The Spartans were elite warrior heroes that reached the ultimate of heart/mind training demonstrated by their self-sacrifice at the battle of Thermopylae in 480 BCE. The defeat, yes a defeat, is often used as a symbol of courage against overwhelming odds. A Spartan Heart does not wade through the illusionary world of dualism. It is not about winning or losing or good verses bad. A Spartan Heart believes in radical non-dualism where victory and defeat are the same and are immaterial. Maybe if this was the belief in Iraq, we would stop the death and destruction that is conceivably partial based on having to win.

In addition, what we must never lose sight of is the fact that above everything else Thermopylae was about the love of freedom! And love of freedom comes far above mere survival because it gives survival a meaning.

Leonidas, his Lacedemonian (Spartan) Knights and the other Greek warriors demonstrated to all at Thermopylae that the freedom of a society, whose majority is usually silent, unaware or complacently seduced by the ‘status quo’ of a state, is saved almost always by the courage of a few who dare to fight against an overwhelming enemy, against something that seems unavoidable, against all odds, against what is predicted, against what seems advisable and wise for most people.

Everyone reading this may achieve this type of elevated power of self—a Spartan Heart that was exemplified by King Leonidas and his Knights. A Spartan Heart is not about being bare-chested with muscles bulging, red cloak wiping in the breeze and arrogance on the brow. These are the things of movies, comic books, video games and so-called Martial Arts Masters.

But what was the reality? Histories are written by ones from afar seldom by the ones that the tales are told about. So truth may be as a wisp of smoke from the cooking fires.

To add insult to truth, we have in today’s world comic books and movies made from such past historical events. Of course, I am talking about the “300”—a disgrace to myself and all Lacedemonians (Spartans), past and present. I wonder if this was not just another bit of propaganda from the government to perpetrate the macho bravado of our culture during the Iraq war to help booster recruiting.

Again I ask, what was the reality at the hot springs of Thermopylae? For my 60^th birthday, I stood on those hollowed grounds and cried my tears. What was the reality? By Spartan Law, if a Spartan king had a reasonable religious excuse, he could be forgiven for not winning a battle or even for not fighting one in the first place. What would have been in the heart and mind of Leonidas?

Our minds only function with discursive knowledge—proceeding to a conclusion through reason rather than intuition. But, it is our hearts where intuitive knowledge is stored.

In metaphysical teachings, the sun symbolizes our hearts and the moon our minds. The moon has no intrinsic light of it’s own but relies on the sun for its illumination and most importantly, its reflection. With this being true and considering that light is the most common symbol for knowledge; solar light (the heart) represents direct knowledge, which may be termed ‘heart knowledge’ while lunar light (the mind) corresponds to reflective knowledge. Our hearts know intuitively divine truth while our minds can only find reason through discursive knowledge and cannot function properly except through the guidance of the higher intellect of our hearts. In other words our heart and our mind must work together to determine truth.

A Spartan Heart is a heart/mind that expresses the virtues of courage, perseverance, honor, loyalty and justice. But possibly and most importantly, it is a heart and mind of compassion. Compassion encircles and interpenetrates our heart and mind. It is the key to the other five virtues. Compassion points the way to the ‘greater good’ and the ‘right thing to do:’

A strong emphasis was placed on honor and carrying out acts because it was the 'right thing to do.' Xenophon wrote about the Spartans as he observed them during an Olympic game:

An elderly man was trying to find a place to sit and observe the Olympic Games, as he went to each section. All the other Greeks laughed as he tried to make his way through. Some ignored him. Upon entering the Spartan section all the Spartans stood and offered the elderly man their seats. Suddenly the entire stadium applauded. All the Greeks knew what was the right thing to do, but the Spartans were the only ones who did it.

Who are you familiar with that ‘knows the right thing to do’ but does not do it!

Our Spartan Heart Training will help you achieve all of this and even more. Walk tall with confidence knowing that you are striving to achieve a heart and mind that is emblematic of the Spartans at Thermopylae.

Spartan Heart Training Levels:

Level One—Wolf—this is the initial level of training.
Level Two— Homoios—this is the Peer level of training.
Level Three— Herakles—this is the Lion level of training where you become the teacher of others.

Are you ready to begin?

To participate in Level One—Wolf training, you must first become a member of the Magi Mystery School and then enroll in the Spartan Heart Training program.