The idea of the sage-as-warrior comes from ancient Tibet where the sage, rather than leading a solitary life, hung around to benefit others who sought guidance in transcending joys and sufferings.
One lunchtime, I got into a conversation with Suzanne, a Taiwanese-born computer science student.
"Your talk about warrior sages who 'stay behind'--" here, Suzanne emulated quotation marks with her fingers "--to help others strikes me as just plain pie-in-sky. Confucius had the real message. Totally practical. Your first loyalties are to your family and your superiors, your country and company. You've got: order, righteousness, faithfulness, and humanity." She took a drink of iced tea and added, I don't believe in any of this new-age higher consciousness bullshit. Show me the money... you know? I'll help myself and my family."
Whoever would stride the warrior path:
selflessness is the point of embarkation.
Imbued with bravery, the wise
trek true paths through life's theaters.
Embodying warriorhood,
womens' strengths embrace fidelity,
self-sacrifice,
endurance.
Closer to reality,
attuned to mastering joys and sorrows,
their energies
kindle flames of victory.
The warrior discovers the delight of challenge
that designs new ways of understanding eternity.
This realm knows the reach of self-confidence,
has the courage to shower kindness.
The vigilance of right-judgment
follows the path of knowledge.
Courage is victory's backbone,
a keystone of valor:
essential on these craggy peaks.
When joined with grace, harmony follows.
Ancient energies of soul, of body,
point to the eagles' pass.
