, which discusses the nature of perception and inference and their fallacies. This work sheds light on abtruse epistemological topics and will enable readers to gain a clearer appreciation of the depths of Buddhist theory of knowledge.