Thoughts on being a Spiritual Warrior

[IfasehunReincarnated]

random statements on Spiritual Warriorship

When most people hear the word "warrior" it brings to mind images and feelings of battle and maybe even violence. The term "war" implies a brutal fight against a great enemy. When we talk about Spiritual Warriors, the intesity may be the same, but the tone is different. A spiritual warrior can be every bit as aggressive, assertive, and courageous as the traditional warrior. This courage is tempered with intense love for humanity and for the cause of bringing the World a greater sense of peace and love. The spiritual warrior has profound strength, both internal and external. A balanced warrior can be both aggressive and passive, assertive and allowing, hard and soft. Being a Spiritual Warrior means knowing when to pick up the Sword of Truth and fight. And it's also about knowing when to put the Sword down and let things BE.

There are many different styles of being a spiritual warrior. There are those who put themselves out on the front lines, fighting for what they believe in, chaining themselves to trees, marching in protests, getting involved in the political change and doing much much more. These are the acts that we hear most about. These are the external manifestations of our spiritual warrior conciousness. The courage to stand face to face with a challenge and the bravery to not back down.

There is also the more quiet spiritual warriors. The work of the quiet warrior is mainly done on the inner planes. These warriors may not be stepping out in front to lead the charge into battle. Their purpose is different. Their role is to live with awareness, find their integrity and true style, and be authentic in their own world, which then affects the rest of Humanity. For them, being a warrior is about doing what's in the best interest of your whole self and choosing your battles wisely. It's about being aware of the urges that Spirit sends to you and knowing when is the time to fight and when is the time to let the fight go.

Within each of us lies the agressive fire warrior and the soft quiet warrior. Each type of warrior energy is equal in it's challenges. Whether we are facing our shadows out in the world or facing them within our own conciousness, we are doing a job that many would shy away from. We do it with courage, strength, and a trust in the Divine nature of humanity and All That Is. Within each person, whether they appear evil or angelic, burns a flame of the Divine. The purpose of the Spiritual Warrior is to illuminate the shadows and bring those flames to the surface where they can shine for the entire world to see.

"Even when confronted with adversity, the classic warrior holds fast to his values and principles, but while most warriors march off to subdue a perceived enemy, Spiritual Warriors follow a different path, marching into their own center. They strive to perfect the internal discipline that will keep them attuned to God as they journey through this world."

"Life is not a matter of avoiding the tough lessons, but of extracting all we can from them for the advancement of our spiritual selves. The difference between a Spiritual Warrior and a lot of other people who wander around waiting for success, or love, or abundance to happen to them is that the Spiritual Warrior acts not reacts."

[IfasehunReincarnated]

WAY OF THE PEACEFUL WARRIOR

It is my sincere hope, as one of many humble guides along this personal path, to share here the universal principles and practices of a peaceful warrior's life. In my own life, I have found these principles and practices to be practical, enlivening, and enlightening. I have had much help from many mentors throughout the way, both directly and indirectly, at times real and imaginary, inspirational and spiritual. I, myself, am a teacher of young people, as well as an aspiring writer, so this self-created sphere of influence serves me in two ways. May the wayfarer who finds his way here take what he needs to suit his manner. Do not be afraid to question, as that is one of the keys to knowledge. My personal guiding principle is: To Learn, to Live, to Awaken, to Teach. This can also be said to be the four stages in an individual's -- a peaceful warrior's -- life. Learn what you can here, apply it to your own perspective, and, above all, pass it on to someone who will also benefit. It is said, "We have no friends; we have no enemies; we only have teachers." May I, in return, also learn from you, a fellow traveler along this ascending mountain path. Please keep this in your mind, your heart, and, especially, your soul: Let us all help lift each other up. May Spirit always guide your path, as well as lead me on my own.

~ Vernon Amaro


The Principles and Practices ~

A PEACEFUL WARRIOR

The term peaceful warrior seems a contradiction -- how can one be both peaceful and a warrior? Renowned warriors from every culture, in spite of their violent image, have demonstrated qualities of courage, commitment, and inner strength; yet few had a peaceful heart. The peacemakers of history have shown qualities of loving-kindness and compassion; yet only a few possessed a warrior's spirit. The peaceful warrior combines both courage and love -- a warrior's spirit with a peaceful heart.

And so we begin our quest....

THE TWELVE GATEWAYS

Everyday life is our spiritual school. As we see our reflection more clearly in the mirror of daily life, we will come to know and accept ourselves as never before. As we learn from the natural consequences of our actions, we'll find the wisdom necessary to progress on the path of personal and spiritual growth.

The path of spiritual practice leads upward, through the harrowing gauntlet of human experience to the peaks of our potential. On this journey we encounter Twelve Gateways. Their purpose: evolution. Their arena: everyday life. Their secret: action. And their time: now. The Twelve Gateways are not a destination; they are a process, an ongoing journey. The end of one journey is the beginning of another. Practice is the catalyst of change. Sacred practice forms a bridge between heaven and earth, between flesh and spirit, that transmutes each day, each moment. This is our training, our destiny. And always be assured of this -- every journey begins with but a single step.

These gateways apply to each and all of us. No matter how different our appearances, experiences, talents, cultures, and beliefs, we share in a common quest for meaning -- no one is exempt, no one excluded. Taken together, the Twelve Gateways provide a direct path to our hidden promise, a way to reconnect with our soul's deepest yearnings. As we travel through these gateways, expect to find an expanded sense of purpose, toward the summit of human experience, where we can live the spiritual truths at the heart of our existence. As we take this journey, we have the opportunity to reflect upon our past, consider our future, while living fully in the present.

The First Gateway ~ Discover Our Worth: Opening to Life
The Second Gateway ~ Reclaim Our Will: The Power to Change
The Third Gateway ~ Invigorate Our Body: A Foundation for Life
The Fourth Gateway ~ Manage Our Wealth: Sufficiency and Spiritual Practice
The Fifth Gateway ~ Tame Our Mind: Inner Peace and Simple Reality
The Sixth Gateway ~ Trust Our Intuition: Accessing Inner Guidance
The Seventh Gateway ~ Accept Our Emotions: The Center of the Cyclone
The Eighth Gateway ~ Face Our Fears: Living as Peaceful Warriors
The Ninth Gateway ~ Illuminate Our Shadow: Cultivating Compassion and Authenticity
The Tenth Gateway ~ Embrace Our Sexuality: Celebrating Life
The Eleventh Gateway ~ Awaken Our Heart: The Healing Power of Love
The Twelfth Gateway ~ Serve Our World: Completing the Circle of Life

Time is a surging river, bringing change to each and all. Cultures come and go; the face of the world changes. Humanity moves forward, accelerating, evolving, toward higher consciousness and open hearts. All of us experience personal evolution and destiny. But no one is an island; each of us influences those around us. By awakening, one becomes a spark that sets others aflame. The individual touches the community, his family and friends; the community touches the region; the region touches the nation; the nation touches the world. Individual change precedes global change. Every one of us counts; each of us contributes to the beauty of the whole. We change the world by changing ourselves. And if we do nothing more than offer a smile to a stranger or utter a kind word to someone in need, we make a difference. As we learn the lessons of the Twelve Gateways, we will see a shift of awareness that will transform everything within humanity's sphere. Enlightened civilizations appear only when enough individuals behave in enlightened ways. We are just beginning to see the dawn of our destiny.

The practice of these Twelve Gateways, which is the practice of enlightenment, the practice of life, is a cycle without end, like the changing seasons. We will pass through each gateway not once but many times, each time learning more, until practice becomes play, and play becomes life, and life becomes illumined. As we travel the winding paths ahead, remember our sense of humor, our sense of perspective, our simple humanity. Ultimately, nothing can hinder us on our quest, because nothing is stronger than the human spirit that connects us all. We are seeds of what is to come, stretching upward, reaching to the Light. Above all, be gentle with ourselves.

THE TWELVE LAWS

Within the mystery of our existence, the universe operates according to spiritual laws as real as the law of gravity and as constant as the turning of the heavens. Woven into the fabric of existence, reflecting the primal intelligence of the universe, these laws of Spirit direct the mechanics of the universe -- the movements of flowers reaching toward the sun and waves thundering to the shore. They govern the movements of the Earth, the cycle of the seasons, and the forces of nature. To their strain, even the galaxies dance.

The laws of Spirit point to the innate order and intelligence of the universe. They transcend concepts, customs, and beliefs. Constant as the movement of the planets, they apply not only to the mechanics of nature, but to every aspect of existence. They can guide us through the shallows and reefs of our lives the way the stars and compass guided ancient mariners on their course. Certain laws have special relevance to the practical affairs of human life. The books and teachings of religion touch upon these great truths. These laws form a blueprint for human evolution -- eternal principles that are the bedrock of our daily experience. The laws of Spirit belong to each and all of us. They are found within our own hearts and at the heart of every religion, moral system, and spiritual tradition. These laws can change every aspect of our evolving, multi-faceted lives. A peaceful warrior lives intimately with them, and from their essence is distilled what is respectfully referred to as "the House Rules." Simply put, these simple, powerful truths make life work, and can be said to be the "keys" to the Twelve Gateways.

The Law of Balance ~ Finding the Middle Way
The Law of Choices ~ Reclaiming Our Power
The Law of Process ~ Taking Life Step-by-Step
The Law of Presence ~ Living in the Moment
The Law of Compassion ~ Awakening Our Humanity
The Law of Faith ~ Trusting in Spirit
The Law of Expectation ~ Expanding Our Reality
The Law of Integrity ~ Living Our Truth
The Law of Action ~ Moving into Life
The Law of Cycles ~ Dancing to Nature's Song
The Law of Surrender ~ Embracing a Higher Will
The Law of Unity ~ Remembering Our Connection

Thus, as we continue our life's odyssey, we carry with us nature's codes to translate the cryptic map to inner peace and hidden potential -- opening portals to a deeper sense of meaning, connection, and harmony with all of creation. These laws come from deep inside us, a vast storehouse of intuitive wisdom; they are the alchemy that transmutes the baser elements of our lives -- the fears, confusion, concerns, and difficulties we encounter -- into the gold of freedom and clarity, serenity and joy. They are the steppingstones to our human destiny and what lies beyond. Those who follow the laws prosper and find fulfillment; those who ignore or resist them meet consequences that instruct them on their journey of awakening, so they can one day find peace in the light of higher understanding. We don't have to remember these laws; we only have to live them, and they will change our lives.

THE "HOUSE RULES"

Purposeful living embraces both reason and truth. Reason provides clear aims, while faith teaches us to trust the process of our lives. The "House Rules" presented here -- distilled lessons from the school of life -- provide reliable strategies for living on purpose. The House is Life, the Tao, the Universe, Reality; the Rules are universal or guiding principles. They are not rote formulas, but flexible reminders. All in all, one comes across them as partially hidden signposts marking the "way of the peaceful warrior."

House Rule #1: Earth is a school and daily life is our classroom.
House Rule #2: Our teachers appear in many forms.
House Rule #3: We learn best through direct experience.
House Rule #4: Failures are the steppingstones to success.
House Rule #5: Lessons reappear until we learn them.
House Rule #6: If we don't learn easy lessons, they get harder.
House Rule #7: Consequences teach better than concepts.
House Rule #8: Only action brings ideas to life.
House Rule #9: We can control efforts, not outcomes.
House Rule #10: Timing is everything.
House Rule #11: What goes around, comes around.
House Rule #12: Little things can make a big difference.
House Rule #13: Play to your strengths.
House Rule #14: To transform your life, change your expectations.
House Rule #15: Judge with compassion.
House Rule #16: Simplicity has power.
House Rule #17: Life develops what it demands.
House Rule #18: Every choice leads to wisdom.
House Rule #19: God helps those who help themselves.
House Rule #20: We each have inner guidance.
House Rule #21: Balancing the body is the first, most primary, spiritual practice.
House Rule #22: Life moves in cycles; all things change.
House Rule #23: Life is a series of moments.
House Rule #24: Be gentle with yourself; trust the process of your life.
House Rule #25: Kindness completes our lives; we are in this together.

An old peaceful warrior once said insightfully -- I've noticed three kinds of people in this world: those who make things happen, those who watch what happens, and those who wonder what happened. The "House Rules" serve as a useful framework, a primal reference, as our purposes constantly adapt to the changing tides of life. Eventually, one becomes a person of action, of learning -- a conscious player rather than an uninitiated spectator.

~ adapted excerpts from Dan Millman's Everyday Enlightenment: The Twelve Gateways to Personal Growth; The Laws of Spirit: Simple, Powerful Truths for Making Life Work; Living on Purpose: Straight Answers to Life's Tough Questions; and Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book That Changes Lives

[IfasehunReincarnated]

The Essence ~

Peaceful warriors have the patience to wait
until the mire settles and the waters clear.
They remain unmoving until the right time,
so the right action arises by itself.
They do not seek fulfillment, but wait with open arms
to welcome all things.
Ready to use all situations, wasting nothing,
they embody the Light.

Peaceful warriors have three great treasures:
simplicity, patience, and compassion.
Simple in actions and in thoughts,
they return to the source of Being.
Patient with both friends and enemies,
they live in harmony with the way things are.
Compassionate towards themselves,
they make peace with the world.

Some may call this teaching nonsense;
others may call it lofty and impractical.
But to those who have looked inside themselves,
this nonsense makes perfect sense.
And for those who put it into practice,
this loftiness has deep roots.

~ adapted from a poem by Lao-tzu

[M.Panther]

no replies with all of this wisdom presented? this needs a BUMP or two.

[sonjaar]

I thank you for this post. So much wisdom, so many guides and tools. I needed this tremendously.

Thank you.

[NgoneA]

Greetings Divine One's,
Thank you for these most enlightening posts on: Spiritual Warriors

a quote from Neville

" Man's CHIEF delusion is his conviction that there are causes other than his own state of consciousness. All that befalls a man - all that is done by him-all that comes from him-happens as a result of his state of consciousness.

A man's consciousness is all that he thinks and desires and loves, all that he believes is true and consents to. That is why a change of consciousness is necessary before you can change your outer world."

[GoodRain]

The more spiritual the war is the more mental it is. But its not allways so intense. Just like other wars it is sometimes calm or mostly calm. It all depends on the person that seeks to improve.

[Majadi]

respect is due, honor is due for the postings of wisdom here. Particularly as Afrikan men we need this type of serious discussion on spirituality and our warrior role. I sometimes here brethren discuss the two dynamics as if they are contradictory. No, indeed it is of the last 3 years perhaps that I have found the happy medium between the two, in fact finding that they are one and not seperate. I am copying this stuff for myself and other brothers! I will give credit of course to the sources.

[Mamazen]

Originally Posted by M.Panther

no replies with all of this wisdom presented? this needs a BUMP or two.

This not only needs to be bumped, it needs to be pinned so that it's not lost on this board. This is invaluable to many whether they speak up or not.

[Uhuru Kimathi]

Asante sana.

Mungu akujalie

[SOULFOODX]

<New to this board i am truley honored as i have come with great expectations! Elder IfasehunReincarnated respect.

[MrWG]

I have been following the path of the warrior for several years. As a black man I realized that it was something that I had to do to survive in this world. It was a way to help build my community, plus protect myself from becomming as bad as the oppressor.

The battle for the warrior is keeping the negative, outside influences from entering in his or her community and keeping the negative inner influences from taking control of his or her self. It is becomming a more intelligent and enlightend person day by day, even if it just means learning one new word per day, not to prove anything, but to develop a mindset. The more we know, the more we can stand up agains the deceptions of the blind, angry and evil.