Spider-man 3 and more Warriors

Spider-man 3 is currently setting box-office records. As the third entry in this series, there is the very real fear that things are getting a bit watered down. Have no fears on that account, because this is a very solid entry. There is new territory explored, as Peter must deal with some rockiness in his relationship with Mary Jane, the hard won success of Spidey becoming a social icon, and ultimately the test of dealing with his own dark side. Also central to the film is the concept that force does not work. People have pointed out over the years that the super-hero concept that force must be met with greater force is basically a fascist concept. In this film Spidey must learn to embrace forgiveness and healing. And this is done in a way that does not diminish the super-hero action scenes. Good job!

The Warriors' 2 narrow defeats to the Jazz in round 2 bring up the very real question of what is victory? For years it has been possible to look at the team and the organization in very detached zen-like terms. Recent events have led to a resurgence of passion and caring and even craving victory. No calmness now. Every up and down is now heightened. Defeat hurts instead of being inevitable. Is this good, especially when one practices an art like Aikido, which empasizes center and balance?

One thing that came to me is that to be passionate in itself is a victory. So much is made of inner peace and detachment that the ego can feel very spiritual and superior. What happens when your whole world gets rocked and ones comfortable rut is exposed? How does one then deal with the fact that suddenly one not only wants but craves victory?

My sense at this time is that there is a difference between being passionate and being passionate about. The latter requires something external while the former just is. So there is a state where the tremendous energy from being passionate is balanced by a deep sense of calm. And those 2 things mix and create. Don Juan in one of the earlier books counsels Casteneda that a warrior does not just believe, a warrior HAS to believe. So a warrior is passionate about what he chooses to be passionate about, but then proceeds knowing that this is his controlled folly. The warriors winning the NBA title won't change the world, but from an inner perspective, learning from this current situation and then choosing to put this passion into things like deepening ones sense of self and the world can.