Gratitude

Dear Traveller,

I have been remiss in my duty to both you and myself; the silence of my grief has spoken for me long enough; today I wish to speak my gratitude to life and all that arises from it. I am thankful for the life I breathe, I am thankful for the woman who loves me as I her, for the friends that have provided comfort to a heartsick ronin.

The deaths of both my sister and a dear mentor during these fleeting few months has struck me with the amnesia that arises with pain’s crimson birth; I had quite forgotten the sheer wonder found in just being alive. Clouded were my eyes to the quiet strength of those that I know near and far, good people who struggle onwards. Though we all go to the same inevitable fate, are we not united in our individual decision to grasp the thorned rose that is life?  Alone, we all drink a potent wine of blood and nectar, the only ambrosia fit for a mortal. Raise your cups and celebrate this giving of thanks to life. 

Yours upon the Way,

Shinken del Fénix

 

On Critics

Dear Traveller,

As creative warriors, we should proudly claim the right to create our destinies. This, of course, is the offending sword to the throat of the status quo. It mindlessly chants that we should be sheep, that our destinies are found in the slaughterhouse of servile oblivion. The bloodless bastards who serve them are referred to as “Critics”. Critics are like white blood cells gone cancerous; madly seeking out and attacking the healthiest cells.

How does one defend against them? How do we tell the difference between them and those with honest critiques?

Firstly, we must understand that Critics are typically the decayed remnants of those who gave up their heroic dreams long ago in exchange for the delusion of stability and comfort. They are to be pitied, fellow traveller, not feared.

Secondly, we must claim our right to be creative warriors; we must acknowledge that we have the right to authentically create ourselves. If you intend on being an authentic person, then conformity is not for you. The critic will cajole, lambast and berate you. Why? Because fear and envy drive them forth; these hungry ghosts have sold their souls and they know it.

Typically, the critic will say things like “Be practical” (because trading your time to help fulfill the dreams of someone else is practical. And yet, I’m the crazy one), “You’ll never make it”, or my personal favourite “Who do you think you are?” (These are things that were said to me, by my own family I might add, just this week. *sigh*)

It can hurt when such palpable nonsense comes from those closest to you. This is a good thing, I assure you; for it signifies that you’re on to something. I heartily suggest cladding yourself in the mental armour of a warrior-mind state and then asking yourself ,”What is the validity, if any, of their criticisms?” Let’s say, for instance, that the critic is your brother. If he has spectacularly failed at life and yet insists on telling you how to live yours, how can you take him seriously? I suggest politely listening to what they have to say, and then go back to your self-creation. Apply this thought-process to your parents, friends, clergy, harem, homeless guy on the bus, etc.There may be inadvertent wisdom in what they say, but often not for the reasons they think. ;D

If you truly wish to authentically create yourself and live a life of passion, integrity, and courage; then you cannot pay critics, no matter who they are, any heed. Those that love and understand you will not criticize but suggest; they will examine your efforts with a compassionate eye, and they will support you through your victories and failures. If your “friends” are really double agents for your ninjas, find better friends. Yes, it really is that easy, believe me.

Finally, and most importantly; courageously acknowledge your conviction to follow your dreams, whatever they are. Whether you are building a death ray in your basement (I have dreams too you know!) or composing a song about carrots; as long as it is an authentic expression of you, go for it. You will struggle, you may even suffer; but a creative warrior must have the courage to persist. Clad your creative convictions in authentic warriorship and you will not only surprise yourself, but you will surpass the nauseating mediocrity that assaults and insults all of us who strive for authentic personal excellence. Fellow traveller, it is up to you to embrace your greatness and surpass all artificial limits within and without. Thank you and have a marvelous day.

In communion with you,

Shinken

Introducing: “Warrior’s Bow”

Dear Traveller,

I am starting a new segment called “Warrior’s Bow.”. The idea is to honour someone (or many someone’s) past and present, real and fictional, that I believe heroically exemplifies some form of the Bushido code. Not sure what Bushido is? Click here to find out.

If you have been following this blog, you know that I am an artist who advocates living a creative warrior’s lifestyle; I sincerely believe that it is both your privilege and duty in becoming your own hero. I hope that you don this mantle and join me on this journey.

I’m going to start this segment off with a  commentary on a story that Los Afro-Latinos has been compassionately covering in-depth; a human tale about perseverance and fidelity to your defining commitment. In Cauca,Colombia, (Suaréz in particular), a community of Afro-Latinos is under constant threat by corporate interests and organized crime (is there much difference between the two?) who have dedicated themselves to taking by force which is not theirs to take. Why? For bloody gold, that shiny symbol of abject greed. I believe that all people are my brothers and sisters and  that their suffering is, in part, my suffering. However, as an Afro-Latino, my outrage and sense of camaraderie sharpen a bit more.  So to is my pride in these beautiful, warrior women.

I give Clemencia Carabali and Francia Marques a warrior’s bow for their stoicism, compassion and courage in the face of these mechanized dragons of exploitation. Quote Franica; “Although we are fighting for a piece (of land), the fight is for humanity itself.” Is this not what matters, our humanity? I am humbled by their example of what honourable living actually is. I hope you have a wonderful day and that you celebrate the courage to have equanimity while in the path of a cruel storm.

Yours upon the Way,

Shinken

The War We Are Living

Quote

I Know Nothing

Dear Traveller,

I know that I know nothing. I know this because what I think I know is as a pebble in regards to the Himalayan mountains of my profound ignorance. Knowing and feeling this Truth is a step towards deeper understanding; understanding of both myself and the world that my Self is a part of. As I walk the Way, I sometimes stumble and fall to the unyielding earth. But the hardness of the earth contains compassion because it does not coddle me. What do I mean by this? Imagine that you have broken a limb and that it has set badly; it is swollen, deformed, and pain is your new best friend. You go to the doctor and she tells you that she must re-break the limb.

But if she does not, gangrene will set in and then you will soon join the undead hordes of brain-lusting zombies. Or something like that.

Is life not like this at times? I recently learned a valuable lesson that has corrected my thinking. It hurt to see how mistaken I was, but I embrace it because one must be in accord with Truth. I wish to live authentically no matter how painful, so that I can communicate all that I have learned to you.

I leave you with a quote from one of my most favourite movies: “Batman Begins”, and one of the best lines from it (in my opinion) was from Alfred to Batman: “Why do we fall, sir? So that we can learn to pick ourselves up.” Is this not the heart of warriorship?

Sincerely,

Shinken

Creativity is a Gift

Dear Traveller,
Your creative abilities set you apart from others, it allows you to experience reality in a completely different way from most other people. What’s even more incredible is that you can communicate that experience through whichever medium you want! Your work is pregnant with the possibility of inspiring others, of touching another soul-to-soul. Think back to how you felt when first inspired by something that shook the ground of your Being; now imagine being the cause of that for others. Feels pretty good, no?

You may struggle, suffer and rage at the madness of it all; but you still bare your work to the world and thus, others become one with you for that special moment. We create because we must, because our souls cry out to the endless night that we will be heard, even if only for a lone moment. Nonetheless, we know our duty, no? We know that this is something that we must do and that our Sisyphus-task is good because it is true.

I say delight in your gift, celebrate it! However, bear in mind that because it is a gift, you bear the implicit duty of being worthy of said gift. Proudly earn the right to it by mindfully striving to live an authentic life, a warrior’s life devoid of conformity and bursting with truth.Thank you again and may your day be filled with meaning and passion.

Yours upon the Way,

Shinken

Can You “Make” Meaning?

Create Yourself

Dear Traveller,

As creative individuals, we can not only suffer from biological depression but also from existential depression. We realize that our acts of creation are necessary for our survival, necessary for our lives to mean something. I learned this truth after much inner strife and it guides me upon my Way. I hope to share this and much more as we progress.

With this blog, we will support each other and share how we try to live our lives to the fullest. I wish to show you how having a warrior-mind set can help you become the best you, a heroic you. If you wish to authentically create a  life of compassion, and creativity; then join me upon as we walk the Way.

I am advocating living an unconventional life filled with a sense of honour and adventure; I wish to triumph and see others triumph over all self-imposed limitations (by embracing hard work and dispatching our ninjas). I challenge you to start a new course upon your journey. Why not become a creative warrior; and say “yes” to creating meaning? Now is the time to take your life in your own two hands and craft it to your best ability. What say you?

Yours upon the Way,
Shinken

Ninjas!

Dear Traveller,

You know what I call those sneaky, little attacks on your self-esteem? Those in-the-night barbs of self-criticisms? Ninjas, because they are covert bastards who bear creative warriors ill-will. They’re so good that they’ll mimic the voices of detractors past like a twisted version of “A Christmas Carol”.

Say no to Ninjas! They will cajole, connive and/or outright murder you. They are the internal agents of the status quo, they are there to keep you there. One of my ninja memories is of a teacher who told me “poets don’t amount to anything, be a lawyer instead”. The voice (be it spouse, friend, lover or parent) that told you to “be practical” is also a ninja. Any hint of rebellion and they swiftly deal with you.

But if you adopt warrior mind and prepare for war, you’ll be able to withstand those attackers from the dark. If you truly desire to excel your present state; then you know your duty. I say this to both you and myself. Thank you and remember, say no to ninjas!
Yours upon the Way,
Shinken

Do You Nurture Your Passion?

I need mavericks, dissidents, adventurers, outsiders and rebels, who ask questions, bend the rules and take risks-Isabel Allende

Dear Traveller,

Passion is the fire in the belly, the essence of life expressed by you; and it is essential that the self-created warrior cultivate it. Without passion, life is a colourless thing covered in frost and gloom; and no artist (or person truly interested in self-creation) can survive long in such frigid torpor. I believe that passion requires courage and honesty, core tenets of Bushido. I also believe that you’ll agree that passion is the difference between those who are merely alive and those who truly live.

Burning upon the Way,

Shinken

Why Are “Artist’s Days” Important?

Dear Traveller,

One of the things that Julia Cameron advocates in the “Artist’s Way” are Artist’s Days. I love my artist’s days, I’ve happily discovered that they are a crucial component of a self-created warrior. Your inner-artist is a child that needs love, attention and nourishment (I am grateful to have learned this lesson).   Setting aside a day or even a few hours of quality “you” time is essential. Why? Because to neglect the life inside of you will render you a walking, talking zombie, and don’t we have enough of those?

Why The Warrior’s Way?

Dear Traveller,

Why do I believe that a warrior-mind state is the golden ideal for creative souls? This is a good question that deserves a good answer.

The Way that I advocate is grounded in a dedication to creating an authentic life of excellence, creativity and personal heroism. Imagine being the best you, the strongest you, the most creative you. Now that you’ve envisioned that, you can create that. Your life is a canvas, let me help you find the best colours and techniques that you can use. Allow me to share with you the warrior-mind state and shall you gaze upon yourself with awe and excitement; for now you see the hero that has always lived inside of you.

Sincerely,

Shinken