What Does It Mean To Be A Spiritual Warrior

I've been pondering the quote that began my previous post about seeing everyone as your Buddha. I was so taken with it that I wanted to bring it up again here:

“Only a warrior can stand against the path of knowledge.” A warrior is incapable of complaining or regretting anything. His existence is a never-ending test, and tests can't possibly be good or bad. Challenges are just that: they're challenges. The fundamental difference between a common man and a warrior is that a warrior views everything as a challenge, whereas a common man views everything as a blessing or a misfortune.” -Don Juan, as stated in A Path With Heart by Jack Kornfield

A spiritual warrior is someone who, whether conquering mountains or wallowing in swamps, lives life aggressively and purposefully. He accepts life's natural ups and downs and views difficult situations as challenges to overcome rather than bad luck to bemoan. It's the kind of person I strive to be, and it's one of the reasons I find Eastern wisdom so beneficial and adaptable to everyday life in the West.

What does it mean to have a spirit of a warrior?

Fear grips everyone, even those with a fighting spirit. Those with a warrior spirit, on the other hand, feel the fear and act anyway.

This is due to their bravery. They have the ability to act even if the consequence is uncertain.

Warriors understand that the road to happiness and fulfillment is fraught with perils, but that isn't going to deter them. Even when it's challenging, they push forward and confront their worries.

Because they both stem from the same source, courage and passion go hand in hand.

What is a spiritual warrior in the Bible?

A Spiritual Warrior is someone who leads a God-centered life and faces life's challenges with their head held high. A Spiritual Warrior thinks and understands that God is guiding them in all aspects of their existence and that they will not be harmed. A Spiritual Warrior understands that God has already won the battle for them, and that they no longer have to fight for victory, but rather from triumph. A Spiritual Warrior is someone who is obedient, faithful, fearless, and believes in God's plan for their life. Nothing is too difficult for God, according to a Spiritual Warrior.

A Spiritual Warrior understands that life's trials are all part of God's plan, and that everything is merely designed to strengthen their muscle, character, and faith. A Spiritual Warrior prays in the midst of everything, both good and bad.

A Spiritual Warrior grows closer to God through time by reading the Bible, praying, fasting, and implementing biblical concepts to their daily lives. A Spiritual Warrior employs spiritual weapons to defeat whatever stands in their way.

What are spiritual warriors called?

In Tibetan Buddhism, the word spiritual warrior refers to someone who fights the universal enemy of self-ignorance (avidya), which Buddhist philosophy considers to be the ultimate source of suffering. Unlike other ways that emphasize individual salvation, the spiritual warrior's only full and correct practice is compassionately assisting other creatures with wisdom. The spiritual warrior who decides to reach buddhahood in order to liberate others is the Bodhisattva ideal (the “Buddha-in-waiting”). In esotericism and self-help books, the phrase is also used broadly. A bodhisattva has been defined as a spiritual fighter, “illuminated heart and courageous one,” “enlightenment hero,” “one who aims for enlightenment,” or “heroic being.”

What makes a woman a warrior?

Women fighters were rare until the last century. In Greek mythology, there were the Amazons, Helen of Troy, and, yes, Joan of Arc. Joan's burning at the stake, on the other hand, did not inspire confidence in women of the time (or afterwards) in stepping up to fight for their country's freedom. Women now run Fortune 500 firms, hold political office, and innovate in fields such as science and technology that were once controlled by men. Too many of these women, however, have compromised real feminine principles in order to ascend to the top, instead aligning with patriarchy and maintaining the status quo. Today's patriarchy may just as easily take down a female warrior, especially in politics, where women are frequently the victim of misogyny and labeled crazy when they display emotional intelligence.

A woman warrior is someone who fights for fundamental female principles. She may defend children's rights, lead humanitarian initiatives, participate in peacekeeping missions, or safeguard the environment. She accomplishes brilliance in any job she plays by standing firm and advocating for change. Women warriors are equal to males in terms of strength, resolve, and bravery. They are ready to take up weapons and fight for a cause with tenacity and zeal. And, for the most part, when they do, we admire them. However, many women find it difficult to put on a warrior attitude and fight for what they believe in because of their responsive and sensitive nature. Despite the fact that every woman has a woman warrior within her, many women are unable to find her.

The following motivating quotes and nuggets of wisdom best represent the features, attributes, and characteristics of a lady warrior:

How do I become a true warrior?

In most old communities, being a warrior was regarded as a noble and honorable endeavor. For men, in particular, being a warrior was the pinnacle of achievement—and deservedly so.

This phrase— “Since the start of the Global War on Terror, the term “fighter” has garnered a lot of attention in the media and among veterans. If you look closely, you'll notice that headline after headline refers to post-9/11 veterans as warriors, regardless of branch, rank, MOS, or other factors. The Wounded Warrior Project, the Warrior Brotherhood Veterans Motorcycle Club, Homes for Wounded Warriors, K9s for Warriors, Connected Warriors, No Barriers Warriors, Hope for Warriors, Operation Warrior Wellness, and others are among the non-profit organizations that help veterans.

But I'm not sure if this term is going the way of the dodo bird “Hero” is a word that has lost most of its original meaning due to overuse.

Dr. Charles Hoge has worked with hundreds of post-9/11 soldiers and authored the book Once a Warrior—Always a Warrior, which is a helpful resource for transitioning veterans. Any service member, veteran, government employee, or contractor who has ever deployed to a conflict zone, he claims, is a warrior “As they return to civilian life, they will need to refine their “warrior tendencies.”

Dr. Edward Tick has also worked with hundreds of veterans, especially from the Vietnam Battle era, and authored War and the Soul, a significant book about war and returning home. He claims that a war veteran does not become a politician “a true warrior” simply because he or she has fought. Instead, he claims that a veteran does not become a warrior until they have accomplished the following:

• Use their clout to persuade their people not to go to war unless it is really essential; and
• Use the bravery they've acquired to help maintain sanity, generosity, and order.

“The perfect warrior is assertive, energetic, and energized,” Tick says. He or she has a clear mind, is strategic, and is always on the lookout. A warrior harmonizes and cooperates with his or her body and mind. A warrior is a self-disciplined individual. A warrior evaluates both his own resources and abilities, as well as those of those opposing him. A warrior serves civilization and its future by guiding, protecting, and transmitting knowledge and wisdom. A warrior devotes himself to causes that he believes are more important and greater than himself, his personal connections, or his personal gain. A warrior who has faced death understands the value and fragility of life and does not abuse or degrade it.”

So, how should we refer to people who haven't yet embarked on this long and arduous journey?

Veterans who have not advanced to warrior rank, according to Robert Moore and Douglas Gillette, authors of King, Warrior, Magician, Lover: Rediscovering the Archetypes of the Mature Masculine, are considered non-warriors “Shadow Warriors” is defined as:

Which do you believe we require more of in today's world? Warriors? Or what about shadow warriors? Is it necessary for one to exist in order for the other to exist?

There's no denying that we're living in turbulent times. I fear that we will always need “rough men” ready to “do violence” to protect those sleeping peacefully in their beds, but we also need true warriors who understand the cost of war and are willing to bear witness to it, who want to protect and nurture, and who can serve fearlessly to help alleviate human suffering here at home.

I realize it's easier said than done, but no one has ever claimed that returning home after war would be simple.

According to Tick, in order to begin the process of becoming a “true warrior,” veterans must accept what has happened to them and “find the depth of character to negotiate” their resentment—to grieve their loss “lost ideals and innocence, to accept new challenges, to live for and for all their dead comrades, to make sense of the entire matrix.”

Veterans will be trapped in a shadow realm of loneliness and resentment until and unless they go on such a journey.

So, what are your thoughts? Are you ready to take on the role of a true warrior? I certainly hope so. We require your assistance.

(Photo courtesy of Steve Beales/Band of Brothers/The Journal of Military Experience, Vol. 2)

What is a warrior mindset?

I am glad for the six years I spent in the United States Marine Corps. I was a member of the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines Surveillance and Target Acquisition (STA) unit and served in armor, infantry, and as a member of the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines Surveillance and Target Acquisition (STA) platoon. I also put in a lot of time mastering advanced hand-to-hand combat and knife fighting.

And I would have served longer if it hadn't been for a training accident that left me with significant ankle and lower back problems. With that stated, I wouldn't exchange my time in the Marines for anything since it taught me an important lesson at an early age: find a method to go over, under, or through adversity or a challenge.

The leadership qualities and ideas I learned in the Marine Corps are applicable to both the military and the commercial world.

I attended Drake University for my undergraduate degree after being discharged from the Marines, and then went on to acquire three master's degrees from various universities. To supplement my income, I taught self-defense to cops, security guards, military personnel, and those who wanted to learn how to defend themselves.

During these training sessions, I found something that would have a lasting impact on my business and consulting career: Military personnel have a warrior mentality, although most civilians do not.

In simple terms, having a “warrior attitude,” as I define it, implies that you will not give up until you have won a fight or completed a mission. It entails putting in the time and effort required to acquire and comprehend what it takes to be a leader.

As a consultant, I frequently meet with senior executives, ranging from the CEO to board members. When I work with CEOs, I frequently come with people who have a disconcerting lack of confidence. I don't focus on the issues that an executive believes are generating problems when I learn that he or she lacks confidence. Instead, I change the subject to one of dread and confidence.

No firm, in my experience, can succeed without self-assured and capable CEOs. I've yet to encounter a capable executive who wasn't also self-assured.

Jocko Willink, a best-selling author and former Navy SEAL, believes in the concept of “extreme ownership.” “Leaders don't just take responsibility for their job; they take tremendous ownership of everything that has an impact on their purpose,” says the author.

Willink's perspective is one that I agree with. The difficulty is that most people lack the bravery and confidence to lead in such a structured manner. Is it true that leaders are born or made? I believe a combination of the two. Individuals who put in the time and effort to improve their leadership skills, on the other hand, will always have an advantage.

Individuals who are insecure should begin their road toward acquiring a warrior attitude by committing to getting in shape through a combination of weightlifting and aerobics. As a person gains strength, lifting weights helps them to track their development and celebrate tiny wins. Martial arts, jiujitsu, and boxing are all great ways to boost your confidence.

Accomplishment leads to self-assurance. Make it a goal to be the best you can be.

Warriors embrace their concerns rather than hiding from them. Accept your lack of confidence and devote the time and effort necessary to learn how to lead. Slowly introduce yourself to circumstances in which you must lead rather than manage.