Some of you may know how excited I was this time last year about what Tina Thrussell and Best U Can Be were doing with the Sage Within - The Vision retreat.

Well they have done it again, they’ve evolved to the next level. Best U Can Be is presenting The Spiritual Warrior’s Way, a weekend retreat October 12 - 14, 2007.

The Spiritual Warrior’s Way Tina says,

“is about discovering or re-discovering inner power, strength and resolve. Where Sage Within was about finding purpose, Spiritual Warrior is about DOING something to fulfill it.”

What came to my mind when I first heard of The Spiritual Warrior’s Way is Budo a Japanese word I learned years ago while taking Aikido.

Budo means the Way of The Warrior.

I remembered having read something about Master Morihei Ueshiba’s, (originator of Aiki-do), experience of enlightenment and its profound effect on the development of his Aikido.

I want to share with you a passage from Michel Randon’s book The Martial Arts: Swordsmanship, Kendo, Aikido, Judo, Karate (London: Peerage Books, 1984), p.208 & 209. Master Ueshiba says of his moment of enlightenment,

“I understood that the source of budo is the love of God, the spirit of loving protection of all creatures. Endless tears of joy ran down my cheeks.

I understood that budo does not consist of brining down the enemy by force, nor is it a means to destroy the world with weapons: the pure spirit of budo means accepting the the spirit of the universe, spreading peace throughout the world, speaking correctly, protecting and honouring all nature’s creatures. I understood that the purpose of budo is to accept the love of God in its true sense which protects and cultivates all living things and that it is advisable to use and assimilate it with our mind and body.

The Way of budo is to make the heart of the universe one’s own heart.”

To paraphrase this perspective then:

-The pure spirit of ‘The Way of The Warrior’ means accepting the spirit of the universe.

-The purpose of ‘The Way of The Warrior’ is to accept the love of God in its true sense which protects and cultivates all living things.

-The ‘Way’ of ‘The Way of The Warrior’ is to make the heart of the universe one’s own heart.

Pretty profound stuff.

Pretty profound stuff, is what you can expect at The Spiritual Warrior’s Way retreat.

One of the tools that will be used in this experiential weekend is Don Miguel Ruiz’s book, The Four Agreements.

And who can argue with:

1. Be impeccable With Your Word

2. Don’t Take Anything Personally (Wow if I could learn the how of that….)

3. Don’t Make Assumptions

4. Always Do Your Best

Simple. Right! Yes, but not easy to do. The ‘doing’ part is where The Spiritual Warrior’s Way retreat may be in service to you.

And for the record, my Pay It Forward comment: “Tina Thrussell is a breath of light. Experience her.”

Happy, happy day!