The Way Of The Warrior

The Four-Fold Way says that to be a whole, balanced person, one needs to develop one's inner warrior, healer, visionary and teacher. In modern day context, warrior qualities are the qualities of a good leader. The warrior:

1. Shows up and chooses to be present. That is, if I am talking to someone but I am not focussed on the person I am talking to, instead I'm brooding about something that happened, or my mind is wandering to the things I should be doing, what I did, what I could do, etc., then I am not present. I am not really here with that person.
   
   
2. Honors and respects others. Honor is the capacity to confer respect to another person. Respect is the ability to take another look, rather than fixate on just one or two aspects of who we think we are. That means staying open and flexible toward ourselves and others.
   
   
3. Is consistent in word and action. The causes of misunderstanding are: not saying what we mean, and not doing what we say. When our words and action are consistent, we become trustworthy. The lack of such alignment renders us powerless and impotent.
   
   
4. Accepts limits and boundaries. Saying yes and no indicates what we are willing to do and what we are not willing to do. If we say yes when we really rather say no, we lose personal power and become victims. If we say no when we know the situation calls for yes, we become stingy or selfish. The warrior knows yes simply means an acknowledgment of a viewpoint and does not necessarily mean agreement, or that I like you. And that no simply honors a limit and boundary as to what one can or cannot do at this moment. Nothing personal.
   
   
5. Is responsible and disciplined. Being responsible - our ability to respond - means standing behind our actions and to be responsible for all that we do or don't do. Being disciplined is to be able to face life without haste, to be a disciple unto oneself, honouring our own rhythm, our step-by-step nature.
   
   
6. Is "in his/her medicine". Native people in the Americas say that if you fully express who you are, you are said to be "expressing your medicine". In other words, you are using your energy to empower yourself and others. Native people believe that we all possess "original medicine", or personal power, which is unique to everyone. No two people have the same set of talents and challenges. When we compare ourselves to others, it's a sign we don't believe we have original medicine.
   
   
7. Embodies "big medicine". The warrior knows to always be present, knows when the right timing is and what words and tone to use in communication, and lets others know what s/he stands for. The warrior is said to posses the three powers of presence, communication, and position. In other words, s/he embodies big medicine.
   

If we don't develop our warrior qualities, we live in the shadow where our true warrior qualities are waiting to be claimed. What are these shadow qualities and how to claim your inner warrior? We shall find out next time.