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Path Notes of an American Ninja Master
Using a lively style and the languages of transpersonal psychology, meditation, esoteric magic, and kundalini, Glenn Morris recounts his amazing adventures and hair-raising close calls while training and then practicing as a master of martial arts. Following in the tradition of the legendary Togakure Ryu of Japan, whose fighting techniques and lore inspired the fascination of westerners with Ninja warriors, he offers guidelines on how to tell sham from authenticity, how to keep friends while developing power, how to voyage safely into the inner landscape, and how to deal with dark forces-incarnate and disincarnate. At the same time, he provides exercises, tests, and adventures for the courageous-as well as spiritual and ethical compass.
288 pages, Paperback
First published October 6, 1993
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 30, 2011
Hokey title -- heavy s**t. I read _Martial Arts Madness_ and _Shadow Strategies_ years ago, but it took me quite a while to track this one down. When I finally did, I wasn’t disappointed. I never met Dr. Morris in person, but I exchanged a few emails with him during the late ‘90s. He was candid, brilliant, iconoclastic, and downright scary in many respects. Although his approach is sometimes irritatingly similar to Aleister Crowley’s, he is/was (I heard a rumor that he’d passed away) the best English-language writer on the "woo-woo" side of the martial arts I’ve ever encountered. Approach with caution – for all that there’s a sh**load of good stuff here.
December 25, 2011
I found this book extremely frustrating to read. I've been a Zen practitioner for many years, but have never seriously studied any martial arts, so it's possible Morris and I just speak different languages. My biggest grievance with him is his approach to "enlightenment". The enlightenment that Morris speaks of is way outside of everything I've even learned in my Zen practice. He makes the statement that enlightenment can be achieved in three to eight years of meditation practice, then later he speaks of all the otherworldly skills one gains by being enlightened. D.T. Suzuki in Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind goes to great length to dispel the importance of the enlightenment experience. To a Zen practitioner, the point of the practice is not to achieve a goal, the point is the practice itself.
Another problem I had with the book is it's overall tone. I found Morris' writing to be pompous and self-serving throughout almost the entire book. The whole thing felt a bit like an effort to inflate his own ego. Again, in my own experience with Zen, I've found that the wisest teachers impress you not with all their credentials, but by very ordinary they are. They act as a mirror for the student, guiding when necessary, but never feeling the need to espouse on their own brilliance.
This book has a very definite "new-age" flair to it, delving into everything from seeing auras to charging crystals. And while I don't have a problem with that on principle (I'll be the first to concede there are plenty of things in this world outside the realm of my understanding), it's the fact that the author attempts to be an authority on all of them that unnerves me. One gets the impression from reading this book that Morris' powers and abilities are nothing short of god-like.
Chapter Nineteen, titled "Strategies for a New Age" is perhaps the book's one redeeming section. The author displays a very uncharacteristic humility as he describes his nine "words of wisdom", all of which I found refreshingly sound given the rest of his writing.
All in all, Path Notes is mishmash of ideas and principles that have been drawn from more sources than I can count, many of which feel as though they were taken out of context. It lacks focus, and may be very misleading to those unfamiliar with Eastern spiritual practice. For a westerner interested in cracking into Eastern thought, I would highly suggest The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living instead.
Another problem I had with the book is it's overall tone. I found Morris' writing to be pompous and self-serving throughout almost the entire book. The whole thing felt a bit like an effort to inflate his own ego. Again, in my own experience with Zen, I've found that the wisest teachers impress you not with all their credentials, but by very ordinary they are. They act as a mirror for the student, guiding when necessary, but never feeling the need to espouse on their own brilliance.
This book has a very definite "new-age" flair to it, delving into everything from seeing auras to charging crystals. And while I don't have a problem with that on principle (I'll be the first to concede there are plenty of things in this world outside the realm of my understanding), it's the fact that the author attempts to be an authority on all of them that unnerves me. One gets the impression from reading this book that Morris' powers and abilities are nothing short of god-like.
Chapter Nineteen, titled "Strategies for a New Age" is perhaps the book's one redeeming section. The author displays a very uncharacteristic humility as he describes his nine "words of wisdom", all of which I found refreshingly sound given the rest of his writing.
All in all, Path Notes is mishmash of ideas and principles that have been drawn from more sources than I can count, many of which feel as though they were taken out of context. It lacks focus, and may be very misleading to those unfamiliar with Eastern spiritual practice. For a westerner interested in cracking into Eastern thought, I would highly suggest The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living instead.
June 21, 2018
This is one of two books that had a huge impact on my life. (The other was Autobiography of Yogi, by Paramahamsa Yogananda which was even more impactful).
I'm writing this review quite a few years after the fact, since I'm new to Goodreads. I read this when I was a teenager. I came across it in a bookstore with my mom, and literally refused to leave the store unless she bought that book for me. ;-)
Although there's a lot of Ninjutsu in this book, it's actually more about Kundalini and Glenn's spiritual awakening than that. He's put his energy into the book. When you read it, you'll feel it. This is also very true of Yogananda, especially his first edition. I think that's part of why both of those books were so powerful for me. There are more than just words in those pages, and I'm not just being floofy when I say that.
If you're on a spiritual path, and have it in you to meditate and learn esoteric techniques about running energy through your body, you should read this book. I'm not sure if it's still in print or not, but you can still find it on the internet, or through Glenn's KAP program, which continues after his passing under two of his very talented students.
I'm writing this review quite a few years after the fact, since I'm new to Goodreads. I read this when I was a teenager. I came across it in a bookstore with my mom, and literally refused to leave the store unless she bought that book for me. ;-)
Although there's a lot of Ninjutsu in this book, it's actually more about Kundalini and Glenn's spiritual awakening than that. He's put his energy into the book. When you read it, you'll feel it. This is also very true of Yogananda, especially his first edition. I think that's part of why both of those books were so powerful for me. There are more than just words in those pages, and I'm not just being floofy when I say that.
If you're on a spiritual path, and have it in you to meditate and learn esoteric techniques about running energy through your body, you should read this book. I'm not sure if it's still in print or not, but you can still find it on the internet, or through Glenn's KAP program, which continues after his passing under two of his very talented students.
July 11, 2021
Interesting, if a bit kooky, read. Glenn stepped on a rainbow a few years back which is too bad. He'd have had an interesting blog or podcast if he were still around.
October 14, 2008
Interesting account of the spiritual side of martial arts, especially with regard to energy-sex-tantric-channelling etc.
Some fascinating stories, made me laugh out loud a couple of times.
I'd love to pick up a martial art properly and really work at it...
Some fascinating stories, made me laugh out loud a couple of times.
I'd love to pick up a martial art properly and really work at it...
February 3, 2016
Absolutely loved it the first time I read it. It’s not for everyone, but it definitely takes you on a wild ride - if you’re ready to take the jump.
Since I first read it about 7 years ago, I still occasionally pick it up to read...
Since I first read it about 7 years ago, I still occasionally pick it up to read...
May 31, 2017
Very under rated book!
August 15, 2024
Inspirational.
“Your life is your art.”
I just reread "Path Notes …" and it was such a treat. The book is primarily an autobiography of Dr. Glenn J. Morris (1944-2006) but also includes many how-to instructions and philosophical discussions on various topics.
Dr. Glenn J. Morris earned a Ph.D. in Communication and a Sci.D in psychology. He was a teacher. He has taught communication, psychology, and theater in North America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Also, while doing all of this Dr Morris trained in the martial arts most of his life.
Each time I read this book, there is always something new to look forward to and something new to discover. The pace of the book moves quickly, keeping the reader's mind occupied.
This is what I think about this book.
It provides a unique opportunity to look into someone's life - someone who truly lived life to the fullest. Despite facing physical and emotional challenges at times, this person persevered, grew, and savored every moment. The author doesn't preach about how people should live their lives; instead, he shows us how he lived his own.
The title of the book is foretelling.
"Path Notes" suggests to me that the author is reflecting on the different paths he took in life and where they led him. It conveys a sense of acceptance and growth that I find really appealing.
This book primarily focuses on martial arts training, its profound impact on the author's life, and, most significantly, the lasting friendships it enabled.
I highly recommend this book.
“Your life is your art.”
I just reread "Path Notes …" and it was such a treat. The book is primarily an autobiography of Dr. Glenn J. Morris (1944-2006) but also includes many how-to instructions and philosophical discussions on various topics.
Dr. Glenn J. Morris earned a Ph.D. in Communication and a Sci.D in psychology. He was a teacher. He has taught communication, psychology, and theater in North America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Also, while doing all of this Dr Morris trained in the martial arts most of his life.
Each time I read this book, there is always something new to look forward to and something new to discover. The pace of the book moves quickly, keeping the reader's mind occupied.
This is what I think about this book.
It provides a unique opportunity to look into someone's life - someone who truly lived life to the fullest. Despite facing physical and emotional challenges at times, this person persevered, grew, and savored every moment. The author doesn't preach about how people should live their lives; instead, he shows us how he lived his own.
The title of the book is foretelling.
"Path Notes" suggests to me that the author is reflecting on the different paths he took in life and where they led him. It conveys a sense of acceptance and growth that I find really appealing.
This book primarily focuses on martial arts training, its profound impact on the author's life, and, most significantly, the lasting friendships it enabled.
I highly recommend this book.
March 25, 2023
I love this book because it is one of the few books out there really telling you practical things about energetic work. While the outer focus of the book is on martial arts, and in particular the Togakure Ryu style, sown within the whole of it as an inner layer, is the practice of internal martial arts.
The author is very good at describing particular techniques, the use and even some of their potentially negative side effects. A wonderful book and a wealth of information for those that are willing to go deeper than outer style and discover the true source of inner power.
The author is very good at describing particular techniques, the use and even some of their potentially negative side effects. A wonderful book and a wealth of information for those that are willing to go deeper than outer style and discover the true source of inner power.
February 7, 2018
The esoteric, at times rather weird story of one man's experiences in the martial arts and life in general.
April 12, 2019
Really enjoyed the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 7, 2020
A very interesting book detailing the path and life of Glenn Morris. Some of the topics include, consciousness in objects, kundalini, clairvoyance, and being a badass Ninja Master.
April 26, 2012
For anyone interested in self-improvement, I can't say enough about this book. Tragically, Dr. Morris passed away at a relatively young age; I would read anything this man wrote with great anticipation. A transcendental work for the open-minded.
November 26, 2012
Beware the trickster.
November 19, 2011
I really like this book. Good to hear the experiences of other practitioners.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews