opinion on Spiritual Practices of the Ninja by Ross Haven

I loved this book however it's influence doesn't just include Ninjutsu. It has alot of celtic influence also, and shamanistic practices. This is made quite clear by the author in the process of reading it. I thought it was going to be a book on Kuji In, Kuji Kiri, and meditation. However it was quite different than that.

The author speaks of the legend of Mima O who arrived on the shores of Japan around 600 B.C.E from Babylon. It is said that Mima O and the 3 Magi who later visited Jesus on Christmas day belonged to the same secret society. (Very interesting) Mima O founded the Amatsu Tatara or Heavens place which was a secret document he handed down to the Nakatomi family, which became one of the leading ryu or schools of Shinto. Nakatomi ryu later became Kukishin ryu and gathered from Taoist, Shugendo, samurai, and other warrior teachings. This is supposedly what laid the foundation for the development of Ninjutsu. I found it very interesting to link the 3 wise men of the Bible with one of the forefathers of Ninjutsu!

Lot's of interesting stuff to learn and lots of exercises to do (spiritual ones) which will help you to master the elemental energies, although the approach is rather ecclectic, definately not just pure Ninjutsu teaching. A good read!

I believe being spiritual and training the mind is important for a martial artist. A person may be good at techniques, but without spiritual training, he/she will not be able to fight or defend when the situation calls for it.

The ninja's kuji-in was to summon certain spiritual and mental states in order to fight fearlessly. It is good to learn about how other warriors attain their mental states before battle.

I'll pick up the book you suggested from the library for a good read. ;)