Buddha: 6 Signs You Have a Warrior Spirit (and You Don’t Even Know It Yet)
We don’t need 8 billion people to change the world. We need one person to change the world for 8 billion people.
There are two types of warriors:
- Born warrior (genes)
- Made warrior
Not all of us are descendants of fighters and warriors. But this shouldn’t limit us from finding our potential strengths.
Gautama Buddha wasn’t a born warrior but a made one. His father, Śuddhodana, was a leader of the Sakhya Clan, and his mother was the Maya queen.
Until Buddha was 29, he stayed inside a confined boundary. Though he had an easy life, access to clean water, and good people, he felt something was wrong. Siddhartha Gautama, an athletic, six-foot warrior prince, knew there was more to life.
After defeating the forces of the demon Mara, Buddha reached enlightenment at thirty-five.
In other words, your warrior-like qualities are essential to shoo away your physical and mental demons. For that, below are six warrior signs of a person as predicted by Gautama Buddha.
Let’s get started.
1. The wing spreader
The one who:
- Swims are not afraid of the water
- Cooks are not afraid of the fire
- Writes are not afraid of his/her thoughts
Overcome your fear to unlock achievements. As Buddha said:
“If you want to fly, give up everything that weighs you down.”
Don’t be afraid to learn. What’s the worst that can happen? You could get hurt, injured, or maybe a bit too scared. There’s wisdom in learning things and exploring that isn’t in being stagnant.
Sure. Not all of us are gifted. But we all have unique qualities, and here’s how to find out:
- Comb: find what activities you like
- Scout: try swimming and engaging in different gymnastic activities to comprehend your skills
- Rule: keep gaining mastery until the 10,000-hour mark
People join the military for a reason, indicating that discovering your strengths may not be as difficult as it appears.
2. The lake of wisdom
We care about water filtration systems, but what about your thought filtration system?
Ask a political person — he’d tell you no mistakes are tolerated in politics because the world depends on your decision-making skills.
Even if you’re a politician, your decision affects many people. This is why thought filtration is necessary. As per Buddha:
“Before you speak, let your words pass through three gates: Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind?”
If your thought qualifies through neither of the gates, trash it — don’t speak.
If your words can’t make an impact, why even speak?
Words are not candy you can fill in your stomach even if you’re full. You cannot stuff words.
Therefore, always have a reason to speak.
3. The unprocrastinator
The possibilities are endless.
- Buddha could remain a wealthy prince.
- Abraham Lincoln could remain a postmaster
- Benjamin Franklin could remain a painter
The “could” is not the future. As Buddha believed:
“One can make only two mistakes along the road to truth; not going all the way and not starting.”
You never know the road ahead. But keeping pace ensures you reach somewhere.
If you'd read the history of wars, you’d realize people had anxieties but chose to carry on and be consistent. The warriors tethered the plans according to the time and situation.
Unless you keep going, you won’t know what lies ahead.
The more you wait to start, the less quickly you complete each task. Keep going because it’s the only way to know what lies on the other side of the door.
Keep grinding, keep going.
4. You’re enough
“What can I do?” is a common phrase.
Here’s what nobody tells you: you’re enough.
You’re enough to change the world. You’re enough to change everything you ever wished for. As Buddha said:
“One moment can change a day, one day can change a life, and one life can change the world.”
We don’t need 8 billion people to change the world. We need one person to change the world for 8 billion people.
You never know if you’re the “one” unless you explore yourself. We are all here for some reason. Jobs, relationships, money, and comfort are distractions. You’re thinking too small.
- You’re here for something big (you know that).
- You’re enough to leave a footprint in this world!
5. The out-of-the-box thinker
Accept it:
- A parent knows what’s wrong with his kid
- A doctor knows what’s wrong with the patient
- A coach knows what’s wrong with the student
When we think we know it all, we expose our pride and arrogant outlook, and those who are more familiar with us can easily detect it.
Those people know what’s wrong with you. As Buddha said:
“I never see what has been done; I only see what remains to be done.”
The world is not a beautiful place. Therefore much work is required. Instead of blaming and pointing out mistakes, work on them.
“Find out the lacking point.”
Nobody/ nothing is 100% perfect. Everything requires a little polish, as Fatunla Samuel believes.
Instead of seeing what’s done, look for holes that aren’t concealed.
6. The one who isn’t afraid to grind
Life is long for people who are:
- Arrogant
- Liars
- Aggressive
Why? These people forget the true essence of life. We’re here for something big.
Don’t get upset with the stats and facts.
As Buddha said:
“Long is the night to him who is awake; long is a mile to him who is tired; long is life to the foolish who do not know the actual law.”
Fortunately, we are not living in an era where we have to pay for our arrogance with our lives.
Our mistakes are forgivable. In return, they made it harder for you to find the truth.
For that, accept the facts.
- Accept if you’re wrong
- Accept if you lied
- Accept if you have (second) thoughts
Always remember to keep your life straight. Be persistent, confident, hard-working, and an actual humble person.
Why? Because we only get one life to live. Either you enjoy it or destroy it.
Which one are you?
Final thoughts:
The warriors never retire.
I look at my best Medium buddies: Dr. Preeti Singh, Shameem Anwar, Lanu Pitan, Srini, and Yana Bostongirl, and I realize you hate sleeping when there’s a flame in your heart.
Maybe that’s why writers hate writing, but they can’t stay away from writing.
You have to fall in love with what hurts the most.
That’s the meaning of life!
Join 1,360+ writers and get your next writing inspiration right now.
Or join Medium with my referral link.
