Summary
In Martial Arts and the Paranormal, Melvyn J. Willin, PhD, brings together decades of research to examine one of the most intriguing—and controversial—areas of martial arts. Drawing on historical sources, scientific studies, eyewitness testimony, and the experiences of practitioners, he explores the relationship between martial arts, consciousness, spirituality, and claims of paranormal phenomena.
The book investigates topics ranging from ESP, psychokinesis, meditation, qigong, acupuncture, and altered states of consciousness to stage deception, suggestion, placebo effects, and the psychology behind remarkable demonstrations. It considers the teachings of traditions such as Zen Buddhism, Taoism, Shinto, and Yoga alongside modern neuroscience, parapsychology, and experimental research.
Rather than arguing for blind belief or outright dismissal, Willin adopts a balanced, evidence-based approach. He distinguishes between fraud, misunderstanding, and genuinely puzzling phenomena while asking where the boundaries of human capability truly lie.
Scholarly yet accessible, Martial Arts and the Paranormal offers a thought-provoking exploration of the meeting point between martial arts, science, and the unexplained. Whether you are a martial artist, researcher, sceptic, or believer, this book challenges assumptions and invites readers to reconsider the hidden potential of the human mind and body.
Praise for Martial Arts and the Paranormal
‘There are not many people with expertise in both the martial arts and the paranormal, so Dr Willin provides a unique perspective on the link between these topics. A particular strength of the book is the balance between credulity and scepticism in assessing the more exotic capabilities of martial artists, a quality that the author has already demonstrated in his previous books on the paranormal. So the subtitle is “fact and fiction” rather than “fact or fiction”, reflecting his opinion that a mixture of normal and paranormal abilities may be involved. Perhaps this intellectual balance reflects the physical balance required in the martial arts themselves. The book also contains a comprehensive list of references and a useful glossary of the huge number of eastern terms (some bewilderingly similar) associated with the field. However, this is not just an academic work since it also features many enthralling accounts from the author’s personal experience.’
~ Bernard Carr, Emeritus Professor, Queen Mary University of London, Vice-President and former President of Society for Psychical Research.
‘A serious study of the paranormal within the martial arts is long overdue, making Dr Willin’s book both timely and significant. It offers a fascinating exploration of some of the more obscure and often overlooked aspects of the martial arts.
As a lifelong martial artist and enthusiast of paranormal studies, I found this book both engaging and informative. It is immediately apparent that the author has devoted considerable time and research to this subject, expanding the boundaries of existing knowledge and breaking new ground.
This is a unique and valuable contribution to the literature, and I highly recommend it to all martial artists, especially those with a serious interest in the more esoteric and arcane dimensions of the martial arts
.~ Prof. Jaimie Lee-Barron, PhD, 10th dan hanshi, President, Institute of Martial Arts and Sciences.
‘An extremely well-researched and scholarly review with over 50 pages of references, bibliography, and other sources that seeks to unscramble issues surrounding the myth or reality of paranormal abilities and experiences in martial arts. No stone is left unturned as Dr Willin casts his eye over a huge range of potential candidates from dim mak and no-touch knock downs to healing, intuition and the role of eastern religious practices, to name but a few.’
~ Peter Downs, 7th dan shihan in aikido.
‘Having spent 25 years as a Shukokai stylist, followed by a further 15 years researching the measurable components and graphical waveforms that underpin all striking technique across virtually all martial arts, I have been humbled by the passion, dedication, and intellectual rigour with which Dr Willin has approached this subject.
Much of the analysis presented on the principles of power generation and energy transfer aligns closely with my own research. Yet I could not hope to match the clarity, insight, and eloquence with which the author has articulated these complex ideas.
I believe this book will prove to be a compelling and thought-provoking read for anyone serious about their martial art. It offers a truly distinctive perspective and stands as a fascinating contribution to the field.’
~ Kevin Franklin, founder, Strike Research. Inventor of the PowerKube.
