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John Lindsey
13th November 2007, 06:32
Interesting quote from the book War and the Soul: Healing Our Nation's Veterans from Post-Traumatic Stress By Edward Tick


Throughout history, there have been presidents, premiers,
kings, and dictators who have fostered blind patriotism or
allegiance. They have demonstrated hunger for military victory,
political or economic power, or territorial expansion disguised
as a pursuit of moral and spiritual principles. This kind of
leadership is an expression of what Jungians call the shadow
warrior. It is a twisted version of warriorhood that comes from
an immature psyche still trying to prove itself in a world it
fears. It is characterized, as Robert Moore summarizes, by lack
of control of aggression, insensitivity to relatedness, desire
for vengeance, enjoyment of carnage and cruelty, scorn toward
the vulnerable, hostility toward the feminine and everything
soft, and compulsive and workaholic tendencies." No matter what
the public image or "spin," any leader manifesting these
qualities or pursuing policies that encourage them is, in fact,
not a true warrior but the shadow of one."

Anyone read this book? Any comments in regards to this quote and Budo?

Hissho
14th November 2007, 03:50
Sounds very interesting. I think for some people doing Budo or martial arts serves the same "shadow warrior" purpose.

But not necessarily for the reasons Moore puts forth. Very much along the lines of an "immature psyche still trying to prove itself in a world it fears," however.

Through martial arts - and by this I specifically mean those who specifically play up the "combative" aspects without ever having done anything "combative" in real terms - whether it be classical arts or the most modern of combatives - one can in a manner of speaking ape many aspects of the "warrior life" without ever risking actually having to face death. One can be part of an "elite group" and claim membership in a fraternity of fighting men almost vicariously.

I think that is very intoxicating for some. Even briefly persuing Internet forums makes it abundantly clear that some are well past drunk on it.

Walker
14th November 2007, 17:52
I think that is very intoxicating for some. Even briefly persuing Internet forums makes it abundantly clear that some are well past drunk on it.

Sir Kit esq. Knight of the Blue,

One day we shall meet in Valhalla and test the mettle of your words. Verily I shall smote thee for thine outrages! :D:laugh:

Hissho
15th November 2007, 05:20
Fie! Sir Walker of the Willow Heart,

Verily I speak truth!

'tis only those that do not like to hear it find it outrageous...

Trevor Johnson
15th November 2007, 08:15
Sir Kit esq. Knight of the Blue,

One day we shall meet in Valhalla and test the mettle of your words. Verily I shall smote thee for thine outrages! :D:laugh:

I shall smite thee far sooner. I challenge thee to meet in a mall of your choice on a dark Sunday evening. Thou shalt be smitten by a true mall ninja! And once thou art smitten with me, I shall break thy heart!