Urban Warrior Spirituality
Urban Warrior Spirituality
By The Sensei
This week has been a busy week; chock full of writing, training, and other commitments. My diary has been pretty full, and while I was crossing off an appointment this morning, I happened to notice two words printed in the diary next to today's date. Those words were ASH WEDNESDAY.
As the Christians amongst you will know, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent—which is traditionally a solemn period of fasting and self-denial.
This got me to thinking; what is the spirituality of The Urban Warrior?
I do think there needs to be an acknowledgement of the spirit in any self-development. Don't get nervous—I'm not trying to convert you, here. I'm not talking about organized religion; whether you have a background as a Christian, Jew, Muslim, Taoist or whatever makes little difference to me. I'm talking about something more basic, more fundamental.
A warrior monk in meditation
Today, everybody understands that we need workouts for the body—whether they practice that fact or not! The human body must be stretched, flexed, and generally put under stress to remain healthy and reach its natural potential.
Fewer people realize that, as biological organisms, we also require workouts for the mind. The memory, cognition and logical powers all need to be exercised regularly. The brain needs to be trained every day if we are to stay sharp, to retain focus and intellect.
Fewer people realize that, as biological organisms, we also require workouts for the mind. The memory, cognition and logical powers all need to be exercised regularly. The brain needs to be trained every day if we are to stay sharp, to retain focus and intellect.
Something which former, stronger generations of humans understood but that most modern urbanites do not, is that there is also such a thing as a workout for the spirit.
What does this involve? Introspection and rigorous self-questioning. A contemplation of the nature of the universe, and your place within it. And—most importantly—the deliberate opening of those portions of the soul which are vulnerable to suffering.
What does this mean? We all hate pain, sure. And psychological pain is worse than the physical kind. But it's only though physical pain that the body is developed. It's only through intellectual stressors that the mind is stretched to its full capacity. And, likewise, it's only through psychological pain that the spirit—whatever you may think that is—is rendered as powerful as it can be. Ancient cultures understood this eternal truth about humanity, and accommodated it with a special place in their calendars, when individuals could challenge themselves with abstinence, self-analysis and penitence.
So…what are YOU giving up for Lent?What does this mean? We all hate pain, sure. And psychological pain is worse than the physical kind. But it's only though physical pain that the body is developed. It's only through intellectual stressors that the mind is stretched to its full capacity. And, likewise, it's only through psychological pain that the spirit—whatever you may think that is—is rendered as powerful as it can be. Ancient cultures understood this eternal truth about humanity, and accommodated it with a special place in their calendars, when individuals could challenge themselves with abstinence, self-analysis and penitence.