Why Self-Creation?

Dear Traveller,

I wish to chronicle my journeys as I strive to create myself. I also wish to hear of your journey. But what does it mean to create yourself? Who am I to dare promote such a thing? That is what I am still figuring out through trial and error but I’ve come upon the best summation for it: “It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you, not by angels or by demons, heaven or hell.”-Buddha. How perfect is that? It underlines my endeavor as I believe that to create one’s self is to, in part, defeat one’s self. 

As for who I am; someone and no one. I am someone who won’t let his frailties best him as they once did and yet, I am no one in particular. I am a conscious being like you; which makes us connected. This connection is like a bridge between our private worlds, is it not?
I grew in pain and strife as a victim of child-abuse and the cruelty endemic to a place devoid of educational and/or economic opportunities. Suffering was one of my first teachers, but I still persevered such as I could. And now I am here, reborn in phoenix flame to help other souls upon their own various Ways.

I believe that it is your right and duty to create one’s self and this goes double for us of the creative/existential persuasion. A poet, painter or dancer can benefit from realizing that the warrior’s way is the artist’s Way. I believe this because the greatest warriors and artists tend to be the same people (Miyamoto Musashi) or share the same work ethic (Pablo Neruda). Living a life of compassion, integrity and self-creation is what I advocate. Is that not a beautiful goal?

Sincerely,
Shinken

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