This appeals to one of the main questions in life, what is our purpose? We ought to follow our north star, our values and morals, and follow them without straying. Or summarily, we ought to develop self-trust, in that we will walk our own way virtuously and resiliently!
What North star? I think it varies for different people.
For many of us, whatever it is, it is constant, and we are able to focus on it.
For many others, the North star is just an artificial light shined by the aforementioned witch doctors. It shifts in brightness and color, and moves from here to there.
Hm that is a good point. I honestly do not have the answers for that question, I don't think anybody does! But it's definitely something important to think about...
Beautiful analogy... For my part, mine was never crystal clear. It still is not. Like shooting in the dark without night vision goggles, I have the general direction, and that seems to be enough for me.
I like this Sam, but I’m thinking there’s a broader scope to the witch doctor role — that of a shaman and intermediary to the spiritual realm — that is important and sorely lacking in our society. As you describe them, our politicians certainly don’t fill it, that’s for sure at least. Need to noodle on it.
Good thoughts, Lou. I think your “shaman” might be closer to Sam’s wise ones with pretty good ethics and a sincere desire to help/heal. Sam’s “witch doctor” sounds like the typical snake-oil salesman just looking to fleece the suckers. Just my early morning thoughts (need more coffee!).
I say the money factor which was always present in one form or another, grew exponentially. The “regulator” gene is gone or malfunctioning in so many that enough became it is never enough.
Yes, that’s a new factor that our pre-state forebears never had to worry about. Material objects could only accumulate to such an extent. Who knows where this will end up, but my sense is more and more people are waking up to it. Thanks Barry.
The warrior who lacks perspective celebrates the hardship “status”- the accomplishments, the medals, the parades, the glory- and may miss the deeper meaning in valuing what that hardship has allowed them to BECOME. In fact, the wise warrior most likely disqualifies his or her self from political aspiration, eschewing the pursuit of service-less power for something less exploitative and more utile to the human condition. I suspect that the warriors who seek positions of power may belong to the former, and that their elevation might serve as a way to appease the unruly masses.
The path to wisdom makes most sense to me through the lens of raw experience, willingly entering the fray of an unpredictable universe to test, adapt, and re-test. It would seem that a virtuously high-functioning society would eliminate hacks to power and control, valuing merit as the intersection between practice and theory.
As such, thanks again for what you’re doing here. Another powerful take on another powerful nuance.
Thanks brother. Sam Damon in Anton Myrer’s novel “Once an Eagle” said part your riff well: “If this war is going to be won… the old fuck-ups and troublemakers are going to win it.” And from this wisdom is born.
The most peaceful nation is the one where those with the most to lose in the forms of wealth, influence, and power, are the ones that answer their own call to war first.
When leaders trade their suits and ties for mud-soaked body armor, then, and only then, do they have the right to ask others for their support.
Sam, great stuff as always. At different points in life politics and political ideals appealed to me. The older I get and more wisdom I strive to achieve the less and less modern politics has any bearing on my life. My path is much as you describe it my own. Ive found a freedom often sold as promise by these witch doctors as you call them, that i didnt know existed. But the fact is its internal its my freedom. They cant give it to me anymore than they can take it away. I am sovereign. Rights and privileges maybe infringed but my path is my own and my mind is free to wonder.
This is intensely motivating. You get it, and there are those out there who get it. But they are the quiet ones. It is so simple that freedom lies within—it’s a message that needs to be sung from the mountain tops.
I dont know where substack is in relation to the mountain tops. But it is a platform and you are singing it my friend. You are right about the quiet ones. I dont sing to loud. But ill carry this message of freedom not in my song but in my actions and in my life. You keep putting out this good work. Ill keep spreading the ideals generated from my exposure.
“How many want to discover their physical, emotional, and intellectual limits, and savor every single second of their lives on this beautiful blue orb to the maximum?”
Powerful question that I believe would be many more if the new hard times created by our ancestors conquering of previous hard times didn’t create the angst and distractions many fall for. Good thing we have writers like you pointing out the irony.
Thank you as always for the powerful thought experiment that I’ll continue to contemplate.
Kyle, these are the questions we must pose to our children and also demonstrate to them the rigorous life and the search for constant self improvement, discernment, and wisdom that is the product of that path.
Sam, great line that captures everything I’m here for!
This essay turns over a number of stones, not the least being the distinction between a proper Shaman (wise, and experienced across all realms of existence) and a self-proclaimed Witch Doctor (a rat-catcher selling snake oil and false promise).
It also reminded me of a book that was quite important to me during a certain season, from which I pulled this paragraph,
"Because those with the most to lose are allowed to position themselves the furthest from the field of battle, millions of lives are needlessly lost—it is always easier to declare a war if someone else is doing the fighting. On the battlefield and in the city streets, men who are forced to experience the reality of violence are both governed and conditioned by people who are isolated from it. More often than not, specialists in the profession of arms are forced to fight under rules created by men who have never seen war."
“The Way and The Power”, Fredrick Lovret
Thank you, once again, for steering eyes and mind toward both history and future.
That could not have been better said. It is a lament articulated by all too many on the front lines, and ignored by those who start the wars and never fight in them.
“It is significant the warrior was usually offset by one of the wise. They formed an elegant balance: aggression and restraint, killing and healing.“
Elegant indeed. And the rare person who contains both is a beautiful thing to behold.
The sales pitch of the witch doctor: “You can be stupid and cowardly and still have all the rewards of earth if you just follow/pay me!”. It’s hard for most people to resist that siren’s song.
Haha it is quite the sales pitch. And there is something within us that always seems to want to believe it is real “this time”. Maybe at some point we, as a society, will break through? It is a fun thought.
The "least worthy are given the most power". Yes indeed. This theme plays out in the cosmos, in our myths and in our lives. And it is up to those with least power then to seize at least the sovereignty of their own thought, their right action and ethical living, so that they are the most worthy. But we are chained to petty distractions. The antidote? Small tribes? Climbing mountains? Facing life's adversities without shrinking? Foregoing the pursuit of power and wealth when they are disconnected from meaning and work? I like the voice, Sam!
And what will the US army do if asked to follow illegal orders??? But also, what we now call witch doctors, people used to call shamans and healers. I would not call our politicians either. I would call them snakeoil salesman, false advertisers, and the latest administration - conman.
I would include the healers under the wise. Isa-tai was no healer even though he called himself one. Also you may be being charitable by only calling the latest president a conman. He follows a long line of conmen, and probably many more to come.
This appeals to one of the main questions in life, what is our purpose? We ought to follow our north star, our values and morals, and follow them without straying. Or summarily, we ought to develop self-trust, in that we will walk our own way virtuously and resiliently!
I like this, Kai. I think it’s always been the case, but I’m convinced it is even harder in our time. It’s a good fight.
What North star? I think it varies for different people.
For many of us, whatever it is, it is constant, and we are able to focus on it.
For many others, the North star is just an artificial light shined by the aforementioned witch doctors. It shifts in brightness and color, and moves from here to there.
Hm that is a good point. I honestly do not have the answers for that question, I don't think anybody does! But it's definitely something important to think about...
Thanks for raising this point!
You’re very welcome. It’s a thought bouncing around in my own mind every day. Conversations and ideas like these are absolutely key.
Beautiful analogy... For my part, mine was never crystal clear. It still is not. Like shooting in the dark without night vision goggles, I have the general direction, and that seems to be enough for me.
I like this Sam, but I’m thinking there’s a broader scope to the witch doctor role — that of a shaman and intermediary to the spiritual realm — that is important and sorely lacking in our society. As you describe them, our politicians certainly don’t fill it, that’s for sure at least. Need to noodle on it.
For sure. I am not discounting the element you’re outlining. It is just so absent at the political level I didn’t even mention it.
I suspected so!
Good thoughts, Lou. I think your “shaman” might be closer to Sam’s wise ones with pretty good ethics and a sincere desire to help/heal. Sam’s “witch doctor” sounds like the typical snake-oil salesman just looking to fleece the suckers. Just my early morning thoughts (need more coffee!).
I say the money factor which was always present in one form or another, grew exponentially. The “regulator” gene is gone or malfunctioning in so many that enough became it is never enough.
Yes, that’s a new factor that our pre-state forebears never had to worry about. Material objects could only accumulate to such an extent. Who knows where this will end up, but my sense is more and more people are waking up to it. Thanks Barry.
The warrior who lacks perspective celebrates the hardship “status”- the accomplishments, the medals, the parades, the glory- and may miss the deeper meaning in valuing what that hardship has allowed them to BECOME. In fact, the wise warrior most likely disqualifies his or her self from political aspiration, eschewing the pursuit of service-less power for something less exploitative and more utile to the human condition. I suspect that the warriors who seek positions of power may belong to the former, and that their elevation might serve as a way to appease the unruly masses.
The path to wisdom makes most sense to me through the lens of raw experience, willingly entering the fray of an unpredictable universe to test, adapt, and re-test. It would seem that a virtuously high-functioning society would eliminate hacks to power and control, valuing merit as the intersection between practice and theory.
As such, thanks again for what you’re doing here. Another powerful take on another powerful nuance.
I love that. Perfectly said.
Thanks brother. Sam Damon in Anton Myrer’s novel “Once an Eagle” said part your riff well: “If this war is going to be won… the old fuck-ups and troublemakers are going to win it.” And from this wisdom is born.
The most peaceful nation is the one where those with the most to lose in the forms of wealth, influence, and power, are the ones that answer their own call to war first.
When leaders trade their suits and ties for mud-soaked body armor, then, and only then, do they have the right to ask others for their support.
Good stuff, Sam.
Beautifully framed brother, I could not agree more. Thank you.
Sam, great stuff as always. At different points in life politics and political ideals appealed to me. The older I get and more wisdom I strive to achieve the less and less modern politics has any bearing on my life. My path is much as you describe it my own. Ive found a freedom often sold as promise by these witch doctors as you call them, that i didnt know existed. But the fact is its internal its my freedom. They cant give it to me anymore than they can take it away. I am sovereign. Rights and privileges maybe infringed but my path is my own and my mind is free to wonder.
This is intensely motivating. You get it, and there are those out there who get it. But they are the quiet ones. It is so simple that freedom lies within—it’s a message that needs to be sung from the mountain tops.
I dont know where substack is in relation to the mountain tops. But it is a platform and you are singing it my friend. You are right about the quiet ones. I dont sing to loud. But ill carry this message of freedom not in my song but in my actions and in my life. You keep putting out this good work. Ill keep spreading the ideals generated from my exposure.
“How many want to discover their physical, emotional, and intellectual limits, and savor every single second of their lives on this beautiful blue orb to the maximum?”
Powerful question that I believe would be many more if the new hard times created by our ancestors conquering of previous hard times didn’t create the angst and distractions many fall for. Good thing we have writers like you pointing out the irony.
Thank you as always for the powerful thought experiment that I’ll continue to contemplate.
Rock on, Kyle. Questions are the answer in this case. Thanks for jumping in.
Kyle, these are the questions we must pose to our children and also demonstrate to them the rigorous life and the search for constant self improvement, discernment, and wisdom that is the product of that path.
Sam, great line that captures everything I’m here for!
Couldn’t agree more 👊🏻
I love it, and I'm here for it.
This essay turns over a number of stones, not the least being the distinction between a proper Shaman (wise, and experienced across all realms of existence) and a self-proclaimed Witch Doctor (a rat-catcher selling snake oil and false promise).
It also reminded me of a book that was quite important to me during a certain season, from which I pulled this paragraph,
"Because those with the most to lose are allowed to position themselves the furthest from the field of battle, millions of lives are needlessly lost—it is always easier to declare a war if someone else is doing the fighting. On the battlefield and in the city streets, men who are forced to experience the reality of violence are both governed and conditioned by people who are isolated from it. More often than not, specialists in the profession of arms are forced to fight under rules created by men who have never seen war."
“The Way and The Power”, Fredrick Lovret
Thank you, once again, for steering eyes and mind toward both history and future.
That could not have been better said. It is a lament articulated by all too many on the front lines, and ignored by those who start the wars and never fight in them.
Thank you, Mark.
Great thinking/writing, Sam! 👏
“It is significant the warrior was usually offset by one of the wise. They formed an elegant balance: aggression and restraint, killing and healing.“
Elegant indeed. And the rare person who contains both is a beautiful thing to behold.
The sales pitch of the witch doctor: “You can be stupid and cowardly and still have all the rewards of earth if you just follow/pay me!”. It’s hard for most people to resist that siren’s song.
Haha it is quite the sales pitch. And there is something within us that always seems to want to believe it is real “this time”. Maybe at some point we, as a society, will break through? It is a fun thought.
The "least worthy are given the most power". Yes indeed. This theme plays out in the cosmos, in our myths and in our lives. And it is up to those with least power then to seize at least the sovereignty of their own thought, their right action and ethical living, so that they are the most worthy. But we are chained to petty distractions. The antidote? Small tribes? Climbing mountains? Facing life's adversities without shrinking? Foregoing the pursuit of power and wealth when they are disconnected from meaning and work? I like the voice, Sam!
I love this series of questions. There is no better path through this mess than asking questions without apology. Thanks Anthony!
And what will the US army do if asked to follow illegal orders??? But also, what we now call witch doctors, people used to call shamans and healers. I would not call our politicians either. I would call them snakeoil salesman, false advertisers, and the latest administration - conman.
I would include the healers under the wise. Isa-tai was no healer even though he called himself one. Also you may be being charitable by only calling the latest president a conman. He follows a long line of conmen, and probably many more to come.