Hey there,
Gabo Weis’ book Budotherapy: The Healing Elements of the Martial Arts is now out on Amazon. We’re really pleased to see this in print and have been excited for some time about this.
We spent some time trying to describe how much we respect Gabo’s dedication to his art (Karate) , his knowledge as a therapist and his inspiration in bringing together the two. Lost for the right words, we’ve instead decided to leave it to the man himself and so what follows is a quote (p3&4) from Gabo’s book (italics below).
Budo, the way of the warrior, is a concept that refers to the infinite Way walked by one who seeks to become a martial artist in the Japanese tradition. In his introduction to the Hagakure book, William Scott Wilson explains the meaning of the term Bu. in Chinese characters, Bu composed from the "two radicals for 'stop' and 'spear'. Bu consists of subduing the weapon, and therefore stopping the spear, it prohibits violence, puts the people at peace, and harmonizes the masses". The second part of Budo, the character Do, means Way, and "indicate a movement governed by intelligence."
Budotherapy is a therapeutic approach that focuses on the observation and analysis of the experience of the therapist, the client, and the session itself, from the viewpoint of traditional Japanese martial arts - or what might be called "The Budo." The book highlights the launching points between the experience of the martial artist and the experience of one who practises the art of psychotherapy - two experiences that deal with improving mental and emotional abilities: The ability to see the other, to read what occurs in the environment, and to connect with the body, breathing, and soul. Ultimately, these are the arts that deal with the human ability to develop, and to prevent violence and remove harm from others and the environment. Both arts also engage in developing inner peace and self-worth, and help us grow and overcome feebleness, fears, and anxieties. Through my walking this binary way as a therapist, and as a student and teacher of traditional karate, I will demonstrate my understanding and experience of these two arts uniting.
Throughout the book, one can notice the dynamic between the personal and interpersonal experience of the therapist coming from that double pathway - The Budo, the wisdom of Japanese Zen, transmitted to us through our teachers over centuries, and practical exercises, tools, and applications of Budotherapy in the therapeutic experience. In the world of therapy, this book belongs to "the third wave" of psychotherapy, especially Gilbert's CFT, and develops a dialogue with the conceptual world of mindfulness, compassion, and dharma wisdom. This dialogue also takes place in the world of psychoanalysis, especially in the thinking of Wilfred Bion and John Bowlby, as well as in the research and knowledge related to the structure and function of the brain, nervous system, body, and movement. These connections will become more concrete in the second part of the book. In the first part, I shall focus on observing the therapist's inner experience as he confronts the challenges, difficulties, and opportunities that arise during the healing encounter with his clients.
It’s obvious that Gabo’s work and FCMA fit brilliantly together and we’re very much looking forward to seeing him again and sharing martial and therapeutic ideas soon.
Get this book and enhance your peaceful courage!
Syd and Neil