Dragon Slaying Metaphor Explained

For those of you who haven't gotten the background on the metaphor that infuses so much of my writing, here is the Cliff's notes version on dragon slaying. This metaphor comes from Nietzsche's Metamorphoses of the Spirit in Thus Spoke Zarathustra. Don't worry, it isn't nearly as crazy and arcane as you might think. In fact, if you have read The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz this will seem familiar.

In the beginning, we are born free and unencumbered.

According to Nietzsche, as we grow and are educated and socialized, we become like camels. Ruiz would say we become domesticated. If you are like me and went to Catholic school, you are familiar with this process. In fact, members of every society and culture have to be socialized in order for that group to be able to function. We are told, "do this, don't do that." This is how we learn to fit. We are taught how to behave according to the rules of our culture and everyone expects you to do just that. Behave. Maintain the status quo. Be good.

For those who are driven to evolve past simply learning and following the rules, there is

a second metamorphosis. The camel becomes a lion. The lion needs to slay a dragon that goes by the name of "Thou Shalt." Personally, I don't know if this dragon can be killed or not. Mine appears to have more lives than a cat.

In the parable, the lion represents the "Sacred No." This is not an adolescent, reactionary, blind rejection of all authority "No" but a mature, wise, fully considered and delivered from the heart "No." The is the kind of no that, once you deliver it, leaves you fundamentally different in some way. This no means somethingm running so deep within you that you may not even understand all its implications in a conscious way but you know, nonetheless, that you have taken a stand that will henceforth define you.

After the lion has challenged laid Thou Shalt to rest a third metamorphosis takes place. The lion then becomes a child.

Why a child? The child expresses what the lion cannot. The child represents creative and joyful engagement with the world. In contrast to the lion, the child represents the "Sacred Yes." It isn't enough to say no to the world. We are still a part of it after all.

Stop at no and you will remain crippled and incomplete. To be a fully mature and actualized adult, you have to know what you stand for, not just what you stand against.

I believe most people will live and die as camels. Our current economic system requires it. Why else would women be so eager to use botox and elective plastic surgery? Why else would we buy so many things that we simply don't need and ransom our future by succumbing to the interests of those who see nothing but marketshare when they look at us?  We are trained to buy what others tell us we need in order to fit within the predominant culture.  Many of us stay trained.

The articles in this blog are written to assist those who are tired of being camels as they get their lion on and attempt to kick a little dragon booty.  There will be plenty in here for those who have gotten great at saying "No" and are on their way to claiming a "Yes" or two. Enjoy your stay here!

Need help moving from insight to integration and implementation of these concepts? Visit WellspringCoaching. 

Comments

[Alan Jones]

Interesting set of metaphors for personal development. I personally find it interesting that this is something someone who's been through these more than once can recognise remains an ongoing process. There are many 'dragons' in life for us to overcome, if we wish to be truely independant. Some are easy, such as simply denying the reason for doing something and doing it anyway, for a completely different reason which changes the context and implications. Others are more difficult, like coming out to a very strictly fundamentalist Christian family about one's true sexual leanings, or with such a family even admitting it to oneself. And, of course, the biggest and meanest of all, the possability of meaninglessness in the grand scheme of things, especially in the face of death, which is one everyone must face sooner or later.
I'm preaching to the quire, I know. Still, it's good to finally know what the blog's name is all about after a half-hour or so of searching!

[Steve M Nash]

Hi,

I'm writing a novel about 'dragon slaying' - it seems that way, anyway - and I found your post whilst doing a search for what the metaphor means.

And then I subscribed to your newsletter, took a look at your About page (your photos seem to contain a lot of love), and here I am now waffling away in this comment box!

So, this is not really a comment, more of a 'Hello'. Oh, and a curious observation that bloggers never seem to have contact email addresses. Lol

:-)

Steve

[Samuel Stavish]

Good Morrow!
I have been searching long and hard for a True Slayer of the dragons.
Amongst my journey have have been traveling with nobel gnomes and beats far more terecherous than any i have witnessed in thy own life. I was bidding a call for thou to helpest me find thy way to greenland, land of the hollandberry dragon. I knownst thoust been a sighting of a terrible being named BeoWolf. The wonlderful god-like being from the the land of Newclork. We need to free the knight of Balfazar and my heart is bleeding blood. The diamond of Zanthiar has been stolen from thy kingdom, persay i have been on this journey for 14 nerplo years. Nerplo is a scale made by not only the wisest of kings but that of Newton. i havent feasted nor dranken from the stine of Meed yet i thirts for thy blood of Dragons. Please helpest me find thy way to the land of green or ?Greenland as thy call it.

PS i love RED skittles and i am writing this letter thigh deep in organic tofu and mustard sause.
I plead thee good Peace out homie

[Laura]

Hello Gentlemen!
Alan, you are so right about the ultimate dragon being that fundamental one of meaning (or meaninglessness) of life. I think people sometimes find the metaphor so engaging that they forget just how terrifying it is to think about battling those dragons. It really is a fundamental dismantling and questioning of everything one has come to believe, really believe, about the world, how it functions and one's place in it. Tearing all that down is very hard, painful and disorienting work and it does take a life time (perhaps more than one).
Hello back at ya, Steve! My e-mail contact is in the left sidebar under the heading "coaching services". Typepad makes the script a bit small but if you look you should be able to see the "email me" hyperlink.
And Samuel, Sir Samuel Stavish then is it? My good man, jolly good to see you here. Oh the dragons I have seen, my fellow...and here you are with a thirst for their blook. Pray do you feel hale, hearty enough for the challenge? So many years of travel in such strange lands...have they done you well or ill? Maps I may well have of territories that yet await you.
P.S. I'm not much for skittles but these oatmeal chocolate chip, butterscotch, coconut cookies I made are awesome...

[Genie]

I slayed a three-headed dragon this week and it felt great! I stood up for the truth and those liars who tried to get me fired are now licking their wounds. Sometimes ya just gotta fight for what is right. I was scared sh**less but nevertheless did it!