Spiritual Athleticism

“Either slain thou shalt gain heaven or Conquering thou shalt enjoy the earth. Therefore arise, son of Kunti, Unto battle, making a firm resolve. Holding pleasure and pain alike, Gain and loss, victory, and defeat, Then gird thyself for battle … Disciplined with which mental attitude, son of Prtha, Thou shalt get rid of the bondage of action.”

(Krishan to Arjuna, Bhagavad Gita)

“Now let it be first understood that I am a god of War and of Vengeance. I shall deal hardly with them.” (Ra Hoor Khuit, Liber Al Vel Legis 3:3)

The Greek and Indian warrior classes both understood spirituality is essentially an outgrowth of athletics.

One gave us the Olympics, the other gave us Yoga, and both of these traditions were based upon the martial arts.

Surprisingly to many modern people, both Yoga, and the Olympics have their roots in the preparation for warfare.

Most modern-day stretch pants wearing “Yogis” have no clue as to the true origins of yoga, or what it is meant to accomplish.

The highest state attainable by yoga, Kavailya, is more than isolated detachment. Kaivalya is poised mastery in the field of action born of doing one’s Dharma/Duty.

Abstraction without risk, thought without application, theory without practice, these are the fruits of 2000 years of Christian pathology.

These are the byproduct of the idea that “Heaven” is an ideal that is greater than the body, the world, and the challenges born of Dharmic struggle in the field of action.

Because of this, I don’t trust priests, prophets, or pundits who talk a good game but don’t back up their ideas with blood, sweat, or tears.

My test for ideas is agency, efficacy, and impact in the embodied NOW.

If it doesn’t Quicken me in my present embodied existence, it’s a waste of my time.