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