Wednesday, October 5, 2011

21 Ways of the Peaceful Warrior - Make that 22

Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars. ~ Kahlil Gibran

Peaceful Warrior. At first glance, it seems like an oxymoron to nestle the two terms together. There is a great paradox in the notion of fighting for peace, yet as we see the importance and hear the call to make way for peace we do find it possible to hold this juxtaposition of two opposing forces in our mind if we are willing to re-think our position. As we pause and reflect upon both terms, we see that each highlights the need for the counterbalancing of the other.

Courage, trust, belief, self-acceptance, self-esteem,  compassion, forgiveness, non-judgment, non-attachment and an open heart  lead to peace within. Yet we can take little direct action upon these things. Like peace itself, we must foster their emergence. And this is the way of the peaceful warrior. For when the decisive, disciplined part of our psyche can learn to do battle on behalf of that silent, still small voice within, we have truly become the hero of our own life.

Ways of the Peaceful Warrior

1) Breathes consciously
2) Eats consciously
3) Meditates regularly
4) Examines dreams
5) Journals frequently
6) Uses Visualization, visioning and quantum affirmations
7) Rests and sleeps appropriately
8) Identifies, commits and stays focused on important decisions
9) Surrounds with supportive community
10) Asks for help and receives it graciously
11) Makes Self-care a priority
12) Moves the body
13) Participates in soul enriching activities and practices
14) Engages in holistic healing
15) Engages in self discovery and creates personal boundaries
16) Says no, by saying yes to priorities
17) Uses ritual to communicate with unseen aspects of the self - such as  burning bowls for releasing, written intention ceremony, prayers and blessings, candles, incense/sage/holy wood, annointing with oil/balm,  altar  making, yantras/mantras/mandalas
18) Communes with nature and balances personal& environmental elements
19) Practices energy clearing and healing techniques
20) Becomes the Tracker - reads spiritual signs and symbols, uses divination
21) Sends and receives Light Consiously into the body, mind, heart and soul

We take up these practices not just because they physically calm us. But because they also energetically calm the cosmic anxiety of not knowing who and what we truly are…they put us in touch with our true nature. Understanding our true nature permanently anchors peace in our lives. Knowing thyself – doesn’t mean you do everything “right” – knowing thyself means you take into account what you understand about yourself, and the complexities of being human on this path and allows you to  come into acceptance of some of the things you have thought were your worst character defects…thus turning your base metal into precious gold.

I gave this as the Sunday Talk at Church of Spiritual Light on October 2, 2011. As I was reading it over again and preparing to publish it on this blog, I was given a new item for this list. It is one that is so important that I can barely comprehend how it didn't come with the other 21. But I think, this was on purpose so that I could see the message in the pattern. For 22 is the number of mastery...and if this last item had come before it wouldn't have been situated in the number 22 spot and I might have missed just how important this last piece is to the fortification and nurturing of the Peaceful Warrior. Message received! So here it is, perhaps the most important of them all:

22) Have fun! - Do things just for the sheer joy of it to keep the vibration of delight and enjoyment alive in your being.

Source: Rev. Renee Bledsoe 2011

Every Warrior of the Light has felt afraid of going into battle. 
Every Warrior of the Light has, at some time in the past, lied or betrayed someone.
Every Warrior of the Light has trodden a path that was not his.
Every Warrior of the Light has suffered for the most trivial of reasons. 
Every  Warrior of the Light has, at least once, believed he was not a Warrior of the  Light.
Every Warrior of the Light has failed in his spiritual duties.
Every Warrior of the Light has said 'yes' when he wanted to say 'no.'
Every Warrior of the Light has hurt someone he loved.
That is why he is a Warrior of the Light, because he has been through all this  and yet has never lost hope of being better than he is.
~ Paulo Coelho

Sunday, October 2, 2011

October 2011: Warrior of Light


Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars. ~ Kahlil Gibran


What is a Warrior of Light? If I am supposed to be peaceful, why would I want to be a warrior at all? If the Light is so powerful why does it need warriors? What is Light? And how can it help me? These are some of the questions that we will be exploring this month as we delve into this most powerful archetype of the Spiritual Warrior. As we invoke and invite this warrior within into our lives, we advance into a stage of spiritual development that is not for the faint hearted. This warrior within is the one who will give us the strength to face what has been hidden in the recesses of our psyche, and bring to the surface unconscious beliefs, thoughts, feelings, and patterns of behavior that are acting out in diverse ways in our lives and causing us to remain unconscious with our choices.


Some of these beliefs are powerfully manifesting in our lives and creating much chaos, confusion, sorrow and loss. At the very worst, they are keeping us from experiencing unconditional love, because these things are often very limiting, restrictive, binding and small. Yet, we are not defenseless against this darkness and sometimes there are even great gifts hidden within these patterns. There are counter-balancing forces which can be invoked in order to clear these from our psyche which cannot be brought forward through the mind alone. And this is why it cannot be done alone.


Einsten said, “You cannot solve a problem from the same consciousness that created it. You must learn to see the world anew.” To this end, we understand that the only way in which we can transform this darkness is to bring it into the Light, to enlighten and shape-shift our beliefs by reframing it and then re-filtering it in the sacred space of a raised consciousness. This allows us to see things in a new way and begin the healing process. Through the power of Grace, if we will allow it to do it's work, we can be moved through these processes in a safe and profound way. The Warrior of Light within our being guards and guides us in this work.

You cannot solve a problem from the same consciousness that created it. You must learn to see the world anew. ~ Albert Einstein


Sunday Talks with Rev. Renee Bledsoe
October 02 - The Way of the Peaceful Warrior
October 09 - Blinded by the Light
October 16 - Removing Obstacles through Grace
October 23 -  Becoming a Warrior of Light (Sacred Circle Altar)
October 30 - Guest Speaker Rev. David Essel

OCTOBER AFFIRMATIONS
I am a Spiritual Warrior of Light
I invoke the Ways of the Peaceful Warrior
I am conscious of my own darkness.
I reframe my core beliefs about myself and release my suffering to the light.
I stand in my full power and engage that power to help others.
I relentlessly heal and empower my life.
I keep the company of other consciously empowered people.
I align myself with consciously empowered organizations, activities and people.
I am a sacred path teacher and way shower.
I experience compassion for my own journey.
I experience compassion for humanity’s journey.
I am willing to look at areas of myself that I disown by examining my relationships.
I am willing to see myself as I truly am.
I am willing to see the beauty in what I see in myself.
I am willing to see the gifts in my apparent weaknesses.
I claim the power of my gifts, talents and what I am passionate about.
I trust that I have the power to stand tall and to bring something new to the world.
I am willing to fight for the right to be myself.
I trust that the creator gave me these gifts for a reason.
I understand that I am here to change and evolve.
I recognize the light within my own being.
I perform the rituals and self-care that will nurture me and keep me whole.
It is safe because I make it safe.
I trust because I trust in God/Goddess.
If I will expand my aura then I will perceive the higher intelligence of the will of God.
I continue to know myself so that I may bring my will into alignment with the creator.
When the wills are aligned, secrets are revealed, doors unlock and miracles occur.
I am peaceful, because I am filled with peace.
I practice the ways of the Peaceful Warrior.
I shine the light of truth on my life and that of others with compassion and care.
I am gentle with my own soul, spirit and body.
I am gentle with the spirit of all living things.
I feel an overwhelming reverence and respect for all creation.
I am a medium and a channel for the divine.
This world is a magical place. I allow the universe to do it’s magic.
I see the reality of other dimensions and walk the worlds in complete confidence.
I am unafraid to speak the truth.
I see the beauty of each soul’s path.
I am the Light of the World.