Why are You so Mad?

As human beings, we can all relate to struggling with anger. It does not matter how patient, kind, and lovable we are. At a given moment, we all get angry. It’s a common reaction, yet it warns us about its consequences. 

A survey shows that 70 percent of new American referees quit their jobs within the first three years of work. Based on the study carried out by the National Association of Sports officials, all referees agreed on their reason for quitting: pervasive abuse from parents and coaches. The question that arises from this survey is, why do we get angry at what is supposed to be a fun time? How is it possible that something that should be a pleasant and enjoyable time becomes a “war zone”?

Our culture is filled with movies that show us people getting mad and expressing their fury for different reasons and in different ways: Mad Max, Falling Down, Anger Management. Characters react with increasing violence facing their frustrations. It is very common; it is human. The well-known Latin saying states, “Errare umanum est, perseverare autem diabolicum” - to err is human, but to persist is diabolical.

If anger is so common among us human beings, what is the problem? 

It is crystal clear that the reaction of anger is normal, but the problem is that it can become a habit. The results of anger can hurt us and our relationships. Through the next several posts, we will analyze the “why” behind our anger; we will go to the root of it, expose it, and get rid of all the hindrances that stop us from walking in the Warrior’s path.

Thought of the Day: It is ok to get angry; it is not ok to persist. 

Warrior of Lite

Warrior's Log - Ten

I'll post here when I get some time. 

Warrior's Log - Nine

I'll get to this when I can.

Precursor to the Recapitulation

In both gardening and spiritual (Warrior's Way) terms, planting and harvesting are exciting seasons. Planting is the start of an adventure; harvesting is the product of hard work. It’s easy to celebrate new beginnings and hard-earned completions - but one thing that’s not as much fun?

The pruning process. (Recapitulation.)

Who wants to acknowledge what’s dead and unproductive in their lives? Who wants to trim back what’s already blooming - leaving you smaller, awkward, and feeling extra weak and at a loss for energy?

But pruning is exactly what we need to keep producing fruit.

One aspect of the Warrior’s Way is the recapitulation and there are two separate actions in this process - cutting off what’s dead and pruning fruit.

Cutting out what’s dead makes sense. It’s extra weight, it’s unproductive, it’s blocking sunlight, and it’s stealing good energy from branches that could thrive. But without proper context, pruning fruit feels backwards.

However, the purpose of pruning isn’t to disable something, but to revitalize it.

If a branch is weak or diseased, it could not only damage itself, but the surrounding trees as well. Without pruning, both the tree and the life surrounding it can never reach full potential.

Pruning creates room for more growth.

Pruning stimulates production.

Pruning keeps the plant or person strong.

The Spirit through the Warrior’s Way and recapitulation is a good ‘gardener’. This process wouldn’t be a good ‘gardener’ if it left you to yourself - overgrown, ineffective, and full of dysfunction. So, through the Warrior’s Way process you cut off what’s dead for your benefit. Trim back ineffective things in your life to make way for more ‘fruit’.

You can trust the Spirit, including the Warrior’s Way and impeccable recapitulation with your life because only then can you see who you are and who you can become.

So what ‘dead branches’ are you dragging around? Is it possible that YOU are (finally!) ready for pruning you for future growth and preparing for more advanced tasks within the Warrior’s Way? (Dreaming, Stalking, Mastery of Awareness, etc.) Take a few moments and meditate on any areas in your life that you recognize need to change. (Beliefs, self-importance, personal history, ego, etc.)

Here is a link to the recapitulation page of this blog.

Warrior of Lite

The Key to Real Wisdom

Would you ever build a house without blueprints? Or assemble an airplane without instructions? Or conduct open-heart surgery without training?

Hopefully your answer is “no.”

If we want to know how something works, we should look to the expert for insight. In a similar way, if we want to know how the world works, we should look to the great Spirit.

The Spirit made the world and everything in it. It knows how life works best.

But too often, we look to ourselves or even to others to tell us who we are, what to think, and to explain to us how life works. The good news is:

Wisdom doesn’t begin with us - the created.

Wisdom begins with the Spirit - the Creator.

Are you interested in real wisdom? Genuine insight? True understanding? Look to the great Spirit, study the Warrior’s Way. Examine and walk the Warrior’s path closely and then find what you’re searching for with an impeccable attitude. 

Real wisdom starts with a Spirit-centered foundation. Everything else is built on that rock.

But as we do that, we must first honestly ask ourselves some hard questions: Do I want to learn from the Spirit and the Warrior’s Way, or would I rather do my own thing? Do I want impeccable wisdom, or would I rather follow my own misguided beliefs?

So, right now, be real with yourself: Are you willing to surrender your way of thinking and genuinely look to the Spirit and the impeccable Warrior’s Way, or would you rather just do your own thing? If you feel a wall of pride going up within you, ask the Spirit to help you knock it down. Brick by brick, it can reestablish your foundation.

Warrior of Lite