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Karate on a Cushion: A journey into Zen
After thirty years of full-contact karate, it was time for Goran to sit down for a well-earned rest. And discover what sitting on a cushion and staring at a wall could reveal about the martial arts, and life. His journey led to a new dojo, a new sensei, and a Zen master who traced his origins all the way back to the first patriarch of Zen and martial arts, Bodhidharma. Soon he was studying beautiful writings that made no sense and finding sitting on a cushion wasn’t nearly as relaxing as he’d hoped. But slowly, he was getting to grips with an ancient practice of body and mind that was less spiritual, and more real than anything he’d ever imagined.
223 pages, Paperback
Published March 10, 2020
11 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
Goran Powell
11Ìýbooks60ÌýfollowersGoran is a writer who holds a 5th Dan in Goju Ryu Karate. He lives in London and teaches and trains at Daigaku Karate Kai, one of the UK's strongest clubs. In 2006 his first book Waking Dragons was an instant bestseller on Amazon's martial arts listing and is now in its second edition. In 2008 he co-produced the highly acclaimed Four Shades of Black written by his Sensei Gavin Mulholland.
Goran's first novel 'A Sudden Dawn' tells the story of Bodhidharma (Da Mo / Daruma) who founded Zen and Martial Arts in the Shaolin Temple. His second novel CHOJUN is historical fiction set on Okinawa around the time of WW2 and tells the story of young man training in karate with the renowned master Chojun Miyagi (the 'real' Mr Miyagi).
Goran’s martial arts experience began in 1972 when he took up Judo In 1984 he moved to London and trained in Shotokan karate, Kyokushinkai and Taekwondo before settling on Goju Ryu karate. In 2002 he completed the gruelling 30 Man Kumite, writing up the experience in his bestselling book Waking Dragons.
In 2007 he achieved the rank of 4th Dan after demonstating skill in modern and traditional weaponry. Goran still teaches and trains regularly and is assistant coach to the MMA team DKK Fighters.
Goran's first novel 'A Sudden Dawn' tells the story of Bodhidharma (Da Mo / Daruma) who founded Zen and Martial Arts in the Shaolin Temple. His second novel CHOJUN is historical fiction set on Okinawa around the time of WW2 and tells the story of young man training in karate with the renowned master Chojun Miyagi (the 'real' Mr Miyagi).
Goran’s martial arts experience began in 1972 when he took up Judo In 1984 he moved to London and trained in Shotokan karate, Kyokushinkai and Taekwondo before settling on Goju Ryu karate. In 2002 he completed the gruelling 30 Man Kumite, writing up the experience in his bestselling book Waking Dragons.
In 2007 he achieved the rank of 4th Dan after demonstating skill in modern and traditional weaponry. Goran still teaches and trains regularly and is assistant coach to the MMA team DKK Fighters.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 2, 2020
I have read several of Goran Powell’s fiction works, because I loved that, as a long-time martial artist, he brought aspects of martial arts, along with realistic combat, into his writing. It also doesn’t hurt that those books were also well-written to boot.
He has also done several non-fiction books, and while I was aware of them, I never checked them out. However, when I found out about this book, I was definitely intrigued.
I’ve practiced martial arts for over two decades, and I’ve also tried to follow the middle path of Zen Buddhism, although it’s more via practice and principles than actually putting butt on cushion. I do try to connect mentally with nature when I’m outside, engage in walking meditation, consider all beings part of the sangha, etc.
The premise of the book is that Powell decides to venture into Soto Zen, something he has a passing familiarity with but had never practiced. Nice and simple, but the journey, as with anything Zen, is the point.
One thing I really liked about Powell’s story is that he was brutally honest about himself, as I would hope a long-time practitioner of martial arts would be. If he struggled with sitting still, focusing, judging others, or what have you, he would call himself out on it. It would be easy for someone with all the years of discipline, not to mention full-contact competition, Powell has gained to say that simply sitting still was a breeze and no big deal.
I also liked the comparisons between his Zen practice and martial arts training, most of which I had noticed before. So, it was good to know I was not alone on those fronts.
Overall, this was a good read, in a very casual laid-back prose style, that I zipped through in no time. I even made some notes in the Kindle document for later reference. Who knows, maybe I might just start spending more time with butt on cushion.
He has also done several non-fiction books, and while I was aware of them, I never checked them out. However, when I found out about this book, I was definitely intrigued.
I’ve practiced martial arts for over two decades, and I’ve also tried to follow the middle path of Zen Buddhism, although it’s more via practice and principles than actually putting butt on cushion. I do try to connect mentally with nature when I’m outside, engage in walking meditation, consider all beings part of the sangha, etc.
The premise of the book is that Powell decides to venture into Soto Zen, something he has a passing familiarity with but had never practiced. Nice and simple, but the journey, as with anything Zen, is the point.
One thing I really liked about Powell’s story is that he was brutally honest about himself, as I would hope a long-time practitioner of martial arts would be. If he struggled with sitting still, focusing, judging others, or what have you, he would call himself out on it. It would be easy for someone with all the years of discipline, not to mention full-contact competition, Powell has gained to say that simply sitting still was a breeze and no big deal.
I also liked the comparisons between his Zen practice and martial arts training, most of which I had noticed before. So, it was good to know I was not alone on those fronts.
Overall, this was a good read, in a very casual laid-back prose style, that I zipped through in no time. I even made some notes in the Kindle document for later reference. Who knows, maybe I might just start spending more time with butt on cushion.
April 7, 2022
Absolutely superb book on the bridge between Zen and Karate. Very accessible and easy to read, balancing deeper topics with light hearted ones. In many ways made me feel less alone in this space. Definitely worth a read for anyone interested in these topics.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
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