Summoning the warrior spirit

The idea of the warrior spirit is important to the unification of all the indigenous ideas, as each of their principles asks us to evaluate our place in the world, and the nature of how do we do things.

The idea of the warrior spirit is important to the unification of all the indigenous ideas, as each of their principles asks us to evaluate our place in the world, and the nature of how do we do things. It asks us to self analyse and be willing, to be honest with ourselves about whatever we see when we look within. For some, this is almost a habit, yet for most, it is a huge challenge. Our modern society commits to education. As a contemporary philosopher, Alain De Botton, describes it, “Our energies are overwhelmingly directed towards the material, scientific, and technical subjects and away from psychological and emotional ones.” We are not taught the art of self-analysis during our childhood, nor in the school system or the universities, yet the university of life demands it of us if we desire to soar above the norm and achieve the remarkable. By calling the warrior spirit in rigorous practice, we become more skilful in the art of honest self-observation.

A warrior is someone who faces conflict. Spirit is something other than physical. Psychology is the study of humanity, the intellect, and the seeking sensation of our ego subconscious. A warrior’s body and mind may be the weapon, but how that weapon is used relies on the heart and mind of the warrior, their human spirit. When we access the warrior within us, we are asking to hold a single concentrated focus, the goal or the mission. We know that fear comes from gloomy fantasies about the future. Though by focusing on the present task at hand, there is no fear. A warrior understands that death is unavoidable and while not wanting too, is not afraid to die.

“I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo.

“So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

We must strive to do the right thing in the face of obstacles and opposition. A warrior accepts responsibility and accountability. We must understand there are no shortcuts, and accept daily discipline as a way of life, both the means and the end. A warrior knows that every obstacle that life may throw at us, is another opportunity to practice and improve our skills. As individuals we need to realise that it is not only what we do that matters, but who are we in the deepness of our minds, our hearts, and our spirit.

It is love, not hate, which should motivate us. A warrior identifies empathy and indifference for the enemy. As warriors in our personal and professional lives, we have to understand that courage comes in existence and not the absence of fear. By being mindful of our emotions we able to harness the energy to complete the task. By being confident in our skills, but not arrogantly lead by our ego. We may feel what everyone else does, by choosing to respond to it differently.

We develop our ego identity through the parents and society that raises us. These beliefs held in our minds are also learned through the different experiences we encounter in our journey of life. These perceptions or beliefs dictate the feelings within our heart. Anything which is learned can be unlearned and relearned, for that reason, we can learn and call upon the warrior’s spirit within ourselves. Throughout the ages, most societies and cultures have had warriors, an example of this is found within the Japanese culture, the Samurai. The Japanese warrior tradition claimed there is only one position in which to face the barrel of life: frontally. And it also stated there was only one direction: Forward.

“When you manage to overcome your own mind, you overcome myriad concerns, rise above all things, and are free. When you are overcome by your own mind, you are burdened by myriad concerns, subordinate to things, unable to rise above. Mind your mind; guard it resolutely. Since it is the mind that confuses the mind, don’t let your mind give in to your mind.”

Suzuki Shosan (1579–1655):

Earlier, we spoke about the symptoms people are experiencing during this time of great change and transition. These manifestations are signs that things are changing. All these indications are there to tell you that change is required for yourself and your life to pass through this shift. Physical and mental resistance, dismissive emotions and internal struggles block the way and will make passing through this shift a very taxing journey. After changing jobs and even whilst I became self-employed, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the life I was living, was not meant for me. Through the patience of deciphering my thoughts on a written journal, I was able to hear my inner guidance, and I came to know that I needed change. It is one of the oldest archetypes and is within all of us.

Remember this:

“We do not rise to the level of our expectations, we fall to the level of our training.”

Archilochus, Greek Soldier, 650 BC

The reality is that you don’t know what you don’t know. And yet, we expect people to function at a level that is beyond what they’ve trained to do. If we haven’t been properly trained, then we don’t know how to do the job. Most of us won’t ask if we don’t know anything in particular because we don’t want to appear ignorant, and that mindset often leads to inaction, and in turn, hinder our prospect for personal growth. An example of this is Guillaume Nery breathtaking (in the literal sense of the word) base jumping at Dean’s Blue Hole. It’s an awesome and inspiring clip, about a man reaching and exceeding physical and mental limits most would have called impossible.

Try it now:

Whilst attending one of my recent lectures at the school of philosophy, there was an exercise which has helped me considerably during this time. Use this exercise as an all-purpose one. Use it for contemplation when you are faced with a problem or urge. Think of someone who has attained a Sage ideal in your mind. The sage may not be a real person but can be a composite of many people we admire and would like to emulate. Now see yourself, in your mind, acting like this person several times a day. Whenever possible, be in agreement with your behaviour to that of your idealised person. When you encounter any conflict within yourself or with others during the day, ask yourself: What would a Sage do?

By examining your situation through this model it can increase the quality of your life.

Conclusion:

Life is a stage and we are the actors, said William Shakespeare. In a way, our life is like a book unfolding page by page, day by day, so ask yourself — what storyline am I writing? What story will you gratify with when your life is at an end? Make time to view your current life and if you are not pleased with the journey so far, choose to do more of what brings out the best in you.

In his book, Man’s Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl (Amazon link) says: “Everyone has his own specific vocation or mission in life; everyone must carry out a concrete assignment that demands fulfilment.”

The purpose of life isn’t to get to the top of the hill and wait around until you die. — live it out the best as you can and enjoy the process. In the end, life is about collecting and sharing experiences.

Focus points; The main points to remember from this article are;

• We should aim to strive to rebuild an external life with intention, not reflex.
• To get a good life, we should focus our mental, and physical energy on the things we control in our imminent surroundings, and accept the rest as it happens.
• By being mindful about our emotions we can harness the energy to complete the task.
• When you encounter any conflict within yourself or with others during the day, ask yourself: What would a Sage do?

About the author: Kurt Micallef is a Brand Strategist and designer at Friends of Ours, an online content and design platform. He regularly writes about new perspectives, traditional knowledge, practical ideas and hands-on experience. We believe in the power of design, storytelling and human experience to communicate strong messages.

Originally published at https://www.friendsofours.co/