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The Tao of War is a training manual of Applied Philosophy, and a guide to those seeking to walk the path of the Warrior Poet. The Martial Arts are traditionally understood to be an outward practice related to “fighting”, which is the mastering of others, and an inward practice of “fighting”, which is the mastering of the self. The fighting without philosophy can become tyranny, while the philosophy never put into action is lame. It is the blending of application and philosophy which produces the Martial Arts, and from the Martial Arts emerges the human archetype of the Warrior Poet.

The Tao of War is a map which draws upon the subtleties and secrets of the Martial Arts to assist seekers of truth in locating deeper visions of reality and selfhood. It explores both metaphysical and practical realities pertaining to the path of the Warrior Poet, and is an invaluable resource for student and teacher alike.

About the Author

Mikhail Abdul-Latif is an author, poet, musician, and lifelong martial artist from Seattle, Washington. He holds national wrestling titles in both Canada and the United States, is a Black Belt in Jiu-Jitsu, and spent many years traveling the world as a professional athlete while studying under various masters of martial arts and spiritual traditions. As an instructor and educator, he strives to help his students integrate the philosophical, practical, artistic, and spiritual aspects of their pursuits.

Praise for The Tao of War

Mikhail Abdul-Latif has written a compelling manual to guide the poet or spiritual warrior. He does so through a thoughtful examination of the philosophy undergirding the martial arts, along with an examination of the utility of various martial arts themselves. He posits that just as the fight against the outer enemy cannot be divorced from the fight against the inner enemy, the true martial arts cannot be separated from fighting itself. When these separations occur they leave fraud in their wake. As Mikhail reminds us, war is real. Its true reality is not to be found in brutalizing the weak and downtrodden, violence for the sake of violence, base domination, or weapon sales. Rather, it is in the liberation and protection of the soul, internal processes that lay the path for the liberation and protection of others. The beauty of war is to be found in this meaning. Hence, the beauty of the martial arts. 'The Tao of War' is a penetrating examination of that beauty.

— Imam Zaid Shakir

Authored by Mikhail Abdul-Latif
Languages: English
Paperback Edition: 296 pages
Publisher: Silk Road Press

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The Tao of War