In the imagery of knighthood, the charge represents a set of guiding principles.
Traditionally, these would have been values established by the knight's order
and would have been to the benefit of that order as well as the surrounding social hierarchy.
A personal charge, on the other hand, is something that each person must sort out for themselves.
Traditionally, these would have been values established by the knight's order
and would have been to the benefit of that order as well as the surrounding social hierarchy.
A personal charge, on the other hand, is something that each person must sort out for themselves.
The Quest
The charge of knighthood is to quest. The quest is both an end and a beginning—an end to the illusion of security in society and the first step on blazing a new path through the Wasteland to understanding.
Note: In Arthurian legend, the Wasteland is a barren land under a curse that must be lifted by the knight-hero. It also represents a ruler who is living an inauthentic life. To enter it is to embark on a journey of personal change. |
Cloisters Window, New York
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Have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves
as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language.
Don't search for the answers… Live the questions now.
Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even knowing it, live your way into the answers.
~Rainer Mariea Rilke
Donegal Castle, Ireland
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Battle
The charge of knighthood is battle. The knight is his own greatest enemy, and he must struggle with himself. No battle is greater, no quest more important, no path more perilous.
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Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.
~Khalil Gibran
Greatness
The charge of knighthood is greatness. The knight brings greatness, not to himself, but to others. It is a charge, not of lordship, but of service.
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Cliffs of Moher, Ireland
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Nobility's worth is not proved by the brilliance of its glory but by the light it lends to others in the dark night of need.
~Stephen Lawhead
Storm King Outdoor Art Center, New York
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Steadfastness
The charge of knighthood is steadfastness. The world is tumultuous. The knight is a light amidst the shadows and the calm in the eye of the storm.
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The hero is one who kindles a great light in the world, who sets up blazing torches in the dark streets of life for others to see by.
The saint walks through the dark paths of the world, themselves a light.
~Felix Adler (paraphrased)
Leadership
The charge of knighthood is leadership. The knight does not simply ward others against pain; he leads them through hardship to their own truth on the other side.
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Carrowkeel Passage Tomb, Ireland
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"To lead people, walk beside them ... As for the best leaders, the people do not notice their existence. The next best, the people honor and praise. The next, the people fear; and the next, the people hate ... When the best leader's work is done the people say, 'We did it ourselves!”
~Lao Tzu
Bunratty Castle, Ireland
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Vigilance
The charge of knighthood is vigilance. Vigilance is being focused in the present moment and accepting everything without judgment or a need for reaction. Only with vigilance can true understanding be achieved. Only with vigilance can the knight fulfill his charge. Vigilance begins with the breath.
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The secret of your future is hidden in your daily routine.
~Unknown
Peace
The charge of knighthood is peace. The knight seeks health, happiness, and peace for all beings. Though others may clash with him, he clashes with no one. He cannot be drawn into conflict. He walks in peace.
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Emain Macha, Ireland
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In a controversy the instant we feel anger we have already ceased striving for the truth and have begun striving for ourselves.
~Unknown; probably a paraphrase of Thomas Carlyle
The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are ~Joseph Campbell
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