Hoshin Budo Ryu Testimonials

I knew Dr. Glenn Morris, Hoshin Grandmaster, since 2003. We eventually began to travel, teach Kundalini Awakening Seminars and give Shaktipat together. In those years I knew him he spoke often, fondly, and with pride regarding Rob Williams. He would often share with me how impressed he was with Rob's level of expertise in all the Hoshin specialites: Chi Kung, Healing, Martial Arts, and Kundalini Development. He would even forward emails to me from Rob that documented Rob's skill with his Hoshin students. He told me how Rob had originally written the manuals for the belt system and Hoshin Healing. Glenn told me that Rob spent years contributing his time and energy in creating and refining the systems that are found in Hoshin.

It was clear to me that Glenn believed Rob represented everything that he wanted the Hoshin systems to be. He wanted Rob to follow in his footsteps and lead Hoshin. Glenn said to me, " I want this to go on after we both die."

In having come to know Rob personally, I believe he is dedicated to preserving Glenn's vision for Hoshin.

-- Dr. Susan A. Carlson, RN
Founder of the Kundalini Support Network (KSN)
Life and Soul Coach
Certified Medical Qigong Practitioner
Minister

"Rob Williams is a real wizard, you should check him out"  

This was Doc Morris' endorsement of Rob and his way of telling me to go train with Rob Williams. 

I first was in contact with Doc Morris after reading all of his books and seeing his e-mail address in one of them. After training in martial arts for 22 years, I was in the search for Bujinkan training. Most of Doc's energy was focused on Hoshin at the time, but he turned me on to a few "ninja" training groups a few hours from me. When I finally found someone to train with I e-mailed Doc, thanking him for helping me out.

The first time I actually met Doc was a few years later at the 2002 Bujinkan Tai Kai in St Louis. I introduced myself and told him who I was and that he had helped me out via the e-mails we had exchanged a few years earlier. Doc was a bit surprised I sought him out, I think, but was genuinely nice and compassionate. Over the next few years, I got a chance to hang out with Doc at the Texas Ninja Summits, in Wharton, Texas. We were both staying with a common friend, the host of the Summit. 

Back in Virginia I had a student that had sought out a Hoshin teacher in Virginia. Since I knew Doc, I didn't really think too much of it, until that fateful day in Texas.

Doc asked me "How far are you from where they have the ships in Virginia?" 

I responded "You mean Norfolk?"

"No, no" he replied.

"Newport News?"

"No, that's not it..."

"Yorktown?" I suggested, at last, struggling to match up East Coast Naval bases in the Old Dominion. He beamed a big famous Doc smile and said "Yes! That's where I was thinking of! I have a top student teaching there. Rob Williams is a real wizard, you should check him out".

I looked at my wife and realized Rob is the guy that my student had told me a bit about. As soon as we got off the plane back in Virginia, I called my student, Paul and said "Can you set up a meeting with Rob? I mean, can we go with you and train with Rob? Doc suggested we go check him out."

The next weekend, my wife Michelle and I showed up at Rob's dojo with Paul. A few other students were there as well. Rob was warm and casual and had a very friendly demeanor.  Basically the next few hours turned out to be less of a "class" and more of a Hoshin "demo" with Rob using his students for the impromptu practice session. He demonstrated basic taijutsu using elemental theory. Then we started with some basic chi sensitivity drills. Even though I had seen and practiced some of this type of thing before, I was in for a big surprise. Out in broad daylight, behind the dojo where we were training and doing these drills, I looked over at Rob and saw something which I had never seen before. A white, ice blue flame was running across his shoulders and head. I looked away, rubbed my eyes discretely and looked around to see if anybody else saw what I saw. Everybody was just following along with the drill. Looking again, I saw the same thing. Now at this time I had never knowingly seen an aura, so I just kept quiet and thought I'll ask later, but there it was just as clear as day...in broad daylight!

I had a chill run up my spine, like the temp had dropped and I shivered but I couldn't stop the shivering. It was weird! Looking up, I saw Rob smiling at me and he asked "Are you OK?"

"I feel like I am getting the chills."

Mind you this is July in Virginia! By the way, we are outdoors; if I hadn't mentioned it! He chuckled and walked behind me and swept the excess energy off my spine and bingo, I was fine!

Rob then went on to demonstrate some Empty Force by moving us as individuals and as groups. Just swaying or drawing us one direction or another. All things I had seen in a book or video, but had never felt. My wife Michelle came up and turned away from Rob about 15 feet away. As Rob drew his hands back, I watched intently to see if I saw Michelle move...

Well, the first thing I noticed was about 10 of her hairs (she had hair midway down her back) slowly raised nearly horizontal moments before she began to topple back! I kept the sight of her hair to myself. Just like the "flames" flickering around Rob's shoulders and head, I didn't want to blurt out what I was seeing. I had not really seen or knew what to look for when it came to this kind of thing. So what exactly was I seeing?

Nobody there told me I was going to see these kinds of thing. Was I imagining it? I mean, I did get the chills up the spine in the bright hot Virginia sun that I could not will to stop on my own. I saw Michelle's hair lift up as if it was magnetized right before she fell over. Didn't I?

Near the end of the day Rob took us inside to show us how to view auras....Now that I knew what to look for I had to speak up.

"Rob, I saw on you...out in the direct sunlight, exactly what you are asking us to look for in the slightly shaded room, except on you I saw it crystal clear!”

He laughed and said, "I was wondering if you would see that!"

Over the next year Rob and I become close friends. Doc was planning to come out to our Bujinkan dojo to do a seminar. Rob was anxious too. In fact a few weeks out, Rob emailed me and said "I have something to send you, I think Doc coming out is going to be a big deal." 

Doc had on occasion referred to himself as me and Michelle's "Evil Uncle", we always got a kick out of that.

What Rob sent me really WAS something, it was a copy of an IM that Doc had with Rob just the day before. I recognized Doc's screen name immediately. Basically it made reference to Rob taking the reigns of Hoshin, when Doc retired. Doc, in a phone conversation with me just a few weeks before, had said something about that too. I asked Doc, "Retiring? Well that'll be a long way off Unc'." 

Doc replied, "Maybe not. There are things I want to work on and Rob is my top guy. The day will come when Rob will be running the show."  

That was it. We got Doc's travel plans straight to come up to do a seminar. It was supposed to be the weekend of April 1st, I had to call and reschedule because I forgot I was scheduled to participate in a 10k that weekend, so we set it up for the following weekend.  

Saturday, April 1st, after the 10k, I was on a test drive with a customer, when my phone rang. It was a Hoshin/Bujinkan friend from Kentucky. He must be calling to tell me he was attending the seminar.

I answered, "Hey man! What's up?"

"I just got really bad news." He said in a somber reply.

I stumbled a bit, but asked "Is everything OK?"

Silence...then the words sprang from the phone, "I just got word that they found Doc Morris dead just a few minutes ago."  

I pulled the truck over into an empty parking lot and threw the shifter into Park.

"What?!" I blurted into the phone...this had to be some sort of joke. This could not be happening!

The phone crackled a bit but I clearly heard, "Do you think Rob knows?" 

Damn! I had to call Rob. I said my goodbyes before hanging up. I then had to explain what the call was about to my customer before dialing Rob's cell number. Rob was chipper in his greeting and I knew right away that no, he did not know. I had to break this crazy news to him. Could it be a joke? I mean it was Doc! Besides it WAS April Fool's Day! 

Rob was shell shocked. He and I made a plan. He would call our friend in Kentucky to get more info and find out how he knew. Rob asked me to call Doc. Doc's cell phone went straight to voicemail. I left a message...it rambled a bit, but essentially "Doc, this is Doug. Not to sound cliché but I hope the rumors of your early demise are just that, rumors! Call me!"  

Hanging up, I next dialed his home number. It seemed to ring forever, the tension was unbearable. It finally rolled to the answering machine. I basically left the same message. Rob called moments later with more details.  

It seemed that indeed, Doc had in some fashion played out the ultimate April Fool’s joke. Many of us thought he would be there to hold our hands along our journey.

But Doc had some place to be...

--Doug Tweedy, Shidoshi
Bujinkan Shima Dojo

My extensive martial arts knowledge stems from my many years of playing the Tekken video game series and watching countless hours of Japanese animation about  Ninjas and Samurai.

In other words, I had zero experience or training but a heavy interest. But at the age of 34 ( I know, I Know… “He still likes video games and cartoons?” Yes!) I figured  I would never really get the chance to learn. Besides, I’m too old to be starting this stuff. You are supposed to start when you are young, vibrant and in shape. And you can’t teach an old dog new tricks can you?!?

My attempts at finding someone to teach me an art over the years were pretty futile. I could never get over the feeling that, after speaking with a trainer about what he was teaching, it just wasn’t for me. Something didn’t sit well with me when  I spoke with them. Nor did I want the sporty/ flashy aspect of many martial arts schools. Life isn’t a sport. There are no set rules or referees that can give me a “timeout” and likely no one to help me if I got in a bind. So I continued living in my Tekken/ Kung fu/ Japanimation world enjoying the entertainment factor of it all. Yeah… because standing idly by always works sooo well when working on self improvement huh? Right…

By chance or karma (Hmm…) I met a neighbor that had just moved in and he invited me to a class. I said why not, the trainer IS the Grandmaster of the Ryu after all. So I’m willing to see what Hoshin Budo (Huh? That “style” never came up in any game, movie, or cartoon I had ever seen. HA!) is all about. Surprisingly I wasn’t skeptical. I went in with no expectations as I try  to do with all things. It doesn’t always work out that way but I try.

Soke Williams was different from the start. He didn’t take the military recruiter approach. Nor did he pull out the kiddy gloves for the fragile old people that had never done any training in their life. Also I didn’t feel like an idiotic peon. As a matter of fact he seemed happy that I was a clean slate to operate with, no baggage or prior hang-ups to deal with. At least Taijutsu wise, just an uncoordinated , clumsy, skinny, out of shape black dude. And you mean to tell me this guy doesn’t just want to B.S. me for monetary gain? Nope… there is a fee for class but he never mentioned it. 

Soke proceeded to talk about energy sensing/ channeling and projecting, chakra development, meditation yin and yang, etc. Force pushing us around… what?!? Star Wars… really? (I know I’m a dork). This was all the stuff that my broadcast entertainment media world had prepared me for right? I actually understood what he was talking about. But I was far from prepared. Too funny.

A lot of information was given to us that day. I was tossed around and twisted. Tired, sore, bruised, winded… and giggling inside the whole time like a little school girl suffering from an unfulfilled crush that has finally come to fruition. I loved it. I’ve been called a masochist before, I tend to think it’s just fun. Soke sometimes looks at me like “What are you laughing at?” even when he is just talking. My apologies Rob, sometimes my imagination just pictures what would happen and it causes the same laughing response as if it were happening.

One of the few things I look forward to during the week next to being with my family is going to Hoshin class to train with Soke Rob Williams. Rob, I thank you for taking me under your wing and taking the time to teach me. I don’t take the term friend lightly. But I believe I have found a friend in you and an extended family in Hoshin.

I began my journey in August of 2008. It is now April of 2009. I have just achieved the rank of blue/ void belt on my way to Shodan where I am sure the journey really begins. I am no killing machine, nor do I want to be. I don’t know it all but I am taking in as much as I can. A door has been opened and I have stepped out. This place is vast and I have a lot of exploring to do. Maybe I’ll laugh my way to enlightenment or end up battered to bits in a Looney bin. But either way I have and outstanding teacher and guide to help along the way. I have a feeling this is going to be a fun ride.

Katon Banner, Blue (Void) Belt
Wiliamsburg, Va

My path is similar to many who have traveled in search of a Martial Arts Master. I spent a few years in Shorin-Ryu under a great Sensei who taught me discipline as well as how to generate power in my movements. No regrets, however I would always attend other seminars in the search of missing components that would supplement my training. In 2000 I was a few years into Hapkido when an aquaintence mentioned over dinner that he was training with someone in Yorktown. I asked the style and got a rambling dissertation on Hoshin and it origins. Mystical, deadly, effective, easy to duplicate…. Skeptical? You bet!

As I approached Rob, who at the time was central area Head of the Southeastern Hoshin Dojos, I found that he wasn’t 7 foot tall and breathing fire but a pleasant looking young man wearing Birkenstocks. Looks can be deceiving and after training for 4 hours I rode home battered and bruised thinking I would have preferred the 7 foot tall fire breather! Hoshinjutsu embodied all that I was searching for and not only filled the holes in my martial training but set me down a path towards self actualization.

I met Soke Morris during a training trip Rob organized to Lake Charles, Louisiana. Rob was asked to come down and revamp the Hoshin Curriculum by Doc and I had the pleasure to be an Uke for both of them as they shared techniques and strategies. During that trip Doc explained the hierarchy of his marital art and said that Rob was top amongst his instructors and that there wasn’t anybody he would recommend more. During our many visits to Docs house I found a great fellowship with Doc and Rob that interestingly enough has now moved to Soke Rob and his senior instructors. I witnessed Docs legacy unfold as student after student worked there way through the Hoshin System and received their Black belts under Rob’s guidance.

Years have passed and I am still training with the nice young man in Yorktown. Still battered and bruised on occasion but no longer in search of a Master to help me on the path. The footprints on the path I follow look strangely like Birkenstocks.

--Chris Robinson, Shihan, 7th Dan Shihan Hoshin Jutaijutsu, 2nd Dan Hoshinroshiryu jutaijutsu, 1st Dan Bujinkan Ninpo

I am amazed by how many times I hear and read the statement, "I feel like I'm home," coming from people who have trained under Soke Williams. I said it myself the first day in class and no other martial arts in America can compare with Hoshin Budo Ryu. I have never been taken through so many psychological changes in such a short period of time before, and those periods of reflection greatly improved my wisdom and understanding. Witnessing Soke's energy skills is an experience out of this world and I truly feel blessed to even stand by him. I would encourage everyone who feels that their martial art isn't fulfilling enough to come and experience something truly marvelous; nothing is kept secret here!!! I know that in the years to come, everyone will know the name Hoshin budo ryu.

--Jared Guinn, Wind belt, Hoshin budo ryu

I've been involved in Martial Arts for most of my life, Power Lifting, Tae Kwon Do, JKD, BJJ, Boxing, Wrestling, MMA and of course Hoshin. I have had the opportunity to learn from professional fighters, members of the All Marine Wrestling and Boxing Teams; as mastery is a life long pursuit and the goal is in the journey.

I have trained with, deployed, and served along side some of the greatest warriors on the face of the planet, the United States Marine. I have had multiple attempts on my life along with the lives of my fellow sailors and marines while serving duty in Iraq.

It was 1993 when I met Glenn for the first time. I had picked up a copy of Path Notes in October of that year, and read it straight through that night.

I had been looking for something more in my personal development as a fighter and human, and Path Notes had the answer. I actually tracked Dr. Morris down via phone and we began a dialog and relationship that would last for over ten years . . . ending in April 2006 when he left us to live in the void. Dr. Morris gave freely of his time and expertise, even though he would throw a riddle in the mix every now and then.

It would be six years before I actually met him in person and I did just that in January of 1999 when I spent three days with him at his place in Houston TX. We talked, trained, and meditated. We looked at Hatsumi videos and got to play with Shidoshi Dave Bolin and his group of Ninjas. When I left Glenn, I had a better understanding of Energy, and life in general. I really miss the guy. I had the opportunity to see him again in July of that same year at a seminar in Eugene, Oregon. He was pleased by my development and had the group look at my Aura and recommended to them to not even try and fight me but just shoot me instead. We had a great time and he and his wife at the time actually met my wife at the time and they did a great deal to explain and show that Hoshin esoteric training is not worshiping the devil or any of that stuff. We are just a bunch of people that train to be the best warriors, healers and human beings that we could be. It was sad that the seminar had to end.

At this point, I had been in the United States Navy since 1989. I was stationed in Long Beach, California. I then left Long Beach in 1995 to be stationed on the USS Lincoln (Air Craft Carrier). In 1998, I left the Lincoln to be stationed at the Naval Hospital in Bremerton, Washington. In 2001, I was commissioned as Naval Officer and a lot of what I accomplished by finishing my College education, working hard and staying focused was due to what Glenn had taught me. I was to leave Washington State to come to the great state of North Carolina.

Before I left, Glenn directed me to find a guy by the name of Rob Williams. Dr. Morris stated that " this guy is not like you " (Yang). "He's a Yin guy and has trained in old school Bujinkan, and you will like him. He can show you how to work the majick." Glenn was right; I met Soke Williams in August of 2001 and liked him immediately. Glenn was also right that we are different, Rob is about 170lb and I am about 225lbs. But, our personal lives share a great deal of similarities almost to an uncanny degree.

It was almost humorous when we would get together because all of a sudden, he would get hot and want to turn on the air conditioner and open all the windows, and I would want to turn the heat on and close all of the windows. We trained, meditated and Rob demonstrated energy skills, such as fighting with chi, empty force and bending a candle flame. Sometimes we would be outside, some times in. At times the weather would be extremely cold and at other times it would be very hot. Rain, sleet, in the dark, blind folded while avoiding the sword, we did it all. I still scratch my head at times when I see this guy move.

Here it is 2007, 14 years after I first read Path Notes, six years after I began training with Rob and one year after Soke Morris's passing. A lot of changes have taken place within Hoshin. I had predicted and foreseen some of these changes ten years ago. There is no question as to where my loyalties lie. The Hoshin Budo Ryu is dedicated to keeping Glenn's legacy alive and is continuing to evolve. Soke Williams easily fills the shoes of our founder — and then some.

James Alexander
Lieutenant, United States Navy
Shihan, Hoshin Budo Ryu

Training with a martial arts master is a high honor. Although you try to absorb everything you can — the perfect formation of his stance, watching where his hands strike, and sensing that every one of his movements is ingrained — you still don't know how he did it. Within a blink, your hands and feet hit the floor, and in a daze you look up to see a powerful aura of benevolence — that's Soke Rob Williams — the heart of Hoshin. That's when you realize there is more to master than the physical. As we each receive a calling for higher knowledge, Soke Rob Williams is here to assist each of us with our desire to obtain that state of higher consciousness.

Lenna Guinn, Wind belt, Hoshin Budo Ryu