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Thread: Excerpts from 'War and the Soul'

  1. #1
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    Default Excerpts from 'War and the Soul'

    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?
    John Lindsey

    Oderint, dum metuant-Let them hate, so long as they fear.

  2. #2
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    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.

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    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!
    Doug Walker
    Completely cut off both heads,
    Let a single sword stand against the cold sky!

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    Fie! Sir Walker of the Willow Heart,

    Verily I speak truth!

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

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    Quote Originally Posted by Walker View Post
    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!
    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!
    Trevor Johnson

    Low kicks and low puns a specialty.

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