The warrior of light has learned that it is best to follow the light.
He has behaved treacherously, he has lied, he has strayed from the path, he has courted darkness. And everything was fine, as if nothing had happened.
Then an abyss suddenly opens up; you can take a thousand steps in safety, but just one step too many can put an end to everything. Then the warrior stops before he destroys himself.
When he makes that decision, he hears four comments: ‘You always do the wrong thing. You’re too old to change. You’re no good. You don’t deserve it.’
He looks up at the sky. And a voice says: ‘My dear, everyone makes mistakes. You’re forgiven, but I cannot force that forgiveness on you. It’s your choice.’
The true warrior of light accepts that forgiveness.
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
056. Warrior of Light
The warrior of light is a believer.
Because he believes in miracles, miracles begin to happen. Because he is sure that is thoughts can change his life, his life begins to change. Because he is certain that he will find love, that love appears.
Now and then, he is disappointed. Sometimes, he gets hurt.
Then he hears people say: ‘He’s so ingenuous!’
But the warrior knows that it is worth it. For every defeat, he has two victories in his favour.
All believers know this.
Because he believes in miracles, miracles begin to happen. Because he is sure that is thoughts can change his life, his life begins to change. Because he is certain that he will find love, that love appears.
Now and then, he is disappointed. Sometimes, he gets hurt.
Then he hears people say: ‘He’s so ingenuous!’
But the warrior knows that it is worth it. For every defeat, he has two victories in his favour.
All believers know this.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
055. Warrior of Light
The warrior of light recognizes the silence that precedes an important battle.
And that silence seems to be saying: ‘Things have stopped. Why not forget about fighting and enjoy yourselves a little.’ At this point, inexperience combatants lay their arms and complain that they are bored.
The warrior listens to that silence; somewhere something is happening. He knows that devastating earthquakes arrive without warning. He has walked through forest at night and knows that it is precisely when the animals are silent that danger is near.
While the others talk, the warrior trains himself in the use of the sword and keeps his eye on the horizon.
And that silence seems to be saying: ‘Things have stopped. Why not forget about fighting and enjoy yourselves a little.’ At this point, inexperience combatants lay their arms and complain that they are bored.
The warrior listens to that silence; somewhere something is happening. He knows that devastating earthquakes arrive without warning. He has walked through forest at night and knows that it is precisely when the animals are silent that danger is near.
While the others talk, the warrior trains himself in the use of the sword and keeps his eye on the horizon.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
054. Warrior of Light
For the warrior there is no such thing as an impossible love.
He is not intimidated by silence, indifference or rejection. He knows that, behind the mask of ice that people wear, there beats a heart of fire.
This is why the warrior takes more risks than other people. He is constantly seeking the love of someone, even if that means often having to hear the word ‘no’, returning home defeated and feeling rejected in body and soul.
A warrior never gives in to fear when he is searching for what he needs. Without love, he is nothing.
He is not intimidated by silence, indifference or rejection. He knows that, behind the mask of ice that people wear, there beats a heart of fire.
This is why the warrior takes more risks than other people. He is constantly seeking the love of someone, even if that means often having to hear the word ‘no’, returning home defeated and feeling rejected in body and soul.
A warrior never gives in to fear when he is searching for what he needs. Without love, he is nothing.
Thursday, September 15, 2005
053. Warrior of Light
The warrior of light knows that everyone is afraid of everyone else.
This fear generally manifests itself in two ways: through aggression or through submission. They are two facets of the same problem.
That is why, whenever he finds himself before someone who fills him with fear, the warrior reminds himself that the other person has the same insecurities as he has. He has surmounted similar obstacles and experienced the same problems.
But he knows how to deal with the situation better. Why? Because he uses fear as an engine, not as a brake.
The warrior learns from his opponents and acts in a like manner.
This fear generally manifests itself in two ways: through aggression or through submission. They are two facets of the same problem.
That is why, whenever he finds himself before someone who fills him with fear, the warrior reminds himself that the other person has the same insecurities as he has. He has surmounted similar obstacles and experienced the same problems.
But he knows how to deal with the situation better. Why? Because he uses fear as an engine, not as a brake.
The warrior learns from his opponents and acts in a like manner.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
052. Warrior of Light
In the interval between battles, the warrior rests.
Often he spends whole days doing nothing, because that is what his heart demands; but his intuition remains alert. He does not commit the capital sin of Sloth, because he knows where that can lead – to the warm monotony of Sunday afternoons when time simply passes.
The warrior calls this ‘the peace of the cemetery’. He remembers a passage from Revelation: ‘I know thy works, that thou art neither cold or hot… So then because thou art lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.’
A warrior rests and laughs. But he is always alert.
Often he spends whole days doing nothing, because that is what his heart demands; but his intuition remains alert. He does not commit the capital sin of Sloth, because he knows where that can lead – to the warm monotony of Sunday afternoons when time simply passes.
The warrior calls this ‘the peace of the cemetery’. He remembers a passage from Revelation: ‘I know thy works, that thou art neither cold or hot… So then because thou art lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.’
A warrior rests and laughs. But he is always alert.
Thursday, September 08, 2005
051. Warrior of Light
The warrior knows that no man is an island.
He cannot fight alone; whatever his plan, he depends on other people. He needs to discuss his strategy, to ask for help, and – in moments of relaxation – to have someone with whom he can sit by the fire, someone he can give regale with tales of battle.
But he does not allow people to confuse this camaraderie with insecurity. He is transparent in his actions and secretive in his plans.
A warrior of light dances with his companions, but does not place the responsibility for his actions on anyone else.
He cannot fight alone; whatever his plan, he depends on other people. He needs to discuss his strategy, to ask for help, and – in moments of relaxation – to have someone with whom he can sit by the fire, someone he can give regale with tales of battle.
But he does not allow people to confuse this camaraderie with insecurity. He is transparent in his actions and secretive in his plans.
A warrior of light dances with his companions, but does not place the responsibility for his actions on anyone else.
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
050. Warrior of Light
The warrior of light does not always have faith.
There are moments when he believes in absolutely nothing. And he asks his heart: ‘Is all this effort really worth it?’
But his heart remains silent. And the warrior has to decide for himself.
Then he looks for an example. And he remembers that Jesus went through something similar in order fully to inhabit the human condition.
‘Take away this cup from me,’ said Jesus. He too lost heart and courage, but he did not stop.
The warrior of light continues despite his lack of faith. He goes forward and, in the end, faith returns.
There are moments when he believes in absolutely nothing. And he asks his heart: ‘Is all this effort really worth it?’
But his heart remains silent. And the warrior has to decide for himself.
Then he looks for an example. And he remembers that Jesus went through something similar in order fully to inhabit the human condition.
‘Take away this cup from me,’ said Jesus. He too lost heart and courage, but he did not stop.
The warrior of light continues despite his lack of faith. He goes forward and, in the end, faith returns.
Thursday, September 01, 2005
049. Warrior of Light
The warrior of light pays attention to small things because they can severely hamper him.
A thorn, however tiny, can cause the traveller to halt. A tiny, invisible cell can destroy a healthy organism. The memory of a past moment of fear allows cowardice to be reborn with each new morning. A fraction of a second opens the way for the enemy’s fatal blow.
The warrior is attentive to small things. Sometimes he is hard on himself, but prefers to act in this way.
‘The devil is in the details,’ says one of the Tradition’s old proverbs.
A thorn, however tiny, can cause the traveller to halt. A tiny, invisible cell can destroy a healthy organism. The memory of a past moment of fear allows cowardice to be reborn with each new morning. A fraction of a second opens the way for the enemy’s fatal blow.
The warrior is attentive to small things. Sometimes he is hard on himself, but prefers to act in this way.
‘The devil is in the details,’ says one of the Tradition’s old proverbs.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
