Path Notes of an American Ninja Master

I am sorry to report that Glenn Morris, Soke, transitioned into the Void on the 1st of April 2006. It is so like Soke to leave us fools behind wondering "Is this a joke or what?!?" This book, Glenn Soke's first on Martial Arts is one of the five or so I would take to a desert island with me for the rest of my life. But I must warn you, strange things happen around this book, as they did around Glenn. Path Notes found me one day in early April 95 in NYC as I was browsing the small English language section of a large Japanese bookstore while waiting for a friend. It tumbled off an overhead shelf and hit me on the head. I try to be on the lookout for messages from the Universe and I must tell you, rarely are they quite so obvious---of course I bought the book! At around 9pm that night after all the day's Art of Dying Conference functions were over, I collapsed into bed thinking to myself, "I'm too tired to read, and I have to get up early, but let me read just one page..." at 3:45am, book in one hand and holding my eyelids open with the other, I finished it to the great relief of my roommate who had been frequently awakened by my uncontrollable guffawing! (It's a wonder she let me live!) Rarely have I been so overjoyed by a book! As soon as I got home from the conference, I wrote my first letter to any author. Soke called me upon receiving my fawning praise and we became instant friends. He was already my Teacher from the first moment the book hit my head! A word to the women-folk, this book is dripping with testosterone. Not the obnoxious "Me Tarzan, you Jane!" kind, but rather the irrepressible "Hold my beer, watch THIS!" kind, and the empowering "Come on in, the water's fine" kind moderated by a bit of "Do try this at home, but be prepared to duck!" Now here's the real warning and heed this carefully: This book, delightfully humorous, entertaining, slightly unbelievable and deeply insightful as it is, is really a Grimoire... a map and a testimony to the far reaches of human spiritual potentiality, but in reasonably accessible modern English. Therefore it's dangerous if you do not pay attention and allow for the possibility that it might be recounting a Truth. And Soke is no longer with us here in the Relative Universe to fix it--to fix YOU--if you screw up, so do pay attention if you try anything at home. All that said, this book is for anyone who has the slightest interest in martial arts, meditation, Japanese culture both modern and ancient, kundalini, body work, transpersonal psychology, Jungian archetypes, mythology both Western and Eastern, alternative medicine especially those arts involving Qi (Chi/Ki) or anything remotely connected to any of those subjects. By the way, the annotated bibliography alone is worth the price of the book if you have any interest in the aforementioned subjects. I also recommend all of Soke's books, but Path Notes is by far the best in my personal opinion. I am so grateful that Glenn l

As one of Dr. Morris' students I can personally vouch for this book. I found it shortly after it was published and while I was in the throes of a near-death kundalini awakening. This book introduced me to meditations and concepts that made the process much easier. Watch for Dr. Morris to teach a seminar near you soon!

Before you consider buying this book, there are a couple of things you should know. First, "Path Notes" is not a book about becoming a ninja. Second, this book does not contain any pictures of "flying" ninjas, "invisible" ninjas, or even pictures of Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope summoning "The Majick Ninjas!" The book isn't about ninjutsu at all, so if you are looking for a training manual, look elsewhere. And if you DO look elsewhere, I would suggest that you stay away from the drivel produced by posers like Haha Lung, Ashida Kim, or Jay Sensei. Instead, look for books authored by actual practicioners like Masaaki Hatsumi, Stephen Hayes, or, if the chinese arts are your preference, try the excellent works of Yang Jwing-Ming.Ok, now on to what this book really IS about. This book is about chi.This book is about chakras.This book is about enlightenment, and how one man found it.So, if you don't believe in any of those things, then I can't recommend this book to you. If, however, you haven't made up your mind yet, then this just might be the book to convince you that you're missing out on something. And if you're looking for realistic, down-to-earth information about how to find out what that something is, then this is a wonderful place to start.I'll be honest with you, when I first picked up this book I was all like "Whoa, man...Ninjas are Cool!" But fortunately I actually read the book and I was impressed to say the least. I had read some books before that had some vague references to chi, and energy, and auras and stuff like that, but it always came across as some amazing mystic skill that only masters had any hope of acquiring. This book is completely different from anything I've read previously. Dr. Morris lays down the facts in a very conversational, easy-to-read way that makes sense of the esoteric qualities of the martial arts accessible to anyone willing to put in a little work and 'keep goiing'. Dr. Morris starts with the very basics: i.e. Breathing and Posture. He goes into details that others skip over when covering meditation including silencing the mind and how to focus your intent. Later chapters go into specific uses of new energy as well as some very interesting stories about people and instructors he has interacted with. Towards the end of the book, Dr. Morris gets into the spookier "magickal" manifestations of energy and spirituality, but it never comes across as corny or unbelievable. He also has a veritable library of recommended reading for further information, which makes "Path Notes of an American Ninja Master" my personal training manual of choice. If you've been looking for the esoteric in your martial art of choice and have found it lacking, this is a great study guide!

I first read "Path Notes" quite a few years ago, and I never tire of re-reading it. Morris' insights on chi kung, meditation, ninjutsu, and indeed, martial arts in general are fun, refreshing, and his reading lists and suggestions give more than a few things to make you go hmmmmmmmmm...Many books I have glanced through, read, and put down are filled with the usual esoteric mumbo jumbo that give vague descriptions of what happens if you do "X." In some instances, particularly in beginners-level meditation, Morris' descriptions might even fit in that category... but that's because that was the stage he was in- that was his perspective on the subject. He details also his reactions to his experiences- on a physical, mental, and spiritual level- and gives inklings on what to expect, but also makes clear through his writings these are HIS experiences. Your mileage may vary.His attitude towards martial arts- ninjutsu, et al- is one of a hobbyist. Someone who shows up, plays around, keeps coming back, and has fun... and also learns a ton in the process. This book- as well as his other two books- has a wealth of information, and points the way to a library full of more information... IF you know how to look and read between the lines. Morris is one hell of a "coyote teacher!"

Glenn Morris manages to weave a great deal of humor and wisdom into a fascinating autobiographical account of his physical and spiritual enlightenment. I highly reccomend this book to any open minded person who is interested in the supernatural and internal aspects and possibilities of the martial arts. For those that are not true seekers of the supernatural, this book is still very good. It reads well. Morris has an easy-going way of telling his story, his humor is not lost on anyone, and whether or not you believe him, he tells a story so out of phase with the popular notion of reality that you are sure to love it. If you are interested in or have allready read this book, then check out: Shadow Strategies of an American Ninja Master (Glenn Morris) The Way of Energy (Master Lam Kam Chuen)