The Spiritual Practices of the Ninja: Mastering the Four Gates to Freedom

197 Pages·2006·1.46 MB·English

by  Ross Heaven

Praise for The Spiritual Practices of the Ninja
Ross Heaven is the Joseph Campbell of our times. He brings street cool to
spirituality.
—J. L. SHREEVE
AUTHOR AND JOURNALIST FOR THE INDEPENDENT,
THE GUARDIAN, THE FINANCIAL TIMES, AND MAXIM MAGAZINE
Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell meet the Ninja warrior traditions! This is
spirituality with attitude—a wide-ranging, sharp psychological analysis of what
it really takes to create happiness and freedom for ourselves. This book tells the
truth, and because it’s honest, it will help you find your path to power.
—TANIA AHSAN
EDITOR OF PREDICTION MAGAZINE
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
Reading this book you can discover the qualities of a true warrior, truthfully
presented.
—DAVE COURTNEY, OBE
AUTHOR OF STOP THE RIDE, I WANT TO GET OFF
I just want to thank you for all your help in getting me to a point where I can
accept my true self. I feel so different and see differently. This is where it begins
for me!
—JENNY RAYNER
PUBLISHER OF SPIRITUAL LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE
You have been drawn to this book because life has chosen this moment to reveal
something of itself to you. This is an extraordinary book. All that is required of
you is your commitment and willingness to become all that you are. You are
right on time to read what you are about to read.
—DR. MARK ATKINSON
AUTHOR AND COMPLEMENTARY HEALTH EXPERT FOR
GMTV (GOOD MORNING TELEVISION) AND NOW MAGAZINE

The longest part of the journey is said to be the passing of the gate.
—MARCUS TERENTIUS VARRO
Believe . . . there’s a change for you and me.
—DAMIEN RICE
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND THANKS
This book is for my children: my daughters Amelia and Jodie and my son Ocean
(because “Once you know your story, you can choose your truth”). It is also for
Arran (for the same reason). And a big hug to Teertha and baby Jaiden.
Thank you to . . .
Damien Rice and Bernadette—for support, permissions, and a night out in
Brixton.
Sensei Gary Arthur—for training.
Ram Chatlani, legal genius and spiritual Master—for services to truth and
justice.
Simon Buxton—for your never-less-than-valuable insights into what
“friendship,” “integrity,” and “spirit-driven” really mean.
And Saffron, true Hinin—for insights into geis and laughs along the Way.
May God’s love be with you, always (or at least till the end of verse one)!
CONTENTS
Foreword: The Four Gates to Freedom by Mark Atkinson
Preface: In the Beginning . . .
Introduction: Who Were the Ninja?
ONE
The Initiation into Being: Boldness Has Genius
Beginning the Journey of this Book
TWO
The Map of the Four Gates
FACING THE FEAR, WALKING ON FIRE
THREE
Ka (Fire): The Lover Meets Fear
The Origins of Anxiety
EXERCISE 1—SHIBOU: THE CONCEPTION JOURNEY
FOUR
Fear, Free Will, and Freedom
Seeing Fear for What It Is
EXERCISE 2—WAGAMI (MYSELF): DESCRIPTIONS OF YOU
EXERCISE 3—MEETING THE FIRST FEAR
EXERCISE 4—KINESHIOROJI: EXPLORING THE BODY’S TRUTH
FIVE
The Initiation of the Lover: Burning Through
Techniques for Overcoming Fear
EXERCISE 5—YOUR FEAR MENTOR
EXERCISE 6—CHAMBARA: PLAYING A ROLE IN THE THEATER OF THE ABSURD
EXERCISE 7—FIRE MOVEMENT
EXERCISE 8—THE INVENTORY: BURNING AWAY THE PAST
EXERCISE 9—THE BREATH OF FIRE
BREATHING WATER
SIX
Sui (Water): Dreams of Power and the Seeker’s Quest
On the Nature of Power
EXERCISE 10—YOUR LIFE MISSION
SEVEN
The Initiation of the Seeker
Techniques for Recovering Power and Finding Purpose
EXERCISE 11—THE PEOPLE WHO PRESS YOUR BUTTONS
EXERCISE 12—CUTTING TIES TO THE PAST
EXERCISE 13—THE WORST-CASE SCENARIO
EXERCISE 14—UNDERSTANDING YOUR EMOTIONS
EXERCISE 15—CLOUD GAZING AND WATER BREATHING: SENSING THE FLOW
INTO THIN AIR
EIGHT
Fu (Air): The Magus Facing Confusion
Faith Versus “Truth”
EXERCISE 16—KONPAKU: MEETING YOUR SOUL-SELF
NINE
The Initiation of the Magus: Letting Go of Confusion
Techniques of Clarity
EXERCISE 17—THE TWO ROADS
EXERCISE 18—BREAKING HABITS
EXERCISE 19—THE HOOKS OF THE PAST
EXERCISE 20—MAKING BUSHIDO
KNOWING THE EARTH
TEN
Chi (Earth): The Soul Warrior’s Fatigue
Avoiding the Wide Arms of Sleep
EXERCISE 21—ANKOKUTOSHIJUTSU: DEPRIVED OF LIFE
EXERCISE 22—CREATING AN ACTIVE KAMI-DAMA
ELEVEN
The Initiation of the Soul Warrior: Staying Awake
Techniques for Overcoming Soul Fatigue
EXERCISE 23—RECONNECTION
EXERCISE 24—EARTH STONE MEDITATION
EXERCISE 25—RESTORING YOUR SOUL
MAKING LIFE YOUR ARTFORM
TWELVE
Ku (Void): Spiraling into the Void
Through the Gates for the First Time—Becoming the Mystic and Elder
EXERCISE 26—YOU ARE ALL THERE IS
EXERCISE 27—HEARING THE PRIMAL SELF
EXERCISE 28—THE KUJI-IN FOR THE VOID
EXERCISE 29—FINDING YOUR SONG
Footnotes
Notes
Workshops, Books, Tapes, and Trips by Ross Heaven
Acknowledgments and Thanks
About the Author
About Inner Traditions
Books of Related Interest
Copyright
DISCLAIMER
The meditations, exercises, and personal experiences of the author, his students,
and clients included in this book are for interest purposes only.
The exercises presented have been tested in many workshops, client healings,
and other real-life applications. No harm has ever come to any participant as a
result. It is important, however, to act sensibly and responsibly when
undertaking any introspective or spiritually challenging work. Your attention is
especially drawn to the author’s experiences with the elements—firewalking,
breathing under water, the “leap of faith,” and the “burial of the warrior”—and
you are advised not to attempt these yourself without expert supervision from
someone familiar with and able to teach you these techniques.
Any application of the approaches in this book remains at the reader’s own
risk and the authors and publishers disclaim any liability arising directly or
indirectly from their use.