Walking the Shadows

Walking the shadows is where many martial artists reside. This is that shadow that borders the world of the professional who deals with violence in the protection of society and the world of sheep. Those who walk the shadows are not sheep and yet not the sheep dog protecting sheep from the viciousness of violence that is the wolf, the human predator.

Those who walk the shadows have touched the darkness of predatory violence but choose not to be the sheep dog. Those who walk the shadows tend to stay away from the world of the sheep so they tend to balance between the two so as to provide mentoring. Mentor the sheep so they don't stray past the shadows and into the darkness.

It is necessary for those who walk the shadows to learn from their limited experience by merging the knowledge and experience of the sheep dogs who willingly walk into harms way to protect and serve the sheep. It is a symbiotic relationship only because there are few sheep dogs who can take time to teach both the shadow walkers and the sheep but tend to mentor the shadow walkers to supplement the limited experiences into a whole system adequate to keep the sheep from succumbing to the violence of the predator's.

Seek the knowledge if you walk the shadows, speak to the sheep dogs and gain what is there. Be the shield that allows the sheep to remain in society in safety and allow the sheep dogs to keep the wolves at bay. Don't cross the line unless you willingly desire to leave the shadows and embrace the darkness - to be a professional.

p.s. remember, if you walk the shadows you have made the decision that if things get hinkey you will gladly walk into the dark and become the sheepdog.

p.s.s. Read also Cook's Kitchen: Sheep, Sheepdogs and Wolves If you walk the shadows it is good to give yourself a reminder every now and then. Rick, thanks for the link to your article/post.