The Mushin Way to Peak Performance: The Path to Productivity, Balance, and Success

As a lifetime student (and teacher) of numerous martial art systems (Judo, Jujitsu, Karate-Do, Tai Chi, Qigong, Reiki, and Kenjutsu) I am always searching for various approaches to living the code of Bushido (Way of the warrior). When I saw this 230 page hardcover book (The Mushin Way to Peak performance: the path to productivity, balance, and success by Michael Veltri) on Amazon for a bargain price I immediately purchased it.Since I have read most books on the martial arts and warrior philosophies and codes I was quite familiar with all the information in this book. The author was a U.S. Marine and student (and teacher) of the peaceful martial art of Aikido. I only studied Aikido for about six months and never achieved rank in that art; however, having earned Black Belt rank in many Jujitsu systems I am familiar with many of the Aikido techniques.The author has combined his background in Aikido and created a system to improve yourself physically, intellectually and spiritually. The material is well written and easy to understand even if you have no background in the martial arts philosophy. After the introduction in which he explains something about “the Aikido way” the author provides his approach which includes the following: Heiki: Equanimity, Ki: energy, Musubi: connection, Nen: one-point, Mushin: no-mind, Irimi: to enter, Kokyu: breath-power, Aiki: unity, Zanshin: calm awareness, WA: harmony, and Sumi-Kiri: clarity of mind and body.The author also gives lectures around the country on his self-improvement system. I found this book to be a fantastic review of the basic philosophical principles of living the way of the peaceful warrior. If you are seeking a wonderfully written self-improvement book based upon Aikido principles this book is for you.Rating: 5 Stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Martial Art and Warrior Haiku and Senryu)

Michael Veltri's "The Mushin Way to Peak Performance: The Path to Productivity, Balance, and Success" was better than I had expected. There was a lot of advice in it that connected with me right away. The chapter on "Nen: One Point" was particularly interesting to me because I have a tendency to have too many points that I lose track of the one point that guides me. It is still there but it ends up lower on the list of priorities and then after awhile, I have to regroup and re-prioritize but I've also lost time in doing so. So while there were some chapters that I sort of skimmed through, there were others that were enlightening for me so there was a good balance.

This is quite good as far as self-help and business books go. Yes, that is damning it with faint praise. I would probably give this three and a half stars if I could but I will give it four stars as it contains a lot less waffling and filler than most standard books. The advice mostly seems reasonable in a common sense way. The book itself is generally easy to follow and it does contain some specific strategy and actions rater then the usual wish list of outcomes. list.

Helpful to a point like most of these books. 3 starsDidn't enjoy this one as much as I expected. May or may not read more by this author.

A concise self-help business handbook that is intriguing in it's genre-spanning elements, in that it includes disciplines derived from martial arts, of which the author is a master. This gives an interesting and enjoyable, different angle to proceedings in a genre that is becoming over-subscribed with repetition and predictability and elevates this book, for me, above many of it's peers. Veltri is minimal and focused in his delivery and his advice very useful and clearly structured. Although it can be easily put into the 'mindfulness' sub-genre of business self-help, for me it has an extra dimension to it that sets it apart from the usual stuff on that book shelf. Like it, and would recommend a look.