Master Kim's writings have that unusual quality of making him so relatable to the reader that it almost seems as if they've known him their whole life. No one better than he is at addressing the most profound and difficult issues of practice in a simple, short story.
Master Kim's writings have the unusual virtue of making him so relatable to the reader that it almost seems as if he has known them his whole life. No one better than he is able to address the deepest and most difficult themes of martial arts practice in a simple, short story. He, like no other, knew how to grasp the mystery and power inherent in these practices with elegance and restraint. Erudite, well-informed, and thoughtful, he summarized the essence of a topic in four words with superb mastery. Consequently, each chapter of this book is a koan in the form of a short story, a reflection on the philosophy underlying martial arts, an invitation to delve deeper into its mysteries, an open door to what, ultimately, all those who begin martial arts practice are seeking. The uniqueness of this book comes from its simplicity. It doesn't matter whether you are a practitioner of martial arts or Zen or not; the anecdotes and stories it presents are a captivating invitation to delve into the mysteries of life and humanity. The warrior's way here takes on its full dimension as a path of knowledge, without which these practices would be merely a physical or folkloristic activity. "If you could change your way of seeing the world, the world would be different, and of course, doing this is much easier than trying to change the world." This quote from Master Kim sums up his perspective on things and demonstrates a fantastic wisdom and sense of humor. The path is internal; otherwise, it is not a true path. Martial Arts thus acquire a real and profound meaning, which springs from all his writings. Going abroad without having one's own house in order is a constant temptation for many, demonstrating enormous presumption and arrogance. Master Kim firmly points to the inward path as the true path of transformation and growth, and he does so with a charming and shrewd approach, a characteristic that, according to those who knew him, adorned his peculiar and "colorful" style.
