Warrior Excerpts & FTWMI: How One Does Their Duty (the post-practice Monday post) April 7, 2025

Peace and many blessings to all! “Nine days and nine nights of blessings and happiness if you are celebrating Chaitra Navaratri!” Peace and many blessings to those observing Lent & Great Lent!

This post-practice compilation for Monday, April 7^th features a little new content, slightly revised excerpts, and (For Those Who Missed It) a short 2021 post. The 2025 prompt question was, “Who (or what) comes to mind when you think of a warrior?”

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“‘O Prince, your ignorance of your True Self Within is the cause of your present reluctance to act, just as the opposite of ignorance, Self-knowledge, would bring fearless action. So with the sword of wisdom sever the doubts in your heart. Arise, O best of men, take your stand. Be a warrior!’”

— Krishna speaking to Arjuna (4.42) in The Bhagavad Gita: A Walkthrough for Westerners by Jack Hawley

What makes someone a warrior? What attributes come to mind when you think of a warrior? More importantly, how can we embody those attributes on and off the mat? Take a moment to consider those questions and then I have two (2) more questions for you….

1. Do you answers change when you consider that most “Warrior” poses in yoga are actually “Hero Friend” poses?

2. Do you answers change when you think of the warrior/hero friend as a woman?

The Fierce Mother Goddess (an excerpt):

During Navaratri, each of manifestation of Durga/Parvati manifestation is a symbolic milestone (and a reminder that women “contain multitudes”). The final day* is devoted to Siddhidhatri, whose name literally means “land/earth of achievements”. Her name can also be translated as “Giver of Perfection”, as She is believed to be endowed with all the siddhis (“abilities” or “powers”) in the Universe and, also, to be able to bestow all of them. Typically, however, She only gives nine of the multitudes — some of which are referenced in the Yoga Sūtras.

In art and literature, she is sometimes depicted as being half of Shiva (with Him being half of Her), meaning that they are the embodiment the yin/yang symbol. When they are shown together in this way, they are each known as Ardhanarishvara, Ardhanaranari, or similar names that all highlight the fact that They are partially a woman.

When we look at the hero(ine)’s journey — as told through each day’s story, we are reminded that Durga/Parvati is a warrior or, if you will, a hero friend.

*NOTE: During the big celebrations of Navaratri (in the Spring and Fall) the final day is a double celebration — which may mean more feasting in some regions and more fasting in others. For this current celebration of Chaitra Navaratri, some people are also celebrating Rama Navami — the birth of Rama.

For Those Who Missed It: How One Does Their Duty

“Who is the happy Warrior? Who is he

That every man in arms should wish to

be?”

— quoted from the poem “Character of the Happy Warrior” by William Wordsworth

It’s unlikely that you’ve heard someone referred to as “America’s Lord Nelson”. Unless, of course, the person being referenced was a member of the peerage whose name was Nelson. However, several modern politicians — including Minnesota’s own Hubert Horatio Humphrey, Jr. (the 38^th Vice President of the United States) and Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr. (the 47^th Vice President and 46^th President of the United States) — have been called “the Happy Warrior”; because their personal constitutions fit the poem “The Character of the Happy Warrior” by William Wordsworth.

Born April 7, 1770, in Cockermouth, Cumberland, England, Wordsworth was the Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom from April 6, 1843 — April 23, 1850. He wrote the poem about “the Happy Warrior” to eulogize (& idolize) Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, 1st Duke of Bronté, KB — whose views on slavery are currently under much scrutiny and debate.

CLICK ON THE EXCERPT TITLE BELOW FOR MORE.

WHAT MAKES A WARRIOR HAPPY: 2019 Kiss My Asana Offering #7

“Whose high endeavors are an inward light
That makes the path before him always bright;”

— quoted from the poem “Character of the Happy Warrior” by William Wordsworth

There is no playlist for the Common Ground Meditation Center practices.

The 2021 playlist is available on YouTube and Spotify. [Look for “04072021 Character of the Happy Warrior”]

“Dedicated
To all spiritual activists
Truth seekers and peaceful warriors
Worldwide
‘I regard myself as a soldier
Though a soldier of peace’”

— MC Yogi and Mohandas Gandhi, quoted from the Intro to the song “Be the Change (Niraj Chag’s Swaraj Mix)” by MC Yogi and Niraj Chag

If you are thinking about suicide, worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, you can dial 988 (in the US) or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call this TALK line if you are struggling with addiction or involved in an abusive relationship. The Lifeline network is free, confidential, and available to all 24/7. YOU CAN TALK ABOUT ANYTHING.

White Flag is a new app, which I have not yet researched, but which may be helpful if you need peer-to-peer (non-professional) support.

If you are a young person in crisis, feeling suicidal, or in need of a safe and judgement-free place to talk, you can also click here to contact the TrevorLifeline (which is staffed 24/7 with trained counselors).

CORRECTION & ERRATA: During the practice and in the original post, I indicated that Rama Navami was the day after the ninth day/night of Navaratri; however, it is usually celebrated on the ninth day/night. Dussehra (which is literally the “ten[th]” and “defeat”) is after the celebration in the Fall.

### Jai Jai Gurudev Jai Jai ###