searching for o-sensei: learning and living the wisdom of the warrior

Tom Collings has been trained in martial arts for forty nine years, receiving his 6th degree black belt from Moriteru Ueshiba of Hombu Dojo, Tokyo in 2007. He moved to Japan after earning his first black belt in 1976, spending several years studying aikido, sword, and Zen. He has subsequently returned five times to Japan and China for further research. He continues daily training in live blade iaido, aiki budo, aikido, tai chi-qi gong, zazen and mindfulness meditation. His background includes uchi deshi (resident martial arts student) Buddhist monk, NY State Police instructor, peace officer, parole officer, mental health & drug counselor, supervisor at an adolescent detention center, and part time monastery pot washer (his area of self described ＂mastery＂.)