The waking have one common world, but the sleeping turn aside, each into a world of their own.
—HERACLITUS
When we speak of being a spiritual warrior, a concept referred to in many traditions, we’re describing a journey of transformation that is steadfast in its adherence to both love and truth in the face of the constant storms that life on Earth generates. The word “war” itself traces back to the Indo-European root wers, which means “to confuse, mix up.” War and the inevitable conflict it produces—both within us and between us—stem from a state of confusion. Thus, a spiritual warrior is one devoted to the clearing of confusion, both inwardly and out in the world. The word “veteran” refers to anyone having long experience or practice. It traces back to the Indo-European root wet, which means “to inspire or spiritually engage.” These origins point to the relational call to carry our beasts of burden while staying engaged in an atmosphere of Spirit, until we clear all confusion and establish enduring roots. This is our true inheritance. This is the work of a spiritual warrior, a veteran of life, not just individually but in community. This work is indispensable and elusive, ours alone to do and impossible to do alone. Few things are more worthwhile to pursue. The chapters in this section speak to the ways we discover our true inheritance and the ways we share our burdens and clear our confusion.