You have heard time and again that the study of the martial arts can lead
to many levels of personal improvement. Now, you can find out how! In this ambitious treatment of the non-physical and sometimes non-conscious teachings offered by traditional martial arts instruction, Tony Annesi outlines the essence of self-development as it leads to the higher level of awareness and achievement known as "Mastery." The students who approach Mastery actually travel two roads, one physical and the other conceptual passing by five signposts on their climb up the mountain. Their physical skills hold hidden conceptual lessons and their mental development sometimes reveals reveals spiritual lessons. Beyond the gates of traditional budo lies the Road to Mastery. This is your guidebook. "Whether you are new to the martial arts or a decades long practitioner, The Road to Mastery by Tony Annesi should be in your library. Based on his piercing and lifelong commitment, it maps a path that few have traveled. A must for greater understanding of, and insight into, the martial arts." -- Sensei Lynn Kelch
"I believe that self-development, both in and out of the martial arts, is one of the most important studies a person can undertake. I started my journey in Takeshin Karate at age 40 as a non-athlete and my motivations for training were as unique as any martial artist's in any dojo. We all train for different reasons and have different strengths and weaknesses. To have all of these areas addressed with such clarity and logic was an unexpected boon to me. As a dear friend, the author and I have talked long into the night about some of these subjects. If you have not had that privilege, I suggest you read The Road to Mastery." -- Allison Negus Reynolds
"The ambitious Road to Mastery investigates meanings of budo in relation to martial skill and skill in life, asking how learners learn and martial arts teach, exploring the roles of technique and principle, and considering how to keep learning the goal so that we can achieve our goal without fail, thriving in the process and more in the progress. I highly recommend this material to anyone engaged in serious study of martial arts."
-- Dr. C. W. DeMarco, Senior Lecturer in Philosophy, Clark University
PART ONE: FOUNDATION- INITIAL MOTIVATION...13
Chapter One: The Martial Artist as Hero and Artist...15
PART TWO: FORM & TECHNIQUE
WHAT IS SELF-DEVELOPMENT?...37
Chapter Two: The Five Cs...39
Chapter Three: Taking Action...49
PART THREE: VARIATION-
HOW DO THE MARTIAL ARTS TEACH?...59
Chapter Four: Types of Learning in the Martial Arts...60
Chapter Five: Analogies...64
Chapter Six: Lifelessons...74
Chapter Seven: Hidden Lessons...98
PART FOUR: PRINCIPLES-
WHAT IS MASTERY?...127
Chapter Eight: The Qualities of a Master...128
Chapter Nine: Mastery: Resolving Paradox...143
PART FIVE: FULL CIRCLE-
ATTAINING MASTERY...1631
Chapter Ten: Striving, Arriving Thriving...164
Martial Arts DVDs & Seminars
