There Are Many Ways Up The Mountain

“There are many ways up the mountain, but each of us must choose a practice that feels true to his own heart.”

– Jack Kornfield

It is not necessary for you to evaluate the practices chosen by others. We must all remember that the practices are only vehicles to develop awareness, kindness, and compassion. We all take the paths toward freedom, a freedom of spirit. It is more important to focus on our own path than to evaluate and criticize the path of others. If one wants to join us on our climb, we should welcome them, but we should also encourage others with the paths they take.

The Buddha once said, “One need not carry the raft on one’s head after crossing the stream.” We need to honor and use a practice for as long as it serves us, which in many cases is a very long time, but to look at it as just that, a vehicle, a raft to help us cross through the waters of doubt, confusion, desire, and fear. And when the vehicle is no longer needed or useful, we can put it down. And at times, we may choose to change vehicles to better serve us and help us reach our destination.

Those of us that choose to live with what I call the Warrior’s Edge, choose to train and live in a powerful way based on warrior traits and characteristics and principles. I write much about these, and more importantly attempt to incorporate them into my daily living and all I do. And while I feel this path can give a person the “edge” in life, I realize that it is not for everyone, and that some will only use bit’s and pieces as their path crosses this one.  And that is okay. I hope people take from what I teach and use what is useful to them to improve their lives in whatever way makes the most sense to them at the time.

We should all be thankful for the raft that supports our journey, and realize that though we benefit, not everyone will take the same raft.