Fist of the North Star: Interview With Jack LR Williams

Greetings! I would like to welcome everyone to the blog page. If this is your first time visiting us, please take this opportunity to review some of our previous articles. We look forward to hearing some of your wisdom and insights, so do not hesitate in posting a comment. We are all related and exist in the womb of life. Have a blessed day!

Today we have a special guest. He is truly a martial sage. In my own personal experience, this gentleman is an emissary of the kami, always contacting me when I could use the encouragement the most and faced with life’s challenges. While some may regard him as the “Bruce Willis” of the martial arts community, a true “Die-Hard,” he is a source of inspiration for many who have the honor of knowing him personally.

One of the things that I appreciate about Jack LR Williams the most is the example he sets by the inner peace that he lives by. It’s amazing that while the guru, monk, and priest, may cast judgement upon others, Williams demonstrates his faith in the source of all things by expression of his non-biased view towards humanity and life, knowing that to hold prejudice and resentment in one’s psyche is poison for the soul.

We’ve had some very insightful conversations of the past few months. I am happy to announce that Jack Williams, along with Kerwin Rodriguez, are going to be featured in our next digital-theatre production. It is with great joy that we take time to hear some of Williams’ experiences and wisdom.

 

Warlock Asylum: It is definitely an honor to be able to hear some of your wisdom. I have learned quite a lot since our first meeting and from others in the Facebook group that you host. However, for some of our readers who may not be familiar with your persona, how would you best describe yourself?

Jack LR Williams: I’m a happy husband and father of three great kids. I love all kinds of arts. I’m a lifelong guitarist and have a degree (BFA) in Graphic Design from RIT in NY. I grew up in NY State, moved to Cali for 10 years, then back to NY, and now to GA with my wife’s job.

Warlock Asylum: One of the things that many people admire about you is your sincerity and ambition, especially in the field of martial arts. What inspired you to pursue study of martial arts?

Jack LR Williams: I’ve always been fascinated by hidden knowledge, whether it be musical, martial, spiritual, or even culinary…Successful martial artists that reach mindfulness and a state of wisdom, loving life and living to their fullest potential are a constant source of inspiration. Especially those that are willing to truly share what they know with others. We see plenty of teachers “cock-blocking” their students for a variety of reasons.

Warlock Asylum: From my understanding, you’ve had the opportunity to experience and practice Khilwat. Can you explain to us what this practice is and how did you come into contact with it?

Jack LR Williams: Khilwat, in the true sense of the word is an ascetic journey that culminates in a 40 day solo meditative process wherein one’s “mettle” is tested. My friend R and I stumbled across the “Khilwat Weaves”, which are a unique system of elemental mudras used in that solo practice – in the “test” phase of the spiritual rites of Khilwat. Khilwat is rarely mentioned anywhere publicly, and IMHO, is a piece of ancient “Mystery School” level knowledge. Khilwat is an ancient Sufi practice, and currently associated with Islam. However, the Sufis are independent of any one particular religion, even if, and when, they are associated with one in particular, as they are now. Sufis have allegedly been in Afghanistan/Pakistan and in the Himalayas for some time now. I hear that they’re moving to Chile as the Earth’s energy “belly button” moved from Tibet to the Andes in South America in 2012.


I make no claims as to who or what gets to test, or how they get found. It’s highly unusual for two monkeys to stumble into it and get past “the door.”



Warlock Asylum: If possible, can you share with us an example of how the Khilwat practice made a definite influence in one of your day-to-day experiences?

Jack LR Williams: We both encountered new “things” in the process. R and I both had terrifying vivid dreams and night paralysis; what I call “The Strangler” was there, evaluating us. We didn’t know what we were up to. He and I were (still are!) silly monkeys experimenting with ancient high biotechnology found in obscure literature. The entities on the other side don’t see strangers very often. They often appear intimidating and ominous. Both R and I had really deep experiences. He saw plenty of what we later found to be totems or faces of different deities, for instance he saw a blue-faced woman. Our friends know who she/he/it is.

As one progresses through the elements, we can perceive the other sides of these energies. Both of us, having no senseis to help us, only had one another until we got onto the radar of some special people who adopted us as students and assisted us in gaining control of our kundalini/elementals and then oversaw our progress through sub-elemental energies and their concepts and applications in life, death, and in-between (void). These two grandmasters both took a great risk in sharing the kuden with us. In previous eras, sharing this highly protected esoteric knowledge would be punishable with extreme prejudice. We came to believe that once people become initiated, or even trespass into this area of consciousness, you set off “intrusion alarms” and guardians come to check you out and may attach themselves to you, harass you, or infect you.


I was consulting with a local Ninpo sensei at the time. He suggested that I read the work of Soke Glenn Morris, an early Bujinkan Shidoshi and founder of Hoshin Do. It turns out that many people who go into this area have similar issues during the same junctures in their spiritual training.

Warlock Asylum: One experience that many of our readers, I am sure, would find especially interesting, is your work with the Shinto current. Can you tell us a little bit about your discovery of Shinto and what inspired you to pursue such?

Jack LR Williams: Both R and I went through personal growth experiences that were directly attributable to the elemental energies we were working on at the time. One is born under a certain element and this is where we started (Earth). Each element has its own lesson or story to be told/experienced, and a vibration to pick up or become acclimated to. I was in trouble with what I call “kuji cuckoo”. A master sensed that an enemy was creating obstacles for me. She called them “serpentines”. On one level this would be seen as a kundalini overload. On other levels this is spiritual harassment, potentially developing into possession, which is not a good thing in most cases.

My other master suggested I contact the Shinto for spiritual help. I looked into it, and found that “coincidentally”, I’d be nearby their Shrine within a month or so. I contacted the Shrine and was invited to come for a day of spiritual renewal and martial training. The highlight of the day was Misogi Shuho (water purification ritual), followed by Kuji-kiri (9 Cuts) in which the Priest cleaned me up, got me blessed, and initiated me into the Kuji-in (9 Mudra). Through this day, I came into awareness of the Shinto Kami and have enjoyed their benevolent spiritual protection.


Warlock Asylum: How did you get involved in what many call Traditional Shinto practice? What were some of the challenges, if any, that you had to confront while trying to integrate Shinto into your life?

Jack LR Williams: I’m not very traditional at all. My belief system is in flux as I learn more and more. I was brought up RC (Roman Catholic) and graduated from a Jesuit HS. The martial spiritual path brings one into a place where we question everything, and at high levels we see that it’s all fluid. Some folks may object to my style but I’m very much a-la-carte. I take what I like from what I like and it works for me. I see the parallels and contradictions in-between world cultures and I dig for the constants.

Warlock Asylum: I am sure after pursuing such paths that are often considered rare for a person reared in the culture of the West, you have gained quite a unique perspective into matters of spirituality. Where are you today in your spiritual studies and how did you arrive at your current perspective?

Jack LR Williams: Along with the Khilwat and Shinto Kuji practices, I am also initiated in a form of Tibetan Elemental Kuji-in, which is what I do the most of, in terms of my meditational mudra. In my opinion the elements overpower the things that are subject to the elements. This is a deeper connection to the divine – to a basic and more granular level. Demons and angels both have to follow the rules of the elements. That’s why this is a special thing.

Allegedly, I’m the first Caucasian to have been successfully initiated into these elementals and their sub-elements. The first process is to learn (and integrate) the mudra. Second would be to add in the mantra. Lastly we have mandala, or visual. When we combine these we approach pure intent. This trinity concept appears all over the place throughout religions. “Mind, Body, Spirit”, etc. I am coming into the understanding of the component of INTENT which is the most powerful/crucial of the three once we take our elemental wisdom and put it to work.

Warlock Asylum: Recently, you’ve come into a knowledge of the Art of Ninzuwu practices, as it also involves the invocation of the Kami in ways different that traditional Shinto practice and is a philosophy of its own in many ways. What is your experience with the Ninzuwu current and how do you see such practices?

Jack LR Williams: Messiah’el Bey, what intrigues me about your work is that it also gets back to precursor, old, old, old, Gods, some who’ve been forgotten by time. I also appreciate the concept of a universal body language that communicates across the dimensions to those old Gods who listen to that language. The body language/work also seems to have a qigong element built in; it makes sense that communication and health work together. It is the enemy of life and love who has built these barriers in our lives. They seek to keep us disconnected from our own God-given essence. “Built in his image”…what exactly does this mean? When we dissect the concept across planes of thought?

Warlock Asylum: What advice would you give to someone who is looking to find their way spiritually in life?

Jack LR Williams: If anybody frowns on an appropriate question, leave and don’t look back. Don’t take “I don’t know” for an answer. Don’t take “It’s hidden just because…” for an answer. Don’t believe the hype. Don’t make any blood oath in language you don’t know.

Warlock Asylum: In what ways has your spiritual search affected your personal and family life?

Jack LR Williams: My wife is flabbergasted. She shakes her head and smiles. A lot of this stuff sounds like a paranoid schizophrenic narcissistic fantasy. The shamanic path is not for everyone; nor can it be understood by everyone who touches (or is touched by) it. Nin-sense (ninja nonsense) gets in the way of Truth. This is part of why the “troll” phenomenon is so strong. It’s for a reason. Distractions keep us from our Path. Call it “static” in your clean signal.


I didn’t realize that the name “Hoshi” carried so much responsibility with it when it was bestowed upon me. It means “North Star”, which has been used to guide legendary lost sailors and wandering warriors throughout history. In a higher mystical sense, it also has a lot to do with ancient reverence for the “Big Dipper” and some of its component stars.

It designates someone who’s cross-trained in a few arts and who can read/see between the lines, so to speak. For me, it reminds me to be there for the folks who are “coming up” in their spiritual quest. If I can help someone who’s in trouble, then I will. If I cannot, then I send them up the line to higher authorities for spiritual assistance, triage, treatment, guidance, and even exorcism in extreme cases.

Warlock Asylum: How did you get interested in Ninjutsu and the mysteries surrounding it?

Jack LR Williams: I’ve always been interested in efficiency within martial arts. Ninjutsu is known for cold, calculated debilitating strikes and related locks, throws, and other hand to hand combat material. However, I’m only in the community as it seems to have the closest ties to the mystical, spiritual self-growth that I seek. I’ve always felt that something was missing. Mikkyo gives me a deeper sense of connection to my existence and the world I’m in today.

Warlock Asylum: Can you tell us a little bit about the “Dim Mak” experience?

Jack LR Williams: Dim Mak is fascinating as it is elemental-based; teaches a higher knowledge of the human body and its systems. And even better than that, it WORKS. Dim Mak, or nearly any western pressure-point knowledge, can give you another layer of goodness on top of your native martial art. I’m not a believer in chi balls at this time. Although I have seen ball lightning! Lol. I do believe in delayed effects upon the organs and systems within the body. Believe me, the people who wrote the Bubishi, for example, tested their work out on their enemies and prisoners alike. The recipes for destruction are things I won’t and don’t trifle with at this time in my career. If someone wants the fastest path to a force multiplier level of knowledge with this, I advise them to study ICHF’s Combat Hapkido and the Tactical Pressure Point system for a starter. This breaks it down into 60 (?) points that are all used in their curriculum and the base knowledge is laid out in good graphics, easily understood by westerners who don’t want to learn 365+ points.

Warlock Asylum: Many people look for a certain magic in the finer layers of martial arts. Some pursue such as a path for physical attainment. Others have found a certain joy in absorbing its philosophy. How do you feel about the legacy of martial arts and where are at today with it?


Jack LR Williams: On the surface, the strife among martial artists looks like a classroom of mean teenage girls trying to one up each other on any level they can, without seeing that they have a common goal. Ninjutsu and Wing Chun seem to have the greatest degree of idiots debating amongst themselves and anyone who will participate, ad infinitum, like a dog-and-cat-fight-ball in an old cartoon. A lot of this is done by folks who can’t seem to make the leap in progressing from their “mind and body” development into a “spirit” quest. This makes folks pretty mad when they get to the locked gate (Jade?).

Warlock Asylum: I would like to express my deepest thanks for taking the time to share some of your wisdom with us. We wish you all the best in all your endeavors. How can our readers contact you? What future goals do you have? Final thoughts?

Jack LR Williams: My email address is hoshijw@gmail.com – and I can be found on Facebook. My future goals are to continue to enjoy learning, to push the boundaries of awareness, and become even more effective/lethal and thereby learn healing through that process.


I asked several grandmasters the following question: “Why do we train 1,000 killers to find one healer, instead of training 1,000 healers and designating one killer/executioner”? Not one good answer came back. Crickets. This is a pity.



*On behalf of the Art of Ninzuwu blog page, we would like to say thanks to Mr. Williams once again. We wish you all the best in your endeavors . Many blessings to you and your family!