The purpose of the way of Self-knowledge is to remind us of our higher destiny and help us to realize the immortality and freedom of our true Self.All human beings are destined to evolve spiritually as we learn our lessons from experience and adjust our lives accordingly. The turning point is when this spiritual evolution becomes a conscious process. This can only happen when we understand and strive for the high goal revealed by the knowers of ultimate truth. It is the realization that ou...

A foremost scholar of samurai texts approaches this martial arts classic as a meditation on the Zen concept of “death of the ego”—offering a fresh translation unlike any other.Discover what it takes to be a samurai with the 18th-century martial arts treatise that delves into minds of legendary Japanese warriors.Living and dying with bravery and honor is at the heart of Hagakure, a series of texts written by an eighteenth-century sa...

A comprehensive collection of the most essential versions of The Art of War, the classic Chinese military treatise considered by many as the ultimate strategy guideSun Tzu’s Art of War, compiled more than two thousand years ago, is a study of the anatomy of organizations in conflict. It is perhaps the most prestigious and influential book of strategy in the world today. Now, this unique volume brings together the essential versions of Sun Tzu’s te...

An elegant and enlightening companion book for yoga practitioners.This beautifully designed book invites readers to dis-cover the rich tradition of yoga through single pieces of wisdom-one for each day of the year. Filled with thought-provoking and inspiring quotations from the greatest yogic texts and yoga teachers throughout history, as well as invaluable instruction on specific poses, it is an essential resource and companion for anyone who practices yoga.A celebration o...

A guide to the practice, history, and etiquette of budo, the study of Japanese martial arts for self-cultivation—written by an American martial arts masterThe study of budo, or the Japanese martial arts for self-cultivation, is a lifelong path toward perfection of character. Here, Dave Lowry, a sword master who has practiced and taught budo for over forty years, addresses the myriad issues, vagaries, and inconsistencies that arise for students of karate-do, judo, k...

Socrates, an Athenian soldier, was a calmly efficient killing machine. His student Plato was an accomplished and broad-shouldered wrestler. Martial arts and philosophy have always gone hand in hand, as well as fist in throat. Philosophical argument is closely parallel with hand-to-hand combat. And all of today’s Asian martial arts-like Karate, Kung-Fu, Judo, or Aikido-were developed to embody and apply philosophical ideas.The Japanese martial tradition of Budo, for instance, was inf...

Anime and Philosophy focuses on some of the most-loved, most-intriguing anime films and series, as well as lesser-known works, to find what lies at their core. Astro Boy, Dragon Ball Z, Ghost in the Shell, and Spirited Away are just a few of the films analyzed in this book. In these stories about monsters, robots, children, and spirits who grapple with the important questions in life we find insight crucial to our times: lessons on morality, justice, and heroism...

'Of ways you may speak, but not the Perennial Way; By names you may name, but not the Perennial Name.' The best-loved of all the classical books of China and the most universally popular, the Daodejing or Classic of the Way and Life-Force is a work that defies definition. It encapsulates the main tenets of Daoism, and upholds a way of being as well as a philosophy and a religion. The dominant image is of the Way, the mysterious path through the whole cosm...

Written by one of America' s most outstanding karate teachers, this is a no-holds-barred, no-frills handbook sure to aid the student's rapid advancement to the rank of black belt.A holder of the black belt degree since 1959, the author has distilled and preserved the hard-won techniques and know-how of years of practice and experimentation. Over 800 techniques and exercises and more than 1,860 photographs reveal the speed and power inherent in properly taught karat...

An expert on Chinese poetry and philosophy offers a definitive modern translation of Lao Tzu’s Taoist classic—considered the most influential spiritual text in human history.Like all of his translations, Hinton’s translation of the Tao Te Ching is mind–opening, presenting startling new dimensions in this widely–influential text. He shows how Lao Tzu’s spirituality is structured around the generative life–force and that this system of thought weaves the hum...

Invincible Warrior tells the fascinating story of the life of Morihei Ueshiba (1883–1969), whose quest for the true meaning of warriorship led to the creation of the martial art called Aikido, "The Art of Peace." Ueshiba—whose name means "abundant peace"—is considered by many to be one of the greatest martial artists who ever lived. His documented ability to disarm any attacker, throw a dozen men simultaneously, and down and pin opponents without touching them has accorded his li...

Classic Persian literature which shaped and influenced Greek and Roman literature. Excellent read for literature majors and people who love Persian culture. (Amazon) This edition has been fully restored with modern typesetting, custom cover design.