Man as Warrior: Men Get Real

“You already possess everything necessary to become great.” - Crow saying
“When a man moves away from nature his heart becomes hard.” - Lakota saying


Man has expanded in his role as warrior. Where he used to have to go it on foot in order to win his scars and stories, there became more domestic and more mental stories to tell. And while the sphere of his role has changed dramatically, he has become disconnected from its natural foundation. Now, it is time for him to revisit his assumptions about being in his warrior role.

Man's path looks a little different today than it did in old movies or according to the archetypes of “his” story. The tough, solo type, like the gunslinger who left behind only an impression, and the misunderstood rebel type, who paid the ultimate price for his independence, hold up well in stories, but melt away quickly under the glass of real life.

Sometimes the characters had it all, like the James Bond of Hollywood, and sometimes they were tragic figures who didn't and got their “come-uppance” in the end. But it was their flaws that made us care about them. Indiana Jones was endearing, because he didn't try to hide his.

The source books are usually better than their movie versions, because they give characters more depth. The novels' James Bond once took a blow, as he got married and then promptly witnessed the murder of his wife. His hunt for the responsible villain, Blofeld, was charged with revenge, however that story line was jettisoned from the movies, so his personal motivation was lost to his movie audience.

Two-dimensional sightings of heroes blot out their human-ness. Our culture simplifies “others” through image manipulation. Stereotypes and archetypes are sold to tell stories and bend perception. But a real man is no cardboard cutup.

A warrior uses everything at his disposal on his journey. He reads the subtle signs of his environment, makes assumptions and anticipates outcomes. He also faces his emotions, rather than “run from his demons”--as might be said in an old western. Why? Allowing, honoring and tracking one's emotions translates to having true strength, solid footing, and real bearings.

It is literally disabling to shut one's emotions out. It interferes with one's energy flow, it decreases immunity and it disables a vital medium for orientation. A warrior wants his energy on full stream, his efforts grounded in confidence—because he knows himself, and to use his emotions as an additional key to read his situation.

It is not “by chance” when a man overcomes great odds. It is because he uses all his resources and guidance.

A man is more balanced attuning to natural cycles and following his feelings and intuition (or gut feelings), sometimes called his feminine aspects. Maleness is not indicated by the ability to suppress one's inner life, to tough things out or win at all costs. The indigenous cultures would never have survived if this were the case.