TULWA is not something I created for others—it’s the outward expression of my own inner transformation. Since 2001, my journey has been deeply personal, driven by the choices I’ve made to navigate the complexities of my life and the calling I’ve felt to live authentically. The experiences, challenges, and revelations I’ve faced are what shaped what I share today, not through deliberate effort to construct a philosophy, but as a natural result of living and transforming from the inside out.
In the early stages of this journey, Paulo Coelho’s Manual of the Warrior of Light played a pivotal role. Coelho writes about the “Warrior of Light” in a way that many might interpret as metaphorical or symbolic, but for me, it was neither. It was direct. Literal. Personal. His words mirrored my reality so clearly that they became a part of me.
Among these pages, one poem stood out—its words echoed my own struggles and sparked something deep within me. It reads:
Every warrior of light has felt afraid of going into battle.
Every warrior of light has, at some time in the past, lied or betrayed someone.
Every warrior of light has trodden a path that was not his.
Every warrior of light has suffered for the most trivial thing.
Every warrior of light has, at least once, believed that he was not a warrior of light.
Every warrior of light has failed in his spiritual duties.
Every warrior of light has said “yes” when he wanted to say “no”.
Every warrior of light has hurt someone he loved.
That is why he is a warrior of light, because he has been through all this
– and yet has never lost hope of being better than he is.
In 2001, I was at a point in my life where I couldn’t afford to treat these words as abstract inspiration. They weren’t poetic musings or a gentle nudge toward self-reflection. To me, they were a call to action. They reflected my life as it was and the life I wanted to create. The Warrior of Light that Coelho wrote about wasn’t some elusive archetype to aspire to—it was a challenge to embody something real, right then and there. And so I did.
By 2002, this commitment had crystallized into what I now understand as the identity of a Light Warrior. This wasn’t about aligning with celestial ideals or crafting a perfect persona—it was about integrating the lessons of my own experiences, confronting my shadows, and choosing to embody light, even in the midst of struggle. Later, as TULWA emerged from my path, the concept of the TULWA Light Warrior became a natural extension of this work—a grounded, real-life manifestation of what it means to walk this journey.
This isn’t about heroism or sacrifice. It’s about living with intention, confronting what needs to be confronted, and continually evolving. Coelho’s words offered a lens through which I could see myself more clearly, but they weren’t the end of the story—they were a beginning. The real work happened—and continues to happen—within me.
For those reading this, my path isn’t a blueprint for anyone else. It’s a reflection of what’s possible when we take responsibility for our lives, turn inward, and allow the transformation to ripple outward naturally. The Light Warrior isn’t an idea or a suggestion—it’s a choice, one I’ve made and continue to make every day.
The Struggles and Strengths of a TULWA Light Warrior
This poem is inspired by Paulo Coelho’s Manual of the Warrior of Light, a work that beautifully captures the symbolic journey of those who seek to embody light in their lives. While Coelho’s vision focuses on the universal archetype of the Warrior of Light, this version is a grounded and deeply personal reflection on the TULWA Light Warrior—a path shaped by real struggles, imperfections, and relentless striving.
Every TULWA Light Warrior will face moments of doubt, and yet they strive to step forward, even when fear whispers louder than courage.
Every TULWA Light Warrior will stumble and fall, and yet they rise, not to erase their mistakes but to carry their lessons forward.
Every TULWA Light Warrior will walk the wrong path, and yet they will search for the way back, knowing clarity is found through wandering.
Every TULWA Light Warrior will wrestle with their shadows, and yet they will strive to transform their pain, even when the darkness feels overwhelming.
Every TULWA Light Warrior will feel the weight of giving up, and yet they take one more step, even if it feels like they’re walking alone.
Every TULWA Light Warrior will say “yes” when they should have said “no,” and yet they will learn to choose better, even as regret lingers.
Every TULWA Light Warrior will hurt those they love, and yet they will seek forgiveness, even when the wounds seem too deep to heal.
Every TULWA Light Warrior will question their path, and yet they will keep walking, trusting that even missteps can lead to growth.
And that is what makes a TULWA Light Warrior: not their perfection, but their willingness to embrace failure, wrestle with doubt, and continue seeking light—even when it feels out of reach.
Through their struggles, they embody the quiet strength to try again, transforming not by avoiding failure, but by choosing to rise through it.
The TULWA Light Warrior doesn’t walk an idealized or abstract journey. Their path is messy, marked by mistakes, doubt, and failure. It’s in these moments of vulnerability and imperfection that transformation becomes possible. This poem seeks to honor that truth: that the Light Warrior’s strength is not in their perfection, but in their willingness to rise, reflect, and keep moving forward—no matter how many times they falter.
Let this be a reminder that the TULWA Light Warrior’s journey is not about the destination; it’s about the commitment to walk, stumble, and rise again with every step.
“MANUAL OF THE WARRIOR OF LIGHT”
Explore the book that inspired countless journeys of self-discovery and transformation.
Let Coelho’s timeless wisdom spark your own Light Warrior path.
