be the change - tread the path

A couple of weeks ago I had another of those wonderful ‘coincidental’ meetings which seem to be happening a few times a week at the moment. I met a guy named Sefriel who I most definately have known through many lifetimes.

We quickly got round to the subject of the current advancement of ’strangeness’ in the world and the feeling that a ‘Tribe of the Light’ is being awakened and called forth to train others and prepare for some great, rapidly advancing purpose. These ‘Spiritual Warriors’ are able to easily recognise the similar energies in others and I asked Sef to Guest Author explaining what he understood as the definition of a Spiritual Warrior.

Drum roll please as I hand over to Sef: 

To BE a Spiritual Warrior

Some say that the age of chivalry is past, that the spirit of romance is dead. The age of chivalry is never past, so long as there is a wrong left unredressed on earth.
~Charles Kingsley

What does the term “spiritual warrior” conjure nowadays? Some love‘n’lighter waving a crystal? The Loyal Arthurian Warband waging holy war on a brewery? Surely there must be something more that can be done to affect change and walk the path we find before us. I can do nothing more than tell you of my philosophy.

I believe that a true spiritual warrior must be of the old ways, not of paganism, but of the soldier caste which has survived through the ages much better than any ancient religion. To draw upon chivalry, to draw upon bushido, to draw upon the Nine Noble Virtues of the Norse and the warrior-monk precepts of the Shaolin is to hearken back to the true warriors of spirit.

A samurai would have a very simple tenet: You are a skilled swordsman, but there will always be someone who is better than you. One day you will meet this man in battle, and you will die. Therefore, you are already dead, and so each step you take, each breath, each action, is filled with life. Surely this is an attitude to aspire to? To live each day to its fullest, to know with absolute certainty that one day, you will die, and then your deeds will be laid bare before you.

Unfortunately, modern society does not favour this outlook, and instead of living each day until death, the world of today tends to die a little each day. To greet the morning with fierce will and intent, to strive and conquer one’s fears and insecurities, and to triumph, is frowned upon. “Never take chances, don’t go out of your way for others, keep your head down, have a steady job…” The mantras of the mundane, the bland platitudes of the masses forever beat upon anyone who steps out of line, and wishes to distance themselves from those who walk by on the other side.

In the same way, chivalry suffers derision from all corners. The Left say that it is misogynistic and chauvinistic, the Right say it is too bleeding-heart, and most people just think it’s outdated and useless. True enough, chivalry moved into the realms of the ridiculous and served to hole up women to be treated as livestock, but it started with people genuinely wanting to help others.

The idea that the weak should be helped by the strong, that those who cannot stand up for themselves should have a champion, and that sometimes Justice must be served no matter the personal cost is not useless; nor is it incompatible with the modern world. Okay, I get a funny look every now and then when I ask someone if they need a hand with something, but the usual response when I offer to carry a heavy suitcase up the Underground stairs in rush hour is of great relief.

This can be applied to all situations – strive forwards toward a better world. To quote a cheesy popcorn flick with some brilliant platitudes: “What man is a man who does not make the world a better place?” To seek out the opportunity to bring about change for the better, to find the noble quest and complete it, is to be righteous and holy. True, it is not the way of most people, but then it cannot be the way of all people. A Knight would understand that although he leads the household, without a stable-hand he would not ride, and without his cook he would not eat. In the same way, someone wishing to be a spiritual warrior must not entertain contempt for people who do not walk the same path – a spiritual warrior must see his place in the world and understand that it is not for everyone.

This in turn brings a revelation: Far from being removed from society, someone striving to change the world must be a part of society. The spiritual warrior must be a part of the system it wishes to change, or it is merely an enemy. To step up against injustice, to fight against the oppressor is laudable, but to lead others forwards into a better world is righteousness.

Herein lies the kicker: Those of us who have spent years, if not decades, avoiding the uncomfortable conversations with normal people must now turn about and embrace open discussion. Hi, my name is Sef, and I save the world. I invite you to join me, in whatever capacity you feel you may, without prejudice and without derision. Don’t follow me, just stand by me, and act when you feel you should. In right thought and right action lie righteousness, and together we will face whatever comes with joy, with life, and with courage.

- Sefriel

Many thanks to my ‘Brother-in-arms’ for that wonderful article and I’m sure that this is just the beginning of our reclaimed friendship. A big thanks to Sef for always ‘BEing the Change’ and for continually going out of his way for others.

You ARE appreciated.

Honour and Glory,

Damian