When in the arena,
Yield not to an aggressor.
When outside the arena,
Affirm compassion.
This world and this society are competitive. Tao uses the metaphor of the warrior to meet the competition. Warriors never yield to their opponents. They may sidestep, but they do not give way.
Whether you are a lawyer, police officer, fire fighter, doctor, businessperson, athlete, or any one of numerous other professions, you compete against either other people or natural forces. But there is a right way and a wrong way to compete. Avoid anger and greed. Use concentration and awareness.
Coincidentally, concentration and awareness are also necessary for spirituality. The follower of Tao incorporates the way of the warrior into training. The warrior and the sage both seek to transcend emotion and petty thinking, to perfect themselves, and to live lives of the deepest truth.
But when outside the arena, do not forget to be kind. Leave behind competitive aggression. One must still be aware, concentrate, and react, but the expression will be different. Compassion must not falter. The combination of the way of the warrior and the way of Tao is the ultimate symbol of versatility. Such a person may command the extremes of the universe.
