Beyond Black Belt exposes previously untold secrets of advanced karate ranks. Gary Purdue uses fascinating behind-the-scenes insights to reveal why all black belts are not created equal.

True-to-life stories show the compelling reasons why people want the honor and prestige of black belt, and how they continue beyond first-degree rank to more advanced levels.

The first part of the book defines first- through fourth-degrees physically, mentally and emotionally. The second part details the dynamics and execution of those ranks.

You will discover martial arts myths and traditions, and find their marvelous significance in the light of today’s understanding. This is a must read for anyone who has an interest in the martial arts.

Gary Purdue received his black belt in 1969. He has been a police officer and reserve deputy sheriff, and was a hand-to-hand, baton and firearms instructor for the Bernalillo County, New Mexico Sheriff Reserves during the mid-1980s.

More than six thousand people, including police and military personnel, have attended his karate program at the University of New Mexico. His students have earned countless trophies and awards, including state, national and world championships. Over three hundred of his students have achieved the rank of first-degree black belt or higher.

He has three previous works published. His own awards number over two hundred, including United States Karate Alliance World Master’s Form Champion (1990), and membership in the prestigious Trias International Society and Alliance Hall of Fame. He is counted among the Living Legends of karate.

He lives with his wife, Donna, and enjoys the close relationship with his daughter, son-in-law, brother and mother in Albuquerque, N.M.

Students stop at third-degree black belt rank because they can’t or won’t acknowledge the reality of the danger we’ve seen at this level. They don’t want more danger, and they can’t progress when they deny their fear of the dangers. These "shrinking" Sandans feel that their rank is too fast and too dangerous. It is. But there IS a way out.

There is only one way to dissipate that "too fast and too dangerous" feeling. To improve, Sandans have to ignore their fears, the way Peter did, while he simultaneously recognized the very real dangers and wisely avoided them. This dilemma provided the catalyst for his ability to become used to the confusion and accept it.

By accepting the confusion, Peter could then ignore it. With an uncluttered mind he embraced karate physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. That lesson literally saved his life later on.

As with life, karate is four-dimensional. The only rules are spiritual, but they also apply to the real world. You reap what you sow. At third-degree rank, black belts start to learn what seeds they are planting.

Then with improvement, they learn how to harvest the resulting crop of responsibilities. For one thing, Sandans have to learn how to "be mean" constructively. Peter had to spar two of his Shodan students in order to win his division at a tournament. He asked me, "What do I do here?" At the time, I was a sixth-degree black belt.

I replied, "Beat them." I knew he could do it easily.

Peter looked at me, uncertain. I said, "You’re a Sandan. Show them that. They need to know how much better your skill is than theirs. Beat them."

He did, handily, and instead of being discouraged, they were inspired! One of the Shodans commented, "Peter was awesome!" That kind of admiration is the "honey" that drives a Sandan to develop fourth-degree level skills.