Martial Artists Making a Difference – Robert Frager Sensei, 7th dan’s new book

A reminder that Frager Sensei has written an exceptional book that is now out on the bookshelves of your local Independent bookstore (as well as at Amazon).

“Sufi Talks – Teachings of an American Sufi Sheikh” are the edited transcriptions of talks Frager Sensei has given over the years to his local Sufi community. What is unique about the book—other than being well written and an extremely insightful tome, is that many of the core teachings are the ones taught in martial arts classes.

The concept of connecting with the heart is central to Sufism. Ring a bell? Listening is another topic covered in depth throughout the book. And of course the importance of dealing with the ego—in the case of martial arts leaving it off the mat where it belongs. That's the very, very short list of absorbing insights that the book reveals in page after page.

The book is also a journey into the world of Sufism and Frager Sensei’s Sufi lineage. The parallel learning here is the importance of connecting with and listening to one’s teacher. Frager Sensei also explains that much of the path that one follows as a devotee, or dervish, is an inner one which of course is another core part of any martial art.

In an earlier publication, I referred this process of internal growth as “peeling an onion.”

There is a glossary at the end of the book that helps with the new terms that are used in the book. And an excellent bibliography included as well.

I highly recommend this book for any martial arts practioner as a valuable companion on the path.

Robert Frager Sensei, 7th dan, teaches Aikido classes weekly at Sofia University’s dojo. He is a direct student of O Sensei.

“Sufi Talks” is published by Quest Books (ISBN 978-0-8356-0893-0. $19.95 retail