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FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

Can you discover the secret in the riddle of the Empty-Handed Masters?

What is it that...
You cannot see if you look,
You cannot hear if you listen
You cannot take hold if you grasp
Is silent when you speak
Speaks when you are silent
And you can only have
When you don't want it?

If you can understand the secret of this riddle, you will discover how the Martial Arts can become a way to peace!

This book is for you young people who are concerned with understanding conflict in the world—both individually and globally.

FOR ADULTS

This book offers entertaining and informative stories for young people on the Martial Arts that can help them to live with sensitivity and intelligence in their daily lives.

These stories can be used by:

• Martial Arts Instructors—as required reading for rank advancement.
• Parents—as examples of healthy and humane alternatives to conflict.
• Educators—as curriculum resources for relationship-building skills.
• Counselors—as a context within which young people can learn to understand themselves.

THE EMPTY CUP

One day two great and wise Martial Arts Masters were visited by a well-known and respected university professor.

"I have come a long way to see you both, since I have heard that you are great Masters of Kara-te, the Art of Empty Self. I have studied very hard for many years to understand the essence of what you teach. Can you tell me the meaning of Kara-te, of Empty Self, and how it can bring peace to the world? What is the secret of this teaching?"

The older Martial Arts Master was serving tea as the professor spoke. The poured the visitor's cup full, and still kept on pouring until the tea was running off the table onto the floor.

The professor watched until she could no longer stand it. "The cup is full, no more will go in!" she exclaimed.

"Like this cup," he said, "Your mind is full of questions and seeking answers! Until you empty your cup, no more can go in. Likewise, until you empty your mind, you cannot receive anything."

My book is Eye of the Hurricane. Now I’m going to tell you about my favorite part and what it’s about.

My favorite part of Eye of the Hurricane was when they did the lesson of water. It taught me to understand the empty mind.

My 2nd favorite part was when the instructor told the story about the hungry tigers. It taught me that you need to clear your mind to have an empty mind.

This book was about understanding the empty mind and empty self. It tells you many different ways to understand them. Also it told a great martial art adventure.

This book was the best book about martial arts I’ve ever read. That’s my one page summery about Eye of the Hurricane.

Eye of the Hurricane
Daniel (14)

This book is about finding out “Empty Self” and what it means. It teaches you that if your mind is full of thoughts you will not be aware of everything around you. It says that you should live life in the present and let all your memories of anger and sadness go. Live everyday like it’s a chance to achieve something exciting. I felt that this book taught me to be more humble. I think what YOU CANNOT SEE IF YOU LOOK, YOU CANNOT HEAR IF YOU LISTEN, YOU CANNOT TAKE HOLD OF IF YOU GRASP, IS SILENT WHEN YOU SPEAK, SPEAKS WHEN YOU ARE SILENT, AND YOU CAN ONLY HAVE WHEN YOU DON’T WANT IT can be different to every person but I think it’s your conscience.

Eye of the Hurricane
Joshuah (14)

This book told me how to solve fights peacefully. It taught me that karate means Empty Self. It also taught me to be still and calm around wild animals and they will trust you. It said that the essence of nothing can be something. It taught me what winning by losing means. It means to dance with the elements of something, like rain or wind. So, all together, a black belt is not what gives you power. It is what is inside of you.