Zen Body-Being: An Enlightened Approach to Physical Skill, Grace, and Power
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By: Peter Ralston and Laura Ralston
Format: Paperback
From: Frog Books
Pub. Date: June 2006
From: Frog Books
Pub. Date: June 2006
Product Details:
Catalog: Book
Release Date: 2006-07-27
Media: Paperback
Number Of Pages: 200
Ean: 9781583941591
Isbn: 1583941592
Catalog: Book
Release Date: 2006-07-27
Media: Paperback
Number Of Pages: 200
Ean: 9781583941591
Isbn: 1583941592
ABOUT THE BOOK
EDITORIAL REVIEW
In this inspiring guide, Peter Ralston presents a program of "physical education" for anyone interested in body improvement. Using simple, clear language to demystify the Zen mindset, he draws on more than three decades of experience teaching students and apprentices worldwide who have applied his body-being approach. More of a transformative guide than a specific list of exercises devoted to any particular physical approach, Zen Body-Being explains how to create a state of mental control, enhanced feeling-awareness, correct structural alignment, increased spatial acuity, and even a greater interactive presence. Exercises are simple, often involving feeling-imagery and meditative awareness, which have a profound and sometimes instant effect. Where similar guides teach readers what to do, this book teaches readers how to be.
USER REVIEWS
"Over the years I have read all of Peter's books--many times each! This is the first book not written in Ralstonese...no doubt due to his wife's ability to translate his language into English. I also love the fact that Peter shared many personal stories and experiences that lead up to his discovery of Cheng Hsin and road to mastery. In a way, it helps us as a road map with checks and balances to make sure we're all heading down the right road.
The book is also a prelude to his other books such as "The Principles of Effortless Power". In other words, READ THIS BOOK FIRST (Zen Body-Being)!
I have studied with Peter face-to-face, taken his online courses, read/studied his other works, and met his apprentices and other students. I can only say he is top notch and has incredible ability. I highly recommend any serious student to study with Peter in a "Live" setting.
However, start first by reading this book. Then email Peter with any questions that might come up (he is very personable) and last make a trip to his ranch and get schooled in Cheng Hsin by a legit master."
~ Written on 2008-04-22
The book is also a prelude to his other books such as "The Principles of Effortless Power". In other words, READ THIS BOOK FIRST (Zen Body-Being)!
I have studied with Peter face-to-face, taken his online courses, read/studied his other works, and met his apprentices and other students. I can only say he is top notch and has incredible ability. I highly recommend any serious student to study with Peter in a "Live" setting.
However, start first by reading this book. Then email Peter with any questions that might come up (he is very personable) and last make a trip to his ranch and get schooled in Cheng Hsin by a legit master."
~ Written on 2008-04-22
"This book is an excellent bridge for anyone who has read 'Cheng Hsin: Principles of Effortless Power'. Or indeed for anyone interrested in internal martial arts in general. The light almost casual approach to this work, makes reading it and understanding it a joy.
I recomend this book to anyone witha a body who is interested in using it better."
~ Written on 2008-03-31
I recomend this book to anyone witha a body who is interested in using it better."
~ Written on 2008-03-31
"
The concepts explored in this book are very hard to communicate in writing as, by their very nature, they can only be truly grasped by personal experience.
That being said, this book does an excellent job of exposing the reader to a much deeper level of what is possible in the realm of human experience.
For internal martial artists, this should be considered mandatory study material.
For anyone who is into digging beneath the surface of the experience of one's self, this book is a handy guide.
Although it is much more accessible to the average reader than his other books, it defiantly not to be considered "light reading."
"
~ Written on 2008-03-27
The concepts explored in this book are very hard to communicate in writing as, by their very nature, they can only be truly grasped by personal experience.
That being said, this book does an excellent job of exposing the reader to a much deeper level of what is possible in the realm of human experience.
For internal martial artists, this should be considered mandatory study material.
For anyone who is into digging beneath the surface of the experience of one's self, this book is a handy guide.
Although it is much more accessible to the average reader than his other books, it defiantly not to be considered "light reading."
"
~ Written on 2008-03-27
"This book is more than a good read. It provides the key groundwork for an investigation into one's body. The book deftly manuveurs one away from the usual ingrained habits, and instead gives a grounded framework from which we can become more in tune and masterful within our own bodies.
There is no secret potion found within this book. What one will find though is an effective and broken down approach to body awareness. Everything in this book is presented clearly and concisely so that in practicing these techniques one will be able to extract the valuable nectar given in the teachings. If you are seriously interested in improvement of your body awareness and functionality, then let this book be your guide."
~ Written on 2007-12-28
There is no secret potion found within this book. What one will find though is an effective and broken down approach to body awareness. Everything in this book is presented clearly and concisely so that in practicing these techniques one will be able to extract the valuable nectar given in the teachings. If you are seriously interested in improvement of your body awareness and functionality, then let this book be your guide."
~ Written on 2007-12-28
"I was lucky enought to study with Peter for 3 short months and I read all of his books. Peter is a truly astounding man with an extraordinary insight into the Body, the Mind and how they interact. It's unbelievable how powerful the mind is and what the body can achieve with it's help. Pushing somebody not using any muscle power while being as graceful as a dancer is an amazing skill to be able to observe right in front of your eyes, keeping your Mind and Consciousness as graceful and present as your Body. Just watching Peter move can make you gasp, it's raw power combined with the grace and beauty of a dancer - perfect alignement, it still makes my Mind boggle to remember this. Peter has attained the knowledge and skill that many an ancient Chinese master has been able to demosntrate through martial arts, tai$chi or chigung, through his own endless striving, curiosity and trial and error in martial arts and spirituality.
Peter is a true master that also gracefully managed to put his deep practices into simple and easy to read English language. Besides insights into the body, mind and awe-inspiring skill, Peter manages to lay bare the ancient connection between Martial Arts and spirituality that most of us have been looking for.
I respect this man from the bottom of my heart. All his books including this one are spellbinding, truly enlightening reads - on all levels.
They are a must for any martial artist and ANYBODY that is intersted in the Body and the Mind. If you want to explore a higher realm with the solid groundedness of a real master (and I don't use that word lightly, believe me!), these books are for you!"
~ Written on 2007-12-04
Peter is a true master that also gracefully managed to put his deep practices into simple and easy to read English language. Besides insights into the body, mind and awe-inspiring skill, Peter manages to lay bare the ancient connection between Martial Arts and spirituality that most of us have been looking for.
I respect this man from the bottom of my heart. All his books including this one are spellbinding, truly enlightening reads - on all levels.
They are a must for any martial artist and ANYBODY that is intersted in the Body and the Mind. If you want to explore a higher realm with the solid groundedness of a real master (and I don't use that word lightly, believe me!), these books are for you!"
~ Written on 2007-12-04