Cheng Hsin: The Principles of Effortless Power

I purchased this book first, and frankly wasn't ready to understand what he was saying other than at a superficial level, and so set it aside. If I had written a review then, it would have been 'meh'.Over the course of a few years I first read Ralston's book on Zen Body-Being, which is a much more pragmatic intro, and then The Art of Effortless Power. Both provide direct suggestions for movement and mindset. The second brings in more of the mind work that is alluded to in the first. If you read those and start attempting to absorb their contents, you will eventually want to go to the head of the stream, so to speak, and interact directly with the source document. That is this book.Re-reading it now, it all pretty much makes sense (except where it doesn't...yet) and is fascinating. I'm a skier and ski patroller, and so I can take what appears to be high fallutin' esotorica and immediately take it out on the slopes and experiment with it. It works.It rewards slow, penetrating reading. Not something to be skimmed and assimilated. This book coupled with a physical activity to apply it to provides an essentially unlimited opportunity to explore and play.

Far and away the best martial arts book I have ever read. Covers all the same ground as the classics of any style, but breaks it down in a way that, though complex at times, avoids getting needlessly esoteric. It is deceptively dense. A book to be experienced again and again at various stages of one's journey.

I discovered this book many years ago. My advice is to keep an open mind, and experience for yourself what Peter Ralston describes as, "the principles at work." Mr. Peter Ralston has shown the way, the rest is up to the reader.

While Ralston primarily writes about his own art, Cheng Hsin, it has has had a profound effect on the way I view my own arts, from Karate to Taijiquan.The book covers many topics, from posture, to Chi/Ki, to philosophy of martial arts. All of them I found to be useful in my own practice. I highly recommend this book to anyone practicing internal martial arts, or anyone looking to improve their martial skills.

Great book. I used it to help with ballroom dancing. Identical principles involved. This is a must read for golfers, dancers and anybody involved in sports and movement related activities. This is not just for martial arts people. You also have to read the book 5 or 6 times - there is no way you can understand it through a one time quick read.

If you are interested in a path to internal power/internal strength in your martial arts practice, this probably isn't a good place to start. Mr. Ralston clearly knows of his subject, but is verbose and speaks in such esoteric terms that it isn't very helpful for one starting to explore this area. I didn't find it helpful to any degree, nor did my friends who read it. Once you are truly on your way to exploring internal power practices, this could be a good addition to your library.

This book is the ultimate book on the principles behind the power in the internal arts. For those who are willing to take the time and digest the material and put it into practice, this book will become an invaluable resource and reference as long as you practice martial arts.

AS EXPECTED.

This book is a journey. It was recommended to me by my tai chi teacher as something that was challenging and different. He was not wrong.I often read books, usually martial arts biographies, philosophy style books and the like either in one sitting or a little each night before bed. This is not one of those books. I really had to take my time. After reading sometimes only a paragraph my mind would race trying to understand or even better experience what Mr Ralston is writing about. I would have to stop and think. I would have to reflect.Reading this book is hard work for me but I found it enjoyable and it has helped me to think about my own martial arts journey differently.This is not your usual martial arts philosophy style book. It tries to assist you in thinking differently, and more than that, not just understanding theory or recall small pieces of philosophy or religious material in a wrote learbt fashion, Ralston attempts to guide you to experience the concepts he presents. There are mental exercises to do to help him get across the point he is making which is very useful and helps you to experience what he is writing about.I must say it is hard going, it is not an easy read, you are challenged but it is very interesting. Do I buy everything said? I am not sure. However Ralston encourages the reader to take nothing as gospel. Quite refreshing and a book I am sure I will read over and over.

The writer goes into such depth with everything that I began to question at times whether I was dim, or he was unbelievably talented. There might be a bit of both here! Certainly this isn't a book you can 'skim'; you should either concentrate as if you're doing a PhD, or don't bother at all. I have gleaned some useful tips though, and feel there is yet more in it for me.

The book is actually not that bad for its subject matter. The reason for the low star rating is simply that the author is so far up his own arse that I fear he may never see the light of day again.

Effortless power explained by a true master

fantastic elaboration of the most essential principles of fighting, living and being..he is a truly accomplished and proven expert in the martial arts..a gem of a book!!