THE SHADOW SIDES OF THE FOUR DIRECTIONS' ARCHETYPES 

The Warrior or Leader in the North

This is a critical stage before the Visionary phase of the Four Directions. All four archetypes can manifest here - but hopefully in the form of a spiritual warrior. Many leader, warriors "fall" to their shadow side while in the North. Even if there is a visionary direction it can also be toxic,  narcissistic or even socio-pathological. 

The fallen leader or "guru" may have had these tendencies described from the childhood and more than likely his  upbringing had something to do with it. Their enhanced shadow will follow them throughout the medicine wheel and all the directions unless it is dealt with. However, there are some that are just born with more evil inclinations than good ones, inherently, or relating to their karma.

Alternatively the "inclination to do good" is overcome by temptation and power which reinforce and enhance the  inclination to do evil or shadow that we all have. 

The Ancestors

"See yourself in others then whom can you hurt, what harm can you do." Dammapada

"The fundamental  delusion of humanity is to suppose, I am here and you are out there." Roshi

We are all one though not the same.

"We all inter-are." Thich Nhat Hanh

"We are only a person only through other persons." 

 Bishop Tutu

The Adult-Warrior of the North is the head of the entire system. If the chief of the "tribe" is toxic, all four directions will suffer as his/her shadow falls over the tribe and the environment. Hence s/he should strive to lead as a

spirit warrior with the vision and wisdom of the "White Buffalo." 

The warrior prepares the tribe to conserve and survive the "winter" or the bad times which is the season of the north. This is the direction of the 3rd "power" chakra which will need to be in touch with the upper chakras. 

Sadly there is a paucity of spirit warriors in charge at every level today; government, politics, business etc. 

The leader who has power should also be held to the highest not the lowest standard. 

"To those whom much is given, much is expected."

"Power corrupts, and complete power corrupts completely!" John Dalberg Acton

"Greed is not stilled by money, any more that thirst by salt water." Plato

The Shadow side of the Warrior or Leader 

may manifest as follows:

Lacks respect and disempowers others.

Talks his walk rather than the reverse,

Authoritarian, speaks about right and wrong, good and bad and is self righteous rather than effective.

Does not speak truth to power.

Projects his own wounds and his shadow onto others.

 Judges others without any introspective awarenesses. 

Claims that the end justifies the means. 

On the other hand the principles below are being embraced by conscious leaders.  S/he understands that happy workers and a good work environment are actually profitable and ...

Sadly - only when it has been proved to be more financially profitable than the alternative - will things change.

When we see these characteristics it is best we move away so as not to be polluted. 

We may have limited capacities to do anything about this on a more global scale but it is best to maintain equanimity with spiritual practice, focus on the inward journey to the Self and find joy in hidden recesses. We are blessed with the gift of a sentient body and we are here to enjoy it responsibly. 

We should not be despondent. We need to remember this dynamic has been going on since the beginning of time but in the grand spectrum of things it is just a tiny blimp on the spectrum of time and of the immensity of the universe. At  the end of the day, karma is relentless. 

The Zohar states we are only living in a 1% reality. We need to try and make touch with the other 99% and prepare for when we will be able to see much more of it. Akiva taught that this world is just an antechamber to prepare for the one to come. 

"We are here to help others. What on earth others are here for I do not know." Arden

Click play and ponder

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