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The Secret Power Within: Zen Solutions to Real Problems
Drawing on his own life experiences, film star and martial-arts master Chuck Norris explains how to implement affirming Zen philosophies in order to achieve self-confidence and spiritual peace. 100,000 first printing. $100,000 ad/promo. Tour.
185 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1996
11 people are currently reading
223 people want to read
About the author
Chuck Norris
37 books90 followersChuck Norris counted to infinity - twice.
Chuck Norris' tears cure cancer. Too bad he has never cried.
Chuck Norris does not sleep. He waits.
If you spell Chuck Norris wrong on Google it doesn't say, "Did you mean Chuck Norris?" It simply replies, "Run while you still have the chance."
Chuck Norris' tears cure cancer. Too bad he has never cried.
Chuck Norris does not sleep. He waits.
If you spell Chuck Norris wrong on Google it doesn't say, "Did you mean Chuck Norris?" It simply replies, "Run while you still have the chance."
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March 7, 2010
This isn't a book review, although I have read the book. This is more of a political tirade. Continue at your own risk.
A friend recently sent me a link to one of Chuck Norris's articles, "What if Mother Mary Had Obamacare?", an article just as inane as its title. It might surprise many of you to learn this, but I was a pretty big Chuck Norris fan before discovering this side of him (solely based on his skills as a martial artist and his place in martial arts history, not AT ALL based on his acting). So, this was a bit more aggravating for me than the time when I discovered Orson Scott Card was a far-right wackaloon . . . I didn't have much of an investment with him. (And I don't think everyone on the right is a wackaloon. Just the wackaloons among them.)
I'm disappointed in Chuck.
Anyway, I read a few articles, ending with the one that pissed me off the most, http://www.wnd.com/index.php?pageId=120227, and noticed a little button at the bottom that said "Email Chuck Norris."
I just couldn't resist. Part of it was wanting to let him know how shameful what he's doing is. Part of it was hoping to make him see a little bit more reason in his thinking. And part of it . . . well, part of it was just me thinking it would be really cool to throw down the intellectual gauntlet with Chuck Norris, yet still be hidden well enough that he can't just roundhouse kick me.
Anyway. Here's the email I sent in response to his article, for any of you curious enough to keep reading.
Chuck Norris,
I remember reading an autobiographical book you wrote some years ago---The Secret Power Within---wherein you wrote about a time when a young man approached you, angry and wanting to fight. You wrote about how all it took to dispel his anger was to sit down and talk with him and treat him with respect---and, by showing him respect, you earned his.
I'm disappointed because it doesn't look like you afford people the same level of respect in politics.
In one of your most recent columns, you refer to an editor at the New York Times writing, "The Founding Fathers were paranoid hypocrites and ungrateful malcontents," and then use that as an example of the 'liberal' media's attitude toward the constitution. However, you leave out the fact that this quote was part of a book review, and was clearly the editor's summary of another author's belief. This lack of honesty in your presentation of the facts shows a lack of respect for your readers and for the editor who wrote that book review.
But what I'm most concerned about is your column about how President Obama's Christmas address didn't express enough Christian fervor. You then go on to make unfounded assumptions that the founding fathers intended us to be a Christian nation, and that religion is necessary for ethics. Out of respect for you, I'll assume you really believe both of these assumptions. I'm going to tell you why, in both cases, you're wrong.
Concerning our founding fathers, you give quotes from John Adams, George Washington, and Benjamin Rush where they indicate morality and religion are important to the sound running of government. Did you notice that not one of them said "Christian religion?" I believe this to be intentional. While we're quoting, we can look at a quote by Thomas Jefferson---also one of the founding fathers, and later a president. "History, I believe, furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government. This marks the lowest grade of ignorance, of which their political as well as religious leaders will always avail themselves for their own purpose." This was in a letter to Baron von Humboldt, 1813.
Since you quoted John Adams, let me offer up something else he said, this time in a letter to John Taylor (where he wouldn't need to cater to his audience quite as much): "The priesthood have, in all ancient nations, nearly monopolized learning. And ever since the Reformation, when or where has existed a Protestant or dissenting sect who would tolerate A FREE INQUIRY? The blackest billingsgate, the most ungentlemanly insolence, the most yahooish brutality, is patiently endured, countenanced, propagated, and applauded. But touch a solemn truth in collision with a dogma of a sect, though capable of the clearest proof, and you will find you have disturbed a nest, and the hornets will swarm about your eyes and hand, and fly into your face and eyes."
But, while I could quote the founding fathers to make my point, let me quote an actual U.S. treaty, the 1796 treaty with Tripoli, written while Washington was in office and then signed by Adams: ". . . the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion." Pretty cut and dry, isn't it?
Feel free to learn more about any of these if you don't believe me. In context, their meaning doesn't change.
Secondly, I take issue with what you said about religion being necessary for ethics. I am an Atheist and have never been a Christian. I was not raised in a Christian household. Yet my parents taught me the difference between right and wrong, and everything I needed to know in order to live an ethical life. I'm no less patriotic than you; I say the national anthem and believe in freedom and pay my taxes and donate to charities. I don't need a religion of any kind to do the right thing. There's a reason all societies agree that stealing, rape and murder are bad things: because they are. Not because one religious book says they are.
I think that, if you really analyze your own views, you'll find YOU don't use the Bible for many of your moral beliefs. Do you think slavery is a sin, even though the Bible indicates otherwise? Why? And don't you agree that murder is worse than working on the sabbath? Why?
Because we understand suffering, and because we can empathize with others, most of us are moral. It has nothing to do with religion. Some of your beliefs about right and wrong are based on ideas from the Bible, but not all of them.
That said, it sounds as if you see this country as a "Christian" nation, and I wonder what you think a Christian nation would look like. When I think of countries where religion holds more sway over government than secular law, I think of Iraq, Iran, and the Middle East in general. I think it's intensely anti-American for you to think your religion has a special importance in a country where religious freedom is protected by the first amendment. That freedom is protected just as much for me, an Atheist, as it is for you.
I hope that you have the opportunity to read this message. If I've misunderstood your argument, or if you believe I'm wrong and have reasons why, I'd be happy to hear back from you and debate these important issues. I honestly believe that our country will continue becoming more and more divided along political party lines unless we are willing to talk to those we don't agree with, and resist the urge to dismiss the other side as idiots, socialists, fascists, or anything else, other than Americans with different views from ours. Thanks for your time.
++++++++
Of course, after sending the email, I got an automatic message saying Chuck was out of the office and didn't receive my email. I should've guessed he'd be unreceptive.
A friend recently sent me a link to one of Chuck Norris's articles, "What if Mother Mary Had Obamacare?", an article just as inane as its title. It might surprise many of you to learn this, but I was a pretty big Chuck Norris fan before discovering this side of him (solely based on his skills as a martial artist and his place in martial arts history, not AT ALL based on his acting). So, this was a bit more aggravating for me than the time when I discovered Orson Scott Card was a far-right wackaloon . . . I didn't have much of an investment with him. (And I don't think everyone on the right is a wackaloon. Just the wackaloons among them.)
I'm disappointed in Chuck.
Anyway, I read a few articles, ending with the one that pissed me off the most, http://www.wnd.com/index.php?pageId=120227, and noticed a little button at the bottom that said "Email Chuck Norris."
I just couldn't resist. Part of it was wanting to let him know how shameful what he's doing is. Part of it was hoping to make him see a little bit more reason in his thinking. And part of it . . . well, part of it was just me thinking it would be really cool to throw down the intellectual gauntlet with Chuck Norris, yet still be hidden well enough that he can't just roundhouse kick me.
Anyway. Here's the email I sent in response to his article, for any of you curious enough to keep reading.
Chuck Norris,
I remember reading an autobiographical book you wrote some years ago---The Secret Power Within---wherein you wrote about a time when a young man approached you, angry and wanting to fight. You wrote about how all it took to dispel his anger was to sit down and talk with him and treat him with respect---and, by showing him respect, you earned his.
I'm disappointed because it doesn't look like you afford people the same level of respect in politics.
In one of your most recent columns, you refer to an editor at the New York Times writing, "The Founding Fathers were paranoid hypocrites and ungrateful malcontents," and then use that as an example of the 'liberal' media's attitude toward the constitution. However, you leave out the fact that this quote was part of a book review, and was clearly the editor's summary of another author's belief. This lack of honesty in your presentation of the facts shows a lack of respect for your readers and for the editor who wrote that book review.
But what I'm most concerned about is your column about how President Obama's Christmas address didn't express enough Christian fervor. You then go on to make unfounded assumptions that the founding fathers intended us to be a Christian nation, and that religion is necessary for ethics. Out of respect for you, I'll assume you really believe both of these assumptions. I'm going to tell you why, in both cases, you're wrong.
Concerning our founding fathers, you give quotes from John Adams, George Washington, and Benjamin Rush where they indicate morality and religion are important to the sound running of government. Did you notice that not one of them said "Christian religion?" I believe this to be intentional. While we're quoting, we can look at a quote by Thomas Jefferson---also one of the founding fathers, and later a president. "History, I believe, furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government. This marks the lowest grade of ignorance, of which their political as well as religious leaders will always avail themselves for their own purpose." This was in a letter to Baron von Humboldt, 1813.
Since you quoted John Adams, let me offer up something else he said, this time in a letter to John Taylor (where he wouldn't need to cater to his audience quite as much): "The priesthood have, in all ancient nations, nearly monopolized learning. And ever since the Reformation, when or where has existed a Protestant or dissenting sect who would tolerate A FREE INQUIRY? The blackest billingsgate, the most ungentlemanly insolence, the most yahooish brutality, is patiently endured, countenanced, propagated, and applauded. But touch a solemn truth in collision with a dogma of a sect, though capable of the clearest proof, and you will find you have disturbed a nest, and the hornets will swarm about your eyes and hand, and fly into your face and eyes."
But, while I could quote the founding fathers to make my point, let me quote an actual U.S. treaty, the 1796 treaty with Tripoli, written while Washington was in office and then signed by Adams: ". . . the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion." Pretty cut and dry, isn't it?
Feel free to learn more about any of these if you don't believe me. In context, their meaning doesn't change.
Secondly, I take issue with what you said about religion being necessary for ethics. I am an Atheist and have never been a Christian. I was not raised in a Christian household. Yet my parents taught me the difference between right and wrong, and everything I needed to know in order to live an ethical life. I'm no less patriotic than you; I say the national anthem and believe in freedom and pay my taxes and donate to charities. I don't need a religion of any kind to do the right thing. There's a reason all societies agree that stealing, rape and murder are bad things: because they are. Not because one religious book says they are.
I think that, if you really analyze your own views, you'll find YOU don't use the Bible for many of your moral beliefs. Do you think slavery is a sin, even though the Bible indicates otherwise? Why? And don't you agree that murder is worse than working on the sabbath? Why?
Because we understand suffering, and because we can empathize with others, most of us are moral. It has nothing to do with religion. Some of your beliefs about right and wrong are based on ideas from the Bible, but not all of them.
That said, it sounds as if you see this country as a "Christian" nation, and I wonder what you think a Christian nation would look like. When I think of countries where religion holds more sway over government than secular law, I think of Iraq, Iran, and the Middle East in general. I think it's intensely anti-American for you to think your religion has a special importance in a country where religious freedom is protected by the first amendment. That freedom is protected just as much for me, an Atheist, as it is for you.
I hope that you have the opportunity to read this message. If I've misunderstood your argument, or if you believe I'm wrong and have reasons why, I'd be happy to hear back from you and debate these important issues. I honestly believe that our country will continue becoming more and more divided along political party lines unless we are willing to talk to those we don't agree with, and resist the urge to dismiss the other side as idiots, socialists, fascists, or anything else, other than Americans with different views from ours. Thanks for your time.
++++++++
Of course, after sending the email, I got an automatic message saying Chuck was out of the office and didn't receive my email. I should've guessed he'd be unreceptive.
July 2, 2022
Knyga, kurią Čekas parašė dar prieš įtikėdamas į Dievą.
April 7, 2016
A lot of people know Chuck Norris as an actor, Walker Texas Ranger. Some might even know him as a karate expert. I have just realized another very important trade about one of the greatest role models in the American history, that he is a writer. After reading this book, I was amazed to find out how a man who has come from nothing has achieved so much and also has a talent to be an author of such an incredible masterpiece, which is a great addition to my book collection.
Carlos Ray Norris a.k.a. Chuck Norris was born into a very poor family. As a youngster he didn't have to many things, which he can say, he was proud of. With an alcoholic father, a loving mother and two younger brothers, Chuck saw his life going nowhere and up in the air. In the book, one of the things he is talking about is how poor they were. He is telling a story about his high school days. Chuck liked a girl and he had to break off their relationship because he was embarrassed to show her where he lived. His family lived in the 22-foot trailer home, which was parked in his aunt's backyard. There is a lot more about that, but let us get on with the rest of the book.
As a young man, Chuck had enlisted in the Air Force and went to Korea. That was the end of Carlos Ray Norris, the man who had no idea what the life will have to offer and the beginning of Chuck Norris a man with dreams and goals. Chuck Norris, a man who later became the greatest martial artist and a Zen follower of our times.
Chuck received his first Black Belt while being in Korea. As he was studying the martial arts and getting his new education in life, he was also learning a very important aspect of life, which all of us encounter on every day basis, but just do not realize it. Chuck had his first encounters and realizations with Zen, but didn't quite understand the true meaning and value of it until later.
On his return from the Air Force, having a wife and a child, Chuck decided to open a martial arts school. At the time it was not as big in United States. In America, the only Martial Arts at the time were the knowledge we got from the movies and people were not fully familiar with what it really was. Chuck started to teach and also compete, in order to promote his school.
Chuck only competed for small number of years, but in that time he made a name for himself as an undefeated champion. He has gained a number of Black Belts in various styles and gained recognition in the Martial Arts community. Chuck Norris has had encounters with the legends and very important people in the Martial Arts World. He has made friendships and learned various techniques from people who are now considered the greatest Martial Artists of all times. Some of them are Gracie Brothers, Gene Lebell, Ed Parker, Benny "The Jet" and the legend, Bruce Lee. Chuck's learning never ended and that is why he became a master and the scholar of Zen.
This book is a perfect study of various situations and examples of Zen. In each chapter Chuck gives an example of a problem or a situation and how it was solved with proper use of Zen, or how the situation was not solved, because of lack of knowledge in the subject. He shows encounters with people, examples of others and himself, having properly deal with the situations by using the aspects of Zen.
I like this book for a few reasons :
1. The format is easy to read and understand.
2. Each chapter starts out with a quote or a little story, so you can understand and get your mind set in the direction of the information it is going to provide.
3. The examples are clear and very real. The situations are easy to relate to and understand. The solution is almost a common sense. After reading and analyzing each situation and outcome, you can definitely relate and learn what the aspect of Zen is, and how you can use it.
4. While studying the aspects of Zen, we also get to learn about one of the greatest Martial Artists and American Icons, Chuck Norris. He is a great inspiration and a role model to kids as well as adults across the country.
5. Chuck explains how to find a problem or problems by using a wheel methodology. How to find the areas which need improvement with a simple and very easy to understand technique.
6. The book also talks about goal setting and achieving, how not to let yourself think that there is something you can not do and gives examples. One of the greatest Martial Artists, whom Chuck had a pleasure to meet was handicapable. He had no legs, but he reached tremendous heights in the community and used the wheel chair to his advantage. He also started an organization for handicapable to teach others who are unfortunate to have capabilities of all or their limbs, how to live their life the martial arts way.
7. The book also teaches that if Chuck Norris, who came from a very bad environment could do what he did and reach what he reached, then anyone could do it. Chuck Norris started a program for troubled teens and the programs gained a tremendous popularity, because martial arts made some kids realize the potential and the life, which they could live, without drugs and gangs.
Even though I have read only one book previous to this one on Zen, this was a valuable information, which just helped me understand what Zen really is even more. The book explains why, how and where an average person can apply Zen. Zen can be applied for the personal need in life, in business, during hard times, during pain and during pleasure.
I was almost done with the book, reading a chapter on how Chuck Norris meditates, when I got hurt in class. As a student of Martial Arts, I attend Tae Kwon Do and while going through various regular routines, one of my leg muscles snapped. First I thought it was nothing, but a few seconds later I could not stand on my foot. When I sat down, I started to feel sick and was going to lie down on the mat. My master suggested that I fight it. 'Use that knowledge, which you read about', he said. As I sat there and tried to concentrate, all I could think about was that I am going to faint as usual, but not this time. I used the focus and breathing which I have learned from the book. My master kept on telling me to concentrate on my breathing and that is what I did. I have this problem that whenever something like this happens, I faint. This time was the first time that I did not. To me it was a personal victory and a great beginning.
I am glad that I have read this book. I knew how to get my mind to focus away from my problem. This is not a big deal, but to me it was one of the greatest personal achievements and I am glad it happened. As I am writing this, I can hardly walk. I know that the pain will go away and I will soon forget about this injury, but the knowledge I have learned from this book and from this experience will stay with me forever.
As I also understand, this book was somewhat dedicated to Chuck's brother Wieland, who was killed in Vietnam. The fact of Wieland's death motivated Chuck Norris to be part of a few movies on the subject. The book is great. It is a lesson, history, autobiography and extremely wonderful piece of literature. I very strongly recommend it to anyone.
Carlos Ray Norris a.k.a. Chuck Norris was born into a very poor family. As a youngster he didn't have to many things, which he can say, he was proud of. With an alcoholic father, a loving mother and two younger brothers, Chuck saw his life going nowhere and up in the air. In the book, one of the things he is talking about is how poor they were. He is telling a story about his high school days. Chuck liked a girl and he had to break off their relationship because he was embarrassed to show her where he lived. His family lived in the 22-foot trailer home, which was parked in his aunt's backyard. There is a lot more about that, but let us get on with the rest of the book.
As a young man, Chuck had enlisted in the Air Force and went to Korea. That was the end of Carlos Ray Norris, the man who had no idea what the life will have to offer and the beginning of Chuck Norris a man with dreams and goals. Chuck Norris, a man who later became the greatest martial artist and a Zen follower of our times.
Chuck received his first Black Belt while being in Korea. As he was studying the martial arts and getting his new education in life, he was also learning a very important aspect of life, which all of us encounter on every day basis, but just do not realize it. Chuck had his first encounters and realizations with Zen, but didn't quite understand the true meaning and value of it until later.
On his return from the Air Force, having a wife and a child, Chuck decided to open a martial arts school. At the time it was not as big in United States. In America, the only Martial Arts at the time were the knowledge we got from the movies and people were not fully familiar with what it really was. Chuck started to teach and also compete, in order to promote his school.
Chuck only competed for small number of years, but in that time he made a name for himself as an undefeated champion. He has gained a number of Black Belts in various styles and gained recognition in the Martial Arts community. Chuck Norris has had encounters with the legends and very important people in the Martial Arts World. He has made friendships and learned various techniques from people who are now considered the greatest Martial Artists of all times. Some of them are Gracie Brothers, Gene Lebell, Ed Parker, Benny "The Jet" and the legend, Bruce Lee. Chuck's learning never ended and that is why he became a master and the scholar of Zen.
This book is a perfect study of various situations and examples of Zen. In each chapter Chuck gives an example of a problem or a situation and how it was solved with proper use of Zen, or how the situation was not solved, because of lack of knowledge in the subject. He shows encounters with people, examples of others and himself, having properly deal with the situations by using the aspects of Zen.
I like this book for a few reasons :
1. The format is easy to read and understand.
2. Each chapter starts out with a quote or a little story, so you can understand and get your mind set in the direction of the information it is going to provide.
3. The examples are clear and very real. The situations are easy to relate to and understand. The solution is almost a common sense. After reading and analyzing each situation and outcome, you can definitely relate and learn what the aspect of Zen is, and how you can use it.
4. While studying the aspects of Zen, we also get to learn about one of the greatest Martial Artists and American Icons, Chuck Norris. He is a great inspiration and a role model to kids as well as adults across the country.
5. Chuck explains how to find a problem or problems by using a wheel methodology. How to find the areas which need improvement with a simple and very easy to understand technique.
6. The book also talks about goal setting and achieving, how not to let yourself think that there is something you can not do and gives examples. One of the greatest Martial Artists, whom Chuck had a pleasure to meet was handicapable. He had no legs, but he reached tremendous heights in the community and used the wheel chair to his advantage. He also started an organization for handicapable to teach others who are unfortunate to have capabilities of all or their limbs, how to live their life the martial arts way.
7. The book also teaches that if Chuck Norris, who came from a very bad environment could do what he did and reach what he reached, then anyone could do it. Chuck Norris started a program for troubled teens and the programs gained a tremendous popularity, because martial arts made some kids realize the potential and the life, which they could live, without drugs and gangs.
Even though I have read only one book previous to this one on Zen, this was a valuable information, which just helped me understand what Zen really is even more. The book explains why, how and where an average person can apply Zen. Zen can be applied for the personal need in life, in business, during hard times, during pain and during pleasure.
I was almost done with the book, reading a chapter on how Chuck Norris meditates, when I got hurt in class. As a student of Martial Arts, I attend Tae Kwon Do and while going through various regular routines, one of my leg muscles snapped. First I thought it was nothing, but a few seconds later I could not stand on my foot. When I sat down, I started to feel sick and was going to lie down on the mat. My master suggested that I fight it. 'Use that knowledge, which you read about', he said. As I sat there and tried to concentrate, all I could think about was that I am going to faint as usual, but not this time. I used the focus and breathing which I have learned from the book. My master kept on telling me to concentrate on my breathing and that is what I did. I have this problem that whenever something like this happens, I faint. This time was the first time that I did not. To me it was a personal victory and a great beginning.
I am glad that I have read this book. I knew how to get my mind to focus away from my problem. This is not a big deal, but to me it was one of the greatest personal achievements and I am glad it happened. As I am writing this, I can hardly walk. I know that the pain will go away and I will soon forget about this injury, but the knowledge I have learned from this book and from this experience will stay with me forever.
As I also understand, this book was somewhat dedicated to Chuck's brother Wieland, who was killed in Vietnam. The fact of Wieland's death motivated Chuck Norris to be part of a few movies on the subject. The book is great. It is a lesson, history, autobiography and extremely wonderful piece of literature. I very strongly recommend it to anyone.
December 18, 2017
It was a great book! This book describes how to educate yourself and how to be a better man, each day, each second... I truly recommend to all types of readers!
March 29, 2021
Life has been extra hard for me lately. This pandemic has been no help along with some personal issues, both physically and mentally, that have been slowing me down. This has been causing my anxiety to shoot through the roof (even though currently I’m on a down swing). Some days are a lot harder to cope than others. Recently I was watching some Chuck Norris videos and noticed how positive of an outlook on life he has. He doesn’t see hard times as nearly impossible obstacles, Chuck works to find a way to persevere with as much optimism as possible. I discussed this with my boyfriend, who also likes Chuck Norris, and he suggested this book. And I must say, from the first few pages I already felt a sense of relief. The whole book is spent explaining the different ways you can achieve zen in your own life, much like martial artists use in their practice. Honestly, all the principles seem easy to implement, but I know if I want to use his advice, it will take some work. Much of it boils down to positive thinking and determination. If you believe you can do something and give your full effort, while also not standing in your own way, you can succeed. And Chuck explains that success doesn’t always mean winning or accomplishing everything at 100%. Meeting small goals and just trying your hardest is also seen as a success. I doubt I will ever have a life like Chuck Norris, not that I would necessarily want that, but if I can practice a few of these ideas I know I can achieve my goals.
March 10, 2022
I started reading this book as a joke, but in all honesty, I love Chuck Norris' outlook on life. This is essentially his treatise on how to live life on a middle path. My favorite part was the following set of precepts:
- Retain a daily regimen
- Everything in moderation
- Eat simple but nourishing food
- Allow for quiet time during the day
- Cherish the company of good friends
- Be open to learning new concepts and ideas
- Don't be judgmental
- Listen to your heart
- Attitude is everything
- Accept things as they really are and adapt to them
- Admit your errors
- There are no excuses for failure
- Don't let material things possess you
- Retain an open mind
- Continue to make new friends
- Retain a daily regimen
- Everything in moderation
- Eat simple but nourishing food
- Allow for quiet time during the day
- Cherish the company of good friends
- Be open to learning new concepts and ideas
- Don't be judgmental
- Listen to your heart
- Attitude is everything
- Accept things as they really are and adapt to them
- Admit your errors
- There are no excuses for failure
- Don't let material things possess you
- Retain an open mind
- Continue to make new friends
August 29, 2011
When Chuck Norris writes a book about how to live, you read it and live it! Enough said.
March 27, 2013
Outstanding.
The concept of Circle as balancing my day-to-day life is fascinating - must use )))
The concept of Circle as balancing my day-to-day life is fascinating - must use )))
May 31, 2025
I haven’t written a review in a long time, but this one really got me thinking. My heart really wanted to give this book 4 stars, but there are some issues with Norris’s philosophy that made me lower the rating.
Chuck is actually from the same general region of the country as I am. Even though I have never met him, I do feel a sense of kinship with him as someone who loves martial arts, his country, Zen, and action movies.
I’d like to start with the good parts about this book. Personally, I think that Chuck Norris is a good man with good intentions. I believe he honestly cares about the example he wants to set for young people and that example contains the virtues or bravery, independence, leadership, fortitude, perseverance and patience, among others. He points to John Wayne as his prime American example embodying these traits.
As for Zen, his observations on ki, koan (Buddhist philosophical prompts), meditation, controlling one’s emotions, and dealing with conflict are all very interesting and useful even for the modern day world. His knowledge of the martial arts and of Asian culture and language are quite impressive. It will come as no surprise that he also has a lot of interesting knowledge on film, especially the action genre.
Now, I would like to transition to some of the issues I have with his ideas. Although, John Wayne is truly an example of all of those heroic traits mentioned above, he is also someone who was bigoted, arrogant and condescending towards women. You can do your own research to find out more about that. I don’t think that Norris shares in those negative traits himself, but he could have chosen a better role model or idol.
Second, Norris seems to view the world in a binary absolutist sense: good vs. evil, right vs. wrong. But reality in my experience is often gray. I suspect that his sect of Christianity is probably one of the more extreme right-wing versions that holds this kind of worldview. Although his views on Zen seem sound to me, they are counterbalanced by this sort of political Christianity which I view as antithetical to the authentic Christianity of Jesus Christ. Norris does rightly stay on the topic of Zen throughout this book, but I cannot help but notice the influence of this other side on his psyche on his judgment.
Third, while on an individual level I respect him as almost noble, on a scholarly level I actually see ignorance. For example, he seems to believe that the United States military can do no wrong. He believes that the “Vietcong” were “the enemy” nefariously lying in ambush to kill his brother. I do sympathize with him for his loss, truly, but it didn’t seem to cross his mind that our country actually attacked Vietnam, and those disparagingly called“Vietcong” were actually defending their own country. I question whether Norris really understands what good and evil are, or whether he is knowledgeable enough about history and how wars are funded by powerful corporate and self-serving interests. Seeing war as a conflict between good and evil blinds one to the true instigators of war, the people in power seeking more power and profit, playing a game of Risk with the common American and Vietnamese people as the expendable pawns.
Finally, his advice on going with your gut instinct may be sound and effective when it comes to personal and martial arts problems, but when it comes to judging when to be a hero in a war, he had better think more carefully about just how noble the cause of such war really is. He must consider how it is affecting other nations. It is a common flaw of the Right to see only the perspective of the individual or of one’s own nation without reflecting on how their actions affect others. It is not my choice to get political here, but the truth is that his views have political consequences. Ultimately, bravery and righteousness can be channeled towards pure evil (My Lai, Agent Orange, carpet bombing) when one uses it to advance a war of conquest, oppression, imperialism or profit. There is no honor is such sacrifice or killing, and the true Zen Buddhist would refuse to participate in such war and save his fight for self-defense rather than conquest. Norris probably sees the Vietnam War as heroic defense of a small country and resistance to Communist invaders, but I would argue that millions of Americans like him simply fell victim to the war propaganda manufactured by those nefarious warmongers in our government. Don’t take advice from Chuck Norris about righteousness in war, for that, look to Noam Chomsky or Chris Hedges.
That is my perspective as someone who studied history and international studies in college, but by no means am I worthy to be called “expert.”
Overall, it is a good and interesting book for daily, individual life advice and martial arts facts, but his absolutism, political and historical lack of awareness and possibly extremist form of faith interfere with his ability to give the best kind of advice. Looking at the themes of some of the other books he has written, I fear that this might be the best he has to offer. Out of curiosity I may read the others, but I expect them to be painful and disappointing reads.
Chuck is actually from the same general region of the country as I am. Even though I have never met him, I do feel a sense of kinship with him as someone who loves martial arts, his country, Zen, and action movies.
I’d like to start with the good parts about this book. Personally, I think that Chuck Norris is a good man with good intentions. I believe he honestly cares about the example he wants to set for young people and that example contains the virtues or bravery, independence, leadership, fortitude, perseverance and patience, among others. He points to John Wayne as his prime American example embodying these traits.
As for Zen, his observations on ki, koan (Buddhist philosophical prompts), meditation, controlling one’s emotions, and dealing with conflict are all very interesting and useful even for the modern day world. His knowledge of the martial arts and of Asian culture and language are quite impressive. It will come as no surprise that he also has a lot of interesting knowledge on film, especially the action genre.
Now, I would like to transition to some of the issues I have with his ideas. Although, John Wayne is truly an example of all of those heroic traits mentioned above, he is also someone who was bigoted, arrogant and condescending towards women. You can do your own research to find out more about that. I don’t think that Norris shares in those negative traits himself, but he could have chosen a better role model or idol.
Second, Norris seems to view the world in a binary absolutist sense: good vs. evil, right vs. wrong. But reality in my experience is often gray. I suspect that his sect of Christianity is probably one of the more extreme right-wing versions that holds this kind of worldview. Although his views on Zen seem sound to me, they are counterbalanced by this sort of political Christianity which I view as antithetical to the authentic Christianity of Jesus Christ. Norris does rightly stay on the topic of Zen throughout this book, but I cannot help but notice the influence of this other side on his psyche on his judgment.
Third, while on an individual level I respect him as almost noble, on a scholarly level I actually see ignorance. For example, he seems to believe that the United States military can do no wrong. He believes that the “Vietcong” were “the enemy” nefariously lying in ambush to kill his brother. I do sympathize with him for his loss, truly, but it didn’t seem to cross his mind that our country actually attacked Vietnam, and those disparagingly called“Vietcong” were actually defending their own country. I question whether Norris really understands what good and evil are, or whether he is knowledgeable enough about history and how wars are funded by powerful corporate and self-serving interests. Seeing war as a conflict between good and evil blinds one to the true instigators of war, the people in power seeking more power and profit, playing a game of Risk with the common American and Vietnamese people as the expendable pawns.
Finally, his advice on going with your gut instinct may be sound and effective when it comes to personal and martial arts problems, but when it comes to judging when to be a hero in a war, he had better think more carefully about just how noble the cause of such war really is. He must consider how it is affecting other nations. It is a common flaw of the Right to see only the perspective of the individual or of one’s own nation without reflecting on how their actions affect others. It is not my choice to get political here, but the truth is that his views have political consequences. Ultimately, bravery and righteousness can be channeled towards pure evil (My Lai, Agent Orange, carpet bombing) when one uses it to advance a war of conquest, oppression, imperialism or profit. There is no honor is such sacrifice or killing, and the true Zen Buddhist would refuse to participate in such war and save his fight for self-defense rather than conquest. Norris probably sees the Vietnam War as heroic defense of a small country and resistance to Communist invaders, but I would argue that millions of Americans like him simply fell victim to the war propaganda manufactured by those nefarious warmongers in our government. Don’t take advice from Chuck Norris about righteousness in war, for that, look to Noam Chomsky or Chris Hedges.
That is my perspective as someone who studied history and international studies in college, but by no means am I worthy to be called “expert.”
Overall, it is a good and interesting book for daily, individual life advice and martial arts facts, but his absolutism, political and historical lack of awareness and possibly extremist form of faith interfere with his ability to give the best kind of advice. Looking at the themes of some of the other books he has written, I fear that this might be the best he has to offer. Out of curiosity I may read the others, but I expect them to be painful and disappointing reads.
January 1, 2026
This is Chuck’s 2nd book and I enjoyed is just as much as the first. While his first book is a biography, this one takes pieces of his life and uses its as introspective lessons while including some of the people close to him through out his life. Also quoting some of the different Masters inspiration for learning Zen. What is Zen? In 1962 was his first experience with it while being a young black belt opening his first martial artist school, many visitors would stop in and observe the class. One observer a Buddhist Monk from the Yogananda temple in Downtown Los Angeles. The Monk also a martial artist felt a kinship with Norris and had a lot of thoughts he wanted to share with him. During one of their many discussions the Monk kept using the word Ki, described as internal force and related to Zen. Zen: Today has been reduced to kind of a catchphrase that could be attached to everything from learning to use the internet, getting ahead in the business world. It has become detached from its original source so thoroughly that its meaning, has become a matter of personal conjecture. Its full name Zen Buddhism a Universal Force, everywhere around us, and that certain people throughout history have made use of it. It’s a life long journey training your body and mind to silence all the noise artificially man made as well as what your own mind creates when it’s suffering from Malnutrition. It’s a journey not everyone takes or is even aware of which can be a huge hurdle depending upon how these people are intertwined into your life. They don’t understand and may become resentful of your perspective and may even try to tear you down to readjust to their way of thinking. Most important of all adhering to a regiment keeping yourself in balance and something to fall back on when at times you become lost and it will happen. Starting on page 145.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2024
I really enjoy going to the gym, reading this book was something that was originally taken to be a light read while I was doing recovery. The book taught me so much, how I can be a better man, and better my training. I don’t do martial arts, but there are things that I can implement in my day-to-day life. I highly recommend this book to anyone who learns from real life examples and stories.
September 25, 2024
Good book. I thought it was really well written and he has a lot of great tips for life. I like that, as a Christian, he talks about Zen and it not really being part of a religion but rather sort of a way of living. I enjoyed reading this and may have to go through it again.
October 9, 2024
Lot of great messages shared in this book. I appreciate the introspective view he has and his ability to reflect in the present moment. I’d like to take some of the quotes he shares in this book and incorporate them into my life as I see fit.
Read
April 13, 2020A bit of memoir wrapped in lessons on martial arts zen or warrior teachings.
April 29, 2024
much than I anticipated...
July 3, 2022
I knew Chuck Norris as the martial artist as I am one myself. I’ve never seen many of his movies or Walker TR. This book was quite interesting and made me open my eyes to some of his philosophies and points of view. Definitely worth reading.
March 25, 2019
Norris, Chuck. The Secret Power Within: Zen Solutions to Real Life. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 1996.
This is the early primer to his later autobiography. The subtitle sounds goofy, I grant you, and Asian purists would probably (rightly) say that Chuck still doesn’t understand Zen. Fine. The book as it is, though, is quite good.
Zen is when you gain knowledge through intuition, that lightning strike moment. Sure, some use it for pagan purposes, but we’ve all had that ‘aha’ moment.
Is Zen Eastern magick that will lead the Christian down pagan paths? No. It’s intuition. It’s following the path of intuition, a path made possible by hundreds and thousands of hours of discipline. Repetitions “create intuition, to make the mind or body able to flow without reflection or pause” (Norris 45).
“No one, not even a lover, looks at you as intensely and closely as someone who intends to knock you out in the ring” (41).
Breathing techniques: “during inhalation [imagine] a very silver thread….drawn in uninterruptedly through the nostrils and [flowing] down the spinal column, where it is held for a few seconds in the lower abdomen. Three-quarters of the air is then exhaled gently through the mouth in a steady, concentrated, powerful, but relaxed, stream” (65).
Shadow Warriors: Don’t be a spiritual ninja. Ninja created chaos and won through misdirection. Don’t be like that towards those you love (107).
What about ki (or chi)? This does border on mysticism, so careful thought is required. I don’t know about all the “life energy moving through the body,” but in terms of movement and breaking boards, it makes sense. When you break a board, visualize the attack through the board (129).
This is the early primer to his later autobiography. The subtitle sounds goofy, I grant you, and Asian purists would probably (rightly) say that Chuck still doesn’t understand Zen. Fine. The book as it is, though, is quite good.
Zen is when you gain knowledge through intuition, that lightning strike moment. Sure, some use it for pagan purposes, but we’ve all had that ‘aha’ moment.
Is Zen Eastern magick that will lead the Christian down pagan paths? No. It’s intuition. It’s following the path of intuition, a path made possible by hundreds and thousands of hours of discipline. Repetitions “create intuition, to make the mind or body able to flow without reflection or pause” (Norris 45).
“No one, not even a lover, looks at you as intensely and closely as someone who intends to knock you out in the ring” (41).
Breathing techniques: “during inhalation [imagine] a very silver thread….drawn in uninterruptedly through the nostrils and [flowing] down the spinal column, where it is held for a few seconds in the lower abdomen. Three-quarters of the air is then exhaled gently through the mouth in a steady, concentrated, powerful, but relaxed, stream” (65).
Shadow Warriors: Don’t be a spiritual ninja. Ninja created chaos and won through misdirection. Don’t be like that towards those you love (107).
What about ki (or chi)? This does border on mysticism, so careful thought is required. I don’t know about all the “life energy moving through the body,” but in terms of movement and breaking boards, it makes sense. When you break a board, visualize the attack through the board (129).
January 25, 2014
My sensei lent me this while I went into the hospital (not for anything martial-arts-related).
Norris wants to tell about the role of Zen in the martial arts, connecting the mental and physical arts. He states honestly that he doesn't claim as much understanding of Zen as others could, and when he talks about Zen it seems to me he's not wrong but not quite there.
I really like when Norris talks about the ways martial arts training can affect someone's life beyond just physical exercise or fighting. I also like when he talks about films and the characters he likes to play and the values he hopes to share in film. I don't like when he tries to take Zen and martial arts lessons into the realm of self-help and life advice. These parts become very bland, and he turns the message to something like "focus on getting the success you want", which seems kind of un-Zen to me. Zen (as far as I could claim to know it) does teach focusing to overcome difficulties in right action, but right action in Zen is more process-oriented than goal-oriented, and the wanting-career-life-success turn of the self-help advice seems more ego-focused --egoism being something Norris rightfully warns against in the martial arts sections, so the shift is strange.
I want to give it more than 3, but not as much as 4. It's worth a read if you're interested in martial arts or Norris's life, but keep a Zenlike critical mind about it.
Norris wants to tell about the role of Zen in the martial arts, connecting the mental and physical arts. He states honestly that he doesn't claim as much understanding of Zen as others could, and when he talks about Zen it seems to me he's not wrong but not quite there.
I really like when Norris talks about the ways martial arts training can affect someone's life beyond just physical exercise or fighting. I also like when he talks about films and the characters he likes to play and the values he hopes to share in film. I don't like when he tries to take Zen and martial arts lessons into the realm of self-help and life advice. These parts become very bland, and he turns the message to something like "focus on getting the success you want", which seems kind of un-Zen to me. Zen (as far as I could claim to know it) does teach focusing to overcome difficulties in right action, but right action in Zen is more process-oriented than goal-oriented, and the wanting-career-life-success turn of the self-help advice seems more ego-focused --egoism being something Norris rightfully warns against in the martial arts sections, so the shift is strange.
I want to give it more than 3, but not as much as 4. It's worth a read if you're interested in martial arts or Norris's life, but keep a Zenlike critical mind about it.
July 22, 2011
I have to make a distinction between the author and the text.
Chuck Norris has almost become a pop culture icon, in jokes, as a mediocre actor at best. My generation doesn't remember him as a legitimate and incredibly competition martial artist. That being said a lot of his personal views are rather unsettling when it comes issues of civil rights, equality and theology. His opinions should be taken with a rather large grain of salt.
That being said the text is about the influence of zen practices for the everyday problematic situations. In this he mostly succeeds. Some of the examples he uses are pretty generic (probably made up for simplicity's sake) and somewhat contrived but that doesn't entirely detract from his point. He does make a pretty clear statement on a western interpretation of facets of zen. While he does cite examples from his life, he also lays down the basic tenets of Zen Buddhism using easily illustrated examples.
Probably the the thing I enjoyed the most about this book were some of the unexpected notes of humbleness he seems to have, especially when he is claiming to have any sort of mastery in zen and saying outright that certain facets of zen are beyond his ability to grasp.
Chuck Norris has almost become a pop culture icon, in jokes, as a mediocre actor at best. My generation doesn't remember him as a legitimate and incredibly competition martial artist. That being said a lot of his personal views are rather unsettling when it comes issues of civil rights, equality and theology. His opinions should be taken with a rather large grain of salt.
That being said the text is about the influence of zen practices for the everyday problematic situations. In this he mostly succeeds. Some of the examples he uses are pretty generic (probably made up for simplicity's sake) and somewhat contrived but that doesn't entirely detract from his point. He does make a pretty clear statement on a western interpretation of facets of zen. While he does cite examples from his life, he also lays down the basic tenets of Zen Buddhism using easily illustrated examples.
Probably the the thing I enjoyed the most about this book were some of the unexpected notes of humbleness he seems to have, especially when he is claiming to have any sort of mastery in zen and saying outright that certain facets of zen are beyond his ability to grasp.
May 14, 2019
I bought this as a joke Christmas present and ended up reading it. It's objectively not that good and certainly not good in terms of writing but I loved it because 1) it contained the same ideas as a shitty self-help book 2) unlike a shitty buddhist self-help book, it didn't just throw the ideas and advice at me and expect me to mindlessly listen. It was Chuck Norris reflecting on the ideas, trying them and deciding if they were good for his life, and presenting them as something skeptical readers could try themselves. I really liked reading this because Chuck Norris treated me like an adult and showed me that badly delivered Buddhist advice might actually have some substance. I'm still very torn on how I feel about meditation, and I really want to read more on buddhism and meditation.
September 13, 2016
What I really liked about this book was Chuck's personal experiences with legends in the martial arts like Bruce Lee. The personal anecdotes as they relate to Zen are meant to demonstrate how Zen can be applied in our everyday life and not just as some esoteric spiritual thing. It was also interesting to me that Chuck delved more into the Zen aspect of the martial arts later. He was absolutely correct in saying: "The basic philosophy of any martial arts is designed to bring you closer to yourself. That's what the dojo is for: to help the student find th way to personal enlightenment." (page 36).
October 16, 2013
This was an interesting story, but not quite what I expected. It kind of read like a rough outline. The chapters were about 3 pages long, so it made it feel like it was a fast read. Unfortunately, it was awkwardly written, which made it hard to stay engaged.
The content was amazing, so I slogged through it because I was really invested in learning about Chuck's pursuit of Zen and his life and what got him there. I just wish he had hired a ghost writer. He's an amazing man with a great story to tell about his life, religion, and martial arts, but he is definitely not a writer.
The content was amazing, so I slogged through it because I was really invested in learning about Chuck's pursuit of Zen and his life and what got him there. I just wish he had hired a ghost writer. He's an amazing man with a great story to tell about his life, religion, and martial arts, but he is definitely not a writer.
December 17, 2008
One of my first books that I read that was writen by Chuck Norris whom happens be my favorate actor. It gives insight on how to live your life and how to find the inner self inside yourself. while reading this book I found alot of insight about myself and people around me. I recommend it to anyone. Young teen or adult.
November 1, 2018
Really enjoyed reading this, but wasn't sure if I was going to like it. Chuck talks about Zen, it's philosophy and about self resilience, reliance and perception and how to become the best version of yourself using Tao and Buddhist ideals as well as those he has learned in Marital Arts. An easy read though I would recommend taking your time to let it sink in, suitable for both adults and teens.
March 23, 2013
Chuck said: "My friends call me Carlos." Senor Norris certainly is wise about the ways of zen. Readers may also be interested in his view of martial arts in the US before Kung Fu TV showed us the glamour. He also knew Bruce Lee well.
June 15, 2013
I think very good, it helps put Zen into a simple point of view. It also brings out some of his life and how it adapted to verious things and also about his brother Wieland sacrificing himself for his men in the US Army.
May 28, 2016
This was a fun read back in the day and still a good one for inspiration for those who practice martial arts. It's been several years since I've read it and my views have changed but in my opinion, it's still worth checking out.
February 29, 2008
People might poke fun at Chuck but he is one successful and grounded person. He gives very simplistic view to complicated situations. I have read this book three times in the last 10 years.
July 7, 2008
This was an outstanding book. Chuck's life and Christian values provide a great example for all to follow.
December 17, 2014
Quick read, some interesting things - like Steve McQueen convinced Chuck to try acting.
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