Spiritual Dimensions of the Martial Arts

Book excerpt: Spiritual Dimensions of the Martial Arts is a study of the meditative and religious elements that form the core of the great martial arts traditions. Unsurpassed in scope and detail, this martial arts book covers the spiritual beliefs and the practices of the fighting arts of India, China, Korea, Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Brazil, and the United States. Subjects discussed include: Bruce Lee's unique views on spirituality and meditation Rituals used to induce altered states of consciousness in Indonesian Pencak-Silat The unusual relationship of Korea's Hwarang warriors to Mahayana Buddhism The importance of Buddhist ritual in Muay Thai Spiritual practices in the Filipino martial arts The significance of Zen and esoteric Buddhism to the Samurai The relationship of Indian martial arts to Yoga The impact of Daoist concepts on the Chinese martial arts Psychological development and martial arts training