and groundedness, where we can be of service to our community and happy in ourselves. This grounding quality of the North is represented by the element of Earth, which is fitting because this is also the place of death, where we return to the Earth before rebirth to the East as the cycle continues into new lives to come.
Once again, it is worth emphasising that these four are only enemies when you have not confronted them; as soon as you enter into battle with them you automatically transform them into allies who can help in your quest for balance and internal harmony and, once you achieve this, external success is assured since you are the great dreamer of your world.
The way of all warriors is not to hide within fantasy or to search only for the ‘light’ (as is the way of many modern ‘new age’ practices) but to embrace the darkness as well, for it is only in our shadows (when the light is behind us) that we see ourselves truly reflected, and only then that we can address ourselves and heal our pains so that the world itself is healed.
This article is adapted from The Spiritual Practices of the Ninja: Mastering the Four Gates To Freedom, by Ross Heaven. For information on Ross, his other books and his forthcoming workshops, visit his website at http://www.thefourgates.com
Ross Heaven is a therapist, workshop leader, and the author of several books on shamanism and healing, including Darkness Visible, the best-selling Plant Spirit Shamanism, and Love’s Simple Truths. His website is http://www.thefourgates.com where you can also read how to join his sacred journeys to the shamans and healers of the Amazon.