John Stevens

The subjects of medieval romance are the great and permanent concerns of the human mind. A literature is best approached by newcomers, through its major achievements, the author of this book, originally published in 1973, maintains. The book’s discussion centres on the romances of Chaucer and Chrétien de Troyes, and on such texts as Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the Roman de la Rose, and Malory’s Morte d’Arthur. The book’s introductory chapters stress the continuity between medieval and later literature.

Real-life applications of Aikido for self-transformation, conflict resolution, and joy. In addition to the physical practice, the modern martial art of Aikido also offers profound principles for transforming interpersonal conflict into peaceful interaction. Illuminating the inner philosophical and practical aspects of Aikido, forty-seven-year Aikido practitioner and 6th-degree blackbelt Susan Perry, Ph.D., uses personal stories of joy, achievement, and hardship to demonstrate real-life applications of the transformational principles of Aikido. She introduces what Aikido is and where it comes from, providing a brief biography of its founder, Morihei Ueshiba. She explains in detail how Aikido helped her resolve difficulties at work, as a student, and as a teacher/sensei. Through each story shared, the author offers a glimpse of the beginner’s mind in action, the key to changing even the violent energy of an attack into peaceful interaction. Presenting Aikido’s step-by-step protocol for developing the receptiveness of the beginner’s mind, a state essential to personal transformation, Perry explains how distraction and timing can be used to deescalate potentially violent or dangerous situations. She discusses the founder’s philosophy of conflict, showing how Aikido can help peacefully resolve difficulties that arise with pushy, intimidating, and unpredictable people, those who are stubborn or don’t listen, insincere people who want something from you, and chaotic situations. She explains how a deepening practice of the martial art leads to an aiki state of inner peace, fusion, and boundless joy. Revealing how Aikido can help you face your fears and develop your heart and soul, this book shows how this martial art helps you embrace change, cultivate a strong center, and ultimately live a joyful life of engagement with the world.

Explore this stunning collection of spiritual calligraphy by Japan's greatest martial arts masters--with commentary from Zen art authority and aikido master John Stevens. Beginning with the legendary samurai Miyamoto Musashi, nearly all of the great martial arts masters left a legacy of calligraphy and painting. Their artwork--Zenga and Zensho ("Zen pictures" and "Zen calligraphy")--was not only an extension of their Zen practice but also reflected their deep spiritual commitment to the budo ethos, the perfection of self through martial arts training. This book presents a concise history of this tradition, with works from such samurai as Musashi, Takuan, Yagyu, Motusgai, Rengetsu, Tesshu Deishu, Kano, Morihei, and others. Aikido master John Stevens is an expert on Zen and budo art, and he provides a fascinating introduction to the tradition and biographical details on each of the warrior artists, and brief, illuminating commentary on each piece.

The Korean conflict is known as "the Forgotten War," but one veteran who never forgot it was Lt. Col. John R. Stevens, U.S. Marine Corps. Lingering pain from frostbitten toes were a regular reminder of his part in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, fought in minus-40 degree weather in 1950. Stevens earned a Bronze Star in Korea, a war that technically never ended. After his retirement, he got involved in... the long slog to get a Korean War memorial built in San Francisco. He spent seven years fundraising, working alone in a windowless office on Van Ness Avenue, before the $4 million monument overlooking San Francisco Bay was finally dedicated in 2016. Every year after, Stevens marked the anniversary of the start of the war, on June 25, by giving a speech at a ceremony there and laying a wreath on the memorial wall. "The Korean War Memorial would never have happened without John," said Don Reid, who also served in Korea and co-founded the memorial foundation with Stevens. "He was a true Marine, the total package. He stood for pride, commitment, dedication, virtue, honesty, loyalty and patriotism." Stevens was also on the ground during the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the eventual defeat of Japanese combatants at Okinawa. For his valor under fire, he received his first Bronze Star. "John was at Pearl Harbor, the Battle of Okinawa, the Pusan Perimeter, Inchon Landing, the liberation of Seoul and the Chosin Reservoir," said Gerard Parker, executive director of the Korean War Memorial Foundation. "From the beginning of World War II through the first crucial year of the Korean war, John had a knack for turning up in these key battles." Through it all, Stevens was soft-spoken, modest and dry, using no more words than the setting required. Once asked by an interviewer what it was like to be surrounded by 100,000 enemy troops at Chosin, he responded, "Lots of targets." After 23 years in the Marines, he went on to work 35 years in business, mostly in telecommunications and information technology companies. He started as a systems engineer at IBM and went on to start four companies. One of these, Centex, went public in 1987 and became a case study at Harvard business school, as an example of "how to run a successful IPO," said his son, John R. (Steve) Stevens II of Lafayette. (from San Francisco Chronicle Newspaper Article 04JUN2021 by Sam Whiting)

This book has been considered by academicians and scholars of great significance and value to literature. This forms a part of the knowledge base for future generations. So that the book is never forgotten we have represented this book in a print format as the same form as it was originally first published. Hence any marks or annotations seen are left intentionally to preserve its true nature.

The purpose of this book is to help and encourage Christians in their battle against sin, and to ensure that they have right and biblical expectations of the ‘normal Christian life’. Many Christians live with a false burden of guilt and failure. They have been taught that the battle against temptation is futile, and that they will never be able to obey and please God. John Stevens examines the glorious promises of freedom from sin in the gospel because of the death and resurrection of Jesus. The ‘normal Christian life’ is a ‘victorious Christian life’; we are daily enjoying far more victory than we might imagine.

In Abundant Peace, John Stevens tells the real story behind Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido. Focusing on his achievement, illuminating the man and his message in a way that will delight and stimulate the reader, Stevens documents and reveals the life and times of the greatest martial artist who ever lived.

For beginners and seasoned practitioners alike, The Secrets of Aikido presents honest and inspirational insight into a harmonious and peaceful way of life. John Stevens - esteemed Aikido instructor and author of over 30 books on Aikido - delves into the hidden teachings and deep, spiritual wisdom offered by this unique martial art.

This definitive, richly illustrated manual covers essential elements of the philosophy and practice of Aikido, the Japanese martial art. John Stevens details the precise execution of the wide range of techniques, and recounts interesting and lively anecdotes about the history of Aikido and its founder, Ueshiba Morihe.

The Complete Book of Calligraphy & Lettering provides expert instruction on the intricacies of traditional lettering techniques, as well as an introduction to contemporary hand-lettering formats. From selecting the appropriate tools, such as pens, nibs, brushes, inks, and papers, to learning optimal hand positioning and understanding the intricacies of lettering angles, heights, spacing, and strokes, The Complete Book of Calligraphy & Lettering will help lettering enthusiasts swiftly master their craft. Step-by-step lessons, practice templates, and a range of stunning alphabets demonstrate the breadth of artistic achievement that comes with practice and dedication. Four professional artists guide you through traditional calligraphy techniques, as well as an introduction to contemporary hand-lettering art forms, such as brush lettering and mixed media, for a well-rounded approach to the craft. Additionally, a short section on Chinese brush lettering and several mixed media lettering projects inspire creativity and demonstrate how calligraphy and lettering can be used in wider artistic contexts and projects. Including practice templates for several featured alphabets in addition to mixed media "bonus" projects designed to inspire artistic creativity, The Complete Book of Calligraphy & Lettering will inspire lettering enthusiasts of all skill levels to strengthen their existing skills and delve into new, lesser-known variations of the trend.