Are You a Spiritual Warrior?

Are you a Spiritual Warrior?
One Life Tutorial for December 2024

The concept of a spiritual warrior does not align with traditional ideas of combat or external enemies. Instead, it refers to someone committed to the path of awakening, engaging in an uncontrived natural internal struggle against seemingly negative tendencies and delusions that obstruct a sense of spiritual progress. A spiritual warrior cultivates courage, mindfulness, and compassion to transcend the ego and foster peace within themselves and the world.
We speak of “seemingly negative” tendencies and delusions to be clear that ultimately there are no tendencies and delusions that are inherently negative. The struggle is with what the ego perceives to be mental and emotional afflictions, which once fully understood, can release the primary attachment to notions of duality at the root of all suffering. We talk about spiritual progress and a spiritual path while remembering there is no ladder, nor any progressive quantifier of spiritual progress. We simply speak in these terms so that we can talk to all parts of you.
To express yourself in the context of being a spiritual warrior you might consider yourself to be in a fight against aspects of yourself, perhaps against inner enemies like Ignorance. Ignorance is the fundamental misunderstanding of reality, particularly the delusion of a permanent, independent self. You might be fighting against greed or attachment to desires and sensory pleasures. Anger, resentment and hostility toward others or towards situations may be what you spar with. Perhaps you fight an inflated sense of self-importance or superiority causing doubt, hesitation, or mistrust of your spiritual path. The inner foes are at the root of suffering, and the spiritual warrior uses self-transformation, self-acceptance, and meditative focus to confront and transmute these afflictions.
The journey of a spiritual warrior begins with cultivating the deep desire to alleviate the suffering of oneself and others. This is the seed of the warrior's strength which nurtures a commitment to work toward enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. Self-acceptance is a crucial and foundational step on the path of a spiritual warrior. This acceptance does not mean complacency or condoning harmful behaviors, but rather embracing yourself with honesty, compassion, and non-judgment. It allows for genuine transformation and growth, which are essential for the spiritual warrior's journey.
Meditation engages the spiritual warrior to develop clarity, stability, and insight. Mindfulness creates the groundwork for recognizing the inner enemies (e.g., anger, greed, jealousy) and prevents being overwhelmed by them. Over time, this practice nurtures the courage to face your fears and vulnerabilities. A spiritual warrior aligns with values of nonviolence and compassion. Your "weapons" are loving-kindness, patience, and understanding. The spiritual warrior works not to defeat others but to dissolve barriers between self and world while recognizing the interdependence of all beings.
Through the transformation of afflictions, spiritual warriors become sources of compassion and wisdom for others. Your journey inspires and supports others on their own paths toward awakening to the ultimate reality of interconnection and impermanence. Aligned with this truth, illusions of separateness and ego diminish and become extinguished. The life of a spiritual warrior is one of meaningful engagement. Facing your inner fears and cultivating virtues creates a life of purpose, where you contribute to the collective well-being of all sentient beings. The path of a spiritual warrior requires unwavering effort and resilience. Challenges and setbacks are seen as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles. Perseverance arises from faith in the transformative power of the spiritual path.
In essence, becoming a spiritual warrior is about stepping into the inner worlds with courage, wisdom, and compassion. The "victory" lies not in defeating external enemies but in dismantling the barriers that block love and understanding, allowing your true nature—awakened and interconnected—to shine forth. Are you a spiritual warrior? Most likely, you have engaged in an inner struggle of some kind, only to find that by just being who you authentically are, the struggle ends and the path unfolds naturally before you.