Warrior blood

Ive re read this thread a few times, and cant quite put my finger on exactly what part of it makes me uncomfortable.

I wonder perhaps if its the definition of "warrior" that I personally ascribe to.

One of the most intriguing things I learned at Aikido is that all conflict, even a "non conflict" like that is about dominance. If you're fighting for your life, or fighting to protect another, your dominance over your enemy is essential. Whatever is happening, your only goal is dominance.

Craving conflict for me is craving dominance. Which has little to do with tradition or honour.

I slaved myself into the ground only to be cast aside once things got bad...it happened as a carpenter it happened when I worked for compusa, it's happened repeatedly to me....yet I always threw myself completely into every job I ever had, slaving under the delusion that if I worked hard enough I'd get somewhere in the world...all I've ever gotten from that is a bad back, bad knees, bad hips, and bad shoulders...it has been my experience that if I work hard someone else will benefit from it and throw me away once they've gotten what they want...much like the emperor cast aside each of his apprentices once they served their purpose in bringing him a stronger apprentice...

The most compelling definition of warriorship that I have encountered is trans-personal commitment. The warrior gives his or her life to the general welfare of his or her community and/or an ideal that her or she regards as greater than him or herself.

Saying, "I am a warrior," sounds a lot cooler than, "I am trans-personally committed," though.

Back track...

Brenna you're right in one aspect of conflict....about dominance...but dominance isn't the only driving factor, survival, the desire for peace can also be powerful driving factors...

"We will not go quietly into the night, we will not vanish without a fight, we're going to live on"

"It's not so much important to defeat your enemy, but to crush them so utterly that you keep others from picking up the fight"

I agree with both of those quotes...I don't seek to fight for fighting's sake, but I will not back down or run when fighting is needed...when I do fight I make sure that my opponent is defeated in such a manner that neither the opponent nor anyone else that bears witness will seek to challenge me.

RyuJin wrote: Back track...

Brenna you're right in one aspect of conflict....about dominance...but dominance isn't the only driving factor, survival, the desire for peace can also be powerful driving factors....

And how do you achieve that through conflict? By dominating your opponent.

I did not say that dominance is the motivation, but the intended outcome.


Craving conflict however, is about dominance as a motivation (in my opinion of course)

I suppose it could be viewed as a tool or maybe a toolbox...a demonstration of strength of will to survive/win...

RyuJin wrote: I suppose it could be viewed as a tool or maybe a toolbox...a demonstration of strength of will to survive/win...

A rose by any other name.

Seems a historical view to an experience of self power, which underpins self worth and social worth. But it's a selfish way to get self power by taking it from someone else, and occasionally it gets understood/justified by concepts such as morals and laws. I prefer to think of that 'righteous' conflict as duty, rather then self empowerment and so prefer the term guardian to highlight the distinction.

Plus warrior refers directly to war, so as gungho as it sounds to say like beating ones chest, I find it immolation of any depth in my values. If we consider going berserk, becoming engulfed in emotional focus on conflict... then I consider that a dark side trait simply because your handing over authority for action to subconscious processing - becoming the animal manifest.

I see that as weakness because your mind is not even present, you've had to put on a mask and play a character to experience something.

So I disagree with Khaos, and actually would suggest that the Jedi path is relevant to growing out of weakness to this situation, and developing it as a strength of character - a true sense of self power instead of pretending to be something else or taking it from others BUT, both things are useful in certain circumstances so I wouldn't suggest to people to walk a certain way - just keep on keeping on doing their best.

Plus, in regards to the OP, having a culture is awesome but I'd keep it relevant and try to improve it for modern times. It's one of the things I like about Jediism, as for me its about focusing on betterment to a future state of self.

If we consider going berserk, becoming engulfed in emotional focus on conflict... then I consider that a dark side trait simply because your handing over authority for action to subconscious processing - becoming the animal manifest.

As much as I dislike to admit this....sometimes I takes great joy in becoming the beast...it gives a sense of satisfaction and a feeling of having value...I work to keep it chained, under control...it's not an easy task...

I see that as weakness because your mind is not even present, you've had to put on a mask and play a character to experience something.

It's a weakness that can be made into a strength if you learn to maintain some presence of mind giving it focus...when I'm in that state I can't speak...or at least can't use complete coherent speech (think "hulk smash" level of communication)...the mind is present enough to function and somewhat identify right from wrong, just unable to articulate the words...

So I disagree with Khaos, and actually would suggest that the Jedi path is relevant to growing out of weakness to this situation, and developing it as a strength of character - a true sense of self power instead of pretending to be something else or taking it from others BUT, both things are useful in certain circumstances so I wouldn't suggest to people to walk a certain way - just keep on keeping on doing their best.

That's all I do...work with what I've got

I see that as weakness because your mind is not even present, you've hadn't to put on a mask and play a character to experience something.

Doesn't enlightenment revolve around the fact that all we are is one mask after another, that there is no such thing is the true self?

When in close combat and experiencing the oneness of existence, it's not like you're thinking of your next move, right? Bruce Lee said it best "i do not hit, it hits all by itself."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhvBTy28VJM