Holding the Center Sanctuary in a Time of Confusion

As in all his books, Heckler draws from personal experience: training his horse, cultivating presence in aikido dojos, consulting with business executives, raising children. A masterful and encompassing book,Holding the Centerdevelops from the fulcrum of the self in the natural world. Many of Heckler's lessons arise from his life as a householder and father. Community is a larger familywe make alliances to "take care of what matters to us." But, as Heckler teaches, that takes listening to others with an open heart, and learning what the needs of others are. The worldcanbe a sanctuary, if we find a balance between instinct and choice. Richard Strozzi Heckler sounds an important call about the interplay between power and generosity in these subtle and luminous essays.

Richard Strozzi Heckler co-founded Lomi School, a major school of bodywork, and Tamalpais Aikido. He has pioneered the use of aikido, meditation, and bodywork with disturbed children, inner-city gangs, several branches of the military, and corporate executives. His books are The Anatomy of Change, Aikido and the New Warrior, and In Search of the Warrior Spirit. He directs Rancho Strozzi Institute in Petaluma, California.