Warrior of the Light -03- (05.18.09)

It has been an extraordinarily ridiculous amount of time since I last meditated on a page from Paulo Coelho's book Warrior of the Light.  But that does not matter.  All that matters is now, in this moment, I am again.

A Warrior of the Light does not rely on strength alone, he makes use of his opponent's

 energy, too.  - Warrior of the Light, p3 - 

A battle cannot be won if one burns through all his or her energy in the fight.  A warrior knows that strength is important, but it is never a deciding factor.  Intelligence is used: how to use an opponent's weakness against him, how to cater to a warrior's advantage without exhausting the warrior before the fight is over.  The crowd watches, jeers, even, as the warrior pauses to kneel and pray.  He listens to the words of his god, his inner voice, his reason.  He does not listen to the human world around him, but touches with something much deeper inside of himself.  And it is there, in that core, that he finds his strength.

In a roman coliseum, this makes perfect sense.  The implications for modern society are perhaps not as crystaline.

The idea is, in effect, not to fight the full force of life.  We find ourselves on these life paths, wandering aimlessly, sometimes hopelessly.  Sometimes we know exactly where we're going and just how to get there.  Sometimes we have no idea where we're going, we just know the route we want to take.  And some of us are content to just wander dazedly.

One thing that Coehlo expressed in his novel The Alchemist, was that even if we know precisely where a path begins and ends, we can't possibly fathom what happens in between.  It will curve, twist, and take us in directions we never thought we'd go.

Sometimes we leave the path because we don't think it is going the right way.  Sometimes we try to fight the path.  Sometimes we see it through to the end, and are pleasantly surprised with the results.  The idea is that even if everything does not work out in precisely as we planned, it still may be vital to our education.  If it is not an unusual shortcut to the finish line, then it is something very important to experience.

It does take work and energy to get to where we want to be.  It doesn't just happen. Neither, though, does it happen by brute force.  We must use some of the energy that is given to us - the circumstances thrown our way - the energy of our opponent - to get to where we want to be.  We do not need to be ashamed of asking for help, be it from a god or a guardian or a friend or confidant.  When the enemy is too strong to pass through, simply allow it to redirect you.  Take every blow as a lesson in self-defence, and see where you stand when it's over.  Take it in stride and take it with gratitude.

Peace, Love & Light be with you.

Midnight_digital, movimente, YanivG

Money God? (03.28.09)

I had wished to begin this again earlier, but the Fates conspired against me this time.  I will try and be more loyal.  I would like to continue with my Warrior of Light analysis, but I am not feeling the inspiration at the moment.  Instead, something else is pressing in on me: money.

And how can we not think about that?  With the way the economy is going, it seems as though our attention is rigorously focused on our financial status - or lack thereof.

While it is near impossible to cast aside our worries without a second thought, it is imparative not to let that worry possess our lives.

That which you focus on the most will come to fruition.  The energy and time put into a thought, an idea, a want will equate to the yield of that desire.

Whether it be by spiritual influence, or by simple logic (if you're always focused on one particular thing, then you will be, perhaps unconciously, doing things to ensure its outcome.)

This being said, it would be unwise to throw all caution into the wind and completely disregard the economic situation.  A balance must be maintained - a healthy balance. Know where you are.  Know what you spend, what you want, what you lack.  Your stewardship to your economic situation ends here.  Do not worry, do not dwell, do not lament. 

Money is not a god.  Under no circumstances should it ever be treated like one.  To be poss

essed and completely overwhelmed by a lack of money will do nothing but depress the individual, which can (and likely will) influence th

e economic situation further.  Instead, perhaps it is better to acknowledge what is lacking, understand what must be saved, and then find a reason to be grateful for what little we have.

Give unconditionally.  It doesn't have to be much - it doesn't have to be money at all.  Give love.  Give food.  Give joy.  Give some change if you can spare it.  That which is given freely and out of love always returns tenfold.

To be at peace with the situation promotes a happier worker, a worker more likely to be hired by an employer.

Not all is seen.  Two workers walk in for an interview. 

Both are dressed impeccably, both have outstanding creditials, one has been out of work for a month and has been stressed to a breaking point by his own ego.  In his mind, he must have this job. He must.  The other has also been out of work for a month,  but he knows he will walk into the room and do his best.  If it is not meant to be, then he will not get the job, and he will go somewhere else.  He is grateful for this change in workplace.  He is optimistic about the new doors opening before him.  He is excited to see what will happen next.

Though the employer may not have the 

history of the two men, the employer will be able to tell in the unseen.  The manner, the nervousness, the apparent egotistical nature of the man that desires the job to a point of craze - the employer may not even be able to articulate what the difference she percieves is, but there is one.  And she will choose the worker who is grateful and compassionate and relaxed, perhaps for reasons she cannot explain.  The obsessed worker will be turned away, and driven further into his craze.

Let it be.

Do not make your situation worse by making it the most important thing in your life.  Be grateful for what you have, enjoy it, and be kind with others.  It will return tenfold.

Darren Hester, thinkpanama, just.k