The Spiritual Practices of the Ninja

MARTIAL ARTS / SPIRITUALITY "Ross Heaven is a spiritual warrior. If you apply the lessons of this book to your life, you will find the freedom and happiness you seek." Howard G. Charing, Director of the Eagle's Wing Centre for Contemporary Shamanism The Ninja are a mysterious warrior elite said to be so spiritually advanced they know the mind and will of God. Regarded as masters of invisibility and "warriors of the shadow self," their legendary skills include the ability to command the elements and transform themselves into Fire, Water, Air, Earth, and Void--the nothingness from which all things arise. In this book Ross Heaven reveals the training exercises and mental discipline used by the Ninja to develop these extraordinary physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual skills. Central to Ninja philosophy is the understanding that there is no higher power than the actualized human being. The Ninja believe there are four gates to freedom and to pass through them we must overcome four initiatory ordeals. Succeeding at these enables us to combat fear, find true power, clarify our vision, and overcome the soul fatigue that is at the root of our personal and social problems in order to embrace our inner positive energies (kuji-kuri) and realize our talents. Ross Heaven guides us through these four gateways with exercises and initiations that utilize the archetypal energy of the Lover, Seeker, Magus, Soul Warrior, and Mystic and their shadow manifestations that may be causing problems in our lives. We learn how to break the destructive habits of the past and create a bushido, a personal code to live by. Without initiation, we cannot access and channel our energies; they remain uncontrolled oreven work against us. Ross Heaven provides the key that allows us to turn these elemental forces into our allies. ROSS HEAVEN is a therapist and workshop leader in personal development and healing whose books include Vodou Shaman, Darkness Visible, Spirit in the City, and The Journey to You. He lives in England and teaches shamanic workshops internationally.