Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Forging a Warrior's Heart

In Japan, a warrior’s blade, the katana, is created through an elaborate and tedious process.  From the start, with just the right combination of ore, the ingredients are fused, heated and folded over and over until a blade, honed to take a life, if necessary, is created.  The end result is truly a thing of beauty in its strength and resistance to any obstacle it faces in its life.  Such is the journey of the warrior’s heart and the development of strength of mind, body, and spirit.   
Watching a sword master forge a blade can give the appearance of a truly violent act.  He works in a fiery place, enduring hours of physical discomfort, while singularly focused on his vision.  Within his mind, his heart and his spirit is the here and now.  Each strike, each temperance, each inspection is but a moment in time.  Everything he had done has prepared the blade for this moment.  Everything he is doing sets the path ahead.  So it is true with life.  This moment, this very moment, is the direct result of what has happened.  This moment, this very moment, sets the path ahead.  When life challenges you, when it appears that all hope has disappeared, this is the moment to strike the blade and continue on, forging the end product.  These are the moments where strength of mind, body and spirit are created, forged in the flame and heat of the present.  These are the moments where a warrior’s heart is created.
Within the beating chest are compassion, empathy and kindness.  It also is a place to keep the strength of a demon, waiting to be unleashed in the midst of a firestorm, to destroy obstacles and challenges, to resolve conflict and fear within the mind, body and spirit.  It gives us the strength to face those paths that reside outside the here and now.  The crossroads are in front of you this very moment.  One way is the fear of uncertainty, the other the excitement of new adventures.  Both lead to the same destination, because this is the path of life.  Live with the excitement of new adventures.  Live with a warrior’s heart.