Sakiyama Sogen’s Last Letter

Sakiyama Sogen’s Last Letter

“As I am writing to you, I can vividly feel your sincerity and passion to pursue this and to master karate-do. ‘Do’ is an endless and severe way. Therefore, we must endlessly exert ourselves to attain it. How wonderful the ‘Do’ is!” – Sogen Sakiyama, Roshi

A Controversy

A Controversy

There is more than one controversial idea in True Karate Dō.

I do not seek to be controversial. But there are some unexamined assumptions which have misled people, and which should be challenged.

Groundbreaking New Book

Groundbreaking New Book

“One of the best books I’ve read in years, inviting and compelling… A splendid achievement.” 

— Philip Zaleski, Editor, The Best Spiritual Writing series

The Sharp Edge of History

The Sharp Edge of History

A guy walks into the dojo and says: “I just want to learn to fight.” He paused for a second. “I really don’t care about all that other stuff.” He didn’t say what other stuff he meant. We didn’t ask. He wanted to learn to fight.  We teach that. He started that day. What he […]

Police Incident

Police Incident

Motels are like life. You never know what will happen. And at some point, you have to go.

The Rhinoceros Tale, 3rd Edition

The Rhinoceros Tale, 3rd Edition

Reviews of “The Rhinoceros Tale“, by Jeff Brooks: “An unforgettable account, crackling with energy and full of heart… the kind of book that can change your life.” – Philip Zaleski, Editor, The Best Spiritual Writing series “…honest, entertaining and forthright…” – Dave Lowry, author of Autumn Lightning “The best book I have read in a long time …filled with […]

Podcast – Fuel for Love – Part 1

Podcast – Fuel for Love – Part 1

Modern culture is poison. Martial arts is medicine. …As long as science and culture are used in a way that treats the world and its people as material, treats minds as brains, uses gain and
ambition as sufficient motives for action, and feels no compunction
about leaving loving kindness out when considering what to do…

Podcast – Fuel for Love – Part 2

Podcast – Fuel for Love – Part 2

Martial arts have served
many purposes. Now they offer good medicine… to reverse physical decline, to recover from mental weakness, moral uncertainty, lack of will and the fear that comes from all of these…

Podcast – Three Skills Every Fighter Needs

Podcast – Three Skills Every Fighter Needs

…Essential training for warriors and martial artists – for at least 3,000 years. “When the moment comes, and you face an opponent, things get real simple. You do what you need to do. What you bring to bear on that moment, its shock and chaos, is not so simple. All your experience, all your training, […]

Podcast – Dope and Freedom

Podcast – Dope and Freedom

… …”You want to blame the cartels, the companies, the poison factories which take advantage of people like that boy… they can’t make you buy their poison… or join them in the extraction of the wealth and freedom of a whole world. Not even if they put a gun to your head”… “The Good Fight” […]