The Way of the Gentle Warrior
The reason I am so fascinated by Mike Tyson has little to do with his fighting style these days as it is the ways in which his actions and his thoughts represent the duality of man. Often in his life he was harshly judged because of his extreme behavior and his physical power; yet behind the facade he was actually a very articulate, sensitive, and misunderstood individual.
There is just something about that combined with the tragedy and the pain he endured his whole life that I find very inspirational. While most men wind up becoming sociopaths after experiencing this level of emotional trauma; instead, he managed to develop a deep sense of empathy in the wake of all of his suffering. I admire his courage and his willingness to expose his emotions for all to see as he struggled to find peace within himself...
This internal juxtaposition of the primal self being overcome by one's own conscience really hits home for me. Like him, I too spent time in various group homes due to my violent behavior as a child and after a while I finally realized that all of my anger was intrinsically rooted in fear. Letting go of that pain and resentment in order to find peace within myself has been something I have stuggled with for most of my adult life. I wouldn't give it back for anything because that struggle has helped build my sense of character as an adult and it has given me the fortitude to apply this fighting spirit to the science of life and learning, Additionally it has also given me the desire and commitment to help others who struggle and suffer as I and many others I know have.
The way of the gentle warrior requires both skill and humility, as well as as a willingness to confront and do battle with oneself as opposed to simply confronting others.
There is just something about that combined with the tragedy and the pain he endured his whole life that I find very inspirational. While most men wind up becoming sociopaths after experiencing this level of emotional trauma; instead, he managed to develop a deep sense of empathy in the wake of all of his suffering. I admire his courage and his willingness to expose his emotions for all to see as he struggled to find peace within himself...
This internal juxtaposition of the primal self being overcome by one's own conscience really hits home for me. Like him, I too spent time in various group homes due to my violent behavior as a child and after a while I finally realized that all of my anger was intrinsically rooted in fear. Letting go of that pain and resentment in order to find peace within myself has been something I have stuggled with for most of my adult life. I wouldn't give it back for anything because that struggle has helped build my sense of character as an adult and it has given me the fortitude to apply this fighting spirit to the science of life and learning, Additionally it has also given me the desire and commitment to help others who struggle and suffer as I and many others I know have.
The way of the gentle warrior requires both skill and humility, as well as as a willingness to confront and do battle with oneself as opposed to simply confronting others.
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