It is with some sadness that Occam's Broadsword reports the death of Dr. Glenn Morris, 9th Dan Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu, on April 1, 2006. (If Dr. Morris reveals this to be an April Fool's Day joke, I'll be taking back all the nice things I say below...)
Dr. Morris was a lifelong practitioner of various Asian Martial, healing, and mystic arts, including jujutsu, kung fu, kundalini, and yoga. While teaching at a small, liberal arts college, Dr. Morris began to develop his own blended martial art called Hoshin-jutsu, or Hoshin chi gung. The curriculum that developed bore a strong resemblance to the various areas of study covered by ninjutsu practitioners then appearing in the martial arts media. Dr. Morris took his students to various seminars presented by Stephen Hayes and began his own affiliation with Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu. He never stopped developing Hoshin-jutsu, however.
Dr. Morris enjoyed the reputation of an eccentric within the American Bujinkan. His three books, focused mainly on the mystic and spiritual aspects of Budo Taijutsu and martial arts, helped fuel the reputation. The less generous dubbed him "plum crazy."
Maybe so, but "plum crazy" has the welcome side effect of liberating the thought process. If his books are approached with a juxtaposed open mind and healthy skepticism, there are some interesting truths to be uncovered. But be prepared to wade through some sections you'll swear were more likely written by Dr. Timothy Leary.
JRF never met Dr. Morris, however he will miss the American Bujinkan's aging hippie uncle.
1 comment:
It's just loss after loss this month isn't it. Well, anyway I am saddened to learn of the good doctor's demise. I have read his books and they are indeed good reading. I recommend them to any martial arts student (over 18). I ecspecially liked the parts about naked meditation after a healthy dose of vitamin L. Not me...but this guy I knew growing up imbibed in such activities and wishes that he would have had some of Dr. N's direction while tripping. That would have been alot better than counting arm hairs while looking in the mirror or drinking orange juice through a pair of moms discarded pantyhose while trying to "really feel and communicate with the juice" and freaking out. I have returned from the place of my birth with my sheild.
Redde Victor aut Redde in Scutto
Post a Comment