In 1992 I participated in a Canada-wide teleconference as one of the main speakers. Here are my words on the subject at that time, within that spiritual network.

Distinct from genuine spirituality – a transcendent or radiant consciousness – is the experience of spirituality as a concept, an intellectualization of something. Our concern is with true spirituality, the true movement of spirit. Those who are spiritual novitiates can often be bitten by a vibratory bug of superiority, causing the deadly disease of self-complacency with judgment of others. To balance this tendency, part of the picture relates to the place of the emotions, which often are troublesome to those who consider themselves enlightened. It is thought that disturbing emotions are to be avoided, held down, gotten out of the way, exorcised, or whatever. There doesn’t seem to be a love for strong emotion; in fact just the opposite. Yet in thinking of the charge that the world needs, if there is to be the movement of power, emotions need to be alive and available to be used.

Emotion is a large factor in allowing power to move: e-motion. Does a wimp walk on the water? Does a faint, timid heart restore the world? Is true spirituality passive, seen only as yielded and sweet expression? If so, it is for the most part, ineffective and keeps those who are under such an umbrella anaesthetized to what is really happening. If spirit is to have an effect in our personal worlds, I sense the need for a passionate interest in all that is going on, especially within ourselves, an attitude of being venturesome, explorative. These qualities can only be manifested individually, later collectively; but if not individually, later nothing.

The word warrior is not usually equated with spirituality. We find ourselves here on the planet. How did we get here? Was there not some force exerted during our own physical birth? Is penetration not a quality of spirituality? Personal assertiveness? Yes, we are talking about the warrior archetype. The word warrior sometimes strikes fear in the hearts of people, as though it implies something warring and destructive. That is understandable, considering that most of what we have seen of warrior activity has been out of control, what Jungians might call “shadow warrior” energy. Here are some words that Robert Moore and Douglas Gillette have written in their book, King, Warrior, Magician, Lover:

If we are accessing the Warrior appropriately, we will be energetic, decisive, courageous, enduring, persevering, and loyal to some greater good beyond our own personal gain. At the same time, we need to be leavening the Warrior with the energies of the other mature archetypes: the King/Queen, the Magician and the Lover. If we are accessing the Warrior in the right way, we will, at the same time that we are “detached” [having perspective, seeing the whole picture] be warm, compassionate, appreciative and generative. We will care for ourself and others. We will fight good fights in order to make the world a better and more fulfilling place for everyone and everything. Our war-making will be for the creation of the new, the just, and the free.
[Italics added]

To allow the spiritual warrior to emerge, there must be strong personal initiative and fire – a vision quest – where we constantly ask questions of ourselves such as, “How can I further open and develop my ability to emote, to express powerfully? Is personal clarification possible by expressing positive emotions, or shadow energies such as anger?” I ask: “Is there a right surround or container available for this, where powerful emotions that might seem frightening and destructive can actually be expressed – and clarified? Is there a right container between people? Do you have such a friend, even one? Are there settings available that provide the understanding environment for this – where there is no shame, no judgment, just a willingness to see the process through for one another?’ Individuals and groups that work in this field, rather than being addicted to waxing eloquent on cosmic principles, often move into effective use of myth and story, ceremony and ritual. These can access the deeper powers that are potential within us – subconscious, innate, archetypal energy wherein there is magic, there is love and there is control.

I note that the media are having a lot of fun these days taking shots at some of the many men’s groups, particularly here in North America: “The natives are restless again. They’re dancing, they’re drumming, they’re crying, they’re yelling, they’re screaming, they’re hugging.” Well, it may be the only way for those individuals to be in a safe surround to let the intensity burn away the emotional sludge. What we are afraid of emotionally I see as a syrup or a sludge that overlays and constricts the true energies that are naturally within us, seeking balanced expression. Underneath anger, for instance, is a true energy, a passion for creative order that needs to be expressed and released in order to empower oneself within the world around one. This releases the charge of spirit into the world.

We need to ask ourselves, “What is the measure of my passion for this personal commission?” In these days the question is often asked of leadership: “Is leadership really doing it? Is leadership demonstrating the true warrior?” But, “How is it with me?” is the real question. Am I, at this stage, still looking for leadership to show the way, or are we together in a personal passion for the fire of spirit.

We love to take this opportunity today, because of our personal commission within this network, to charge the world, to empower the whole world and everyone in it, so that what needs to be done by anyone anywhere, who is involved in the resolution of world affairs, is done. We can know personally that we are playing our full part in it in our individual ways, large or small.

- Ronald Polack

For more:

• on attitudes, see Chapter 9 of the book, Vibrational Vitality
• on healing, see Vibrational Healing

Articles - Introduction and Index

QUESTIONS FOR RONALD: rspolack@telus.net 1 604 943 7540