Warrior's Way
by Robert S. de Ropp
BK060
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Warrior's Way
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Happily, a new group of readers can benefit from de Ropp's penetrating insights and honest account of his life. De Ropp's approach to life was highly rational and spiritual, individualistic and idealistic. An autobiography well worth the read for then and now.
"Robert de Ropp describes in this book most everything spiritual practitioners in Western cultures should know. I am just amazed that his expositions have not been acknowledged by further printings of his books, particularly this one, which could serve as a guide and reminder to one's spiritual endeavours for the rest of one's life.
"I am so glad that you advertise it as potentially still obtainable. It's a book I would keep for the rest of my life, reading it again and again should I feel that I've strayed from the road less travelled."
Briefing Notes:
Overview:
This document analyzes excerpts from Robert S. de Ropp's "Warrior's Way," a semi-autobiographical work detailing the author's intellectual, spiritual, and personal journey. De Ropp's narrative weaves together his experiences with science, philosophy, mysticism, and the counterculture, showcasing his lifelong search for meaning and self-understanding. The text is structured as a series of vignettes, exploring key moments and relationships that shaped his worldview, and his movement from despair and disillusionment to a more integrated vision of the "Warrior's Way".
Key Themes and Ideas:
The Journey of Self-Discovery:
The overarching theme of the book is the search for self-knowledge and spiritual growth, framed within the metaphor of the "Warrior's Way." This is a path of conscious striving, self-discipline, and confrontation with the self and the world.
De Ropp's life is portrayed as a series of transformations, marked by both internal struggles and external challenges. He describes himself as having "made the voyage of life aboard a ship of fools with a motley crew," each representing different facets of his personality. This inner conflict is a recurring motif.
The text explores the tension between the "Scientist," the "Magician," the "Missionary," and the "Domestic Oaf" aspects of his personality, each vying for control and influencing his decisions. These different facets lead to periods of both growth and stagnation.
Quote: "These various characters made up the crew of my vessel, and their often conflicting aims determined the course the vessel took. They argued, fought, stole from each other. Each tried for a time to become master of the ship. But now there is harmony"
The Search for Meaning Beyond Materialism:
Disillusioned with traditional religion and scientific materialism, de Ropp seeks deeper truths through various esoteric traditions like yoga, alchemy, and the teachings of Gurdjieff.
He criticizes the reductionist view of the human being prevalent in modern society, advocating for a more holistic understanding that encompasses spiritual and psychological dimensions.
He is critical of a "scientifically" driven world that ignores its spiritual dimension, creating "Smerdiakovs" who believe anything is permitted.
Quote: "We depict the universe as a gamble and all that occurs therein as due to the workings of chance. Very well. Perhaps this is the truth. But we ought to have kept it to ourselves and not told it to the Smerdiakovs. Now there is nothing to restrain them. All is accident, all is chaos. There is no God, no law, no good, no evil. So these pseudointellectuals seize on a... "
The Importance of Personal Experience & Direct Knowing
Throughout the book, de Ropp emphasizes the need to have one's own experience of the things described in various mystical and spiritual traditions. He is wary of dogma or systems of thought that have no basis in experience. *He is critical of the way some of the members of Bennett's group adopted a kind of spiritual language, without doing the inner work necessary to back up that language.
Quote: "My question, Did Bennett belong to the club? was of course a futile one. We cannot judge the being of another. The only benefit to be derived from the study of another person's life is an understanding of laws. Two kinds of laws govern our lives, laws escapable and laws inescapable. Freedom consists in living under as few laws as possible, substituting intentional, self-made laws for laws imposed by outer circumstances"
Critique of Modern Society:
De Ropp is critical of the destructive tendencies of modern society, particularly its obsession with technology, warfare, and material consumption, noting a descent into "a small private hell".
He sees a lack of spiritual direction in the modern world, leading to nihilism and a loss of meaning.
He laments the loss of connection with nature and authentic human experience, as seen in his description of industrialized Adelaide and his later search for a rural life.
Quote: " I was dying by inches of spiritual inanition, was ragged, smelly, and had not eaten for three days. Drifting without any aim or sense of direction I had been washed up in Port Adelaide. I lived in the ruined… "
The "Warrior" as a Metaphor for Self-Transformation:
The term "Warrior" refers to one who actively engages with life's challenges, seeking self-mastery and inner growth, as distinct from someone who becomes a "robber" using their free will for ill.
The "Warrior's Way" requires self-discipline, awareness, and a willingness to confront one's inner demons.
This path is not about physical combat, but about overcoming one's own limitations and aligning with a higher purpose.
The text stresses the importance of learning through one's experiences, not just through thought alone, and using the body and its needs as a part of this process.
Quote: "I will take Fate by the Throat; it shall not wholly overcome me!"
The Influence of Gurdjieff and Ouspensky:
The teachings of Gurdjieff and Ouspensky are a major influence, particularly concepts such as self-observation, the "Fourth Way," and the need for "work" on oneself. He explores his time with the Ouspenskys at Lyne Place, and his later interactions with Gurdjieff.
De Ropp reflects on his time with Ouspensky and recognizes the challenge of remaining present and not succumbing to the allure of the past.
He describes Gurdjieff as an enigmatic figure who sought to transform those around him through unorthodox methods.
De Ropp also describes the unique way both Ouspensky and Gurdjieff interacted with their respective students, with both positive and negative elements described.
Quote: "Oh, those all-night drinking parties! How many times have I sat up with Ouspensky in the kitchen drinking far more than was good for me, losing sleep waiting in vain for him to let fall some pearls of wisdom."
The Exploration of Altered States of Consciousness
De Ropp describes his experiments with drugs, particularly with LSD, and his understanding of them as 'sacraments' that could unlock certain dimensions of the mind.
He also touches on techniques such as yoga and biofeedback as ways to move beyond the ordinary constraints of consciousness.
Quote: "To turn on you need a sacrament, which is an external thing that turns the key to the inner doors. LSD is such a sacrament. "Tune in" means start your own religion."
Personal Experiences and Encounters:
The book interweaves De Ropp's intellectual and spiritual journey with vivid personal anecdotes, from his childhood in Lithuania to his travels in Australia and his later life in California. He also touches on the influence of people like Ralph Vaughan Williams.
His experiences with family, friends, and mentors are pivotal to his development, shaping his views on education, relationships, and the nature of reality.
His interactions with the eccentric characters he meets highlight the complexity and contradictions inherent in human nature.
Notable Figures Mentioned:
Ralph Vaughan Williams: A renowned English composer who embodies a different type of understanding through intuition and listening.
F.G. Gregory: A brilliant and somewhat eccentric plant physiologist who serves as a mentor.
Dick Sheppard: The founder of the Peace Pledge Union, representing a pacifist approach to conflict.
Gerald Heard: A writer and philosopher with whom de Ropp engaged in conversations about pacifism.
J.G. Bennett: A student of Gurdjieff, who attempts to build self-sufficient communities with his own "spiritual particles."
Charles Lindbergh: The aviator, whose views on isolationism and the dangers of war de Ropp critiques, while later appreciating his work in protecting nature.
Gurdjieff & Ouspensky: Influential teachers whose ideas and methods shape the direction of De Ropp's spiritual journey.
Carlos Castaneda: The author of the Don Juan books, whose work on the "Trickster" plays a role in the author's understanding of the nature of knowledge.
Conclusion:
The excerpts from "Warrior's Way" offer a glimpse into a complex and fascinating journey of self-discovery. Robert S. de Ropp's narrative is a blend of personal memoir, philosophical inquiry, and spiritual exploration, challenging readers to question their assumptions about the world and their place within it. Through his experiences, he illuminates the challenges and possibilities of the "Warrior's Way" - a lifelong commitment to self-transformation and the pursuit of a more meaningful existence. The text is characterized by De Ropp's unique voice, combining sharp wit with a deep longing for understanding.