The Use Of Heroic Imagery In Spirituality

The use of heroic imagery in spirituality goes backtogether. One naturally thinks of the samurai of
to its earliest forms, when man had only justJapan in this regard - their poetry also advocates
emerged from the animal kingdom, and spiritualitya spontaneity in action and making the most out
was inextricable from hunting and fighting. Man hasof one's circumstances.
come a long way since those days, yet...I have no strategy; I make 'unshadowed by
nevertheless such imagery continues to bethought' my strategy;
employed in spirituality, for example by spiritualI have no designs; I make 'seizing opportunity by
figures such as Swami Vivekananda:the forelock' my design;
Be brave! Be strong! Be fearless! Once you haveI have no miracles; I make 'right action' my
taken up the spiritual life, fight as long as there ismiracles; I have no principles;
any life in you. Even though you know you areI make 'adaptability to all circumstances' my
going to be killed, fight till you 'are killed'. Don't dieprinciples.... [3]
of fright. Die fighting. Don't go down till you areHeroic imagery in spirituality might also refer to
knocked down. [1]the inner struggle against imperfections,
On the surface there appears to be a sharpobstructions obstructing one's spiritual progress.
dichotomy between such warrior talk and theThe use of such imagery has sometimes caused
serene, compassionate bearing we associate withgreat confusion to outsiders - for example the
one who has advanced down the spiritual road.notion of jihad in Islam, which originally pertained
But at root, this dichotomy stems from a certainto the inner struggle over imperfections, was then
view of the spiritual life - that is is somehow anapplied to a much lesser extent to ensuring the
escape , a diversionary mechanism from the 'hardsurvival of the new Islamic state against outer
reality' of life. Heroic imagery is often used toadversaries. The Prophet Mohammed is reported
advocate precisely the opposite opinion, that it isto have said to his followers after their re-entry
the inner life of meditation, prayer andinto Mecca: 'The lesser jihad is now ended, it is
self-exploration which gives the firm bedrock ofnow time for the Greater Jihad (i.e the inner
reality with which to face the transient outer life.struggle) to begin'. However recent world events
In order to establish a firm inner life in the face ofhave led to the 'lesser' meaning now being the
a world that does not care for it, one needs togenerally understood one by people not intimately
have a significant amount of determination andfamiliar to Islam.
resolve. As the Upanishads say, 'the soul cannotWe see that heroic imagery has been used
be won by the weakling'.across many spiritual traditions to convey a
This kind of imagery is also used to advocatevariety of meanings and inspirations to people
cheerfulness and equanimity in the face of thetravelling along the spiritual road. It is a matter of
multitudinous challenges of life, for example in thisspeculation as to what will happen to such
poem by Sri Chinmoy:imagery as mankind evolves away from the
He who has loved this worldanimal realms of aggression and competition. My
Has only got excruciating pangs.personal feeling is that such imagery will always be
The world has thrown on himuseful as an inspiration to go beyond current
All ugliness, filth, dirt and impurity.achievements and strive to unlock one's true inner
Yet the hero marches along,potential.
Carrying the burden of the entire world.References:
At the end of his teeming struggles[1] From collection of quotes at
He will go and stand at the Feet of the Lord[2] 'The Hero Marches Along', from the collection
Supreme. [2]My Flute, by Sri Chinmoy. Available at
The use of such imagery also can suggest that[3] Excerpt from 14th century Japanese poem,
that inner calmness and dynamic outer activityauthor unknown.
are not mutually conflicting, but indeed can go