Does the term “spiritual” seem inappropriate combined with the idea of a warrior? There is a spiritual tradition in many cultures that describes the warrior of the higher path. The Tibetans, Buddhists and Yaqui Indians are most known for this description of the spiritual journey. In today’s New Age Daanan Perry writes and speaks about the Warrior of the Heart, this very concept, and so does Dan Millman in his “The Way of Peaceful Warrior”. I love that book! It is the book that got me started on this path of mine and is a HUGE reason why I do what I do now – sharing the greater light and wisdom that is available to all of us.
The Spiritual Warrior braves hardships, loneliness and ridicule to help others, improve the world and live the spiritual way. The path of Spiritual Warrior includes having the courage to know yourself – looking at or into the dark sides of yourself and its hidden shadows. Being a Spiritual Warrior means having the courage to face our own fears and create change in our lives. The Buddhists know it takes courage to stay committed and follow the eight fold path to enlightenment. The American Indians make decisions for the tribe by remembering and being responsible for seven future generations.
The average human lives either avoiding conflict to keep life nice and pleasurable or, in “fighting for control of life” by stepping on others, beating them out and getting Earth’s treasures for the ego self. This flight or fight response to life’s situations has created victor tyrants and abused victims, neither are happy or feeling complete and satisfied within. We see this in our homes and around the world between nations and races. Doing what “seems” expedient for the now – beating someone up physically/emotionally or retreating and avoiding conflict – only leaves the problem to continue. The spiritual path includes working to solve problems for all time!
But don’t be deluded into thinking that we will get rid of conflict on our learning path. Conflict is a constant challenge facing us all. It will continue to be so as long as we have something to understand and learn or until we no longer wish to give the gift of helping others. Conflict is especially more pronounced in the life of a Spiritual Warrior because he or she has chosen and committed to a life of growth, transformation, helping others and creating a greater quality life. Being on Earth is conflict – we are powerful infinite spiritual beings experiencing an infinite limiting physical world. If darkness does not exist, there will be no great appreciation of Light. The conflict between darkness and light will always “be”, but it only you and me that can choose how we want to feel.
If there’s one thing you will remember and integrate into every cell of your body and mind, it is this – “LET US STOP EQUATING CONFLICT WITH SUFFERING”. Conflict in life is a way to stretch our spiritual, mental, emotional and even physical strength. It is a call to growth and learning. A warrior answers the challenge and moves forward despite seeming difficulties. If we say we want to learn, we have taken up the banner of warrior. But let us be loving wise warriors working (not fighting) for good for all unto the seventh generation.
To eliminate suffering we can follow the Buddhist eight fold path of right views, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration.
Buddha taught, “Now, the cessation of suffering is to cease from attachment. Attachment originates in craving, and craving originates in ignorance. To cease from suffering, cease from attachment; to cease from attachment, cease from craving; to cease from craving, cease from ignorance.”
The eternal conflict is learn and grow or suffer. The path of the spiritual warrior includes surrender of personal ego to spiritual direction, surrender of what no longer serves you or Spirit, surrender of what is no longer true, surrender of what isn’t loving and surrender of ignorance so we can be wise. On this path we will risk being misunderstood, hurt, not looking good or even feeling foolish. It means being willing to be a “learner” or “beginner” in life no matter what our earthly age.
The Avatars of this world were (and still are) spiritual warriors, as are our cultural heroes of every era. By joining the group of spiritual warriors today we work to help our own progress, we support others in what is good and we bless the world (and all the Universe).
