Warrior Philosophy in Game of Thrones

Warrior Philosophy

in

GAME OF THRONES

Warriors of Love Publishing

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The right of Francis Briers to be identified as the Author of the Work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988

All rights reserved.  No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in articles and reviews.  For more information go to www.fudoshin.org.uk and use the contact form to address Warriors of Love Publishing.

Published by Warriors of Love (WOL) Publishing

Cover designed and illustrated by Rob Dreaming:

www.knightsofgaia.com

Firstly I must acknowledge George R. R. Martin for writing a truly epic series of books without which this book would have had to take a very different form!  Next of course is the awesome team at HBO who have created a truly brilliant TV production of this story.  It really is such beautiful work.

More personally I have been assisted, supported, taught, mentored, and loved by many people over the years in the Warrior's path, my personal development, writing, and living.  My mother, Lyn, and my father, Fred have always been so unconditionally supportive, and my wife Miche and son Samson who are continuing that tradition!  I also want to make a special mention of Rob Dreaming who created the beautiful cover art.  You have helped to keep me inspired to finish what I started here with your awesomeness!  Thanks brother.

My various martial companions over the years, and particularly Steve Rowe and Anne Rowe for being teachers, mentors, and helping me find my first glimpse into another world; George and Mark of The Company of 1415; Andy Cundy for a generous welcome and friendship in Brighton; Mark Walsh for being so different and yet often so much the same; and especially Tom Maxwell, teacher, friend, fellow explorer, light relief (!), recommender of TV series', and now test reader. 

Fellow facilitators and learning junkies: Lance Giroux from whom I have learned so much about the Samurai mindset and leadership; Jamie Morgan, soul-brother and fellow mischief-maker;  Claire Breeze and Sue Cheshire, corporate fairy-godmothers; Martin Egan who introduced me to Conscious Business; Leanne Lowish and the team at Axialent with whom I continue to explore and deepen with it; Kate Shela teacher, and fierce dancing warrior of the heart; Shianna Ravenlaw for quiet wisdom; Tom Anderson friend, generous support, and the man who got me a 'proper' job!

I have been blessed with many beautiful friends over the years and no few fantastic teachers, for those not mentioned by name here, thank you for your gifts.

I have failed to keep it anything like as brief as I had intended but be thankful, it could have been a lot longer!

Introduction

A little note on spoilers and bandwagons...

1. The Warrior's Code

2. Responsibility

3. Self-Knowledge

4. True Courage

5. Duty and Service

6. Facing Death

7. Honour

8. Humility

9. Mercy

10.Honesty

Appendices

Book Lists

Additional Articles

Author Profile

Endnotes

Introduction

For as long as I can remember I have loved fantasy fiction.  'Lord of the Rings' was first read to me when I was 6 and my mum told the story that she was really reading it for my older brother, thinking I would be too young to follow so long and complex a story... Until one night, having just read the part where the King of the Horse-Lords has been killed in battle, she finished, stood next to our bunk-beds to tuck us in and say goodnight and found a little sobbing bundle on the top bunk (me) saying “He shouldn't have died!”  I have read that book myself now many times since and thought the same thing every time I have read of that noble man's death.  I've shed a tear more than once as I have journeyed with those companions. 

In many ways Tolkein's writing was more of a moral basis for me growing up than any Bible or other book explicitly intended for moral and ethical education.  In some personal reflection work I did on a course over 10 years ago now we were asked to remember what we dreamed of being as a child.  I wasn't sure at all at first but as I sat with it I realised that, rather than the usual Astronaut, Rock-Star, Bus-Driver, or Footballer,  I had dreamed of being a sword-wielding wizard who goes around helping people!  No-wonder perhaps with what I have just told you of my literary environment, however, that became a touch-stone for me on my personal journey.  How could I get as close as possible to that child-hood dream while remaining solidly rooted in the 'real world'?  How could I learn to be a man I could admire as much as I admired Aragorn when I was a child?  How could I learn to be as wise as Gandalf?  How could I learn to be courageous in the face of life's challenges and to see the magic in life when it is tough or even boring?  How could I find ways to connect deeply with my companions on my personal adventure in the way that the characters do in my favourite works of Fantasy?       

These have been the questions I have sought to answer by the way I live my life and the path I have sought to walk.  It has been tough, sometimes I have really struggled and I certainly don't think I've 'made it' or am at the end of my journey with these questions.  But today I write this as a martial artist (occasionally sword-wielding) working as a facilitator and spiritual counsellor (magical things regularly happen in my presence), who travels to work with groups and individuals to help them be happier, more aware, successful and fulfilled (basically, going around helping people).  In so many ways, I am the man I dreamed of being as a child and I feel like the wonderful stories of my favourite Fantasy writers such as J. R. R. Tolkein, Ursula LeGuin, Robin Hobb, J.K. Rowling, George R. R. Martin and so many others, have a lot to do with how I have grown over the years.  These books, the television series' and films have been my companions on the path: they have helped me to process my feelings and heal my hurts; they have inspired me to have courage when life has been hard; they have helped me to dream bigger dreams and hold myself to a higher standard. 

I think that stories, especially the epic, mythic stories are meant to be more than just entertainment.  I believe that the distilled reality of these grand adventures is there to help us grow as human beings, to inspire our spirits and nurture our souls.  In the cynical age we live in where every great leader or inspiring individual is peppered with criticism as soon as they stick their head above the parapet of public life, these stories become even more important.  Where else are we to find role-models of greatness?  Part of what gives me hope is that these mythic stories are growing in popularity.  The 'Lord of the Rings' films, and TV series' like 'Buffy the Vampire-Slayer' seem to have opened the door to mainstream culture engaging with Fantasy as a legitimate rather than purely niche genre, and I think that is partly because in our hearts so many of us are crying out for hero's to inspire us.  'Game of Thrones' is the next step in this evolution, and what a fantastic step! (Pun intended).

In my life, while religions, spiritualities, and philosophies of various types have played significant parts in shaping my character, it is the philosophy of the world's Warrior traditions which have informed me the most.  Whether it is the Samurai of Japan, Chinese warrior monks, indigenous warrior Shamans from every continent, or the Knights of medieval
Europe
the ideas, values, and practices of Warriors from around the world have become my passion and my spiritual home.

Having trained originally as an actor I love theatre.  Television is often looked on as not being as authentic as stage plays, and not as grand in scope as film, but I think that has changed.  Some of the best writing, acting and directing today is, I believe, coming out of the television industry.  Game of Thrones is a perfect example of this: awesome actors, fantastic script, amazing production quality and cinematography, all being brought together to tell a truly epic story.  I love TV and it is because of programs like this that, that is the case.

So... this book is my way of sharing with you my twin passions: Mythic stories and the Warrior's path.  Game of Thrones is so rich with great warriors and noble acts it seems the perfect inspiration for sharing this rich and deeply practical philosophy.  While the story is also full of deviousness, betrayal, and underhanded politics it is only against this background that the true nobility can stand out as it should.  Without darkness we could never recognise light, and it is one of the most perennial spiritual truths that life is hard.  Without challenges to overcome we could have no hero's and if the characters did not face the pain and sadness of life then we wouldn't invest belief in their world or identify with them as people.  It wouldn't have true resonance with our own lives.  While the darkness is there and I will definitely speak of it, my focus here is on how we can embrace the best that humanity has to offer.  It is not that Machiavellian scheming isn't worth understanding – it is, so you don't get caught in the traps people might set for you, or the temptations to become one of the schemers – but it is my experience that what helps me live my life most fully is to grow my capacity for courage and nobility and act as much as I can from that place.

In the words of F.W. Farrar:

“The true preparation for life, the true basis of a manly character, is not to have been ignorant of evil, but to have known it and avoided it“

My hope is that for those of you who come to my writing because you love George R. R. Martin's books or the excellent Television series by HBO, that this book will help to deepen your appreciation of the characters in those stories, and that those stories then become a portal for you onto another world – that of the warrior traditions and their attendant philosophies.  For those of you who come to this book because you love the warrior traditions, my hope is that it will help to reveal how wonderful stories can teach us a great deal about martial philosophy.  I have found that sometimes stories can teach us just as much, or even more than studying the history of our martial arts.

However you come to this book, I hope that it helps you to reflect not just on the rarefied environments of Game of Thrones, and warrior philosophy but on your own life.  I believe that stories and philosophy can help us to learn how to live our lives with greater awareness, consciousness, dignity, and grace.  I wish you courage, beauty, and joy on this journey, your life.

A little note on spoilers and bandwagons...

Firstly, I wanted to let you know that I have only drawn on examples of scenes from season 1 of HBO's 'Game of Thrones' series.  I wanted to stick to the TV series because that is what will make this book most accessible, to most people.  As much as I love George R. R. Martin's books, some people will only ever watch the TV program.  I'm OK with that.  I'm not a die-hard “read the book or you're a light-weight” fan, and as I have already mentioned, I think it is really good theatre – a great piece of drama.  I believe the simple beauty of the philosophy of the warrior's path can enrich anyone's life, and more than anything else, that is what writing is about for me – making the world a better place.  Maybe in a small way, but none-the-less.  I think the philosophy expressed here and the reflections on the characters and their dilemmas will enhance your experience of all the TV series to come, and indeed of the books too as the themes here are eternal questions of humanity which is part of what I think Martin, and HBO are exploring themselves.  However the examples are, as I say, drawn from season 1.  What that means in terms of spoilers is that if you have seen all of season 1 then you have nothing to worry about!  If not then proceed with caution...  I have to give away a certain amount about the plot to use it as the inspiration for my work.