The Way of the Warrior

This collection of parables written by Issai Chozanshi, an eighteenth-century samurai, is a classic of martial arts literature. The tales are concerned with themes such as perception of conflict, self-transformation, the cultivation of chi (life energy), and understanding yin and yang. These parables seem light and fanciful, but they offer the reader valuable lessons on the fundamental principles of the martial arts. This version, translated by William Scott Wilson, is the first direct translation from the original into English and he captures the tone and essence of the text while also making it accessible and meaningful for a contemporary audience.

The "demon" in the title story refers to the mythical tengu, who guard the secrets of swordsmanship. A swordsman travels to Tengu Mountain and in a series of conversations he learns about mushin (no-mind), strategy, the transformation of chi, and how the path of the sword leads to the understanding of life itself. Some of the fables in the collection--such as "The Mysterious Technique of the Cat"—are iconic.

Chozanshi's deep understanding of Taoism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Shinto, as well as his insight into the central role of chi in the universe, are succinctly explained in William Scott Wilson's fine introduction and extensive endnotes. This is essential reading for anyone who wants to truly understand the philosophical underpinnings of martial arts, and how these principles relate to our existence.

Drawing on evolutionary logic, scientific research, and his own personal experiences, blogger Richard Nikoley of Free the Animal (freetheanimal.com) presents a complete guide to losing weight and fat the natural way.

After many frustrating years of trying to lose weight by adhering to mainstream nutritional guidelines, Richard made a radical decision to throw the rules out. Instead of eating whole grains and lean meat, he ate what his body had always craved: animal fat, and lots of it—and the extra weight started falling away.

In Free The Animal: How To Lose Weight & Fat On The Paleo Diet, Richard shares his tips for eating, fasting, and exercising as wild humans did for millenia. Find out how to embrace your primal cravings for nutritionally dense animal fats and fiber-rich plant sources. Learn to stop listening to the “experts” and start tuning in to your body's natural signals. Richard's approach to the Paleo lifestyle will help you lose fat, gain muscle, and unleash the energy of the animal inside you.

CHAPTER OUTLINE

Introduction

+ The Popularity of the "Primitive Diet"

Chapter 1: The Paleo, Primal, Ancestral Lifestyle

+ Escape From the Processed Food Culture The Paleo Way

+ 5 Points To A Paleo Solution

Chapter 2: Your Inner Animal

+ Eating Like Our Ancestors

Chapter 3: The Standard American Diet And Other Diet Health Disasters

+ Modern Day Diets Are Health Hazards

+ The Advent Of Agriculture

+ It’s Time To Look Out For Your Own Best Interests

+ What About Vegetarianism and Veganism?

Chapter 4: Fat Is King

+ Fast As The ‘Good Guy’

+ Saturated Fat Is Good For You!

Chapter 5: The Cholesterol Con

+ Challenging Mainstream Assumptions

+ Myths About Cholesterol

+ Listen To Your Body, Not The Numbers

Chapter 6: Natural Disease Prevention

+ Paleo Power: Preventing Allergies, Diabetes, & Cancer

+ The Role Of Vitamin D: Are You A Fish Out Of Water?

+ Activator X, AKA: Vitamin K2, Menatetrenone

Chapter 7: Eat Like A Caveman

+ What I Mean By Real Food

+ How To Cook Paleo

+ What do “Six-Pack Abs” “Enhanced Sexual Performance” and “Penis Enlargement” All Have In Common?

Chapter 8: The Power of Fasting

+ Intermittent Fasting & Debunking “Several Small Meals A Day”

+ Fasting Changes Your Appetite: Where To Get Started

+ Fasting For Cleansing: Autophagy

Chapter 9: Evolutionary Exercise And Fitness

+ The 1-Hour Per Week Workout Regimen

Chapter 10: A Primal Weight Loss Plan

+ Weight Loss Regimen With The Paleo Plan

Chapter 11: Recipes And Supplements

+ Recipes to Complement The Paleo Diet

+ Paleo Diet Recommended Supplements

+ Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner

Chapter 12: Success Stories

+ Paleo Diet Testimonials

+ Live Well

Over the years, Pema Chödrön's books have offered readers an exciting new way of living: developing fearlessness, generosity, and compassion in all aspects of their lives. In this new book, she invites readers to venture further along the path of the "bodhisattva warrior," explaining in depth how we can awaken the softness of our hearts and develop true confidence amid the challenges of daily living.

In No Time to Lose Chödrön reveals the traditional Buddhist teachings that guide her own life: those of The Way of the Bodhisattva ( Bodhicharyavatara), a text written by the eighth-century sage Shantideva. This treasured Buddhist work is remarkably relevant for our times, describing the steps we can take to cultivate courage, caring, and joy—the key to healing ourselves and our troubled world. Chödrön offers us a highly practical and engaging commentary on this essential text, explaining how its profound teachings can be applied to our daily lives.

Full of illuminating stories and practical exercises, this fresh and accessible guide shows us that the path of the bodhisattva is open to each and every one of us. Pema Chödrön urges us to embark on this transformative path today, writing, "There is no time to lose—but not to worry, we can do it."

Kojiki ("Record of Ancient Matters") is the oldest extant chronicle in Japan, dating from the early 8th century (711-2) and composed by O no Yasumaro at the request of Empress Gemmei. The Kojiki is a collection of myths concerning the origin of the four home islands of Japan, and the Kami. Along with the Nihon Shoki, the myths contained in the Kojiki are part of the inspiration behind Shinto practices and myths.

O no Yasumaro (died August 15, 723) was a Japanese nobleman, bureaucrat, and chronicler.
He is most famous for compiling and editing, with the assistance of Hieda no Are, the Kojiki, the oldest extant Japanese history. Empress Genmei (r. 707-721) charged Yasumaro with the duty of writing the Kojiki in 711 using the various clan chronicles and native myths. It was finished the following year in 712. Yasumaro became clan head in 716, and died in 723.