Author: Steve Rowe

Martial artist, philosopher, author, writer,
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A Door Inside

Steve Rowe

There is a door inside, in the deepest part of your heart. When you exit this world, it closes behind you. But it’s a door that can be used for refuge at anytime. Beyond it is a place of healing. Nourishment for the soul. A place where wisdom resides. A land of language without words. How do we find this door? There is only one way. Complete and utter stillness. Death within life. Thinking without words. When you are still and there is no words; Then the door will be felt. Once inside, you can heal; Understand what you were … Continue reading A Door Inside

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I Only Wanted To Be Kwai Chang Caine…

Steve Rowe

Why I only ever wanted to be Kwai Chang Caine. I was a typical South London council house boy doing Karate until that first Sunday afternoon in 1973 at 3pm when I watched the first episode of Kung Fu that turned my life upside down. Here was a Martial Artist and Buddhist priest that had nothing and yet had everything. How can that be? Listening to the wisdom dispensed from the Buddha I realised that suffering came from ownership, if you owned nothing you had everything. Happiness was simply an internal habit and unhappiness came from wanting to possess, keep … Continue reading I Only Wanted To Be Kwai Chang Caine…

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A Past Life….

Steve Rowe

I paused in the clear night air to savour the moments before death, I was lucky to know the time of the completion of this incarnation so I was properly prepared, the icy fingers of fate clawed inside my abdomen making me draw in the crisp air and centre myself. When my family had been slaughtered and I had been the only one to escape my fate had been sealed, I had trained day and night with Sensei to be able to complete my Karma the right way, tonight there was no win or lose…… only completion. Revenge powered my … Continue reading A Past Life….

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The Path To Success

Steve Rowe

Taken from the notes of Chris Gunn as a reminder as to what was covered on the Seminar on the 19th May 2013.  I post this on the blog because it’s an excellent reminder to any of my students and anyone in the Martial Arts that there is a straight forward linear path to success with no vague concepts if you’re prepared to put in the work required. It was very kind of Chris to allow these notes to be published. Steve had ended up entitling the Seminar ‘The Path To Success’ to help us determine the right path to … Continue reading The Path To Success

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What Is Reiki?

Steve Rowe

I’ve been asked quite a bit about Reiki Healing lately and as its world can be full of money making freaks and quite dangerous people I thought I’d talk briefly about it and how it works and what the dangers can be. Let me begin with the science.  Humans are tribal people and touch, empathy and affection from others is important to us.  When we’re hurt, the first thing we do is to put our hand to the wounded site and maybe rub or massage it.  When a child is hurt, we also do the same and ‘rub it better’, … Continue reading What Is Reiki?

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How To Deal With Bullying At School

Steve Rowe

This a guide from the UK Government on how to deal with bullying at school. Source: https://www.gov.uk/bullying-at-school/the-law 1. THE LAW Some forms of bullying are illegal and should be reported to the police. These include: violence or assault theft repeated harassment or intimidation, eg name calling, threats and abusive phone calls, emails or text messages hate crimes Call 999 if you or someone else is in immediate danger. SCHOOLS AND THE LAW By law, all state (not private) schools must have a behaviour policy in place that includes measures to prevent all forms of bullying among pupils.This policy is decided by the school. … Continue reading How To Deal With Bullying At School

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Losing The Way…

Steve Rowe

Photo by Ann Rowe What does ‘culture’ do? A baby sits and stands true, They walk from the middle, The world plays with them; They are not separate from all around; They smile easily; Until they learn their name. Others tell them who they are, What they are like, What they should be like; School indoctrinates them as political slaves; Who they really are starts to fade, As a false identity is assumed. Who are you? I am my name, My job is, My car is, my hobbies are; I am confused. Who is he? His name is, His job … Continue reading Losing The Way…

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Milk Of Amnesia

Steve Rowe

Tonight we are going to drink the elixir of Nirvana…… Milk of amnesia! Sensei always had a way with words. Sometimes he totally bastardised the English language and yet always found a way of using it to help us gain an insight toward a deeper philosophical point. His humour was also unique. Someone had to get the ball rolling. “Sensei, are talking about a drink to bring about a blissful state?” “No.” “But does not Nirvana mean enlightenment, or a state of bliss?” “Nirvana means to put the fires out.” “So we are to drink an elixir to put the … Continue reading Milk Of Amnesia

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Steve Arneil – Kyokushinkai Legend

Steve Rowe

This interview was conducted in the year 2000… I have known of Steve Arniel since the 1960’s and personally for some years.  I have attended the Kyokushinkai tournaments since the beginning, many of them as a V.I.P guest and had the honour of awarding Steve the “man of the year” award for “Traditional Karate” magazine at one of those tournaments. Steve is one of the most senior, if not the most senior Karateka in Great Britain.  He holds the prestigious grade of 8th Dan and the respected title of Hanshi.  He has held the respect and loyalty of those close … Continue reading Steve Arneil – Kyokushinkai Legend

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Wado Ryu Training in the ’60’s

Steve Rowe

Just found this on my computer.  It’s a great insight into the early days of Karate in London.  I asked my older brother years ago what it was like training with the first Wado Ryu Japanese Instructors that came to the UK in the 1960’s, this is what he sent me… “My interest in the martial arts was quite practical, at school I used to get involved in a fight about once a month, mainly due to my stubborn refusal to fit into the strict pecking order that operated there. Those more aggressive and athletic would “put me in my … Continue reading Wado Ryu Training in the ’60’s