In search of the grave of William Lilly

Slowing the Heartbeat with Meditation

Raising the Body Temperature Using Meditation (tummo)

Recently I visited Stonehenge which I didn't expect to be very moving but when you get there you can see with your Hermetic eyes what the original purpose of the site was. The stones stand as a stark contrast to the subtle curves of the hills around you and the original stones in a semi-circle in the centre. The whole place is crowded with tourists but there is plenty of room to sit down and meditate and contemplate the atmosphere. Archeologists found that the original circle was made of wood and upon the laying of the stones human ashes were placed in the holes of the original wooden poles. There is a large stone in the centre which people see as the altar stone but this is quite new in comparison. I believe that this structure was built by a tradition that pre-dates the Druids because the Romans never mentioned that the Druids found this site of any interest, let alone sacred but rather that they used to meet in wooded areas or groves due to their sacred connection to the trees. The whole thing has a great force and feel about it, although others have said that they can't feel anything. If you are in the area, I heartily recommend visiting Stonehenge; here's a video I took.

The Art of Goodwill

Mettā is a Buddhist form of meditation; it translates as 'loving
heart' or 'loving kindness' meditation. The aim of the exercise is to
cultivate a sense of loving kindness towards yourself, towards others
and ultimately towards all living beings. I was attracted to Mettā

because in my quest to attain inner tranquility and peace, I believe
that the final stumbling blocks to be removed by the cultivation of
these very qualities. Through years of meditative practice and
self-adjustment I found myself able to remain calm and tranquil
through any form of disaster or misfortune in life. I found myself
able to deal with risk and with the inevitability of death and the
pain that comes with being alive. However, I found my ambition and my
narcissism continually drives me to an uncomfortable degree and I find
myself resenting others who have done wrong or I feel have betrayed
me. Metta could offer the solution to both these problems. If my
intent is always towards bringing the best out in all circumstances,
if everything was done with love and kindness at the heart, that may
take the fiery, uncomfortable edge off of the ambitious and aggressive
parts of my personality. It may too allow me to let go of any form of
resentment to otheres that have wronged me or attacked those I love,
and ironically allow me to deal with these people and these situations
in a better way. I hope that by cultivating this sense of kindness, my
mind will be more on solving a solution permanently than on trying to
exact revenge or continue a fight in an innefficient way.

A first stage of Metta, is that of generating a sense of loving
kindness inside yourself. When I first tried this it was extremely
hard and I almost instantly realised that the sense of feeling that I
associated with love was something very different than this idea of
universal love. For me love has always had a sense of longing, a sense
of attachment, a sense of wanting to be close to a thing or a person
and a sense of not wanting it to go. Whereas this higher form of love
is more a sense of wanting everything to be successful and to achieve
its full potential; wanting everything and everybody to live in
harmony. A better translation could almost be 'kindness' or 'success'.
Some of the Hermetic writers talk of cultivating success in yourself;
I always found this a very strange concept, the idea of 'breathing in'
success but now I understand what they were talking about. The idea
that you are focused on this sense of wanting everything to work,
wanting everything to be in harmony.

As my practice has continued, I have also found that my mind is drawn
to people who have wronged me or rejected me in the past, people who
have been disingenous and dishonest. It is almost as if these feelings
are a natural obstacle to my being able to radiate this sense of
wanting the world to function correctly with a sens of love and
wanting a healthy existence both inside and outside myself. With each
meditative session, as this charge seems to increase, I have more and
more of these things releasing. So I plan to continue along this line
until this stops and then, and only then am I ready to move to the
next stage which is imagining this sense of loving kindness around
another.

Snorkeling In the Red Sea

If you have never snorkeled before, it is something I recommend most highly. It takes you back to a childhood experience of flow, where you can forget everything and just focus on your surroundings, which is a very beautiful meditative thing. For me, the experience of snorkeling in the Red Sea for the first time was of overwhelming beauty. It is breathtaking to see the colours underneath the water and when I went for my first swim I saw the most amazing sights - hermit crabs, some sort of sea-snail, a long turquoise blue eel of some type. I even saw the fabled Lion Fish with its deadly spikes. One thing I was amazed by was how many people were walking on the sand and in the sea without wearing any shoes; it's very important to wear shoes when you go snorkeling because of the Stone Fish, which are one of the most deadly fish known to man. They have extremely poisonous spines which mean if you stand on one you may risk death or amputation of the limb. So you do have to be careful and the danger of standing on a sea urchin or encountering a dangerous animal such as a Ray or Lion Fish makes you much more respectful and you don't tend to touch things, you just float as an observer. It is amazing how free you feel and I recommend anyone who needs to recharge their batteries, a week in Taba Heights where you can read, sleep and swim with the fishes. The moment you put your head beneath the water you are amongst coral reef and it is like being on the set of 'Finding Nemo'!

Boxing

The Amateur Boxing Association of the United Kingdom
states that - upon a boxer's 34th birthday he must hand his boxing certificate back to the Association and that he is no longer allowed to compete as an amateur boxer. Similar rules are held throughout every country in the Western world. However, all this is about to change. In December 2011, the rules will be changed so that men and women can continue to box until their 40th birthday. This marks a big change in the world of boxing. Boxing, being the toughest and most direct of sports, also has the greatest history of any combative art. British boxing is very similar to its counterpart - fencing; in its skill level, the level of accuracy, dedication and reaction speed needed.

The average person taking part in a boxing club in the United Kingdom is 17 years old. Boxing is a sport that pays to start off early in most professional boxers started between their 7th and 10th birthday. But, with the change of rules, it begs the question, "Is it ever too
late to start boxing?"

If a 34 year old was to start the pugilistic art, would he be able to gain the necessary cardiovascular fitness in order to be competitive against his far more experienced rivals? Would he be able physically
to keep up with the other members of the club? Could he use his experience and perhaps superior strength to be triumphant? If he had to study boxing as a science, would he be able to box competitively?

On December the 21st, I will be 34, and I've always held a secret ambition to box. With two black belts and three gold medals in martial art championships, I believe that I have the athleticism to take up such an art. However, I've never been struck and involved in such a direct and bloody conflict that boxing involves.

To me, it would be the ultimate adventure to start the sport at the age that traditionally others would be banned, and to fight against age, inexperience and my own fear to eventually take part in a boxing match. I don't have to win. I don't need to be a champion. But for me, I just want to prove that someone of my age can do it. I just want to
prove that I can do it.

Now, I've been to our local boxing club and I've seen the young, aggressive lads taking part. I've seen how far they run, and my fitness is nowhere near theirs, and has never been so. But, I'm sure that I can find a way. And, if it requires traveling the country to train with the greatest coaches, and to get tips from world champions,
maybe that something that I'm willing to do.

But, with the fear of a detached retina or brain damage in mind, many people around me question whether someone of my age should box; whether this change in the laws is a good thing, or whether it's irresponsible. However, in my heart, I know that, if there's time in my life I'm going to do something like this. It's going to have to be now.

And maybe this project, my boxing isn't just about my wanting to compete, or wanting to prove something to myself. Maybe I want to show that the world never should count a man out no matter what his age, no matter how old he is; you just never know what someone might be capable of.

Pip and I with Arthur Brown - The God of Hell Fire

Here he is in the Hayday http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOErZuzZpS8

Inspector Faulks on the case

Here is me on set with Graham Cole (best known as PC Tony Stamp in the ITV police drama The Bill) and Fliss Walton (best known as the Isa Isa Baby Girl from the Halifax adverts) doing a cameo as a member of the CID.

The Stephen K Hayes Quest Hombu Dojo

I am just back from another two weeks To Shin Do training in Dayton Ohio. Here is a video I took while I was there.

Khong Chang

Karl is back in Norfolk and for some reason is training in Khong Chang again. This has given me a chance to learn more about the art which looks to me very much like Kung Fu.
The name Khong Chang translates as "empty palm". It is a modern martial art founded in 1966 in Singapore by Tan Seng Lee and his father, Master Tan Siew Cheng. The art has a focus on whole body movements with a focus on ACCURACY, SPEED and POWER.

They also do a lot of free fighting and co-ordination drills. I suspect the whole thing is an evolution of Fong Yang Kung Fu or Beggars Kung Fu but I have no evidence for this.

Promotion!

I'm writing this blog partly to let people know about the change but also to thank everyone who has sent me emails and messages on Twitter and Facebook. The rumors are true, I have been promoted and am now in charge of all commercial and publishing operations at Lewis Masonic, the world's oldest and most successful Masonic publishing company. I am overwhelmed by happiness at this appointment; I love Freemasonry and everything it stands for. Lewis Masonic has been the most rewarding employer I have ever had. When I wake up in the morning I never dread work because I love the company and everything it stands for.

The history of the company starts in 1886 when John Hogg founded a publishing company to aid Freemasonry and Freemasons. He named it after the 'Lewis'. A 'Lewis' is a metal clamp that allows you to lift heavy stones. It is symbolic of the grip a Mason uses to raise a Brother. "A. Lewis" as he called the company in those days changed
the world of Freemasonry.

An A Lewis title from 1801

James Hogg published the first ritual book. He produced the first magazine for Freemasons (sold to non-Masons in newsagents) and a guide to Freemasonry for non-Masons. He even created Masonic playing cards.

Masonic playing cards from Lewis Masonic in 1820

During my time at Lewis Masonic I have done the best to carry on this good work and have produced 3 best-selling titles and a range of titles that tell the truth about Freemasonry and allow Masons to learn more about the Craft. Under my guidance we have produced titles that inspired best-selling novels and films and have led many a seeker to our royal art.

I believe my work has only just begun.

Why I Practice Martial Arts

I first started martial arts at the age of five and my mother took me to Hapkido class. She had taken up Kendo and she felt that it was good for me to do something as well. I loved Hapkido but found the classes quite hard to begin with. But at that age martial arts is just a game and my teacher was very good and taught me by using games. By the time I got my yellow or blue belt, I can't remember which, we had moved house and the closest class we had was a Kuk Sool Won class which I later found out to be very similar to Hapkido. The teacher, Sensei Richard Roper was an amazing guide for me and really taught me the art of discipline and sticking to things. I actually think a lot of what I have achieved in life both in my career, personal life and in my spiritual pursuits is down to some of the lessons he taught me. In those days I had unbounding energy and with my training partner Joss, used to train for an hour at lunch time in the school hall, then go to three Kuk Sool classes every evening, five days a week and often go to the Sunday classes as well. We were total martial arts nuts - we spent all our time thinking about martial arts or doing martial arts, but often injured ourselves because we were kicking or jumping without warming up. We really enjoyed Kuk Sool and we used to test each other constantly with the martial arts techniques. It was at this stage in my life I really fell in love with the practice of martial arts.

Looking back it must been extremely hard for our teachers to have disciplined us and, for some of the other martial artists just to cope with training with us. We took part in many shows in Norfolk and because of our dedication we both managed to win gold medals at the Kuk Sool Won national championships. During this period I was also practicing fencing. I found the Epee and Sabre the most beautiful weapons to learn to use. I was lucky enough to win the Norfolk FencingChampionships, the first prize of which was a training camp in Fencing with Olympic champions and rock star Bruce Dickinson. After we got our black belt and Richard Roper moved to Houston, Texas to continue teaching Kuk Sool, Joss and I both found it very hard to continue. I think having Sensei leave took away our primary guiding force.

Joss then left for India to study yoga under a famous master. I moved my training to the more gentle art of Tai chi and the spiritual arts associated with it. Chi Gong meditation and Yi Jin Jing under the wonderful teacher Bo ou Mander of the Chinese Wushu Association in Beijing. I still train with Bo to this day. You can see the combination of my Tai chi training in my Butterfly Tai Chi dvd, my Zen Warrior Exercises book and other texts on the inner arts.

About the age of 25, Joss and I both became restless with what we were studying. I chose to follow my heart and finally practiced the art of Ninjutsu. I had always wanted to practice Ninjutsu from a young age but it just seemed like something I never got around to. Perhaps I was not ready for it.

For me Ninjutsu is far more than the fighting arts. In fact, as Massaki Hatsumi says, fighting is actually one of the least important things that a Ninja can do. Stealth to me is the center of Ninjutsu, to me Ninjutsu could be defined as the art of developing such adaptability and skills that one can achieve anything one wishes with an immovable heart. I study Ninjutsu in everything I do. And to me it is a

comulation of all my martial arts training. Some people criticize me because when they see me practice I don't move like a traditional Ninja. But to me Ninjutsu is about effectiveness. So I think it's everything I ever trained in applied to my art. Where my future Ninjutsu studies will take me, I don't know. What I do know is I believe that the Yamabushi and Ninja are intrinsically connected and I need to continue searching the wisdom there. I am continuing this study under Sensei Michael Pearce and his instructor Noguchi Sensei and the legendary martial artist Stephen K. Hayes and make sure each year I spend at least two weeks away focusing on my martial arts studies. To me martial arts is half of self development and discipline and therefore in emergency situations it would help others. I believe that anyone practicing martial arts should be a better person because of it.

Whats in a Name?

忍者

Pronunciation: Ninja or Shinobi no mono
Meaning: This is the basic form of Nin with the ending of ‘person’ or a person who ‘steals in’
Information: This is the most popular Kanji character for the Ninja, it is the iconic version and now the only one used to mean Ninja in modern Japanese. Some authorities claim that it is a modern invention but these people are incorrect, since we can see this word as early as the 17th century and used in the Shoninki manual.

竊盗

Pronunciation: Shinobi (also this can be read as Setto- stealing, but it sounds very modern.)
Meaning: There are two Kanji here, the first 竊 means ‘sneaking or spying’ the second 盗 means ‘thievery, stealing or thief’, thus it could be translated as ‘a person who steals and spies’: it is interesting to point out that it is also pronounced as Shinobi, the original word for Ninja.
Information: This version of Shinobi is as old as 1612 at least and reinforces the aspect of stealing and thievery that the Ninja were originally linked to, around the beginning of the Ninja’s ‘golden age’. So-called modern Ninja masters have sought to take Ninjutsu away from this concept, but the historical Kanji always reminds us of the fact that a Ninja was in essence a spy and a cat-burglar.

Return of the Norfolk Ninja

In September I am considering travelling to Japan to train with the Yamabushi monks. I have found a good teacher who will guide me.

The Yamabushi follow a path called Shugendo. Shugendo translates as 'the way to magical powers though hardships' or 'the way of cultivating psychic and spiritual powers'.

The Yamabushi are ascetic mountain warriors who are the holders of an ancient tradition involving the practice of strict and rigourous mystical disciplines. This wisdom is the source of the spiritual teaching the Ninja used for their missions and recorded in their manuscript. The Ninja were often Yamabushi themselves.

The founder of this path was a man named En no gyoj who lived near Kyoto in the late 7th Century. He was said to be a magician banished to the mountains for hypnotising people with his magical powers.

I plan to spend two weeks in Japan in retreat deep in the mountains. Here I will undergo harsh training, and while constantly climbing and walking the mountains I will learn the practice of rituals, meditation, fasting, standing like a tree, fire walking, abstaining from drinking water, sutra recitation, contemplation, misogi (spiritual purification by standing under freezing waterfalls), and the practice of sammitsu (mind control by magical words and hand signals, shamanism and clairvoyance. The whole experience will culminate in three days on the mountain with nothing but a white robe and food supplies.

How do you think these skills will translate in the western world, and how will they change me?

Beekeeping - The Tears of Ra

A friend of mine owns a zoo. He has always be an inspirational person to me due to the enthusiastic way he interacts with the world. To him nothing is boring or uninteresting and he dedicates himself to exploring the world fully. A few months ago he was talking about beekeeping and I found myself very interested in the idea. I spent the next four weeks researching and reading every book on beekeeping I could get my hands on. I listened to a few podcasts teaching beekeeping and got in touch with my local beekeepers.

It was not long before the obsession took full force and I bought a hive and installed a queen with a few workers in there. To begin with the bees were confused and upset at having been moved. They were very
defensive and even stung a few people. I got two stings on my ankle and my friend got stung on his left nipple. Nice!

I was starting to wonder if I had bought killer bees! As you can imagine it is a very tense moment when you first open up a hive. 300

stings will kill a full grown man with ease so you have to be very careful. Beekeeping is like meditation or tai chi. You have to be very calm, gentle and slow; bees hate sudden movement or any banging noises. Clumsy movement really upsets them and inevitably you will get stung.

Here is a video of my first hive inspection:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjUJ2zV1I-0

To start with every time I opened the hive up the bees would get angry
and guard bees would fly at my face. This would make me nervous and I
would make more mistakes and upset them even more. I started to use
lots more smoke and to open the hive up during the day when most of
the bees were out. And then one day something amazing happened.

The Egyptians used to call bees the 'Tears of Ra' and when you look at them you can see why. They create the only natural food that does not rot. Something sweet, immortal and like gold; Manna from heaven for sure. As I opened the hive one day I realized that I loved the bees.

As I went through the frames looking for my queen I could see the bees at all stages of their life cycle, which is such a lovely thing and then there she was...the Queen. Not the marked queen I installed but a new
queen crawling on the top of one of the brood frames. Then she flew out of the hive and made me jump. She landed on my chest and settled. I was very nervous as the queen is the head of the whole hive and if she was to get hurt or to fly away the whole hive is in deep trouble. I also knew this was a very special and rare event. After a few seconds of rest she flew back into the hive and crawled onto one of the earlier frames.

For me this was a magic moment. Since that moment I have never been stung. The hive is far more calm and I have dispensed with wearing gloves or anything other than the basic jacket and veil. My rational mind says this is because I have become more confident and calm and that the bees have settled down now that their queen has been replaced ( the old queen must have passed away). It must have been a hard time for them during the change over.

My heart however says that at that moment I got the 'Royal seal of approval' from the queen and that now I have full permission to work without being stung. Perhaps we are both developing trust.

Why Ninjas Love Tea

I love tea and drink many cups for Jasmine tea every day. Interestingly the ninja in the 1600s had the same feeling. The used tea as a tool for many purposes and gathered leaves and carried them on their person.

Poison

Ninja used to carry around a canteen of green tea from which they would also make a poison. They did this by burying the canteen for around a month then mixing soya bean paste (miso) into the tea.

It was the practice to mix green tea and miso to make a medicine, but when giving the Ninja version it would poison you.

This poison was called Gyokuro in Ninja parlance, and is also the name of classic shade grown or hidden Japanese tea of fine quality.

Gyokuro grade tea is the finest grade of the leaf of Camellia sinensis. It's Japanese name can be translated as "precious dew". Gyokuro is cultivated and harvested in a manner that greatly reduces its bitterness. (The leaves are protected from the sun by bamboo mats, concentrating many of the phytochemicals in the leaves)

The primary reason for Gyokuro's brothy non-bitter taste is it's exceptionally high content of L-thiamine, an amino acid that prevents bitterness. L-thiamine has another benefit: this amino acid stimulates alpha brain waves, creating a deep state of relaxation and simultaneous mental alertness similar to that achieved in meditation. L-thiamine has also been shown to improve hypertension, enhance learning performance, heighten mental acuity, promote concentration, support the immune system, and reduce the addictive effects of caffeine.

Once of the most renowned tea gardens for growing Gyokuro is Kyoto which is a significant region in Ninja history being the home to Ninja families and schools.

Tea grown from this region has most likely been used as poison and stimulate by Ninjas over the centuries.

To stay awake

It would seem to be a tradition of making “Shinobi tea” which is a cold green tea, in modern times made also with ice. I guess this is because Ninja couldn’t start fires and would drink their tea cold. Cold tea takes longer to brew so carrying a canteen of cold tea around makes sense as brewing vessel as well as a container.

Tea harvest and attack

With the new tea crop being harvested in late May and early June in Japan, one learns that people tend to enjoy more of the stimulating drink and thus have a tendency to stay up later because of increased caffeine intake. Early evening would not be the optimum time for a ninja because the occupants would be awake and alert.

Constipation

A special tea used by shinobi, originating from the island of Mauritius it was first brewed by a small family of ninja butlers to help ease the pains of ninja-constipation. Ninja Tea is mentioned in the 2nd verse of the Mauritian National Anthem. Perhaps this is due to the many hours and ninja would have to spend sitting still in wait during his missions ....

Bio Feedback Revelations - What happens in the mind during meditation , hermetic practice and astral projection

I have always wanted to experiment with a brain wave monitor as I had
read that the feedback it gives allows you to learn meditative skills
faster. It's hard to learn something advanced if you can see what's
going on. Likewise I have often wondered what is going on during
specific forms of meditation. Last week in Dayton Ohio I got just that
chance with some amazing results.

Normal Meditation

A gentle relaxed meditation with your mind relaxed and focused on a
mantra or your own breath. Your alpha brain waves increase and your
whole wave pattern calms slightly

Void Meditation

In this advanced form of meditation all brainwave function is
significantly reduced and very interestingly the whole range of wave
pattern harmonises like a rainbow. There Is also a slight increase in
alpha brainwaves.

Astral Projection

During an out of the body experience something very exciting happens.
The delta brain waves which are associated with sleep and dreaming
make a dramatic increase as do the alpha brain waves which are
associated with meditation. The waves alternate rhythmically and meet at
the Nada of each wave. The mind is both meditating and sleeping at the
same time.

Videos to follow ...

Who ya gonna call?

Since the publication of my book Becoming a Ninja Warrior I get lots of emails from people asking me to do stealthy and dangerous things or asking advice on how to find things out using bugs and spy equipment.

If you need such work or advice done please contact CerberusIP they have a number of operatives with varying skill sets that may be able to help you

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

You also might want to check out their great spy equipment shop.

Everything is on Your Side

My master Bo once said to me that she felt many things were not good or bad. It was merely how people view them that made them so. She is quite right and we all tend to be very quick to judge everything scary, unknown or uncomfortable as bad.

As time goes on, I start to realize how many of the events I initially judge badly are in fact some of the most valuable opportunities of my life. The monsters can be tamed and turned to allies, more often than not enemies are in fact our best teachers.

My recent experiences have made me realize that, a lot of the times, things aren't good or bad, it's how you view them that makes the difference, and that with the right

attitude, everything can be seen as a benefit. You can turn almost any situation to your advantage. In fact, sometimes the things that we dislike actually turn out to be our greatest allies. In combat, this could represent the view of someone grabbing you as an opportunity, a point you can work from, rather than responding with fear. In life, many people that we see as negative can turn out to be our greatest allies once we understand their nature.

When I first started marketing books, I trained under the watchful eye of Robert Lomas, the bestselling, sensationalist Masonic author. He always suggested that your critics were the most powerful marketing force you could have. When we released "Turning the Hiram Key," we had an article in "The Catholic Herald" called "Beware of Crumbling Masonry." This was a result of Robert having me send them a sample of the book so that they could express their honest opinion. That article sold more copies of the book than the equivalent Masonic publications giving glowing reviews of it.

Your enemies work tirelessly to promote you. They can't stop it. Their anger controls them and pushes them in that direction. People who dislike what you're doing tend to talk about it a lot, and this makes people interested and they purchase it. I never realized how powerful it was, until recently, when "Becoming the Ninja Warrior" came out.

Tracking the sales that I get through my website, and the ones through

Amazon, I discovered something rather surprising. The negative reviews, or forums talking about the book negatively, created the most sales of the book. People wanted to check out what everyone was talking about. It also led to some of the most positive actual reviews

in the future.

I found this surprising, but also enlightening. It made me realize that our greatest teachers and our greatest allies can sometimes be the very things that we see as hardships, or the things that we instinctively respond to negatively.

Likewise, many of the aspects of our personality that we may see as negative traits are actually also the most positive traits we have.

I find, for example, that that two people with opposite emotional responses to the same person almost say the same things about them.

One person may be viewed by there critics as extremely intense. They say that they are overwhelming. Call them eccentric and unpredictable.

The fans of the same person say the same thing, but in more positive terms. They say he is dynamic, inspiring and creative they say they love his enthusiasm and direction.

Both list identical qualities, it's just the way the person's looking at it.

I also believe that this kind of positive view of what you're trying to do and what you receive in life opens up an inner sense of creativity. Dr. M.K., the student of the legendary magus Franz Bardon, used to say that whenever something negative happened, it reassured

him that God hadn't forgotten him. Stephen K. Hayes, when talking about the heart sutra, mentioned to me that the position, mentally,should be that of a receptive happiness at whatever comes along, to see every change as an opportunity for adaption and improvement. The old saying that a good soldier can turn any situation to his advantage

comes to mind.

I firmly believe that to become proficient in any art, we need to get to the point where any eventuality is adapted to and turned to the advantage of the practitioner, and to open up this creativity, we need to stop viewing things on the surface level and start to look at the

hidden value within each event.

The Haunting of Harry Payne

Yes I am producing another film.

A Bird of Pray or Prey?

Falcon Martin Faulks This morning something unusual happened. Right near my house is a lovely running route. Its about five miles long and spirals past wood lands, old roman vineyards, gravel pits and stately homes. I run the route every morning before breakfast and practice my Hermetics seated on the floor at a lovely spot overlooking the river in the woods. It is a lovely tranquil area and its not rare to see foxes or deer. Today however something very different took place.

I was seated in meditation when I heard a kind of bird call - "Awoowee" - a kind of plaintive but aggressive shriek. My mind remained still but I was aware of it. The noise continued and started to get closer. I could feel some restlessness but remained focused.

The noise stopped. After a couple of minutes there it was again this time very loud and directly in front of me - "Awoowee!!
I almost jumped out of my skin. As I opened my eyes sitting on a branch directly in my line of sight was some form of small bird of prey.

"Awooowee"

It was looking directly at me and shrieking. I didn't have my contact lenses in but I could see its beak opening with each noise. It bobbed its head and shifted from foot to foot. "Awoowee" indeed!

What did it want? Was it a young bird looking for its mother? Was I sitting near its nest? Could it be the mother about to attack me to see me off. I could just see the obituary in The Sun newspaper "Norfolk Ninja Eaten By Sparrow Hawk" or "Killer Kestrel Catches Norwich Ninja" . I moved my legs out of the lotus position so I could move better. The bird seemed surprised by the movement and became silent for a second or two.

"Awooowee" it made one final noise as if to make a a point and then flew away. Perhaps the bird was just intrigued as to what I was doing sitting so still, or perhaps I was just in his meditation spot?

Creatine Monohydrate Works

Body Building Martin Faulks I am a supplement Junkie! I take so many pills before my morning run it’s a wonder that I don’t rattle as I run down the road!

It true that in the fitness industry most supplements are more hype than Results. So I used to be sceptical about creatine. But it just kept popping up in magazines so decided to see for myself. That was 6 weeks ago. Since then I have gained 4lbs in muscle. Thats amazing considering I am dieting, running for a hour every morning and doing the same amount of weight lifting, as well as Boxing and Ninjutsu training. My body is constantly calorie deficient and I still put on muscle. My strength has also increased substantially. My power snatch and power clean are both up 6 kilos!

The Tao is Stronger Under the Trees

Recently I have changed my morning routine to include an hour of outdoor training before breakfast and because of this my meditation practice has also naturally moved outdoors. I found a beautiful spot facing due east overlooking a gentle stream. Having practiced meditation twice a day for over 15 years now, I didn't expect anything to make a dramatic change to my progress or experience. In fact I would have only really considered changing my location to make my practice harder as a challenge to my powers of concentration.

However the beauty and tranquillity of the countryside in the morning has had a very strong effect.This morning as the sun rose and reflected in the water, the stream created a beautiful and retrospectively symbolic scene. I found my mind clearing this time with a very different feeling than normal. I found my inner self simply reflecting everything that I was seeing. A feeling of tranquillity and calmness and I stopped discerning. Normally it takes an effort to keep your mind on your breath but since I have moved location I am finding my mind naturally relaxes into the completely peaceful state of inner serenity and stillness and as a result I have also found this emotion moving into my daily life. I flow through my work and meet any challenges placed in my way unperturbed.

So perhaps it's true what it says in the Tao Te Ching - The Tao is stronger under the trees.

Coming to America

I love America. I like the people, I enjoy the culture and I find their history fascinating. I also find Americans far easier to do business with the many other nationalities. They tend to make decisions quickly and dedicate themselves fully to business endeavours. In fact nowadays I sell as many books in America as I do in United Kingdom. I am currently preparing for my next trip to America where I plan to spend some time in Washington and in Ohio.

This is an illustration of the first American flag which I believe demonstrates some of the symbolism influencing the founding fathers.

Here is the official press stuff (which if you are a mason you probably have already seen).

Lewis Masonic Open for Business to US Masons

The oldest Masonic publishing house in the world, Lewis Masonic has recently launched an American website. Founded in 1886 as a publisher of Masonic ritual books, the firm merged with Ian Allan Publishing in 1973 and has since expanded its product line to include Masonic history and related subjects. A big player in the UK, Lewis Masonic has until recently been relatively unknown to US Masons.

“Now that’s changing,” said Bro. Martin Faulks, Marketing Manager at Lewis, “the US website is designed to remove the hassles of paying in English pounds in favor of paying in US dollars. We’re now able to offer our American customers faster service that is much more streamlined and frankly, easier to use – no more worrying about exchange rates.”

With hundreds of titles of Masonic interest, ” there is something for every Mason, history, humor, philosophy, and esoterica, and it’s all written in English,” Faulks said with a laugh.

To visit the Lewis Masonic American website click: www.lewismasonic.us

On The Level. The new Masonic chat show from Lewis Masonic

I have had great fun over the last few weeks working on our new chat show for youtube and sky tv.

On the level is an exciting new show featuring well known Masons and Masons with a story to tell. Each episode, Andrew Selwyn-Crome Interviews Brothers from all walks of life and asks them about their journey into Freemasonry and what Freemasonry means to them.

From Best selling authors like Robert Cooper, Phillipa Faulks.and Dr David Harrison. To Legends of Rock ( Rick Wakeman) On The Level asks the questions that matter. From the brother in the street to the Shriner from across the Pond. On The Level raises the awareness of Freemasonry and the part it plays in the world today. Stay tuned to the Lewis Masonic youtube channel for future episodes.

Franz Bardons 4th Tarot Card

The 4th card shown here was painted by Irina Novakowa the same artist that did the other three cards for Bardon, and is shown in a restored condition.

This is a card produced by Bardon Student Seila Orient representing the 5th card of The Alchemy.

Crossfire

Martin faulks martial artist Last week, Pip and I attended the book-launch of the new Dick Francis novel Crossfire! It was written with his talented son.Felix Francis. Because Dick Francis is no longer with us the book launch was was both a happy, but also a sad moment.

The launch itself was spectacular, with drummers playing as it ended, and lots of champagne flowing, and amazing people to meet.

This is me plotting world domination with Amy Newman, who was one of the contestants in the Eurovision Song contest. Amy if you ever read this I have a part in a film for you and a friendly record label but have as you predicted lost your email address!

You may also notice in the background on some of the pictures the British Prime Minister, John Major and his wife Norma. So we met lots of interesting people and had a very good time, as we always do at Claridges.

About Crossfire

Captain Thomas Forsyth finds himself invalided out of Afghanistan with a serious injury, the result of a roadside bomb. He is having difficulty in adjusting to life without the prospect of rejoining his regiment. Home in Lambourn (where his mother, an important trainer, is a mover and shaker in the world of racing),Tom discovers that the world of horse training can have its own considerable risks – and he’s soon being testing by the rigours of a new battlefield.

And if your interested more in the novel, you can click here .

Interview with Dieter Rüggeberg • Germany

Dieter Rüggeberg • Germany

Mr Ruggeberg, thoughout the world you are known as a tireless worker for the works of Franz Bardon. The great debt the world holds to you for ensuring that these works have become so far spread, is immeasurable. I have written this interview to stand as a record of your effort and opinions.

Q: What inspired you to first promote Franz Bardon's magical system?

A: In the beginning of the 60ths I came across the teachings of Rudolf Steiner where he pointed out that each human being has so much karmic debt on his shoulders that it is scarcely possible to remove it in one incarnation. These words impressed me very much and I thought by myself that it would not be enough to do the exercises of the Bardon book "Initiation into Hermetics" but moreover I had to reduce my karmic debt as much as possible at the same time. At that time, the English edition of "The Practice of Magical Evocation" was prepared by Mr. and Mrs. Pravica in Graz/Austria and I got my first chance to contribute to the Bardon books. Around 1969 I was offered to take over the management of the published and unpublished works of Franz Bardon. According to the story in "Frabato" this duty was bound to the highest responsibility imaginable and laid on my shoulders as a very heavy weight. Therefore I was in good hope that an initiate would come soon to take the burden over, since I was an undeveloped person with no knowledge in book production at all. But since there was nobody else I agreed and started in 1970 with publishing the 2nd edition of "The Practice of Magical Evocation". The initiate did not come and therefore I am today still in the same position as in 1970 but very thankful for the great chance I got to contribute to the spiritual development of mankind.

Q: What most disappoints or saddens you about your career promoting the works of Bardon.

A: After 32 years working for the Bardon books and the spreading of about 150 000 books around the world, there are not even ten students of Hermetics on this globe who support the Bardon work (printings, translations etc.) constantly with at least one dollar a year.

Q: What has most pleased you about your career promoting Bardon's works?

A: The fact that I succeeded to publish the Bardon books in several languages and spread them all over the world so far, that probably no persecution can ever destroy all of them any more in the future.

Q: Many people have mentioned Darker forces trying to prevent these methods being revealed. Have you ever experienced this?

A: Of course, there is a kind of boycott against magic and occultism, mostly exercised by the Christian churches with the same witch-hunting-terms as in the middle age. But since the Christian belief is vanishing and the esoteric interests of many people grew up during the past centuries we had no real severe difficulties. Basically all fanatic religions and materialistic conceptions of the world are the enemies of magic and occultism.

Q: As progress can be slow and hard work, how many people do you believe have the potential to advance beyond the first book of the Franz Bardon system?

A: As I pointed out above, not even ten students of Hermetics support the work of Franz Bardon constantly with at least one dollar in a year. Therefore I have to assume that there are not even ten students around the world who have at least gone through the first three steps of "Initiation into Hermetics".

Q: Readers of Frabato read of Mrs. Otti Votavova using Franz Bardon's magic mirror. Did you ever see any of his magical items used?

A: No, I did not.

Q: Are any of Franz Bardon's students still alive?

A: I have no knowledge about that.

Q: Are there any other texts either in English or in German that you feel are on the same standard as those of Franz Bardon.

A: I know several systems for occult development but in my opinion none of them has the standard of the Bardon system.

Q: Which texts either in English or in German, do you think would be of use to those following Franz Bardon system.

A: I learned a lot through the teachings of Rudolf Steiner (the founder of Anthroposophy) especially concerning the laws of karma, reincarnation and introspection. Moreover I can recommend the yoga books of Swami Shivananda, of Karl Brandler-Pracht and Dr. Georg Lomer.

Q: Did you ever meet Franz Bardon?

A: Unfortunately I never met Franz Bardon personally because he was already dead when I came to the books in fall 1958. Nevertheless I had the advantage to become acquainted with his secretary Mrs. Otti Votavova and visited her through many years in Prag until her death.

Q:Franz Bardon must have had a big library. Tell me did any of the contents survive? Did anyone ever take an inventory?

A: Mrs. Bardon, the wife of Franz Bardon, told me that the police in 1958 took all the books with them and never gave them back. Only a few books survived, but mostly German books about medicine. An inventory is not known to me. I was told by Mrs. Votavova that he had a rather big library although this was not so easy during the communist times. As you perhaps know Franz Bardon was a natural healer and was able to cure cancer until the 2nd stage just with natural medicine. This was too much for the so called official doctors of medicine and they tried to drop him down by accusing him to have given the wrong medicine to his patients. Before the trial was finished he died in the prison hospital. During this process all his books were confiscated and never given back. This is the reason why we have only little knowledge about his library. Beside some parts of Dr. Lomer, he had a translation of a book by S. A. Kummer who was perhaps the only rune-initiate in Germany. He even visited the last one with his wife as I know. He also met Mrs. Alexandra David-Neel when she was in Vienna for a lecture. David-Neel was a French female magician initiated in the Tibetan mysteries.]

Q. Many people ask about the source of the Bardon system. Everyone has their ideas about which tradition he drew from. Can you shed any light on this?

A: The magical system of Franz Bardon is an Egyptian one. He points to this in the chapter of "Initiation into Hermetics" where he talks about the muladhara-chakra in Kundalini-Yoga. Several basic exercises of "Initiation into Hermetics" are known in other systems like Yoga and Tibetan Buddism too, but the eastern initiates still keep silence about the complete way. Since Franz Bardon is one of the highest initiates of our cosmic system he of course needs no books from tradition.

Q: Does the FOGC still exist in Germany? Do you know if the mainstream Freemasons were aware of this order?

A: I have no knowledge about the 99-order in Germany or elsewhere. I think that lodges like the FOGC will never die out completely because there existed 99-orders around the world. I have no knowledge whether Freemasonry has taken notice of the work of Franz Bardon and the 99-orders. After my knowledge the whole Freemasonry is rather involved in materialism today what does not exclude that some of them members of a 99-order.

Q: What would be your advice to those following the Franz Bardon System.

A: They should study other occult systems too, because this strengthens the confidence in the Bardon-System. From the experience of a few decades now, I know that the beginners have extreme difficulties with the introspection or self knowledge. Nevertheless this labour is inevitable! Even if most people are not able to do the exercises of the first steps I consider it most important to work on introspection, to change at least a few bad qualities into good ones, what can improve their life situation in many aspects. In addition I recommend a serious study of Karma-Yoga because in my eyes without reduction of negative Karma a greater progress in Hermetics is scarcely possible. Thank you for answering my questions.

Mindscape Magazine - Neuron Nutrition

Very proud to announce the launch of Mindscape Magazine in June 2011. The magazine will be available in all W H Smiths, Newsagents, supermarkets etc and launch at Comic Con in the States before going world-wide. The mag will be funky, cool, have some well-known authors, loads of content, great pics, competitions, Scream Queen stuff and much more.

If you'd like to submit articles, pictures or anything else go to the website!

www.mindscapemagazine.com

Interviews on the bizarre with major celebrities

Movies, Music and Books with an alternative slant

Esoteric articles & secret societies research

Ancient mysteries

Alternative Health and Nutrition

Environment and Earth Mysteries

Features from international best-selling authors

The Druid World Today by Britain's Chief Druid

Pagan Traditions

Alternative Science

Radical Politics

Cartoons

Tales of the Weird

Freaky News

Exclusive News on cults and secret societies

Alternative Travel

Dear Layla Column

Exclusive insights and features on British movies

Cryptozoology from Down Under

Exclusive column by O. H. Krill

Twin Spirits

Sting martin faulks I have just finished an interview for Mindscape magazine giving a unique insight into the symbolism behind the story of Twin Spirits.

For those who have not yet heard about Twin Spirits the new project from Sting and Trudie Styler, watch the press as its about to get some big coverage.

Twin Spirit is a unique and intimate, live theatrical performance by a chamber ensemble of actors, singers and musicians, portraying the deep and ultimately tragic love between the composer Robert Schumann and his pianist wife Clara Wieck. In this intensely moving performance of words, song and music, the Schumanns’ long separation, so formative an influence on their lives, is reflected in the division of the ensemble into male and female groups.

Robert’s letters to Clara are read by Sting and his songs sung by Simon Keenlyside, with accompaniments and instrumental music played by Iain Burnside and Sergej Krylov. Clara’s letters to Robert are read by Trudie Styler and her songs sung by Rebecca Evans, with accompaniments and instrumental music played by Natalie Clein and Natasha Paremski.

The narrator, Derek Jacobi, links together the letters and lyrics to complete the essential outline of the story.

Click here for more information

http://www.twin-spirits.com

The Red Triangle

This is the first in a series of videos of myself talking to Robert Cooper about his new book the Red Triangle.

The Red Triangle was used by the Nazis to label Freemasons.

In this video Robert Cooper talks about why he wrote the book called the Red Triangle. This new title looks at both the controversy surrounding present-day issues along with the long history of anti – masonry and what the future holds for the Freemasons. This new title looks at both the controversy surrounding present-day issues along with the long history of anti – masonry and what the future holds for the Freemasons. And yes Robert and I did come up with the term Masonophoba. We thought it was about time we labeled our enemies and detractors!

Freemasonry Know Thyself

Why did an organisation founded in the Goose and Gridiron Tavern in St. Paul's Churchyard in 1717, go on to spread over the entire face of the habitable earth, and become the largest fraternal society in the history of mankind?

And why is Freemasonry dying, in England, the place of its birth?

Freemasonry is one of history's success stories. Under the Grand Lodges of England, Scotland and Ireland we have an estimated membership of over 500,000. But the universal appeal of Freemasonry is not limited to the British Isles; world-wide we have an estimated membership of over 5 million! Even within Freemasonry it is not widely appreciated how rare and unusual a phenomenon this is. No other fraternal organisation has ever spread so quickly, spread so widely or grown so large. To have done this Freemasonry must contain some idea that exerts a firm grip upon the imaginations of a considerable body of humanity, regardless of race, language or upbringing. Something about Freemasonry appeals to the very basic nature of humanity. What is it?

Today all organisations are having problems retaining membership, many Masonic lodges are having to close. Perhaps it is time to look at what got us into our successful historical position and what attracted our present level of membership. To recreate these achievements in the future, we need to understand what Freemasonry has that other organisations, founded at the same time did not. We must ask what distinguishes our Craft from superficially similar organisations.

Our society provides many and varied chances for social and fraternal intercourse amongst individuals who choose to split off into distinctive fraternities. It offers many chances for charity and friendship. But this is not exclusive to freemasonry. There are a huge number of societies that offer similar opportunities, but none boast even half our membership, and none attract such men of distinction as we. By a process of elimination, we arrive at the only remaining raison d'etre for the spread and attractiveness of the Masonic system, namely, the significance and implications involved within our ceremonial rites. There is something very special about our rituals.

A wonderful thing about Masonic ritual is that it acts like an ink blot test on the human mind. Each Freemason sees something slightly different in the working of the Craft depending on his situation in life, his personal background and his level of development. Sometimes I wonder if lack of firm knowledge of our origins is one of the greatest gifts Freemasonry has. This ambiguity allows the ritual to speak directly to us all without preconceptions. Masonic ritual is a system of moral and spiritual transformation. It inspires men to look at themselves and change the way they interact with the world; and it always has. Freemasonry is a system of mental control and self-development comparable to Buddhism, yoga and many other paths of self-improvement to be found around the world. But it is a unique western tradition. The special thing about Freemasonry is that it is free of dogma or religious bigotry. It is truly open to all religious persuasions. Each ritual is progressive, building on the work that was set before the candidate in the previous ceremony. It was the effectiveness of our teachings that inspired men the world over to don the Masonic apron. The rituals of Freemasonry tap into the basic human urge to want to improve one's self, and to make the world a better place for all. Our Masonic philosophy should direct and aid us in this quest.

Freemasonry teaches us that our personal characteristics are neither random nor immutable. We are not stuck with the nature we are born with. We can change ourselves just as a builder changes his surroundings. We are living stones to be reshaped by the Masonic tools of the ritual. This is a powerful lesson. I believe it is the idea that originally drove the success of freemasonry and made it appeal to so many people. We all want to be better. If Masonic membership is dwindling, could it be that we are no longer putting this message across.

The lessons of freemasonry could be summarised as follows, the first degree teaches the principles of morality, the second degree the importance of learning, and the third the discipline of self knowledge. As a young Freemason looking at Freemasonry in the modern world, I believe that it is at this final step that we falter. Lack of self-recognition and self-knowledge is not just lacking in the membership but also in the organisation itself. Freemasonry as a collective has still to master its third degree. We know the principles of morality, we understand the outside world. But we still have not realised our Order's own true nature. The value of self knowledge is immeasurable. A man or a society must know its vices and its failures before it can eliminate them. It must know its virtues and successes to build on them.

Everywhere I go I hear Brethren earnestly saying that "Freemasonry has no secrets". If this is true then it is no surprise that young men join and then leave. We are misleading them, because Freemasonry does hold secrets. Its traditional secrets tell how to turn vice into virtue. We are a school of self-improvement and self-development. This is the point of Freemasonry. If we Freemasons lose this focus then only failure can result. If we have no secrets, what's the point in joining? If a school has no lessons it will attract no pupils. We will only get more men into Freemasonry, if we get more Freemasonry into men. Our success in the past was due to men being inspired to join to learn how to improve themselves. Freemasonry is about inspiration. If we do not practice our teachings we will fail to be attractive. A rose only becomes beautiful as it grows from a bud into a full flower. We are only going to progress if we truly engage with our own teachings. I don't mean doing "sincere" ritual, I mean applying the "peculiar system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols" to ourselves. No matter how many rituals or meetings you turn up to you can't absorb the virtue of morality by osmosis (Though you may absorb extra weight as you eat your way through numerous festive boards.). To make a daily progress in Masonic knowledge you have got to work hard in your spare time. You need to contemplate the working tools, and apply their principles to your daily life until they become second nature. You need to study the ritual, slowly cultivate the control and progress it demands. When others see Masons on this path they will flock to join us, as they did in the past.

The task that Freemasonry puts before each one of us, is monumental, hard and painstaking. It is easy for modern Freemasons to push their efforts and time into other matters, which though laudable can lead to them becoming distracted from the purpose of the Craft.

Many Freemasons become expert on the history of Freemasonry in general and their own Lodge in particular. Knowledge of Masonic history is interesting and fun, but it should always be second to the transformational work of Freemasonry. Many Freemasons work hard to be charitable. Charity is commendable and is one of the virtues all Freemason should try to cultivate. But Charity should be a side effect of our personal development not its focus. It is not, and should not, become the point in our organisation. If we are a charity then our ritual is of no purpose. If we are a moral School the important thing is that our students are learning. I believe it is time for Freemasonry to take a close, critical look at itself.

The United Grand Lodge of England is leading the way with the message of its pamphlet “Freemasonry An Approach to Life”. This makes clear to the public that freemasonry is system of self-improvement. But the brethren need to get serious and back up this message by demonstrating its application by their actions.

If we are to regenerate Freemasonry from within, we need to look to the future not the past. We need to enjoy the solution, not suffer the problem. I opened this article by saying Freemasonry in England is Dying. Our third degree teaches us that a wonderful thing about death is it can lead to a rebirth. Let is concentrate on putting this Masonic lesson at the centre of our Freemasonry.

Mesmer, Mozart and Masonry

The Key to the Abundant Creativity

When we are trying to be creative we can’t! It’s a simple fact. The creative mindset is like sleep; it’s something that we need to have happen naturally, a bit like trying to go to sleep. Because this is a subconscious activity the harder we try the less things flow. Modern creativity clinics don’t seem to understand this very important fact and instead of dealing with the problem at the root, they focus on all sorts of strange exercises to stimulate the person’s inspiration.

Mozart Unleashes His Potential

The truth is, even the best of us suffer from blockages in our creative flow sometimes. Many people will have heard the story that when Mozart was suffering from a terrible case of composer’s block he asked for the help of his friend and fellow Freemason Franz Anton Mesmer.

Mesmer was a close friend of the Mozart family and had become famous for discovering how to

manipulate the hidden forces in the body to lead his patients into trance-like states to help them overcome blockages in their emotional well-being. He was in fact working on the same principles which we now know underpin acupuncture and much of Chinese medicine.

mesmer magic

Mesmer understood that when creativity isn’t flowing there is some form of blockage in the person’s path in life. Many creative people find they are the most creative at the lowest, most painful points in their life. They create when they respond to something extremely hurtful. This can sometimes lead to an association of pain with creativity. Inspiration is the outlet for the current which is ‘you’! Your emotions, desires, your ambition and your feelings. Mesmer worked with Mozart to increase the current and lead him to a healing crisis and moment of enlightenment in which he composed Cosi fan Tutte. This is said to have caused a permanent change in Mozart and allowed him to compose passionately at any time using the techniques that Mesmer had taught him.

Curse of the Blue Moon Inn

I just spent the weekend on the set of the new Brit flick "Curse of the Blue Moon Inn" Its a shocking paranormal tale in the vein of Wicker Man and Hammer House coming Halloween 2011. For more information see www.paranormalhauntingmovie.com

Written and Directed by Philip Gardiner (The Stone), Produced by John Symes, Starring Andrew Gough, Suzy Deakin, Matthew Sheppard, Amy Louise Hall, Elle Wood, John Symes, Robert Feather, Tony Rotherham, Corjan, Kerrie Denning, Melanie Denholme, Natalie Shelton, Christine Moloney, Fiona De Souza. Produced by Reality Films. Distribution by Warner Bros.

While we were there we also had the chance to cameo as ourselves in the new No Redemption Music video. Great fun.

Staying Young with Zen: meditation, breathing techniques, mindfulness exercises

Yes Zen Warrior exercises in now available in German !

They have called it Jungbleiben mit ZEN: Meditationen, Atemtechniken, Achtsamkeitübungen which translates as Staying Young with Zen: meditation, breathing techniques, mindfulness exercises

Produktbeschreibungen

Kurzbeschreibung

Bodhidharma entwickelte diese einfachen Atem-, Meditations- und
Achtsamkeitsübungen für die Mönche des Shaolinklosters als eine ganzheitliche
Methode, um Geist und Körper zu stärken, Krankheiten zu heilen und den
Alterungsprozess aufzuhalten.

Was sind die Zen-Krieger-Übungen?
Die Legende der Zen-Krieger-Übungen
Der Nutzen der Zen-Krieger-Übungen
Wie man richtig übt
Die Burmesische Haltung
Die Zhang-Zong-Stellung
Qi-Balance finden
Qi-Energie tanken
Da-Mo-Handübungen
Da-Mo-Faustübungen

Über den Autor

Martin Faulks beschäftigt sich seit vielen Jahren mit asiatischer
Kampfkunst. Er hat einen schwarzen Gürtel in Kuk Sool Won und ist Experte
für Qi-Gong, Tai Chi und Yi Jin Jing.

A Starters Guide To The Meaning Of Life

Im very happy to say that I have finally got round to publishing my friend Jonathans book under the Magi Multi media imprint. Its a amazing book check it out.

A Starters Guide To The Meaning Of Life

by: Jonathan Todd

ISBN: 9690000066147

£15.00

This beautifully illustrated book seeks to find a common path that is true to all and celebrates diversity. The simple words, wisdom and truth reveal the real purpose for living beyond the day to day. In our modern world of large cities, high pressure jobs, financial pressures, computers, mobile phones, ipods, TV and the internet there is little room for silence or contemplation of why we are here. This book suggests ways for you to find this space to discover for yourself the real meaning for your life and to how to live it well.

What people are saying about the starters guide.......

"We step onwards, burning with the desire to know a closer relationship with that vast living reality which infuses all existence within us and beyond us. This is the path where we seek what it is to be embraced by the life and love which is the true mark of the cosmos; the path that Jonathan Tod is describing so simply, eloquently and passionately in his book." - Michael Baigent author of the Holy Blood and the Holy Grail

"This is a beautiful, uplifting and informative book that I recommend to anyone interested in nurturing their spirit and learning the more about world history, religions and spiritual practices." - Elle Macpherson

The Lotus Revolution

I was just getting some water from a corner shop called 'Arkwrights' which is an English run corner shop with an 'Open all Hours' theme. As I left the shop I noticed a plume of smoke at the end of the road. Everyone was standing watching it. Like me they were wondering if it was a fire or some form of dust cloud.

All of a sudden a crowd burst though the murk carrying sticks and throwing stones. The shop owners immediately started to pull their shutters down. I turned to a nearby police man but before I could speak, he just pointed at me "F**k you!" It took me about 2 seconds to get back to my hotel.

Yes we were in Egypt during the 'Lotus Revolution'. It was a very tense time as all the police left their posts and the military only guarded certain buildings. This video shows some of the scenes including the plume of smoke from burning buildings and some of the damage caused to buildings. I just hope the Egyptians get the government they want now.

龍体運動法 - Ryutai Undo Ho (Dragon Body Exercises)

For the last two months, I and my training partner have been practicing a set of stretching and body conditioning exercises taught in the Bujinkan called 'Dragon Body.' We have both seen amazing increases in our flexibility. In fact we have both managed to get into the side splits for the first time in our lives. We are also making great progress towards the front splits with daily progress.

Here it is the Fame Factor!

Here it is the Fame Factor! Having stalked one best selling author after another finally Pete Waterman has had the Martin Faulks treatment. After so many years of pop success why had no one asked the hit-man himself to put his wisdom down in book for the rest of us to learn from? After all Pete was responsible for making stars like Kylie Minogue, Bananarama and Rick Astley household names.

Now finally its here!

....................................................................

Anyone can be famous ... if they've got what it takes. Pete Waterman, one of the world's foremost music moguls and Pop Idol legend, reveals just what the secrets are to achieving global fame and fortune in Fame Factor - a brand new guide for all those thousands of wannabees' out there who think they can really make it big.

Pete gives the inside track on how it's really done, by looking at the ten crucial elements that make up the Fame Factor and by sharing some of his experiences - both good and bad - from over 25 years at the very height of the music business. However, the real purpose of this book is to help you to discover whether you've got what it takes. That's why there's a special Fame Factor grid measuring up 10 of the most successful acts ever, with a column for you to fill in and rate your own Fame Factor, to see how you rank against some real stars and whether you are missing any crucial elements.

This book will provide you with hours of fun and entertaining debate as you score your friends, your fellow band members and your own favourite stars on the Fame Factor grid!

For more details please check out

http://www.thefamefactor.co.uk

Interview with Merkur Publishing Inc. • Salt Lake City • Utah • USA

Merkur Publishing Inc. • Salt Lake City • Utah • USA

Q: What inspired you to promote Franz Bardon's magical system?

A: Even though your choice of words is quite to the point, it does not really depict how we came into this position. It was quite a gradual process and we found ourselves in this position quite naturally. As far as promoting Franz Bardon's magical system, this is the first time that someone brought up the word promotion. We never thought of it in those terms; to us it was a very pleasant duty fraught with many challenges. However, it is true that we never dreamed that we would be doing what we are doing, and even after many years we are still overwhelmed by the position we are in, and we are very grateful for it and consider it a great blessing.

Q: What disappoints or saddens you about your career promoting the works of Franz Bardon?

A: We cannot say that we experienced really any disappointments, but we did have our share of countless challenges. In his books Franz Bardon makes the statement: 'We should be happy about the good things in our lives and learn from the bad things'. What saddens us somewhat is that very few people realize that they have the sacred sciences (the Holy Mysteries) in their hands, and in many instances they are not treated with the respect they deserve. The Hermetic Sciences are not dead letters but are actually the living word. And most people do not take the valuable time that is given to them to study the works of Bardon for the benefit of others. And if they do not want do to it for others they should at the very least do the Bardon exercises for their own benefit. In Initiation of Hermetics, Franz Bardon writes in the epilog: "Anyone who seeks the path to God, (and the path of magic or perfection is the path to God) should take Christ's words to heart, the great Master of the Mystics: 'Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself'. these words should be the sacred command for every seeker who is on the spiritual path.'"

Q: What pleases you the most about your career promoting the works of Franz Bardon?

A: That we have been given this great opportunity.

Q: Many people have mentioned darker forces trying to prevent these methods from being revealed. Have you ever experienced this?

A: Do darker forces exist? Yes, they do. But, as to their abilities that depends on one's belief system. If you believe that the so-called darker forces have the ability to prevent these methods from being revealed, then they have been given this ability by you. However, if you do not believe that they can do this, then they will not be able to prevent it.

Q: As progress can be slow and hard work. How many people do you believe have the potential to advance beyond the first book of the Franz Bardon system?

A: Only very few human beings have the answer to that question. Because those who have succeeded would not break the seal of silence. Breaking the seal of silence would mean also loosing everything you have gained. Therefore, we do not know how many have succeeded or how many are progressing toward that goal. However, there should be considerably more now than in the past, otherwise these books and the knowledge they contain would be in vain. Anyone who is serious, and who follows the instructions exactly, acquires the necessary virtues and eliminates his passions and does not waste his time with other meaningless endeavors, has the potential to master the exercises in Initiation. Any person who wishes to succeed on the path to God requires the necessary virtues, because they give him the strength necessary to accomplish this; whereas his passions consume the energy he requires. When these books were not available to the world at large, the number of people who reached the level described in Initiation of Hermetic were about four in a billion.

Q: What do you think is the most common characteristic that holds a student of Hermetics back?

A: Pride!!!!

Q: How can the previously mentioned characteristic be overcome?

A: By turning it into love, especially love for thy neighbor and above all for God, and then turning it into humility without losing the virtue of love. This of course is a task that requires a strong will. But a person who has pride has no will of its own, and such a person is completely controlled by his passions. However you can regain your will through love.

Q: Are there texts either in English or in German that you think would be of use to those following Franz Bardon's system?

A: Yes, there are. Once you have worked through the maze of available literature on this subject, including all the well-known authors, there is only one which emerges -- the writings of Jakob Lorber. He received his information through the Inner Word, which means directly from Divine Providence or God. Everything that has been taken out of the Bible is now available again through his writings. His first work, The Household of God contains in detail information that was/is not contained in Initiation into Hermetics. Besides that it contains historical information from Adam to Noah, and for those who are interested in the exact location of Atlantis, which in those days was called Hanoch, this too is available. Jakob Lorber's books, twenty-five in all, contain details not contained in the Bardon books. We have assumed that Franz Bardon was aware that these books existed. And of course it is up to the seeker of truth to find them. However, if you spend your time on other literature in this field you have to expect that you will experience many dead ends.

Q: Many people ask about the source of the Bardon system. Everyone has their ideas about which tradition he drew from. Can you shed any light on this?

A: There is only one source and Franz Bardon mentions it several times. Divine Providence!

Q: It is mentioned in an article by Franz Bardon called "Hermetic Sciences" that when we perform our exercises to develop ourselves (microcosm) this also causes an equivalent change in the universe (macrocosm). Can you explain this more?

A: If you can imagine, on the physical level, if our lives were curtailed or extended, what kind of consequences our presence or lack of presence could cause. This also applies when we rid ourselves of our negative characteristics. Not only does this change in us affect the people in our surroundings, but also the spirits we attract and those we reject. From there it is a chain reaction, and it affects everything. This is very briefly the explanation and if you meditate on that you will find more variations and also the deeper meaning of the above statement.

Q: What would be your advice to those following the Franz Bardon system?

A: We get many calls asking for help with the exercises. This help cannot be given until all the preliminary work has been done by the student. Most of the callers expect results without adhering to the instruction given in the Bardon books. The exercises in his books do not require a teacher in the earlier stages, which is mentioned in the instructions. However most students do not even seem to have read that portion of Initiation. Before anyone begins with the practice the theory has to be studied to the point that it is completely committed to memory. And later when a teacher is needed, Divine Providence will provide one for the student. Failure will be imminent when the student is convinced by someone else, that they need a teacher or initiator at the earlier stages of their development.

The negative characteristics have to be completely eliminated or a least to be brought into some kind of a balance. For example: 21 negative characteristics of the fire element, 20 negative characteristics of the air element, 19 negative characteristics of the water element, and 18 negative characteristics of the earth element. What is of the utmost importance as a student of Hermetics or to the aspiring magician is to keep silent about your personal progress, otherwise you cannot be or become a magician. These are the basic rules to succeed.

As supporting literature, not in place of the Bardon system, it would be advantageous to read Seven Hermetic Letters by Dr. Georg Lomer, and all the Lorber books which are presently available. All students of the Bardon system of Hermetics can keep up with Faulks Books for all future titles.

Q: In Questions and Answers, by Dieter Ruggeberg, Franz Bardon recommends that the student pray before he performs his exercises. He also talks about magical prayer. Could you explain a little about this and perhaps recommend a prayer that the student could pray before his exercises?

A: If we want to succeed in our spiritual development, we are really on the path to God, becoming one with God. Therefore we have to ask Him for guidance, and that He help us to be obedient in every way to Him, and only to do His will. We must ask God to bless our food before we eat, thank him after we have eaten, ask Him to bless our home, because all the instructions in the Bardon books are divine laws belonging to the divine order. Therefore, any student who is not within this order will not succeed. And remember: with God all things are possible, without God nothing is possible.

The Strange Case of the Fox in the Gym!

The British Press is so jumpy about Foxes at the moment. A couple of
them got into a flat and bit a baby. Since then the Fox has had a
really bad press. The truth is in my opinion that this is a bit of
prepublicity for a reintroduction of Fox hunting by the New govenment.

For this reason a experience that was really lovely involving a fox
may come across differently to others .

I was working out on a hotel on Cobham. I find in most hotel gyms I am
the only one working out . Today was no exception although the gum
door had been left open by a member of staff due to the heat. I was lifting weights and gazing out of the window across the meadow at the back of the hotel. I noticed a small face looking back and me. Between sets I went to investigate. Each time the fox backed off. He was a beautiful creature with the most amazingly solid bushy tail. He looked hot and his tongue was hanging out. So I suspected he wanted something to drink. The gym had a drink dispenser so I filled a cup with water for him and placed it between him and me. As he came to drink I feel a great kinship between us. I sat and made sure he had as many refills and he liked.

The Fox is an interesting figure in English culture known in children's tales for his cunning. To the Japanese ninja in the 16th century it was a figure to be looked up to for its stealth not cunning. In fact they even names a secret stealth technique after the Fox called "kitsune bashiri" or fox running

To the Ninja A Toad not a fox was a figure of cunning.

It reminds me of a conversation I had with Stephen K Hayes in his Dojo in Dayton Ohio.

I once asked “What does the Toad signify in Ninja Tradition ?”

Here is Stephens response

“Well, Martin, it has many layers of meaning. Just like we have the saying ‘as cunning as a fox’, the Japanese have a saying that the toad is cunning and resourceful. However, here you see that the man is riding the toad. So it could mean that he has taken on the power of Nature or dominated the power of Nature. For the Ninja, uniting with Nature and using the knowledge of the nature of things held the greatest might, for if you are at one with Nature and part of all things, who can defeat you?

There is also a story in Japan about how to keep a toad in a basket. If you have a hole in your basket and you want to carry the toad home without it escaping, you should make two other small holes; then the toad will keep trying to escape through a different route. He will try one hole and then if that’s not easy, he will try the next and keep moving on. If there is only one hole, he will simply work at it until he is free. So in many ways the toad could represent our enemy, whom we defeat by our use of cunning; we overcome his nature by working with his nature."

Today I wonder Could this also represent the controlling of the animal in ourselves?

Interview with Rawn Clark USA

Rawn Clark - USA

Mr Clark, You are well known as a student of Franz Bardons works and as an author of many works on Magickal practice. Indeed many students who have access to the Internet have found you always willing to help and advise on such matters. Indeed it is at these students request that I would like to ask you a few questions so that we can all know more about Rawn Clark as a person.

Q: What inspired you to first promote Franz Bardon's magical system?

A: ;-) I wouldn't title what I do as "promoting" anything really. I'm just doing my best to be a good "companion" for folks who are already interested in Bardon's system. At any rate, there are many layers to what inspired me to become a "companion". Foremost was the recognition that having someone around to ask questions of could be a great asset when one is just starting out. When I began my own pursuit of IIH, I had no one to ask questions of and so I was forced to figure things out for myself. While I recognize that as a good thing, many parts of it were unnecessary. In other words, some assistance could be a big help, so when the opportunity to assist presented itself via the Internet, I just jumped right in. :) It was clear to me that most of the difficulties that folks were experiencing with the IIH exercises were conceptual, so I wrote about my own understanding of the exercises and very quickly, this proved to be of help to folks. The fact that my work has been helpful is what inspires me to continue.

Q: What most disappoints or saddens you about your career promoting the works of Bardon.

Q: What has most pleased you about your career promoting Bardon's works?

A: . These aren't emotions that I experience in relation to my work. :) I don't have any expectations or any personal needs that could be saddened or disappointed or pleased in this regard. My work is not about me. It's about the students of Bardon and their needs. It's about empowering their progress, not my ego needs. I do however, feel satisfaction when I see evidence that I've been successful in empowering another's progress. :)

Q: Many people have mentioned Darker forces trying to prevent these methods being revealed. Have you ever experienced this? A: Yes, of course. I think that all of us who have any public role in supporting the increased availability of Bardon's work experience this to some degree. But their interference, while at times annoying, has no lasting affect. Q: What do you believe is the most important quality of a student of hermetics to possess.

A: I don't think it can be narrowed down to just one! ;-) So let me give you a short list of what I consider to be some of the more important: Dogged persistence. Radical self-honesty. Patience. Openness. Compassion for self and for others. Unshakable courage. The willingness to question everything.

Q: Aside from Franz Bardon what other Authors would you recommend?

A: . I've been asked that question a lot so on my website, I posted a Bibliography which lists authors and books that I found worthwhile reading. Nonetheless, while reading is great, first-hand experience is what makes for initiation and that's not something one achieves through reading, no matter how good the author. :)

Q: What first inspired you to start writing a commentary on Franz Bardons works.

A: It was actually at the request of the owner of one of the early Bardon-related online discussion groups. She had compiled a few notes relating primarily to the first two Steps of IIH and asked me to flesh it out, so I started writing and before I knew it, I'd written my "Commentaries Upon" all three books. ;-)

Q: How important do you think the noble actions and intentions of a hermetic student are to his development?

A: They are of paramount importance!!! Without the development of a "noble" character, progress is impossible. This is the essence of initiation and is why Bardon's system begins with the Soul Mirror, introspection and character transformation.

Q: How important do you think faith in divine providence is to student of hermetic?

A: As important or unimportant as they want it to be or make it to be. It's not a requirement, if that's what you're asking, but it is an eventuality if one progresses very far. But then, what do you mean by "faith"? For the Hermetic, this is not just a bland, unquestioning acceptance which verges on the superstitious. Instead, it is something which grows from the fact of direct personal experience of the Divine.

Q: Are there any systems of spiritual development that are incompatible to Franz Bardons system?

A:. That can't be answered with a simple yes or no because it has to do with whether or not the practitioner is capable of adapting systems, not whether there is an inherent incompatibility of the systems themselves. Inherently, Bardon's system can be blended with any other system if the practitioner is adroit enough.

Q. Do you think the nature of a students employment effects his or her path?

A:. Of course, all of the student's life circumstances affect their path. :)

Q: Are there any health problems that you feel would make practice of the system impossible?

A: The student must have a sound mind, but any other physical handicap can be adapted to..

How to be a Twitter Ninja

twitter ninja

How did you get so many followers on Twitter?

This is a question I get asked a lot. My twitter followers just went over the 30,000 mark! Thats more than Evander Holyfield! I think alot of this is due to the great success of my butterfly Tai Chi book. As soon as it came out my followers shot up by over 10,000. I also notice a jump every time a get a good book review or some press coverage. So twitter in my opinion is something that reflects the public's awareness of your work. Not something for gaining awareness.

There are however some things I have learned over the years about twitter promotion which improve your recruitment and retention of twitter followers.

Here are my tips for anyone wanting to gain more twitter followers

1) Don't Bore People : Twitter is micro-blogging yes its ok to mention what your doing eating and thinking but try to keep the main focus on the exciting things happening in your life.

2) Be Informative : If you find something useful to you tell others about it.

3) Be Interactive : Dont just tweet and go. Twitter is all about conversation.

4) Be Promotional : Yes, it’s okay to promote your own work, as long as it’s not all self-promotion,

5) Dont Devalue the Currency : Dont twitter to much. If you start sending out update every few minutes people will get overwhelmed.

6) Follow Back ; Always follow back and pay attention to those who follow you

Moon Buggy Racing in Fuerteventuras Desert

This is the Pip eye view of our race through the volcano crater of the desert in Fuerteventura. But who won Nav, Pip, Julian or Martin?

Press Coverage for Becoming A Ninja Warrior

The norwich ninja sun daily mail metro Happy New Year! I have been so taken up with the festivities over the last two weeks that I almost missed the press coverage for my latest book Becoming a Ninja Warrior. Luckily I have friends and staff who keep a closer eye on these things than I do.

We have had some lovely two page features and reviews in the Eastern Daily Press, Eastern Evening News, Bungay and Beccles Journal, as well as up coming features in Snippets Magazine, Natural Health Magazine,and the Watkins Book Review.

I am happy to say all the reviews are very positive

Here are some quotes:

Martin Faulks: Becoming a Ninja Warrior - Charts the breathtaking journey of North Suffolk's Real Life Ninja - The Eastern Daily Press

Becoming a Ninja Warrior by Martin Faulks - A masterpiece of spiritual adventure and personal challenge - Watkins Books Review

The Egyptian Book of the Dead Display at the British Museum.

Scene from the Book of the Dead of Hunefer. Egypt, c. 1280 BC

If you are in London or get a chance to visit you must see the new Egyptian Book of the Dead display at the British Museum.

Its an amazing experience for anyone interested in the spiritual traditions of Ancient Egypt. I have been to Egypt many times and this display still managed to take my breath away. Some of the rare items they have for you to view include the a curved magic wand used to draw a protective circle, a 6 foot metal cobra staff and the complete set of items used in the opening of the mouth ritual.

Its only £10 to get in but well worth ten times that.

For anyone new to Egyptology its worth explaining that the Book of the Dead is a modern term for a collection of magical spells that the Egyptians used to help them get into the afterlife. The Egyptians themselves called the text the book of going forth by day.

To they Egyptians the afterlife as a kind of journey you had to make to get to paradise – but it was quite a hazardous journey so you’d need magical help along the way.The book of the dead is a road map or hand book for that journey.I t’s a practical guide to the next world, with spells that would help you on your journey.

Gilded cartonnage mummy mask
Some of the spells are to make sure you can control your own body after death. The ancient Egyptians believed that a person was made up of different elements: body, spirit, name, heart, they’re all embodiments of a person, and they were afraid that these elements would disperse when you died. So there are a lot of spells to make sure you don’t lose your head or your heart, that your body doesn’t decay, as well as other spells about keeping alive by breathing air, having water to drink, having food to eat.

There are also spells about protecting yourself because the ancient Egyptians expected to be attacked on the journey to the afterlife by snakes, crocodiles, insects – an idea very much based on the threats they knew in real life only much more frightening and much more dangerous.

As well as the animals, you could be attacked by gods or demons who served the gods. In the next world there are a lot of gods who are guarding gateways that you have to get through, and if you don’t give the right answers to their questions at the gates, they can attack you because they have knives and snakes in their hands.

Without the correct spells to protect you, you could be punished in a variety of ways: you could be put on to the slaughter block, you could be decapitated, or you could be turned upside down.

The worst thing that can happen is what is called the second death. This meant you were killed and your spirit couldn’t come back and so you would have no afterlife at all.

Of course this is all symbolic too. In life you need to keep yourself balanced and use your skill to avoid attacks from various sources. For this reason The Book of the Dead was and can also used as a template for the spiritual path of the Ancient Egyptians. By reading it with the correct mindset you can learn the art of rebirth and spiritual regeneration

ERASING DAVID

martin faulsk spy movie

Pip and I am were lucky enough to be invited to a premiere of the documentary film ERASING DAVID by award winning director, producer and writer DAVID BOND and GREEN LIONS FILMS . Soon to be screened on CHANNEL 4, the film is an exciting yet chilling reminder of how our very existence can leave a definite imprint.

"David Bond tries to escape for a month and challenges private investigators, Cameron Gowlett and Duncan Mee of Cerberus to track him. The film charts the battle of wits between David and the investigators as they close in." http://www.cerberusip.com/erasing-david

Synopsis of the film -

DAVID BOND lives in one of the most intrusive surveillance states in the world. He decides to find out how much private companies and the government know about him by putting himself under surveillance and attempting to disappear – a decision that changes his life forever. Leaving his pregnant wife and young child behind, he is tracked across the database state on a chilling journey that forces him to contemplate the meaning of privacy – and the loss of it.

Once the bastion of freedom and civil liberties, the UK is now one of the most advanced surveillance societies in the world – ranked third after Russia and China. The average UK adult is now registered on over 700 databases and is caught daily on one of the 4 million CCTV cameras located on nearly every street corner in the country. Increasingly monitored, citizens are being turned into suspects. But if you’ve got nothing to hide, surely there’s nothing to fear?

When David receives a letter informing him that his daughter Ivy is among 25 million residents whose details have been lost by the government’s Child Benefit Office, he begins a journey that will see him hounded across Europe.

David soon discovers some alarming truths about what the government and private companies already know about ordinary citizens. He meets people who have been caught in the crossfire of the database state and have had their lives shattered.

As his concern grows, he makes a life-changing decision. He will leave his pregnant wife and child behind and put himself under surveillance for thirty days. The UK’s top Private Investigators are hired to discover everything they can about him and his family – and track David down as he attempts to vanish. Is it still possible to live a private, anonymous life in the UK? Or do the state and private companies already know too much about ordinary people?

Forced to contemplate the meaning of privacy – and the loss of it, David’s disturbing journey leaves him with no doubt that although he has nothing to hide, he certainly has something to fear…

GREEN LIONS FILMS http://greenlions.com/

The Official Website http://erasingdavid.com

Butterfly Tai Chi USA!

Butterfly Tai Chi Wings its Way to the USA

Butterfly Tai Chi has opened it's first overseas head quarters in Oregon USA, where regularly scheduled classes are held at multiple locations, as well as instructor certification courses! Be the first to teach Butterfly Tai Chi in your area of the United States. Click on the link below for more information and to read about the very first upcoming instructor certification camp in 2011.

[Tai+Chi+Sifu.jpg] Sifu Steve Miller is the official resource in the United States for instruction and teacher certification of Butterfly Tai Chi.

About Steve Miller

Steve is an accomplished martial artist and a recognized instructor in Kajukenbo, Hoshinjutsu, and Kosho Shorei Kempo. He has also trained extensively in several other styles and systems along the way. Sifu Miller believes a person should always continue to learn, grow and expand one's horizons while remaining humble. A continuing student for the past 27 years, and a certified instructor for 15 years, Sifu Steve Miller is an experienced mentor and guide that can help you reach your training goals quickly, safely and effectively. Anyone who has trained with Sifu Steve will be familiar with his contagious enthusiam and ability to create positive momentum in the lives of everyone around him.

For more information about Butterfly Tai Chi training please click on the link below:

http://www.butterflytaichiusa.com

Don't Fight

Recently in an interview for BBC Radio Norfolk about my new book Becoming a Ninja Warrior I mentioned that a true Ninja would never fight unnecessarily. I had few emails form people asking to explain this in more detail as the idea of a Ninja avoiding conflict seemed strange to them

Soke Masaaki Hatsumi once said that "Ninjutsu could be defined as an art of not having to take revenge when someone has betrayed or insulted you". When I first read this I too didn't understand. Surely out of all the people in the world someone with Ninja training would be able to take revenge and bring to justice to people though his stealth and cunning.

As I continued to study I found this sentiment is reflected in many of the historical documents of Ninjutsu. In the Shoninki for example, there's a whole chapter entitled 'the art of not breaking people' and another one dedicated completely to the art of letting go.

Reasons for this are obvious once you get in the Ninjutsu mindset. The ninja should be focused on his mission and the outcome he wants to achieve and not get distracted by fighting with other people or by some distracting emotion. If someone attacks you or does something you find offensive, your instinct is to respond aggressively, but this isn't useful. Imagine you are a 16th century ninja on a stealthy mission; fighting back would make lots of noise, get you caught and draw attention to your position. Your best bet is just to run away.

Modernly as students of the art we have to always remember what we're trying to do. There's always someone who would like to have a fight for their amusement, or for their inadequacies, who would insult you and try to pull you into some kind of an argument. Then it's really important to remember what your mission is and keep yourself focused. Or as Hatsumi puts in his book Japanese Sword Fighting "When someone insults and disrespects you, the ability to laugh and not make them your enemy is true courage".

The truth is that if something someone says or does makes you so upset or angry that you start putting effort into them, then they have controlled your action and your have had your mission misdirected. Your pride pulls you into actions that are not useful for what you are trying to do in life. All that energy could have been put into building something good in the world for yourself and those around you.

I truly believe that part of becoming a Ninja is cultivating an immovable heart so that you can keep focused on your aims with what Toshitsugu Takamatsu used to call 'single minded determination.'

The Secrets of Tai Chi in 7 Essential Movements

Butterfly Tai Chi is now available in French. The publisher Le Courrier du Livre has called it
Les secrets du Taï Chi : Les 7 mouvements essentiels

Les secrets du Taï Chi : Les 7 mouvements essentiels

Elaboré en Chine il y a plusieurs siècles, le Tai Chi est une pratique unique en son genre. D'une remarquable efficacité, il augmente le dynamisme, améliore l'endurance, tout en réduisant le stress

http://www.amazon.fr/secrets-Ta%C3%AF-Chi-mouvements-essentiels/dp/2702908179

Listen Again?

If you missed my Radio Norfolk interview you can hear it by clicking the Logo below

The Art of Self Motivation

As time goes on I am learning more and more about the the art of self motivation. Nowadays I find that no matter what people do around me I

find myself encouraged. I find the compliments and encouragements of
others really empowering and I draw inspiration from the successes of
others too; in fact I find myself celebrating the successes of my friends as if they are my own.

I have also learned to use the insults, criticism and mockery of others as

a source of motivation. I have found a part of myself that really
thrives on showing others that my words match my words.

However recently I have had a new challenge - inner doubt and criticism. That's harder to deal with than that of others and it took me a day or two to work out how to deal with it.

Now I realise that internal forces really need to be dealt with the
same way as those from outside. You need to learn to accept your inner compliments and to be moved by them. You also have to listen to inner doubts and criticism, then you have to do what you do with all critics - prove them wrong! Yes, I truly believe the answer to inner criticism and pessimism is not therapy, affirmations or medication; it's time to silence those inner voices with actions and achievement!

A Franz Bardon Pilgrimage

It has taken me a while to write this blog because some experiences in life are hard to express in words let alone in the short amount of space I have here. There is a saying that says "when a student is ready the teacher will appear." I also believe this to be true of the experiences we have in life. Sometimes we are guided to an event or situation in order to learn a lesson or to experience something that allows us to grow or overcome a challenge; sometimes in life we have to get out, meet inspiring people and really experience these things rather than just stay at home. It is a question of 'walking our talk'.

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I have been a student of the teachings of Franz Bardon for over a decade now, working on his exercises on a daily basis without ever missing a session or slacking in my discipline. I believe Franz Bardon to be the greatest spiritual writer of the 20th century and his teachings have a lot to offer the world. So you can imagine what an honour it was for me to travel to his home town of Opava in the Czech Republic to meet with his son and daughter and to visit the places where he lived, worked and taught. His son Lumir Bardon has a great spirit and you can feel his father's energy reflected in him. He introduced himself, "I am Lumir Bardon, physician but not magician." A perfect gentleman in every way, Lumir Bardon had a sense of power and a tranquillity that I have never experienced in anyone else before or after. One amazing thing worth noting about my trip, was having met people who knew Franz Bardon and those who lived near him. I discovered that the figure we see written about in 'Frabato the Magician' and 'Memories of Franz Bardon' is completely accurate. The man truly was spectacular and fully capable of the feats described in his books. During my time in Opava, Lumir answered all my questions on Hermetic arts and helped drive me to the next step in my development. Indeed the inspiration and energy of the whole experience had a profound effect on anything I was trying to do. Something I will be eternally grateful for.

Other students of Franz Bardon can also benefit from my trip because Lumir was kind enough to allow me to record some of our conversations, which I am editing and posting on the Internet when I have time.

You can visit my you tube channel here:

http://www.youtube.com/user/MartinJFaulks

Or join in the discussion on the Ian Allan forum

http://forum.ianallanpublishing.com/threads/49-Visiting-the-son-a-Franz-Bardon!

The Tracks of my Years

I have been asked by the BBC to do a really interesting radio show called the tracks of my years. Its a great show when each week a different guest carefully selects the ten tracks to represent the different stages in their life. From classic hits to the odd obscure gem, it's a rollercoaster ride through the musical taste!

I have just sorted out my choice of tracks for the show. It has taken me a while but is a really interesting process as it makes you think about your life and the important moments in it. Then you get sidetracked in listening to any old tracks it also makes you think about! I have been listing t Martin faulks gold meadal o Marillion, Aerosmith, Iron Maiden, the Specials, the Selector and really early No Doubt; the Scissor Sisters, Tally Hall, Lucky Victims and even Jay Z!

It also has me rooting through old photo. Here is one of me in 1993 about to win my first gold medal at the Kuk Sool Won National championships. I am the boy on the left with the white ribbon around my waist. These were really good times for me. My friends Joss and I were martial arts obsessed and in Kuk Sool Won we have found great mentors and role models like our instructor Ji Do Kwahn Jahng Nim Richard Roper who really taught us the value of hard work and discipline.

I trained really hard and in the same year I also won the Norfolk Fencing Championships. My prize was a residential fencing course at a private school. Imagine how amazed I was when the head coach turned out to be none other than Bruce Dickinson lead singer of Iron Maiden! Can you imagine how cool that was for a teenage Martin? I hung on his every word. Recently I met Bruce and his lovely wife at a dinner party. It made me realise how valuable my training with him was. Bruce has a really positive unstoppable energy about him. Something I learned without even knowing it from a week of instruction from him. Now I am sure I have some pictures of me doing death metal signs with him here somewhere .....

Paris Connections Film Premiere.

Martin faulks at paris connections I'm writing this blog because people keep asking me about the Paris Connections Film Premiere that Pip and I attended a couple of months ago. Paris Connections for those of you who haven't heard about it is the first movie produced by Tescos. The company in charge of it's production is Amber Entertainment which is part owned by Ileen Maisel of Lord of the Rings fame.

The film is the adaptation of Jackie Collins novel called "L A Connections" that actually tells the next stage in the story of the lead character Madison Castelli. It stars Nicole Steinwedell, which many people know from the television series "The Unit," and has some amazing acting by Trudie Styler and Charles Dance, who of course are both legends in the British movie industry.

The premiere itself was held at the view cinema in Leicester Square. I love film premieres. I love the sparkle. I love the red carpets and the champagne. It was wonderful to be there. We also met our friend Gordon Smith, who is a very well-known TV psychic, and it was a wonderful time meeting some very interesting people.

The film itself is really good. It's got wonderful cinematography. It's actually a murder mystery with twists and turns and the plots, which really shows why Jackie Collins is one of the best selling authors the world has ever seen. Trudie Styler shows amazing acting ability, and really pulls off a very interesting role in the movie.

For us, it was very exciting to see the finished product, because we had flown out to Paris to watch the filming and even to take part as extras in a fashion show scene. We made some amazing friends when we were out there. Michael Gerrish, who you'll see staring as a bodyguard in the movie, gave me some wonderful tips on personal training and great series of books for anyone who's interested in achieving their fitness goals. His lovely wife Cherl Richardson, who you'll probably know as the life coach from the Oprah show.

Trudie Styler (UK TABLOID NEWSPAPERS OUT) L-R Trudie Styler and Jackie Collins attend the DVD premiere of Paris Connections held at the Vue Leicester Square on September 2, 2010 in London, England. After the movie, we went to Dorchester and it was good to be able to talk to some of the people involved in the movie.

The next Tesco movie is in production at the moment. I'm eager to see how that turns out. Anyone who wants to see Paris Connections, the only way you can get it is buy it from Tesco. It's only five pounds. You can get it online from Tesco's Direct , or go into your local store.

If you are pretty observant, during the credits you'll see my name mentioned in a special thank you!

I'll keep you updated with any future... Do let me know what you think of the film.

Fire Walk Helps Raise over £8000 for Charity

Looking out of the window on the King's head in Letheringsett I could see the flames of the long, thin fire reaching almost to my waist level.

The wood burning, looked just like a barbeque. I remember being surprised. I don't know what I thought, when I signed up for the fire-walking challenge, but I believe that some part of me sub-consciously expected the fire to be fake or safe in some way. Perhaps I thought it would be a projector or special types of wood which didn't burn as hot as others. Maybe I thought they were going to line up lots of Quality street wrapers wrappers and shine bright lights underneath them for me to walk across.

The actual primeval impact of the fire brought the reality of what I was about to do into my mind's eye. I have had many forms of trials in my life, but this had a different feel. I was about to walk over a fire in front of a big crowd of people.

The whole event had already raised approaching 9,000 pounds. I wasn't the only person taking part in the fire-walk. Many people who were taking part had never fire-walked before, many had or had learned the art of fire-walking in distant countries but each of us had our own different approach to prepare for the challenge in front of us.

The time for my fire-walk was coming round and I'd seen the people ahead of me using their own method of getting across the flames unhurt. Some people almost ran, some people made noises or used a mantra, as they chanted. I, however, had put myself into a state of inner calmness and tranquillity.

As I approached the glowing embers, I felt nothing but a sense of elation as my feet touched on the hot coals. As I continued to walk, I could feel heat beneath my feet, but no pain. There was a feeling of indestructibility as I continued from one side to the other. Only when I stopped, did I notice a hot coal caught between two of my toes and felt the searing, burning pain as I kicked it quickly away.

The fire-walk was over, but in my mind I thought about the hidden capabilities that we all have, but hold back.

Detachment

In some of the early Ninja texts they mention detachment. Most people when reading this would assume that the detachment they are talking about is the ability to be heartless and do whatever is needed to make a mission succeed. This theory can be supported by the fact that Ninja authorities list sympathy as one of the five weaknesses a Ninja needs to overcome. However my recent experiences have lead me to believe that there is far more to the quality of detachment than meets the eye.

Recently I have discovered that true detachment is not about the ability to detach oneself from the world but the ability to let go of negative things or things that are not productive. The Buddhists focus on overcoming their desire for things, people or experiences. I believe the first learn to discern the positive from the negative. Then the real challenge is to learn to let go of the negative. Don't regret its loss, don't celebrate it. Just jet go completely. It a skill that needs practice.

The Oldest Recorded Ninja In History

When writing my book Becoming a Ninja Warrior I did my best to research the history of the Ninja and to read the texts written by the Ninja during the height of their power. I didn't know it at the time but my research was rather ground breaking because I approached the whole thing with an open mind I managed to find some references that other more traditional historians had not. Most Japanese authorities believe that the world Ninja was invented during the sengoku period which ended in the early 1600s. I found a reference to a Ninja or a excellent Ninja entering a house by stealth in a text called the Taheiki from 1367. At the time I thought it was cool but didn't realise that It was in fact a ground breaking discovery. Since the publication of the book I have had an inundation of messages from both historians and Ninja enthusiasts over this small section.

Here is what one historian had to say about the discovery

How to Hide in Sunlight

In Ninjutsu there is a word "ton' ei" which translates as "shadow shield;" or casting your shadow forward. For some, hiding in sunlight is the real shadow of budo.

When people think about hiding techniques they instantly think about moving themselves out of view of the opponent or hiding in shadows or behind something. Using 'shadow shield' we do the opposite and hide behind the light behind us. It is a very skilled and beautiful art that few can master.

hide in sunlight The most basic application of this would be to stand with the sun behind you so that your figure is silhouetted against its light and so its glare blinds your opponent if he tries to look at you.

Now he can't see you only your shadow being projected in front of you. This will make it very hard for him to judge distance and to see what you are holding. Often if you employ this method and hold your sword pointing directly at your opponent's eyes, your opponent will simply run onto your sword as he will not be able to judge how near it is. Sometimes he will think you are closer than you are and will take wild swings at your shadow instead of you.

This reminds me of a technique that is mentioned in the 16th century Ninja manual called the 'Shoninki' when a dummy or scarecrow is thrown in a room before you enter or placed on guard before you, to lure out opponents and place them in a very vulnerable position.

Symbolically this of course also applies to our overall strategy in life. You can use this in a situation when you can't hide or don't wish to hide such as when starting a new job or meeting someone you are unsure of.

In this case you would project an image of someone quite different to yourself and expose weaknesses and values you don't really have.So for example you could pretend to be slightly insecure about your weight or your social class.

The more attention you get the more you can use that spotlight to project a different image. This is very useful for high profile people as they already have the light on them. Because people perceive your weaknesses incorrectly and instead are attacking your projected shadow. This is very powerful as it shows people for who they really are and because you are completely unharmed and emotionally detached you can judge the person and the situation truthfully without any need to respond. Of course some people will be very pleasant to the shadow shield and you must be just as fastidious to judge that as their true nature too. One thing you need to be aware of is that because the weaknesses your are projecting are not your own you do have to be particularly attentive to watch out for attacks and you may miss them. After all it is not always easy to notice someone is trying to 'stab' your shadow.

How to Recognise a True Spiritual Master

Anyone who reads my blog regularly will know that I have dedicated the whole of my life to training with the greatest martial arts and spiritual masters around the globe. However in the spiritual world thing are not necessarily always how they first seem.

martin faulks in japan Claiming spiritual development or special magical knowledge can often be a way that someone gains an authority they lack in this world. It is one of the few areas in life where you can teach and gain leadership without having to pass any tests and without having to demonstrate any clear evidence of your ability. Luckily there are easy ways we can see the truth about someone's spiritual progress and indeed assess our own development on the universal path of attainment.

As Above, So Below

It’s important to always remember the Hermetic rule that which is above is as that which is below. Look at the teacher’s life and their interaction with the world around them – are they in harmony, are they at peace? Try to be objective and ignore what they are saying. Look at what they are DOING. Do they have a good relationship with those they love? Can they hold down a job? Are they looking after their health and their body? Look at the results of what they are doing. Remember you can tell what type of tree you are looking at its fruit!

It’s also very important to look at how they treat people around them. The best teachers make everyone around them feel powerful and motivated. Are they genuinely in control of themselves? Ask yourself, have they mastered the lessons of this world? If they are yet to do that then it may not be a very good idea to take tuition from them about the other world.

Firewalk!

Anyone who has researched into the history of the Ninja will know that they are closely linked with the spiritual sect called the Yamabushi. Yamabushi literally translates as "One who lies/hides in the mountains". Yamabushi are yamabushi japan Japanese mountain ascetic hermits with a long tradition as mighty warriors endowed with supernatural powers. They follow a path called Shugendō which translates literally as 'magical powers through spiritual trials.' It is from this tradition that Ninja draw its traditional tests such as standing under a waterfalls or walking on hot coals. Firewalking to the Yamabushi is a trial associated with overcoming and mastering the fire element.

Of course all powers and abilities should be used to do good which is why on the 11th of November I am taking part in a sponsored firewalk for the Break charity.

Break provides a variety of high quality services to a range of vulnerable children, adults and families, including:

Respite care
Short breaks & holidays
Residential Care
Mentoring and Transitional work
Mental Health Services
Residential Assessments
Learning & Development

to find out more please visit.

http://www.break-charity.org

If you would like to sponsor me please click here

http://www.justgiving.com/Martin-Faulks

I will post a video of it all after the event.

Filming The Butterfly Tai Chi DVD

I have just got back from filming the new Butterfly Tai chi Dvd With Peter Georgi from Halo films. The book has been such a spectacular success that I was approached to create a DVD version of the set.

Inspired by observing butterflies Tai Chi Master Martin Faulks developed a system of Tai Chi that could be performed in a limited space and within a relatively short time. He designed Tai Chi movements that naturally enhance the Qi flow in the order directed by Chinese medicine and whilst it can be used to treat a wide variety of illnesses, its real power is in preventing illness. Succinct and effective the reader can learn this form of Tai Chi within a day and can be performed anywhere -no matter how little space available.

DVD Contents

Tai Chi Warm up (Yin Yang Toner)

Basic Butterfly Tai Chi Set

Movements

Lifting Water
High Pat on Horse
Needle at the Bottom of Sea
Golden Cockerel Stands on one leg
Opening the chest
Turn to look at the moon
Closing the Door

Advanced Butterfly Tai Chi Set

Lifting Water
Alternate Punching
Dreading the sea and reaching for the Sky
Push Kick
Opening the Rainbow
Double Dragons spiral round the Pillar
Closing the Door

DVD Extras

What is Tai Chi?
An explanation of it's names True meaning.
About the nature of Tai Chi exercises.
Where did it come from?
About the tai chi legend
About taoism
What is this mysterious force called Chi?
About Yin and Yang
The clinically proven health benefits of Tai Chi

You can buy a copy by clicking here! http://butterflytaichi.co.uk

Something Still Inside

In my experience spiritual insights are extremely personal and very
hard to convey others. It's quite often that I have what I see as an
amazing breakthrough and then when I come to explain it to people I
know, I can see that although intellectually they can grasp what I'm
saying, it doesn't have the same impact in meaning to them as it did
to me. The same may well be true in reverse. I dread to think the
amount of times people in trying to get a very important point across
to me and I've been unable to take on the full meaning of what they
have said. Recently a rare exception to this rule occurred in my life.

My friend Joss Guin (check out his website http://www.theyogatree.co.uk)
is a long-term student of yoga and was sitting meditating when an
insight came to him. He realised that in
order to see change in himself and the world around him something

within him had to be still. His growing realisation that there must be
something inside must be beyond time to see time pass made him aware of the

immortal part of himself. The insight was not just emotional it was

experiential. He felt this part of himself. He truly realised his immortality.

When Joss discussed this with me it caused a cascade of insights. Joss
had discovered the only firm and permanent thing inside himself. The only

thing that will carry on after death. Some could say he discovered the
philosopher's Stone immortal spirit those who read hermetic writings
would be reminded of the following quote from the Copus Hermeticum.

"Hermes.
ALL that is moved, O Asclepius, is it not moved in something and by something?

2. Asclep. Yes, indeed.

3. Herm. Must not that in which a thing is moved, of necessity be
greater than the thing that is moved?

4. Of necessity"

So from the hermetic point of view Joss had discovered his true self.
What was most exciting was that like Joss I felt it inside the moment
we talked. Something about the insight of needing that permanence to
observe change made it easy to sense.

Take a few moments after reading this blog. Can you feel the part of
you that's immovable and unchanging?

Once we recognise this timeless part of ourselves then we can see the
timeless underlying all things.

What You Really Want – Lightning Bolt to True Focus on your Goals!

Of late I have been meditating on contentment and happiness. On what makes a good life and on what cause people to be discontent with there life or to become discontented with the story of their life as it come near to the end.

It makes me think of a life changing talk I had with Stephen K Hayes when I trained with him in Dayton Ohio.

Stephen K hayes

“Martin, one of the most important things for Ninja and spiritual development is to know oneself. In order to control others’ emotions, you must first be able to control your own. To control others’ emotions, you must know what they’re feeling. You can know how they would feel in any situation by putting yourself in a similar situation and by knowing what kind of person they are.

“To find your true motives, I’d like you to contemplate this. If you were to win or gain through inheritance millions of pounds and never have to work and struggle again, what would you do with that money? Would you spend it to glorify yourself? Would you use it to party and to have hedonistic fun? Would you give some away to help people? What would you do with the time you have on this Earth?”

It took me a few moments to think about this. I realised that, pre-Dayton, I probably would have spent the money partly, as he stated, on self-glorification. I probably would have spent some of it on fun, but I think something there had got my focus to the true essence of myself. I would use the money for two purposes: I would do good, and I would spend my life travelling the world, studying from the greatest spiritual masters and using my spare time to develop myself spiritually, mentally and physically.

Those are my true motives.

Stephen could see this had had an impact on me.

“Martin, in all things you do, examine your motives and keep focused on the true goal behind your undertakings. In this lies the greatest power.”

Knowing my own motives and knowing what I really wanted from life made a difference, not then but in the future.

We all seek pleasure, power, dominance and prideful actions, but knowing how little these things really mean to you in the core of yourself, how little your financial success is of importance to you compared to your higher, real goals inside, begins to lessen their power.

It’s almost as though by knowing your emotions you listen to them, and people who are listened to don’t need to shout as loudly. I found in the weeks to come, my ability to negotiate with the negative qualities or controlling emotions within myself improved, and a strange feeling came over me, as if through the elements something was changing.

I was starting to see things in another way. It’s a subtle thing, but I have found that ever since that talk I have been examining my motives in detail and that this has marked a gradual change in how I do and view things. It has also shown me how most people travel through life aimlessly, with no idea of what they are hoping to achieve. Let me try to explain.

Imagine a couple; let’s call them Bob and Sandra. Bob loves Sandra and really wants to make her happy. He knows that she loves the zoo so he arranges for them to go the following Saturday. He also arranges for some of her friends to go with them. The day before he packs the car and makes them all a lovely packed lunch. He sorts the road map out and plans a route and generally gets everything ready. Bob likes to have things in order.

The morning of the trip arrives, but Sandra has a bad headache and is not in a good mood. Bob is not happy with how she is treating him over breakfast and Sandra knows she is being unfair, but the headache is controlling her mood. They get in the car and go to pick up her friends. She is suffering, her head is throbbing, Bob is fuming. How can she ruin everything like this? Can’t she see the effort he has made? Why is she acting like this? They pick up her friends but the tension in the car is terrible. They turn up at the zoo and the atmosphere is terrible. They argue and everyone suffers throughout the day.

Now what went wrong? Well they lost focus as to what they were trying to do. If the aim was to get to the zoo no matter what, then they succeeded, but the aim was, of course, to make Sandra happy and have a good time. FAIL!

So what should Bob have done? First he should have managed her feelings that would be associated with the guilt of cancellation, called the whole thing off and pampered his headache girl all day. That would have made her happy. SUCCESS!

It is almost as though Ninjutsu is based on Buddhist enlightenment. What we all need is Vajra, a lightning bolt of self examination. A powerful questioning: “What exactly do I really want?”

When you do this you begin to see that the world is full of people who are unhappy and miserable because they don’t really know what they want. They are working hard to impress a father who is long since dead or long since impressed. They are stuck in a job that they joined to gain contact with people who are no longer there or for an enjoyment that has long since left.

When we see this in true view it opens up an amazing burst of creativity that allows us to aim directly at our goal without being caught up by our emotions or pre-set ideas of how things are done. It is this focus on our goals and reaching them, like a lightning bolt taking the shortest or most efficient route

Those are my true motives.

Stephen could see this had had an impact on me.

“Martin, in all things you do, examine your motives and keep focused on the true goal behind your undertakings. In this lies the greatest power.”

Knowing my own motives and knowing what I really wanted from life made a difference, not then but in the future.

It is almost as though Ninjutsu is based on Buddhist enlightenment. What we all need is Vajra, a lightning bolt of self examination. A powerful questioning: “What exactly do I really want?”

Bodyflying

As a child I always used to dream of flying. I used to dream of being
able to float on the breeze soar above my house and school. The dreams
were so real and exhilarating. Perhaps this was why the moment I heard
about bodyflying I just knew I had to do it! I looked on the videos
online and was thrilled at how the giant air tunnel allowed you to
float above the ground like superman!

Here is the video of my flight.

It was an amazing experience. As soon as you are in the air there is
an instinct to put your hands out before you as you would to stop
yourself falling. Every tiny movement you make has an effect. Staying
stable is really an exercise in inner calmness. You have to make a
slight bend in your leg and keep your chin back so that the wind
current keeps you a float. Basically the more surface area you have
the higher you float decrease the surface area too much and down you
go!

Indiana Jones

In the true fashion of Indiana Jones. I am heading to the town of Opava in the Czech Republic to visit the the son of the legendary Czechoslovakian Magus Franz Bardon!

I plan to fly to Prague and then catch a series of trains. Something I am dreading due to me experiences with trains in Japan. It doesn’t matter how efficient the service if you don’t speak the language!

While I am there I hope to meet some of his remaining students visit his house and view some of his belongings. I also hope to use his amazing scrying mirror made from the 7 planetary metals.

The Art of Contentment

I have been meditating on the quality of 'contentment' of late; contentment as a power and ability. I was born with a restless spirit, I have a burning ambition that explodes in all directions. For this reason I am forever in search of ways to improve my mental control and develop my abilities. Nowadays I can pretty much stick to any discipline or regime I decide on without fail. However I have started to become convinced that the next step in my development is paradoxically learning to be content. If I could learn to be content then I could focus my energy more on what really matters and not use up energy on counter-productive emotions or goals.

But I am not the only person to ever think of contentment as a power:

The Taoist tradition holds that contentment can be the key to learning how to "own the world"

"Be content with what you have;
rejoice in the way things are.
When you realize there is nothing lacking,
the whole world belongs to you."
~Lao Tzu

Contentment comes from the French 'contenter' meaning to contain. So being content is when you learn to limit your wants to what you already have.

As soon as I read this I had a lightning bolt of Buddhist realisation. The true contentment, the greater contentment, was about accepting the true nature of the universe. The fact that noticing lasts forever. Everything changes and that we all have to be aware that sometimes it takes time for our will to manifest. Once we accept the true nature of the universe we are free to take action within its nature and to work with its direction. This is true power. But there's more -

The Ninja Truth

The word 'Ninja' means 'One Who Endures'.

Ninja Photos | Martin Faulks Could being content be something that allows us to endure? Perhaps it's not the the ability to stop the pain that allows the true ninja to stand under the waterfall, it's being content to experience the pain.

Ninja Grand Master Toshitsugu Takamatsu said -

"The way to experience ultimate happiness is to let go of all worries and regrets, and to know that being happy is the most satisfying of life's feelings. Reflect back on all the progress in your life and allow the positive, creative and joyous thoughts to outshine and overwhelm any sorrow or grief that may linger in the recesses of your mind. Knowing that disease and disaster are natural parts of life is the key to overcoming adversity with a calm and happy spirit. Happiness is waiting there in front of you. Only you can decide whether or not you choose to experience it. Take this to heart."

So perhaps acceptance of the hard things in life is the true root to Ninjutsu.

The Smith Machine

I had a go on a smith machine today. The Smith machine is a nifty bit of of gym

Smith machine

equipment used for weight training. Its basically a barbell fixed on rail on a steel frame. The bar has two hooks you can use to stop the falling of the bar with a twist of the arm. This means that you don't have a spotter. However I found that due to the bar being stuck in a totally liner motion you cant really move naturally. For this reason I found myself unable to squat anywhere near what I am used to. About 60kg when I would normal do 120.

Not much of a fan of the smith machine I am afraid. The problem is that's what most gyms have!

How to Lose Fat While Gaining Muscle

It is said to be impossible to lose fat and gain muscle at the same time. This is of course because you need a calorie efficient diet to gain muscle and a calorie deficient one to lose fat.

I however seem to be proving this to be wrong. In the last month or so I have lost a lot of body fat. My waist has gone down from 37 1/2 inches to 35 1/2. My arm measurement has remained at 15 inches in diameter during the whole process. However I have really started to pack the muscle on my chest and back and my lifts continue to increase. I am cutting up and my abs are starting to show. Its really motivating waking up every morning to a visible improvement.

How can this be possible?

Well there are I believe four main factors which are helping me to make this amazing transformation.

1. Diet
2. Pre-workout Nutrition
3. Creatine Monohydrate
4. Exercise

1. Diet

I make sure that I have a small calorie deficiency every day. I don't want to cut weight too fast so it's the fat that comes off. I also don't want to shock my body into starvation mode.

I have a standardised diet but vary what the meals are every week.

Here is my Daily Diet Plan -

Early Morning Snack
A piece of fruit, pint of water, teaspoon of Cod Liver Oil Kcal 223
2 scoops of Protein Powder in water Kcal 120

Breakfast Kcal 500

Brunch
Chicken Breast Kcal 350

Lunch Kcal 621

Mid afternoon Snack: 306
Pint of skimmed milk

Evening Meal Kcal 621

A piece of fruit, pint of water Kcal 100

Pre bed Drink: 2 scoops of Protein Powder in water Kcal 120

Total Daily Calories 2961

On workout days -

The same as above but with pre-workout
2 scoops of Protein Powder in water and Creatine Kcal 120

Total Calories 3081

Pounds of Body Weight 202
Required Calories 3030

2. Pre-Workout Nutrition

An Australian study by Cribb and Hayes published in 2006 proved without doubt that pre and post workout nutrition was the most important dietary factor in body building success. It demonstrated that those who consumed a mixture of glucose, protein and creatine before and after workout experienced an 87% higher increase in muscle mass, burned 3% more fat increased their strength by 36% more than those who took the same supplement in the morning and evening. I believe this demonstrates conclusively that a lot of muscle building is about having the nutrition available while you are working out. My theory is that as long as you are really disciplined about your pre and post workout nutrition you will continue to put on muscle even if you have a slightly calorie deficient diet.

3. Creatine Monohydrate

Creatine is a buffer in the Krebs Cycle. If you take this lovely natural supplement you will gain strength and energy and it has been proven to lead to increased water retention in the muscle that in turn somehow produces protein synthesis. I think this is helping me gain muscle too.

4. Exercise

I work out for an hour a day, one body part a day, 6 days a week. I do 4 exercises for four sets of 10.

My routine is -

Legs
Abs
Pecs
Back
Biceps
Triceps

I find this way I can exercise a lot more than if I overlapped on body parts like in Crossfit. It is proven that your body goes into fat metabolism after the first 20 - 30 minutes of exercise so this way I am burning fat every day.

Evolved from Tengu?

In every country legends of supernatural creatures appear; fairies, goblins and imps. It seems mankind holds a common belief in a race of mischievous little people to punish the foolish and trick the unwary.

Tengu martin faulks

In Japan this is also true. They have a belief in a race of bird people known as Tengu (天狗) which live in the forests and mountains.

Tengu translates as "Heaven Dog" and probably has an origin in the Chinese Tien Kou (T 天狗) or "celestial hound." The name is very misleading as nowadays the big-nosed crow-like Tengu looks nothing like a dog at all. Many people believe the name came from the appearance of a meteor with a tail, for it is said one hit China sometime in the 6th century BC and was never forgotten.

Tengu are popular with both followers of Shinto and Buddhism. Stories of their supernatural powers are abundant; these include their ability to shape-shift into human or animal forms and a kind of telepathic ability to speak to humans without moving their mouth. They can teleport instantly from place to place without using their wings. Masters of magic and sorcery, they often appear uninvited in people’s dreams.

The patron of martial arts, the bird-like Tengu is a skilled warrior and mischief maker, especially prone to playing tricks on arrogant and vainglorious Buddhist priests and punishing those who willfully misuse knowledge and authority to gain fame or position. In bygone days, they also inflicted their punishments on vain and arrogant Samurai warriors. They dislike braggarts and those who corrupt the Dharma (law).

Why the Long Nose?

Tengu are a paradox; they have a mischievous sense of humor and great cunning. They love playing tricks to punish the pretentious and arrogant. There favorite targets being Buddhist priests who misuse the teaching of Buddha and samurai who use there power for self aggrandizement. Indeed in much of the literature the Tengu take great revenge on nascent Buddhist sects.

However the Tengu’s long nose relates to their own pride and arrogance. It is said that those who are controlled by their pride can be cursed to become Tengu. Spiritual teachers or priests with no true knowledge, prideful egotistical individuals, those fascinated and attached to fame, all these people attract Tengu who play tricks on them and bring them to their fold. It is almost as if the Tengu are attracted to those like themselves.

The Ninja Connection

Japanese mythology has always held that the Ninja evolved from Tengu, for they have the same love of the dark and supernatural powers. It is an interesting story but fully understandable for scared peasants in awe of the Ninja skills. I always thought this was a fun story with little meaning, merely demonstrating the Ninja’s skills to cultivate a scary image to put fear into their enemies.

A Deeper Meaning

The true meaning of this story came to me last week. I was reading the book Japanese Sword Fighting by Masaaki Hatsumi. He talked about Tengu waza, Techniques of the Tenguin sword fighting. He mentioned that they represented a focus on a specific set of techniques to the exclusion of others and how by training like this allowed you to do amazingly impressive things but made you an unbalanced and egotistical martial artist.

Then the truth hit me. Tengu are symbols. They represent what happens to people if they don’t control their passions and pride. The whole myth about Tengu evolving into Ninja is symbolic and meaningful. People who come to the ninja art are attracted by the power it offers; they want to be strong and powerful. They are normally ‘Tengu’ - prideful individuals who want to show off and build themselves up; who boast and do anything to seem important. Their focus of the art is on developing skills they can show off and feel special about. A true martial artist covers all skills to develop his personality and balance his character, whilst gaining enlightenment.

I have met a lot of ‘Tengu’ in martial arts. In fact I, as Hatsumi describes, have always focused on specific areas; trying to build superhuman abilities, not balance - Tengu Waza. To develop into a true Ninja you need to follow the art for other reasons, move your skills into other areas and bring about balance.

My New Spy Watch!

Two of my best friends have opened there own spy gadget shop. Its on the back of their movie Erasing David. Its amazing. As soon as I saw the shop I noticed the spy watches. I had to buy one. Normally prices between £1000 and £700 they have them at £99. It can discreetly record high res video and audio for up to 9 hours! Its also a watch that you don’t have to buy batteries for as you just recharge is by plugging it into you computer (which you do to upload your movies). So what do you use it for. There are a lot of uses for it even if your not a spy. Well it’s a good way to record important meetings that you may need a record of later. It’s a wonderful way to make a record of anything you need to minute later but don’t have a pen handy or a way to record your thoughts. What will I will use it for. Well I am using it to write this blog. I just record my thoughts on the watch and then run it thought a speech recognition system. It’s a way to write books and articles for people like me who just can’t face time in front of a computer screen after work. Its always with me so I can add things when ever I think of them.

Get yours here

http://www.spyonyou.co.uk/

The Heart Sutra

heart sutra insight I have been reading the Sutras. I started with the Lotus Sutra and then read the Diamond and Heart Sutra. Ialways hate Buddhist writings they upset me and challenge my world view; I often put them down and have to come back to them later. I find the commentaries that are included really don’t help. I just need to get the writing themselves and really connect with them. The Lotus Sutra is really about realising that you are already perfect; that you have to stop pretending to be limited and have the guts to let go of your limitations and vices. The ones you hold on to because either you enjoy them or because you are not ready to take full responsibility for your life, actions and personality. The Heart Sutra however has a focus on nothingness . It’s a hard message. There is no 'you' , you have no body , no soul, no personality. You simply don’t exist as a separate entity. I found this a very hard thing to read.

Having finished the Sutra I lay on my bed, tired from the mental effort of the text. My mind rallied against the message. The argument being that separateness is a illusion. A tree is as much part of the globe as the hair is part of me. As you read these words are they part of me or part of you? Am I my body or my mind? Where is me? I was exhausted and pondered on this state of being. Was the air in my lungs part of me or not; was the oxygen in my lungs me or not? Was any part of my being? It is only there temporarily. My whole body is constantly renewing itself.

If my finger became self aware but was unaware of it being joined to my body would it think it was separate? Were the bacteria in my digestive system separate or part of me. What about the cells in my body. Like amoeba were they separate? Am I just a team of specialised single cell life forms working together? I tried to give up and go to sleep but my mind was stuck in gear. It strained against the idea and I couldn’t rest, sleep or stop looking for the answer.

Then something happened. My mind cleared and a beautiful calmness overcame me; I was in a state of indescribable bliss. The border lines of my perception melted away. Martin Faulks no longer existed. There was just being. I felt a overwhelming feeling of oneness - an underlying feeling that has never really left me since. This spiritual experience caused by the reading of the Sutra has made me realise theire words are a kind of shock treatment that allows you to understand the interconnectedness with everything. Making you realise you are a wave in the sea of life.

Lock Pick Key Ring

lock picking

In my youth I trained as a lock smith. Part of the skills I learned were how to pick locking various devices. Modernly I still practice this as part of my Ninja training. Lock picking is a very useful skill at teaches you sensitivity and the ability to stay calm though frustration. I was really excited to find this set of lock picks that fold out like a pocket knife. You get the tension wrench with is and its all under £5. Perfect for those moments when your friends forget their keys.

Freemasonry and the 'Art of Memory'

“For what we do presage is not in grosse,
For we be brethren of the Rosie Crosse,
We have the Mason Word and second sight,
Things for to come we can foretell aright

George Adamson, The Muses

hermetics One of the most amazing things about the Masonic path is those moments
of break through. They are hard to express to others and you can never
get across how important they are in words. Sometimes I go for months
with something musing in the back of my consciousness until there is
suddenly a moment of realisation. One recent example started while
walking up a mountain in Fuerteventura. Walking up the mountain I
noticed broken bones lying on the rocks, the inside of the bones had a
honeycomb structure and it reminded me of the Masonic symbol of the
beehive, which represents an inner building.

This whole idea of building something inside made me think of the
‘art of memory’. When I talk of the art of memory I don’t just mean
normal memorisation, although a lot of this does go on in Freemasonry
in the form of learning the Masonic ritual.

No, I mean the “The Art of Memory” or Ars Memorativa which was a far
more esoteric art popular in the Renaissance.

More than just a set of mnemonic principles to improve recall the art
of memory was said to able to assist in the combination and invention
of new ideas. The technique tended to use an Architectural Mnemonic;
that is to say the practitioner would start by memorizing a place,
which was done by imagining one self walking through about the
building in a set order. Then after you had practised this so many
times that you were able to effortlessly walk in your imaginary
building you would then have a framework and ordering structure for
future things. You could place images or signs within it to record
things you wish to memorise or to build inspirational ideas.

So for example to use this method for a speech one might walk through
a building several times visiting distinct places within it, in a set
order. After a few repetitions of this process, one could break up the
content of your planned speech into a list and choose signs, objects
or symbols placed in each room or place to memorize its parts.

The art of memory however was said to have some more amazing powers.
Some believed that using this method you could learn to travel into
the other world/manipulate spiritual forces or go back in time to a
period when the building first existed. So for example once could
build a temple of the body and fill it with symbols of blessing and
regeneration to bring about good health or build the original temple
of Solomon and travel back it time to learn from the great master.

For a long time I have been convinced that masonic ritual evolved from
the art of memory. The whole masonic ritual is based on
curcumambulation around the temple in a set route. Each degree has the
same structure as the previous one but with different symbols on the
pedestals and small variations in steps etc.

The question is what were the rituals originally designed to do. Were
the original rituals intended to create a temple of the soul and
impregnate them with symbols of morality. Were the masons building a
spiritual temple of Solomon to learn from the architectural lessons?
Did they believe they could travel back to get knowledge from the
past?

Promo Of the Big Cat Challenge

A Crown of Thorns

I have just returned from a holiday in Paris where my wife and I headed out for a week to offer our support to our friend Ileen Maisel during the filming of her new movie ‘Paris Connections’ , a film adaption of a Jackie Collins novel starring Nicole Steinwedell.

During the day we would be on set; in the evening we would go to all the normal tourist haunts like the Eiffel tower, the Arc de Triomphe or Notre Dame Cathedral. Our visit to Notre Dame was a moving one. I have visited many sacred spaces but nowhere has carvings like Notre Dame. The whole place is filled with mysterious and iconic figures in such detail that it is truly breathtaking. The feel of the place is so different to Rosslyn Chapel or St Paul’s cathedral. It is for more transformative and active. While I was there I witnessed a ceremony involving a worship and procession by men dressed in the uniforms of the Knights Templar carrying a set of relics including what is professed to be a crown of thorns, a shard of the true cross and a nail that had been through the hand of Jesus.

christian

To me the symbolism was suddenly clear. These were statements not just about the life of Jesus but about the path we all walk as sons and daughters of god. The cross is the weight we must bear, the nails the pain we must endure but what moved me most was the crown of thorns. It made me think about the story of Jesus on a different level.

It made me think of Rosicrucianism and the famous lines from Mozart’s magic flute “our path is like the rose because it has thorns”.

Anyone reading this blog who is on the path of spiritual development and the cultivation of virtue will instantly recognise the symbolism of the crown of thorns that we are all forced to wear as we continue to face ourselves and move towards our higher goals. The closer you get to your goals the more the outside world seems to mock and belittle you.

As the crown of thorns processed before the image of Mary, Mother of God I found myself thinking of her as a symbol for this ability we have inside us to be reborn and to change who we are inside; to die and to become something better than before. Were the nails, the shard of the cross and the crown of thorns genuine? I don’t know if they were. But is this important when they have the power to inspire even one man to embrace the hardship and push on to the greater good?

The Royal Ark Mariners

Recently I joined RAM. The Royal Ark Mariners. A Masonic side degree here in ....England..... It is said that this degree may be older than the Craft degrees of Freemasonry as Noah was originally the figure that we now know as Hiram Abiff.

The degree is simple but the meaning is deep. To me the whole thing was revealing the flood myth and the story of Noah as an analogy. The main figure of Noah is the self. The animals are the signs of the zodiac and the ark is your building yourself into someone so noble that you can pass through the flood of society and internal conflict to be a man of virtue against all odds.

But is there more to this? The Rainbow? The bible tells us that Noah was taken directly to heaven due to his virtue and faithfulness. Jesus is often depicted on a rainbow as is Hiram in some old masonic pictures and George Washington at his grave. Us RAM members wear Rainbow aprons. Is this to show our true aims as a Freemason?

Royal ark mariners

Ninjutsu and The Gordian Knot

In Greek legend, the Gordian knot was the name given to an intricate knot used by Gordius to secure his oxcart. Gordius, who was a poor peasant, arrived with his wife in a public square of Phrygia in an oxcart. An oracle had informed the populace that their future king would come riding in a wagon. Seeing Gordius, the people made him king. In gratitude, Gordius dedicated his oxcart to Zeus, tying it up with a peculiar knot. An oracle foretold that he who untied the knot would rule all of Asia.

Many people tried to undo the knot but all to no avail.

In 333 B.C. Alexander the Great had invaded Asia Minor and arrived in the central mountains at the town of Gordium; he was 23. Undefeated, but without a decisive victory either, he was in need of an omen to prove to his troops and his enemies that the outcome of his mission - to conquer the known world - was possible.

In Gordium, by the Temple of the Zeus Basilica, was the ox cart, which had been put there by the King of Phrygia over 100 years before. The staves of the cart were tied together in a complex knot with the ends tucked away inside.

Having arrived at Gordium it was inconceivable that the young, impetuous King would not tackle the legendary "Gordian Knot".

Alexander climbed the hill and approached the cart as a crowd of curious Macedonians and Phrygians gathered around. They watched intently as Alexander struggled with the knot and became frustrated.

Alexander, drew his sword, and in one powerful stroke severed the knot!

The world of Ninjtutsu is just like the Gordian Knot , confused and intricate. Hundreds of schools and authorities all claiming the truth. Bujinkan, Genbukan, Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū, Dux Ryu, To-Shin Do. Genbukan, Robber Busseys American Ninjutsu, Fuma Ryu , Jinenkan the list is endless.

All masters claim to be teaching the truth. They all claim to have the genuine teachings. But what is the truth? Many have tried to cut the Knot. I am going to take a sword and cut deep into the heart of the knot to reveal the truth.

Watch out for my book Becoming the Ninja next year.

The Greatest Guru

From the hermetic point of view Life and fate are our greatest teachers. The whole of the corpus hermeticum is an analogy. Hermes being taught by the mind of god in about learning from the whole of existence. To adopt these teachings we need to become Hermes who was taught still inside and watch the unfolding of the universe around him. Just as you control your body with your mind the mind of god moves the body of existence.

Everything has meaning and the challenges life place in your path are always an opportunity to learn. When a challenge is put in our way it’s a reminder that the divine has not forgotten us and that we can learn a lesson.

Everything that occurs in the natural world follows the laws of nature. By paying attention we can learn these laws and start to understand the workings of the divine order. Using the principles of “As above so below” and the Four Elements as the guide the Hermetic student can find the blessing of agathodaemon and the aeonic consciousness he so desires.

The Mirror of John Dee

Many people have heard of the legend of John Dee the eminent Elizabethan Magician, mathematician and astrologer. His studies into the Occult were legendary he was said to be the first secret government agent and had the code name 007!

However his name really started to mean something when he was hired as the personal royal court astrologer to Queen Elizabeth the first.

She first approached Dee for consultancy about the possible portents of a comet that had been observed in 1577. In 1581 under the queens instructions he started experiments in trying to contact discarnate entities through the medium of his crystal ball. The idea was that Dee was to make contact with the angels of Genie in charge of each country. With the aim of taking them under control for the good of the Queens empire. The ultimate form of spiritual warfare!

After two years of struggle Dee had some initial success but found the contact with the other world draining. Dee hired a gifted medium in the form of Edward Kelly. Kelly was a real rouge and had already had his ears cut of for the practice of necromancy.

In November 1582 using Dee's obsidian scrying mirror they made contact with the angel called , Uriel. Who dictated instructions for a magical talisman with which they could contact the spirit world more easily?

Over the following years using the mirror they made contact and received detailed instructions from a variety of spirits angels and demons. The Empire expanded in almost a direct proportion.

Many of their ritual objects including the Angel Mirror are now in the British Museum. I went to visit and looked into the mirror to see if the angels would appear to me. As I gazed into the mirror I saw a face staring back.

It was my own.

I found myself wondering if perhaps true angels are those amongst us who choose to secretly work for the greater good.

Interview with Martin Faulks Author of Secrets of Rejuvenation,Zen Warrior Exercises

Crossfit

Since my return from Japan I have been practising Crossfit as recommended I am my instructor Michael Pearce.

CrossFit is the principal strength and conditioning program for many police academies and tactical operations teams, military special operations units, champion martial artists, and hundreds of other elite and professional athletes worldwide.

The program delivers a fitness that is, by design, broad, general, and inclusive. The program is specialty is not specializing. Combat, survival, many sports, and life reward this kind of fitness and, on average, punish the specialist.

I found this to be the most challenging fitness regime I've ever undertaken and even after six hours martial art today in Japan 30 minutes to an hour crossfit is taking its toll.

The workouts are randomised and are posted on a website each day. It's six days on and one day off. This is considerably more work and a lot less recovery time that my muscles are used to. In addition to this low the movements are completely new to me drawn from the disciplines of powerlifting and gymnastics. After four days on the program I can already see my body starting to change. Losing both a significant amount of fat and muscle too. My whole body seems far more solid and compact. Here are the workouts so far. I just hope tomorrow doesn't involve anymore shoulder exercises!

Return from Ninjutsu Training in Japan

My time training at the Bujinkan Hombo dojo in Japan was both monumentally

testing and extraordanary inspirational. For me the two weeks were very hard

partily due to the training being both focused and lengthy (many days I was

training for over five hours solid) and partly due to my having to

completely change my attitude and approach in order to be able to grasp the

teaching of this art. In Japan the training is serious and disciplined. If

when applying a technique someone punches at you and you fail to block, you

will be hit. The training is for combat, not for fitness or for fun.

One other thing I found hard was adapting to a new way of life. Japan is so

very different to anywhere in the world I have ever been to. The culture,

the food, the attitude nothings is remotely similar to our western world.

The culture shock was unbelievable. No where else in the would you have

squid guts as part of the breakfast or share your morning bath with Japanese

business men. But no where else in the world has such beauty, wisdom and

spirituality entwined with there everyday culture.

During my time in Japan I was honoured to be taught by martial artist the

the calibre of which I have never seen before. Grand Master Hatsumi and

from long term personal students of his such as, Pearce Sensei, Nogichi

Sensei, Oguri Sensei, , Seno Sensai, Nagato Sensei. These men led me to

moments of epiphany that I could never have experienced in England. In fact

for me the whole trip was a enlightenment experience.

During the day I trained in every aspect of our Ninja art. Strikes blocks ,

pressure points, locks , sweeps throws and countless weapons, cat claws, ,

hanbo, bo, blow darts, throwing stairs, Kusuri-Gama, and various types of

sword. My whole time was full on unbelievable adventures both mystical and

martial.

Before my return I was honoured to be awarded a black belt in Bujinkan

Budo Taijitsu. This for me however signifies the start of my training in

this art not the end. After 5 years of practicing this art I am still just

building my foundation.

In Japan after 26 years of practicing martial arts I learned what it truly

means to be a martial artist and how best to learn the art.

To find out more about my lessons and adventures in learning the true Ninja

Art and the extraordinary things I have witnessed be sure to buy a copy of

my book Becoming the Ninja available early 2010

The Warriors Journey

Well the time has come for me to leave to travel to Japan. I'm going back to the source of my art and going back to land where Ninjitsu was born. In the Japanese spiritual tradition warriors often took journeys to find themselves and to seek enlightenment. It is said that during this journey you lose three things. You lose your name you lose your elements and you lose the void.

The name represents your reputation. In your normal environment people know who you are there no history to know your past achievements. None of these things can come with you so people judge you a fresh how you are presently without knowing the past. This for the spiritual warrior shows him the truth about himself. His present self. It's rather like a famous novelist publishing his work under a different name to see if it is skill or reputation has the effect.

The elements represents the way you cope with situations. This can be extremely telling because I'm in one environments for certain number of time interacting with the same events in the same people we tend to habitually respond in a certain way. When we are put into different situation with different people with no support mechanisms sometimes our strategies don't work we have to learn to adapt. Once again this can lead to an understanding of one's self and how we come across to others. Most importantly you help us learn to be more flexible and adaptable.

Finally the void. The void represents our illusions about how things work. When we moved into different environments we sometimes see the things that we thought were universal are not so. Different societies have different taboos different people different ways of doing things sometimes we see something so different that one of the underlying beliefs or misconception is that we have will have to change.

I found in the past when journeying all three elements to be true. Japan however is remarkably different to any other culture I know I fully expect this to be my greatest challenge both in terms of martial arts and in terms of personal development. I find myself full of both excitement and trepidation since I was a child I read about Masaaki Hatsumi. Now he will see my skill level of development firsthand and guided by his personal students and of course himself I had two weeks to absorb as much knowledge as I can. So I've only practised Ninjitsu for last five years of my life I really feel that everything I did for my birth has led up to this moment. The previous martial arts practised the championships I one in both martial arts, fencing and other sports. All this was preparation for the next two weeks of my life.

What do you buy for the Ninja Grand Master ?

I am planning to visit Japan to visit the dojo of 初見良昭 Hatsumi Masaaki the Grand Master of Togakure-ryū Ninjitsu.

Masaaki Hatsumi (初見良昭 Hatsumi Masaaki, born December 2, 1931) is the founder and current Soke, or Grandmaster, of the Bujinkan Organization, currently residing and teaching in the city of Noda, Chiba, Japan.[1] He is also a doctor of oriental medicine, specializing in the mending of bones.[2] He is sometimes called "the last ninja", as after the death of his teacher Toshitsugu Takamatsu in 1972 he was the only person in the world who mastered all the eighteen disciplines of ninjutsu.

I'm really looking forward to visiting and would like to take a gift for Soke Hatsumi. I however find myself unsure as to what to take on trying to find something suitable there will be of interest and value to him. I been trying to assert as to which text first mentioned the word ninja in English without much success. Has anyone got any ideas for me?

RIP Evan Tanner

you may or may not be aware of other name Evan Tanner. He was the former author at fighting championship middleweight champion. He always seemed to have a taste for a challenge. Whenever I see him fight or something disciplines are motionless and mysterious about him. He became known in his recent competitions for the great beard he'd grown, I can remember wondering if the bid offered some form of protection in all areas some kind of an advantage in the ring. Anyway Evan has recently made a comeback after a couple of years layoff from mixed martial arts and hadn't fared very well. He like many traditional martial artist for him decided he needed to train with mother nature had to face the roughness of the natural world.

He wrote the following on his blog

I'm hoping that very soon I'll be sitting out in the quiet of the desert beneath a deep blue midnight sky, listening to the calm desert breeze. The idea going into the desert came to me soon after I moved to Oceanside. It was motivated by my friend Sara's talk of treasure hunting and lost gold, and my own insatiable appetite for adventure and exploration. I began to imagine what might be found in the deep reaches of the untracked desert. It became an obsession of sorts.

"Treasure" doesn't necessarily refer to something material.

Today, I ran to the store to pick up a few things, and with the lonesome, quiet desert thoughts on my mind, I couldn't help but be struck with their brutally stark contrast to my current surroundings, the amazing congestion in which we exist day to day. The landscape as far as I could see, crowded, choked, with me and the rest of the species, an almost writhing mass of organisms, fighting over space and resources,....on the highways, in the parking lots, on the sidewalks, and in the ailse of the stores. And to think, there are still places in the world where man has not been, where he has left no footprints, where the mysteries stand secure, untouched by human eyes. I want to go to these places, the quiet, timeless, ageless places, and sit, letting silence and solitude be my teachers.

I've been gathering my gear for this adventure for over a month, not a long time by most standards, but far too long for my impatient nature. Being a minimalist by nature, wanting to carry only the essentials, and being extremely particular, it has been a little difficult to find just the right equipment. I plan on going so deep into the desert, that any failure of my equipment, could cost me my life. I've been doing a great deal of research and study. I want to know all I can about where I'm going, and I want to make sure I have the best equipment.

One more week. I think one more week, and I'll be ready to go.

Evans body was found in the desert. I suspect he gone for a run on the gone too far and could make his way back. It's terrible that this motivated spiritual one day warrior has left us. It makes me think of the Ninja tradition which I'm studying whereby one enters the mountains to challenge the forces of nature and find oneself. It makes me realise the true danger behind some of the things I'm attempting to do. It also inspires me. I feel we're at the start of a rebirth in martial arts. I believe that somewhere in the brutality of mixed martial arts is becoming reborn the true way of warrior. Something I believe the heart and spirit Evan Tanner represented.

Check out this event: THE MASONIC MAGICIAN

Hosted By: Martin Faulks
When: 16 Sep 2008, 19:00
Where Toye Kenning & Spencer
19-21 Great Queen Street
London, London and South East|66 WC2B5BE
United Kingdom
Description:
Martin Faulks

Click Here To View Event

Quest for the Lost Word

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The Cornerstone Society
Autumn 2008 Newsletter

2008 Conference
"Quest for the Lost Word"

The Cornerstone Society is pleased to confirm details of its 2008 Conference, entitled "Quest for the Lost Word" which will be held at Freemasons' Hall, London on Saturday 29 November, with registration starting at 12.45 pm. The Speakers will be Prof. John Grange, "With the Centre", Prof. Thierry Zarcone (CNRS, Paris), "Muslim Fascination with Freemasonry: Historic and Ritualistic Perspectives", Dr Henrik Bogdan (Gothenburg University) "The Quest for the Lost Word", Tom Bergroth (Grand Marshall of the Swedish Order) "The Swedish Rite" and Miss Pauline Chakmakjian (University of Wales, Lampeter), "Japanese Spirituality and Esoteric Freemasonry". Tickets are £16.50 per person for the Conference only (with light refreshments). For those who wish to dine, there will be dinner afterwards at the New Connaught Rooms at a cost of £29 per person excluding wine (total cost £45.50). Application forms and full details can be found on our website - bookings can also be made securely on-line.

Talks for Private Lodges
Bring Cornerstone to your Lodge

The series of lectures to private lodges will continue. Any lodge or chapter interested in discussing this further, please contact the Secretary.

Lapel Pin
Available now

The Cornerstone Society has commissioned an exclusive lapel pin. It has an enamel finish and bears the Society's distinctive logo in blue on a white background. For an image of the pin, click here. It measures approx 1.5 cm by 2.0 cm. The pin costs £6.50 plus postage and packing. P&P in the UK is £0.55 (first class). For overseas purchasers, the airmail cost to Europe is £0.85 and to the USA and the Rest of the World is £1.65. Buy one now from our website.

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secretary@cornerstonesociety.com

Sun Watch

Today the beneficent and divine grand matriarch of the Griffins took me to Sun Watch. A 2000 year old Native American village. It was really wonderful to visit there. You could still feel the presence of the tribe that used to live there.

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Kings Island

Well I just visited Kings Island with the amazing griffins!

I love american amusment parks. I love the signs that say "no smoking or eating on this ride". As if your going to take a packed lunch on a roller coaster and then finnish with a cigar!

roller coaster

A Humbling Experience

A Humbling Experience
Category: Travel and Places

I came to America to train with martial arts legend Stephen Hayes to find enlightenment. I was expecting to learn the mystical teaching of the ninja and to go home empowered. Enlightenment however comes in many forms and not all of them very easy to go through.

Those of you who know me well with know that I am a very experienced martial artist and that I have Black belts in multiple styles and am both a Regonal fencing champion and a four times UK National Martial Arts Association champion (Kuk Sool Won). So I came to America thinking a I had a very firm base to build on.

I was wrong.

In a recent session with Master Hayes I found myself completely unable to do anything. Every action I made defeated me. Compared to the art he is teaching here my previous combat methods seem childish. For more details on this interchange are going to have to buy my book when it comes out :)

To be honest its quite of nasty fall. I have a tendency to boast and build my past successes up. Its a hard dent to the pride when you cant live up to your own hype!

The interesting thing I learning in that in Ninjitsu through the Five elements of Earth Water Fire Wind and Void you learn alot about yourself. How you cope under pressure in the dojo tends to be very much how you deal with stressful situations in life.

More on this later.

Kusari-Fundo

Kusari-fundo

I have been learning to use this weapon. Its great as you can use a belt if you dont have on handy!

Kusari-fundo is a weighted short chain weapon that is closely-related to the kusari-gama in application. It is a close range weapon, ranging between approximately eighteen and thirty inches (45 to 76 Centimetres) in length. It is generally constructed of a non-reflective etched steel chain or thick rope for training purposes. This flexible weapon can be used to strike, snare, or entangle an assailant or their weapon.

It is rumored that the kusari-fundo was invented to disarm, disable or kill attackers of the imperial castle without bloodshed, as it was considered hallowed ground.

As with the kusari-gama and kyoketsu-shoge, striking attacks with the kusari-fundo utilize the very end of the weight in motion in order to generate the most leverage and impact. Striking trajectories include:

Tenchi furi: Rising or falling vertical strikes;
Yoko furi: Inward or outward horizontal strikes;
Happo furi: Inward or outward diagonal strikes; and
Naka furi: Forward shooting strikes

Independence Day

Yes I'm here for a great big celebration of America kicking our Ass! I have been invited by the Griffin family who I think may infact be the most pleasant and spiritual family in America, to join them today for this mysterious event!

For those of you who are not American ....

In the United States, Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. Congress approved the wording of the Declaration on July 4 and then sent it to the printer. Whether John Hancock, as the elected President of the Second Continental Congress, or anyone else signed the document that day is unknown, because that document has been lost — presumably destroyed in the printing process. Hancock's name and that of a witness do appear on the typeset broadside that was published within a few days. On August 2 in the following month, an engrossed document in script form was signed by Hancock and other delegates.

Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, picnics, baseball games, and various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States, but is often also viewed as simply a summer festival, apart from its patriotic overtones.

To Endure

Ninjitsu means the art of enduring. Something I am really having to to do here in Dayton Ohio. Im training 7 hours a day and my body is not recovering. Every day I wake up more tired. However I have waited many year to come here to study so I have to fight through. Its strange being away from everyone that normally supports you. You have to find something inside that normally is not needed.

First thoughts on America

First thoughts on America
Category: Travel and Places

I have arrived in Dayton Ohio. Im here to train with Ninja masters Stephen K Hayes so am in the dojo 8 hours a day but . . .

Here are my thoughts on America so far

The people are more friendly than in England. Far more helpfull and seem very happy.

Everything costs alot less.

There Shops are as big as our shopping malls.

The people dream of great things and are full of hope.

They dont get sarcasm.

Every drive pick up trucks but never seem to have anything in the back of them.

Sleep is not sacred here. People seem to be happy to wake each other up.

The Television is terrible. I mean really terrible. I find it very educational. Every time im near it i go a read a book instead.

Taco bell rules.

In summary. Almost everything you buy rent or stay in you will get a better value for money. Im typing this from the business room in my hotel. The hotel has two swimming pools and a gym. All free to use for guests. In the uk you would have to be in a very good hotel for this come as part of the package.

boarders books

Would you like to meet Percy Weasley From Harry Potter?

If so all you have to do is come to the Woods End Pub at Bramerton Near Norwich on Friday the 13^th of June!

pub

Where my friend Chris Rankin (Percy Weasley from Harry Potter) will be performing (yes he sings too).

Becoming the Ninja

ninja I have just signed a contract with Ian Allan Publishing to produce a title about Ninjutsu. I don’t mean Tai Jitsu or self defence. I mean Ninjutsu the whole art including the philosophy, stealth art, weapons and the mystical spiritual techniques of the Ninja. To do this I will have to travel across the globe to find the best masters. Its going to be a great challenge and a great adventure. Check my blog for regular progress reports.

Michael Halleran - The Masonic Mark Twain

One of the most amazing human beings I have met in this life time is Bro Michael Halleran.

Perhaps one of the most witty humans alive brother Halleran is the only example I known of a Englishman reincarnated into an Amercian. Residing in Emporia, Kansas when all the other boys were holding spiting competitions young Halleran was reading classics of English literature.

Famous though out the world for his Brother Brother stories published in the scottish rite journal .

If you read his blog you will see why to me Michael is a modern Mark Twain. I wonder if that makes me Tezla?

http://audevidetace.blogspot.com

A picture of me with Pete Waterman!

pete waterman and martin faulks

Meeting Pete Waterman

Well tomorrow I am off to a sales conference with Pete Waterman over a book I have requited him to write him to write for us. Can you guess what its about?

Pete Waterman

Born in Coventry, Waterman was a teenage train spotter at Leamington Spa railway station every Saturday morning. He enjoyed this so much, he began collecting railway equipment - some of which had been stolen, for which he was convicted of receiving stolen goods. Waterman had left school illiterate, not learning to read until the age of thirty eight.[1] The judge who convicted him gave him a six months suspended sentence, subject to him travelling to Wolverhampton on a free pass and making tea for the depot staff. After his six months service, the depot foreman offered him a job as a cleaner, from which he progressed to a fireman. After closure of the depot, Waterman choose to follow a career in music, being inspired by The Beatles. To supplement his income as a DJ, Waterman became a gravedigger and then an apprentice at General Electric Company, becoming a trade union official.

Musical career

Building a record collection through rare US imports, his DJ work began to take him across the UK, entertaining bigger crowds with a blend of R and B and soul music tunes he had sourced. Given a residency with the Mecca group, he developed new initiatives including matinee discos for under 18s at Coventry’s Locarno club, which gave him a valuable insight into what music interested a younger audience.

Waterman took up a job as an A&R man, and worked in the Philadelphia scene, which included introducing the Three Degrees to the UK. He then moved to Jamaica working with Peter Tosh and Lee Perry, and producing Susan Cadogan’s reggae-crossover hit Hurts So Good.

In 1979, Waterman set up Loose Ends with Peter Collins, the first coming under the name 14-18 with a single inspired by World War I - "Good-Bye-Ee," and then hits with artists like Musical Youth and Nik Kershaw. He then set up his own company PWL (Pete Waterman Limited), in 1984, quickly signing producers Matt Aitken and Mike Stock, who produced the Whatever I Do for Hazel Dean. The trio formed the team Stock Aitken Waterman, whom became one of the most successful musical production teams of 1980s.

To date, Waterman has scored a total of twenty two UK number one singles with his various acts and he claims upwards of 500 million sales world-wide (inclusive of singles, albums, compilation inclusions, downloads, etc). Pete has also appeared in the Steps video "Tragedy".

Television presenting

Waterman co-presented The Hitman and Her with Michaela Strachan. He also presented a show on Radio City.

In more recent years, Waterman has appeared as a judge on both series of Pop Idol in the UK, and also Popstars: The Rivals, the latter leading him to become manager of the winning boy band One True Voice. Waterman said to rival judge Louis Walsh that if One True Voice failed to reach the 2002 Christmas number one in the UK, he would commit suicide. One True Voice were duly beaten to the number one spot by Girls Aloud, the programme's winning girl group, managed by Walsh. Waterman returned as judge for the second series of Pop Idol, but was constantly critical of the eventual winner, Michelle McManus, and was unashamedly unhappy when her victory was announced. Waterman has since said he will not appear on any similar programmes in future

Following his interests in railways, Waterman presented a historic self-retrospective view in Waterman on Railways for Channel Four/the Discovery Channel. Waterman also appeared in an advert by the National Blood Service in the UK, their sixth TV advert which also features Carol Smillie and Will Carling.

Outside music

In 1988 he revived the name of the London and North Western Railway Company for his rail vehicle maintenance business, based at Crewe, which is now the largest privately owned rail maintenance business in the country. He also has an interest in model railways, and is the founder of the model railway business 'Just Like the Real Thing', which specialises in O scale kits. He works closely with model-maker Malcolm Mitchell on this project. He continues to retain an interest in the company and regularly accompanies its sales stand to model railway exhibitions. Waterman has an extensive private collection of railway models and railway layouts, in O scale and larger gauges.

In addition to his passion for music and the railway, Waterman is also a huge supporter of Walsall FC. He is also a rugby league fan and is president of Rugby League Conference side Coventry Bears.

In the New Year's Honours List published 31 December 2004 he was given an OBE for his services to music. In December 2006, he became a patron of the newly formed charity, the City, Lambeth and Southwark Music Education Trust.

The Power of Hodapp

It been really great Since becoming master of Burlignton half of Masonic America have been in touch to say well done and congratulations!

Today a found out how they all knew. By the Power of Hodapp! Chris Hodapps Blog! Thanks Chris you a kind man.

Martin Faulks, Master-elect

Nosing about in other peoples' calendars, I see that my friend and brother Martin Faulks will be installed as Master of Burlington Lodge No. 96 in London on Tuesday, March 4th.

He is also currently the immediate Past Master of Cabbell Lodge No. 807, in Norwich.

I had the great opportunity of spending a little time with Martin and his thoroughly delightful bride Pip at the International Conference on the History of Freemasonry last year in Edinburgh. Martin is the marketing manager of Lewis Masonic, Britain's oldest publisher of Masonic books, and Pip is a writer, editor and illustrator. They live in Suffolk. And they are the only people I know who actually own a chinchilla.

Congratulations, Martin, on your year in the East.

http://freemasonsfordummies.blogspot.com/2008/03/martin-faulks-master-elect.html

The Masonic Magician

Here is the cover design and the blurb for my wife latest book

To be published October 2008

Miracle-worker or man of straw? Count Alessandro Cagliostro was a cult figure of European society in the tumultuous years leading to the French Revolution. An alchemist, healer and Freemason, he inspired both wild devotion and savage ridicule – and novels by Alexander Dumas, a drama by Goethe and Mozart's opera The Magic Flute.

Cagliostro's sincere belief in the magical powers, including immortality, conferred by his Egyptian Rite of Freemasonry won him fame, but made him dangerous enemies, too. His celebrated travels through the Middle East and the capitals of Europe ended abruptly in Rome in 1789, where he was arrested by the Inquisition and condemned to death for heresy.

The Masonic Magician tells Cagliostro's extraordinary story, complete with the first English translation of the Egyptian Rite ever published. The authors examine the case made against him, that he was an impostor as well as a heretic, and finds that the Roman Church, and history itself, have done him a terrible injustice.

This engaging account, drawing on remarkable new documentary evidence, shows that the man condemned was a genuine visionary and true champion of Freemasonry. His teachings have much to reveal to us today not just of the mysteries of Freemasonry, but of the mysterious hostility the movement continues to attract.

Click here to Pre Order your copy

My Beautiful Wife’s Beautiful Website !

My wife as you may already know is a professional author.

Have a look st her website, comment her guest book, let me know what you think!

Philippa Faulks

Today I Became Famous!

Yesterday Turning the Templar Key the latest book by the best selling author Robert Lomas came out.

I wrote the foreword for this and am also pictured on the cover!

Here is the main cover

turnign the thempalr key

Here is the detail of the mason on the left.

Here is the picture the artist based it on

click here to read my foreword.

Visit http://www.turningthetemplarkey.com for more details!

THE GOLDEN COMPASS WORLD PREMIERE

I have just returned from the world premiere of the Golden Compass London. It was quite an amazing walking the red carpet in style followed by the lenses of photographers and news crews from around the globe. Many fans of the stars of the movie had been queing since 8am to catch a glimpse of the celebrities as they made their way to the very first viewing of the highly anticipated adaptation of Philip Pullman's novel Northern Lights. It's a strange feeling to walk down that red carpet with crowds of film-fans watching. Just above the entrance to the cinema three large gas flares had been mounted. They cast intermittent flickering flashes of light across the darkness of the square, and every minute or so each of the flames exploded in sequence with a loud crack. It sounded like the deep throated boom of an enormous drum. Their thumping background track made the whole experience quite amazing.. Ahead of me on the red carpet was Daniel Craig and his elegant girlfriend Satsuki Mitchell who we caught a glimpse of before we were ushered into the cinema...

pip faulks martin faulks and pip faulks film

Then after on screen interviews with each of the actors which was to be aired on t4 later that week. Before the film started Chris Weitz stood up in front of the screen and introduced some of the team who make the film work. And among them we got our only chance to see Pantalaimon's voice (Lyra's daemon), wearing a smart yellow jumper. We the audience clapped each one in turn as they walked in front of the towering Odeon screen to join the line-up. And you know what? It's surprising how small actors really are when they stand in front of that big, big screen, instead of being projected on it. But despite not being projectorially enlarged Eve Green and Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig Stan Elliot was over-poweringly super-hairy and Dakota Blue Richards smiled so sweetly she melted the heart of every father who is lucky enough to have a daughter. It made for an electric atmosphere in the theatre as the film-makers trooped off, the microphone was whipped away, the lights dimmed and the curtains slowly opened.

nicole kidman

Then followed a real treat, two hours of a magical world of Daemons, Gyptians and the Kingdom of the Ice Bears. Children and adults alike thrilled to the charms of the Daemons - (pronounced DEE-mon) which is the individual's soul that inhabits that of their animal companion. Children's Daemons change shape and species until they formalise into one when the child reaches adulthood. The main character Lyra (played by Dakota Blue Richards) has an adorable Daemon called Pantaleimon or Pan for short, whose voice is provided by Freddie Highmore. We all fell in love with Pan and the character of Lyra is every little girls dream - feisty, independent and eternally brave. Dakota Blue was superb and really was the essence of the film encapsulated - magical, strong and moral. This is the kind of films children should be shown to insire them to be good people.

In a world dominated by the eerie power of the Magisterium, Lyra finds herself drawn into the adult world of danger and mystery. After her Uncle Asrail (Daniel Craig) sets off on a seemingly doomed expedition to the North, Lyra is recruited by the beautiful but sinister Mrs Coulter (Nicole Kidman) as her assistant. After fleeing from Mrs Coulter (and her horrible Daemon!) Lyra embarks on a dangerous and terrifyingly exciting mission to rescue her friends from the clutches of the Magisterium's experimental faction aided by the nomadical Gyptians, a Texan cowboy aeronaut and the most beautiful and fearsome armoured ice bear called Iorek Byrnison. We are continually thrilled and dismayed as the story pulls us from delight to danger and back again. The special effects are superb and the sets magnificent. During an exhilarating fight between Iorek and the King of the Ice Bears, we were on the edge of our seats willing Iorek to win - a resounding cheer went up at the end!

All in all a masterpiece and one that children and adults alike will thoroughly enjoy this at Xmas.

After the film came the Premiere party at Tobacco Dock where a warehouse had been transformed into a wonderland for our entertainment. We alighted our coach to the magnificent setting of drifting snow and an aerobatic display by a young lady dangling elegantly from a large balloon! Surrounded by "guards" from the film, we were welcomed by "Iorek" - a kinetic replica of the Ice Bear. Inside the building was as enchanting as outside - a snowy tree-lined avenue guided us to the main area where there were differently themed rooms to reflect the concepts of the film, complete with Daemons. Everywhere glittered and was magnificently adorned with chandeliers, props from the film and a variety of different "climates" were reproduced from mysterious fogginess to the delicately drifting snow of the North! Everybody mingled happily and we were often whisked past by Dakota Blue (and friends) who was utterly charming and delightfully down-to-earth. Finally in the early hours we were driven back to our hotel and left to revel in what was one of the most magical evenings I have had the pleasure to experience!

The Unknown Elementalist

He is one of the most important but least known magicians and spiritual teachers of the Twentieth Century. He published a complete path of spiritual and magical development that is completely based of the four elements and stands beyond any tradition. Known only through the four books he wrote which were published in the 1950's and through the writing of his students. Many have borrowed his techniques and terminology without giving him proper credit, indeed no matter what tradition you follow the chances are you are practicing at least one exercise from Franz Bardons first book "Initiation Into

But who was Franz Bardon?

Unlike most "Magus" of the time Bardon seemed far more interested in producing something of value than he did in trying to create a legend about himself. Indeed unlike a few other authors that could be mentioned he hardly ever mentions himself in any of his works. To find more about Franz Bardon we need to read the accounts of his life left by others. Our two main sources are Frabato the Magican an occult novel/biography or Franz Bardon written by his secretary Otti Votavova and Memories of Franz Bardon by his son Lumir and his student Dr M.K. Though the two accounts do have some contradictions they all agree on the following.

Franz Bardon was the oldest of 13 children, and the only son of a very devout Christian mystic, Viktor Bardon. Viktor felt that he was unable to obtain his spiritual goals and prayed that he receive this blessing. The story is that a sudden change came over his son. His parents and teachers become amazed by the sudden change as the boy developed a calm and wise temperament over night. An advanced soul entered the body of his son Franz to become Viktor's spiritual teacher.

We are told nothing more about Bardon until he is an adult when he makes a living as stage magician with a twist! Under the stage name Frabato (Franz Bardon- Troppau-Opava) we are given accounts of his performance in which he demonstrated genuine magical abilities where most stage magicians use tricks. The reading of minds, healing, astral projection,Mind control, levitation and much more. A little research assured me that Bardon did indeed gain some fame in Germany in the 1920's and 1930's under the stage name "Frabato"

A life of Persecution

As Adolf Hitler and his Nazi party gained power in the 1930's occultists and spiritual groups were banned. Gipsy and Freemasons were taken to the concentration camps along with the Jews. In occupied country followers of the old ways were hunted down.

Otti Votavova states that Hitler belonged to the legendary "FOCG" or "99 Lodge" of black magicians, described in Frabato The Magician. In both accounts we hear of the attempts of this organisation to bring Franz Bardon into their fold and the eventual magical battle that ensures. Bardon however is eventually arrested by the Nazis and imprisoned in late 1941 along with one of his students. While the prisoners were being whipped, the disciple lost his control and uttered a kabbalistic formula to immobilize the torturers. However, the effects of the formula eventually wore off and the disciple was shot in revenge. When he refused to help them, the Nazis cruelly tortured Bardon. Among other things, they performed operations without anesthesia, and forged iron rings around his ankles and fixed heavy iron balls to them.

After regaining his freedom, Bardon recommenced his occult work and healing. This type of thing was strongly discouraged in the very repressive political climate of post war Czechoslovakia and indeed it turns out that the new Russian Communist ideologies persecuted free-thinkers, Gypsies, Jews, and anyone interested in the occult or esoteric subjects as efficiently as the former Nazi Rulers. In 1958 Bardon was arrested by the communist government for his occult practices and died the same year under mysterious circumstances.

Franz Bardon's Teachings

Bardon's works are most notable for their simplicity, their relatively small theoretical sections, and heavy emphasis on practice. Franz Bardon is of the old school of occult thought. To him we are dealing with real spiritual forces that you can learn with practice to draw into yourself and control, direct and condense. In his books you will find instruction on all magical exercises Talismans,astral projection, mediation, control of the elements, concentration, mind reading, self hypnosis,spirit summoning, magical words and gestures, healing, Clairvoyance meditation/mental control, refining and balancing of the spirit, control of the elemental powers, conversation with unseen beings, astral projection, scrying, invocation of higher forces, invisibility, construction of talismans, fluid condensers, creation of elemental beings, magical pictures, loading and protecting a room/space and much much more.The whole course is completely based on the Four elements and directed towards physically tangible results. One thing that makes an en

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