I'm late on reading this and responding, but this is a powerful and insightful post, William. From your push-up regime in the last post, I know you're well on your way. I have every confidence you'll achieve your goal and earn your new wardrobe!
Not surprisingly, William, I am late to reading this post. My female warrior training involves kitchen knives, guitars, microphones, flutes, keyboards, and the occasional drum kit.
All joking aside, you seem to be coming around to more "tonic" being/thinking/doing after leaving your previous situation and relocating to the family farm, as difficult as I'm sure that move was. The following quote pretty much sums up your article, and I would advise anyone seeking "confidence" to refer to it:
"The warrior is great for cutting through the bullshit, the lies we are told, the lies we tell ourselves, the narratives in shadow that drive us to places we should not go. "
I'm going to find a place in Part 2 of my Tonic Masculinity posts to link to this article of yours. Your writing is both universal and personal, and I will find a way to bridge the two realms in my own female warrior way.🗡🦁💖
Speaking of warrior training, it is taking some of that to maintain equilibrium with 2ft of snow still on the ground, no 40F for another two weeks, and a garden and orchard to build before May.
Yes, this has been a tough winter for many people across the states. Here in California, it has been freakishly cold since the first part of November, most days not getting above 55. We've been getting much needed rain, but it's tending to come in torrents over a couple of days, dropping 5-7 inches at a time😳. I've lived here 20 years and have not seen this kind of weather until this year.
Anyway, hang in their, warrior. All your efforts will be worth it when warmer weather and more sun returns, and you'll have lots of food to harvest!
You particularly got my attention when you wrote about the connection with swordplay practice and writing. I think writing — or more accurately, articulating: presenting your thoughts openly, beyond the imagination of the mind-heart complex — is crucial, axiomatic. Mainly, because it's at that point that you realise / discover that your presentation is not as clear — pure · truthful — as it seemed to be before articulation. It requires sharpening.
I thought also about a phrase from Scripture: "the sword of the spirit"…
I believe that the process of articulation is spiritual, when pursued authentically. It becomes an expression of spirit, just as speech does. Speech provides an 'obvious' connection: a translation of 'spirit' is 'breath'. When we speak, we 'breathe' out out convictions (or lies · or half-truths · or incomplete thoughts · or complaints · whines · distress calls…). Even a 'sigh' is an expression of spirit: usually a depressed, or suppressed, or oppressed spirit.
Writing takes 'spirit' articulation to another level. We speak to ourselves and outwardly, at the same time. The connection with breath is not so obvious as with speech, but how often does the writer imagine himself 'speaking' with his readers, or interlocutors, as his words are composed? And writing takes 'breath' and 'breathes' into what is written.
Speech is the magic of creativity. Speech is as you say the articulation of spirit. And yes, writing refines the spirit making it and the message sharper.
That dance is known as 'shadow boxing' in boxing and 'kata' in karate. Its power is not to be underestimated if done properly.
I'm late on reading this and responding, but this is a powerful and insightful post, William. From your push-up regime in the last post, I know you're well on your way. I have every confidence you'll achieve your goal and earn your new wardrobe!
Not surprisingly, William, I am late to reading this post. My female warrior training involves kitchen knives, guitars, microphones, flutes, keyboards, and the occasional drum kit.
All joking aside, you seem to be coming around to more "tonic" being/thinking/doing after leaving your previous situation and relocating to the family farm, as difficult as I'm sure that move was. The following quote pretty much sums up your article, and I would advise anyone seeking "confidence" to refer to it:
"The warrior is great for cutting through the bullshit, the lies we are told, the lies we tell ourselves, the narratives in shadow that drive us to places we should not go. "
I'm going to find a place in Part 2 of my Tonic Masculinity posts to link to this article of yours. Your writing is both universal and personal, and I will find a way to bridge the two realms in my own female warrior way.🗡🦁💖
Thanks Sharine.
Speaking of warrior training, it is taking some of that to maintain equilibrium with 2ft of snow still on the ground, no 40F for another two weeks, and a garden and orchard to build before May.
Yes, this has been a tough winter for many people across the states. Here in California, it has been freakishly cold since the first part of November, most days not getting above 55. We've been getting much needed rain, but it's tending to come in torrents over a couple of days, dropping 5-7 inches at a time😳. I've lived here 20 years and have not seen this kind of weather until this year.
Anyway, hang in their, warrior. All your efforts will be worth it when warmer weather and more sun returns, and you'll have lots of food to harvest!
I think you may be on to something.
You particularly got my attention when you wrote about the connection with swordplay practice and writing. I think writing — or more accurately, articulating: presenting your thoughts openly, beyond the imagination of the mind-heart complex — is crucial, axiomatic. Mainly, because it's at that point that you realise / discover that your presentation is not as clear — pure · truthful — as it seemed to be before articulation. It requires sharpening.
I thought also about a phrase from Scripture: "the sword of the spirit"…
I believe that the process of articulation is spiritual, when pursued authentically. It becomes an expression of spirit, just as speech does. Speech provides an 'obvious' connection: a translation of 'spirit' is 'breath'. When we speak, we 'breathe' out out convictions (or lies · or half-truths · or incomplete thoughts · or complaints · whines · distress calls…). Even a 'sigh' is an expression of spirit: usually a depressed, or suppressed, or oppressed spirit.
Writing takes 'spirit' articulation to another level. We speak to ourselves and outwardly, at the same time. The connection with breath is not so obvious as with speech, but how often does the writer imagine himself 'speaking' with his readers, or interlocutors, as his words are composed? And writing takes 'breath' and 'breathes' into what is written.
In the beginning was the Word...
Well said.
Speech is the magic of creativity. Speech is as you say the articulation of spirit. And yes, writing refines the spirit making it and the message sharper.