The E-book Mind Training for Martial Artists by Neal Martin — whose martial arts background includes practice in karate and jujitsu — is written for the martial artist who wants to explore the mental element that is found in most classical martial arts systems. Moreover, any layperson who would like to try meditation can do so by starting with Martin’s book.

  Martin’s book is not intended to be a deep review of meditation and mind training. Rather, he sets out with the modest goal of touching on some of the key aspects of mind training that any martial artist can use to supplement their training.

For example, his chapter on Zen Meditation is a quick overview of what meditation is and how it can benefit the martial artist:

…meditation enables one to calm the mind, clear it of mental disturbances and negative emotion and replace them with deep concentration and focus as well as the ability to be spontaneous in training. (p. 8)

Martin then expands upon his explanation by teaching the reader a very simple meditative exercise that focuses on breathing. In fact this lesson on breathing meditation is just an expansion of what is typically taught at the beginning and end of most traditional martial arts classes.

The chapters that follow Zen Meditation are based on what is becoming a Neal Martin formula: Simple, practical and effective advice. Martin essentially cuts through the metaphysical baggage and makes it so any martial artist can practice mind training without becoming a Buddhist Monk.

My favorite part of Martin’s book is also the shortest section: His brief treatment of moving meditation and kata or forms practice is excellent. In fact, while my seated meditation frequently slips, I have remained consistent in my moving meditation. Any martial artist who practices forms can take a given form or kata and slow it down. By doing this you turn it into moving meditation. Better still, certain martial arts have forms that are purposely designed to be moving meditation — Zanchen kata, mentioned in Martin’s book, is one such example. I do wish Mr. Martin would have expanded upon this section but I also have to acknowledge that my opinion here is being guided mostly by my love of moving meditation.

Article Author: Bob Patterson

I write from a broad perspective and cover a variety of martial arts-related topics. I typically focus on the following: Self-defense, reality systems, traditional martial arts, martial arts news, and reviews of books, DVDs, etc.

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