Sacred path of Warrior

I wrote a poem "Warrior of Light", and the unexpected outcome was that I got a book "Shambhala - The Sacred Path of the Warrior" as a gift. Thanks you! (Kindness is an important part of warriorship).




I started reading the book and during the
process, I read wikipedia on Shambhala, watched a movie "The Warrior" which I accidentally found (Good movie with Irfan Khan - available in Netflix). I also tried the "Warrior Bowl" - a VitalityBowl shop in-front of my office (it was good!); it is part of the process. (Interesting findings .. it is fun)

Just like any book, I find a third of book had good points/discussion/thoughts. Next one third is repetition of same ideas and sometimes forcing to certain concepts and last one third I am not clear  (felt random thoughts). I will share what I learnt from the book. Standard disclaimer applies; I do not claim an expertise or any form of wise observations.

The Shambhala tradition starts from the "Kalachakra Tantra" which Shakyamuni Buddha gave it to first king of Shambala society. "Kalachakra" - where "Kala" means time and "Chakra" means wheel. We know that this concept of time wheel has been used by many ancient cultures. Shambhala is about the path of warriorship, or path of bravery, that is open to any human being who seeks a genuine and fearless existence. 

So, let's see what the Warriorship means The book had two major parts; How to be warrior and Warrior's world.

The Shambhala teachings are not a religious teachings but a way of life. There is goodness in each of us and warriorship is finding that goodness and helping create a enlightened society.  In order to understand the goodness, one has to examine himself / herself - experiences which can uplift the existence - recognizing the goodness. By opening yourself to yourself - be true to oneself, one can discover the goodness.  Renunciation means making yourself more available, more gentle and open to others. But what a warrior renounces is any experiences which is a barrier between himself and others.

Warriorship is a journey. To be a warrior is to learn to be genuine in every moment f life. A person who does not feel alone and sad can not be warrior at all. A warrior is sensitive to all aspects - sight, smell, sound, feelings - appreciating everything that goes in the world. Each of us has a a bank of energy "windhorse" - wind symbolizing energy and horse, the goodness which can be ridden.  By realizing and leveraging it, one can move in the path of warriorship.

The basic premise is that we need to fully accept what it means to be human, taking our "bad" with the good, and facing this fact—embracing our humanness—is an act of being a warrior. And actually it teaches to not think of things as "good" or "bad" in our nature, but merely as a state of being what we are. Once we can accept this, then we can begin to move forward in "uplifting our lives."

"Acknowledging fear is not a cause for depression or discouragement. Because we possess such fear, we also are potentially entitled to experience fearlessness. True fearlessness is not the reduction of fear; but going beyond fear"

 A good warrior feels the sadness and has a tender heart.  A person who does not feel alone or sad can not be a warrior at all.

My thoughts:  I find the teaching to be more realistic. It focuses on oneself, the goodness in each of us; enforces openness to others; supports the world around us;  fundamental connection to earth; encourages to do good to others; enjoy every details of what the world has to offer using the senses. It expects every emotion (sadness, aloneness ...) to be part of the warrior's journey. Warriorship is a continual journey and to be a warrior is to be genuine in every moment of life.  It is more positive and realistic approach.  It follows the "Great Eastern Sun" model which represents awakening of human dignity - the rise of human warriorship.

We all are warriors of light
Helping others see
Helping others pass the storm
Enhancing the world everyday
We are warriors of light!