The Spiritual Practices of the Ninja: Mastering the Four Gates to Freedom PDF
Preview The Spiritual Practices of the Ninja: Mastering the Four Gates to Freedom
Praise for The Spiritual Practices of the Ninja Ross Heaven is the Joseph Campbell of our times. He brings street cool to spirituality. —J. L. SHREEVE AUTHOR AND JOURNALIST FOR THE INDEPENDENT, THE GUARDIAN, THE FINANCIAL TIMES, AND MAXIM MAGAZINE Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell meet the Ninja warrior traditions! This is spirituality with attitude—a wide-ranging, sharp psychological analysis of what it really takes to create happiness and freedom for ourselves. This book tells the truth, and because it’s honest, it will help you find your path to power. —TANIA AHSAN EDITOR OF PREDICTION MAGAZINE Ross Heaven is a spiritual warrior. If you apply the lessons of this book to your life you will find the freedom and happiness you seek. —HOWARD G. CHARING DIRECTOR OF THE EAGLE’S WING CENTRE FOR CONTEMPORARY SHAMANISM Reading this book you can discover the qualities of a true warrior, truthfully presented. —DAVE COURTNEY, OBE AUTHOR OF STOP THE RIDE, I WANT TO GET OFF I just want to thank you for all your help in getting me to a point where I can accept my true self. I feel so different and see differently. This is where it begins for me! —JENNY RAYNER PUBLISHER OF SPIRITUAL LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE You have been drawn to this book because life has chosen this moment to reveal something of itself to you. This is an extraordinary book. All that is required of you is your commitment and willingness to become all that you are. You are right on time to read what you are about to read. —DR. MARK ATKINSON AUTHOR AND COMPLEMENTARY HEALTH EXPERT FOR GMTV (GOOD MORNING TELEVISION) AND NOW MAGAZINE The longest part of the journey is said to be the passing of the gate. —MARCUS TERENTIUS VARRO Believe . . . there’s a change for you and me. —DAMIEN RICE ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND THANKS This book is for my children: my daughters Amelia and Jodie and my son Ocean (because “Once you know your story, you can choose your truth”). It is also for Arran (for the same reason). And a big hug to Teertha and baby Jaiden. Thank you to . . . Damien Rice and Bernadette—for support, permissions, and a night out in Brixton. Sensei Gary Arthur—for training. Ram Chatlani, legal genius and spiritual Master—for services to truth and justice. Simon Buxton—for your never-less-than-valuable insights into what “friendship,” “integrity,” and “spirit-driven” really mean. And Saffron, true Hinin—for insights into geis and laughs along the Way. May God’s love be with you, always (or at least till the end of verse one)! CONTENTS Foreword: The Four Gates to Freedom by Mark Atkinson Preface: In the Beginning . . . Introduction: Who Were the Ninja? ONE The Initiation into Being: Boldness Has Genius Beginning the Journey of this Book TWO The Map of the Four Gates FACING THE FEAR, WALKING ON FIRE THREE Ka (Fire): The Lover Meets Fear The Origins of Anxiety EXERCISE 1—SHIBOU: THE CONCEPTION JOURNEY FOUR Fear, Free Will, and Freedom Seeing Fear for What It Is EXERCISE 2—WAGAMI (MYSELF): DESCRIPTIONS OF YOU EXERCISE 3—MEETING THE FIRST FEAR EXERCISE 4—KINESHIOROJI: EXPLORING THE BODY’S TRUTH FIVE The Initiation of the Lover: Burning Through Techniques for Overcoming Fear EXERCISE 5—YOUR FEAR MENTOR EXERCISE 6—CHAMBARA: PLAYING A ROLE IN THE THEATER OF THE ABSURD EXERCISE 7—FIRE MOVEMENT EXERCISE 8—THE INVENTORY: BURNING AWAY THE PAST EXERCISE 9—THE BREATH OF FIRE BREATHING WATER SIX Sui (Water): Dreams of Power and the Seeker’s Quest On the Nature of Power EXERCISE 10—YOUR LIFE MISSION SEVEN The Initiation of the Seeker Techniques for Recovering Power and Finding Purpose EXERCISE 11—THE PEOPLE WHO PRESS YOUR BUTTONS EXERCISE 12—CUTTING TIES TO THE PAST EXERCISE 13—THE WORST-CASE SCENARIO EXERCISE 14—UNDERSTANDING YOUR EMOTIONS EXERCISE 15—CLOUD GAZING AND WATER BREATHING: SENSING THE FLOW INTO THIN AIR EIGHT Fu (Air): The Magus Facing Confusion Faith Versus “Truth” EXERCISE 16—KONPAKU: MEETING YOUR SOUL-SELF NINE The Initiation of the Magus: Letting Go of Confusion Techniques of Clarity EXERCISE 17—THE TWO ROADS EXERCISE 18—BREAKING HABITS EXERCISE 19—THE HOOKS OF THE PAST EXERCISE 20—MAKING BUSHIDO KNOWING THE EARTH TEN Chi (Earth): The Soul Warrior’s Fatigue Avoiding the Wide Arms of Sleep EXERCISE 21—ANKOKUTOSHIJUTSU: DEPRIVED OF LIFE EXERCISE 22—CREATING AN ACTIVE KAMI-DAMA ELEVEN The Initiation of the Soul Warrior: Staying Awake Techniques for Overcoming Soul Fatigue EXERCISE 23—RECONNECTION EXERCISE 24—EARTH STONE MEDITATION EXERCISE 25—RESTORING YOUR SOUL MAKING LIFE YOUR ARTFORM TWELVE Ku (Void): Spiraling into the Void Through the Gates for the First Time—Becoming the Mystic and Elder EXERCISE 26—YOU ARE ALL THERE IS EXERCISE 27—HEARING THE PRIMAL SELF EXERCISE 28—THE KUJI-IN FOR THE VOID EXERCISE 29—FINDING YOUR SONG Footnotes Notes Workshops, Books, Tapes, and Trips by Ross Heaven Acknowledgments and Thanks About the Author About Inner Traditions Books of Related Interest Copyright DISCLAIMER The meditations, exercises, and personal experiences of the author, his students, and clients included in this book are for interest purposes only. The exercises presented have been tested in many workshops, client healings, and other real-life applications. No harm has ever come to any participant as a result. It is important, however, to act sensibly and responsibly when undertaking any introspective or spiritually challenging work. Your attention is especially drawn to the author’s experiences with the elements—firewalking, breathing under water, the “leap of faith,” and the “burial of the warrior”—and you are advised not to attempt these yourself without expert supervision from someone familiar with and able to teach you these techniques. Any application of the approaches in this book remains at the reader’s own risk and the authors and publishers disclaim any liability arising directly or indirectly from their use.
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