When I mention the title of our leadership program the reactions can be divided into two categories. One group loves the title Waking your Warrior and can immediately identify with it. The other group starts to frown, leans back and says “I don’t think the world needs more fighters, do you?” And to be clear about that: No, I definitely don’t think we do!
So why then do we want to challenge the warrior in you? And what, from our perspective, creates this division in the responses?
What comes to your mind…
Let’s begin with the latter. What comes to your mind when you think about a warrior? According to Merriam-Webster a warrior is: “a person engaged or experienced in warfare”, or, more broadly, “a person engaged in some struggle or conflict”. Let me guess… was this what came to your mind? I can definitely understand that, if you have this association with the word warrior, an image of a dangerous looking person armed to the teeth comes in your mind’s eye, subsequently wondering why we even need or want to wake this in ourselves.
Our take on the term warrior comes from a different perspective. I have been practicing the Japanese martial art Aikido for over two decades. Studying the principles and philosophy of this art gave me a totally different feel for the term warrior. This is the way Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of aikido defined it:
‘THE TRUE MEANING OF THE WORD SAMURAI (WARRIOR) IS ONE WHO SERVES AND ADHERES TO THE POWER OF LOVE. WARRIORSHIP GIVES BIRTH TO NATURAL BEAUTY AND IS NON OTHER THEN THE VITALITY THAT SUSTAINS ALL LIFE. THE WAY OF THE WARRIOR IS BASED ON HUMANITY, LOVE, AND SINCERITY; THE HEART OF MARTIAL VALOR IS TRUE BRAVERY, WISDOM, LOVE, AND FRIENDSHIP.’
Summary of the Art of Peace – Morihei Ueshiba
It begins within
O’sensei, as he is generally referred to, was a visionary. Applying his words to our day-to-day living, he is saying that we first need to be at peace with ourselves. By doing that we can connect with what really matters to us, from an innate source from within ourselves.
So what about the people that instantly relate to the title of our leadership program?
They:
- understand that it takes strength and power to reveal inner beauty, to cultivate sincerity, love and friendship;
- identify that the world needs an alternative to the status quo;
- realize that we are all connected, and that it begins with themselves;
- know that to be able to express themselves in the world today they need their inner warrior on board.
Not for sissies!
And this is where it comes to the question I posted. Why do we want to waken the warrior in you? Because we believe that there is an inner warrior inside of us all. And that if we are willing and able to connect with that source of power we can become the change this world needs.
But it takes guts. Being a warrior is definitely not for sissies! It can be a struggle to choose for sincerity when dealing with skeptical others. We need bravery to strive for the greater good when short-term thinkers surround us. Courage to stay true to our values when under pressure or discouraged by others.
To connect with our innate ability to serve a greater purpose that is aligned with our values, that gives birth to our natural beauty and is based on humanity, love and friendship, we need encouragement and a safe environment. Because, ironically, it is here that we also feel the most vulnerable. We need to dare greatly to find the power to be that vulnerable in this competitive, aggressive world. But doing so will enable us to live our life more wholeheartedly.
Do you dare the leap?
From our perspective it is unquestionable that this world needs many, many more of this type of warrior. We are searching for the thousands of dormant warriors out there. We believe that you are one of them! Our mission is to shake out the warriors, to provide them a safe and encouraging place to discover how to serve and follow the path of bravery, love and inner wisdom.
Since you made it all the way to the end of this post, your warrior has been listening. You are no sissy. Dare to take the leap. Join us for the journey!
Download the brochure and learn more.
Want to get a taste of what to expect?
May 17 and June 21 we give a workshop to let you experience the way we work. Limited places available!
Karin Karis and Annemiek Temming developed Waking your Warrior – a journey of personal transformation inspired by the virtues of the samurai. Their aim is to build a warrior community that cultivates leadership based on our shared humanity, love, and sincerity. People that act with the heart of the warrior and exemplify true bravery, wisdom, love, and friendship and serve the grand purpose.’