Be Like Water: Practical Wisdom from the Martial Arts    by Joseph Cardillo Order:  USA  Can Warner, 2003 (2003) Softcover Read an Excerpt     Reviewed by Hilary Williamson This little book takes both martial arts philosophies and specific techniques and explains how they can apply to daily life as 'practical wisdom'. The author, Joseph Cardillo, a black belt in Kenpo karate, advises us to Be Like Water, to go with the flow. He goes into a brief history of the martial arts as a 'holistic discipline for the strengthening of body, mind and spirit' and offers principles for living to readers, whether involved in the martial arts or not. Each chapter presents a specific martial arts concept - from 'Summoning Chi' to find your center to 'Cultivating Spirituality' in order to seek enlightenment - with examples of its applications 'off the mats' and suggested exercises (meditations and resolutions). For example, one section discusses 'Finding Your Range' - the distance between opponents that you can master in combat, but also the optimal distance to take in one-to-one interactions with other individuals in life. Some will be more effective than others. Cardillo speaks of the greatest combat that we face as being 'against that force in us that has kept us from being everything we are and can be.' Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more NonFiction books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews