Maui ... Spiritual Warrior

"So what does it mean to be a spiritual warrior? It is far from being a soldier, but more the sincerity with which a soul faces itself in a daily way. It is the courage to be authentic that keeps us strong enough to withstand the heartbreak through which enlightenment can occur. And it is by honoring how life comes through us that we get the most out of living, not by keeping ourselves out of the way. The goal is to mix our hands in the earth, not to stay clean." THE BOOK OF AWAKENING by Mark Nepo

As I sit on our lanai, I am watching a man on a paddle surf board. He is standing with a long paddle navigating his way across the horizon. He seems determined to stay on a steady coarse which surprises me. My eyes glance forward and I am filled with excitement! He is tracking a whale!

Yards in front of this man, a large whale is floating very near the surface. I can see the top part of the body very easily. Lazily, he flips his tail up as though he is encouraging the man to 'follow me'! Steadily, the man and the whale make their way across the beautiful ocean.

I cannot help but wonder how far this man will follow the whale. Does the whale really know he is being followed? Can he sense the presence of the other? Maybe so, maybe not.

In a simple sense, this man on the paddle surf board is much like a spiritual warrior. He is following where he feels led, surely filled with excitement from this unique adventure. He is not locked into the end result, but rather staying in the moment. The exhilaration he feels on this beautiful sun filled morning, might assist him in facing a challenge this afternoon.

This morning he made a decision to follow when he discovered an unexpected opportunity. He did not let thoughts dissuade him, nor did he step aside. In honoring where life is taking him he is gifted with an experience that flows through him. He is creating a memory of a lifetime by using courage, determination, and patience.

A spiritual warrior embraces each day anew, letting the events unfold, but participating in each moment through awareness. Whether through silent or verbal communication, a spiritual warrior remains present. Engaging with life sometimes makes it more difficult to remain authentic as it is easy to be distracted by life itself; however it is through the process of challenge and lessons, pain and recovery, that enlightenment occurs.

All of us do not get the chance to track a whale, but we do have opportunity to follow the flight of a bird, the sway of a tree, or the path of the moon. Through simple observation we become connected and exchange energy with all of life. It is through our own personal choosing that we determine how to honor life, casting our path towards authenticity.

Emerge from the dullness of your life, like shrugging off a heavy cloak. Open yourself to the mystery of life with desire and creativity. With childlike innocence explore the wisdom that abounds in daily living. Trust that Spirit is both within and without at the same moment creating a balance in all that you do. As a spiritual warrior, place one foot in front of the other as the path will lead to empowerment.