The Path of The Wild Man
by Donavon L Riley
“The Wild Man can only come to full life inside when the man has gone through the serious disciplines suggested by taking the first wound, doing kitchen and ashes work, creating a garden, bringing wild flowers to the Holy Woman, experiencing the warrior, riding the red, the white, and the black horses, learning to create art, and receiving the second heart. The Wild Man doesn’t come to full life through being “natural,” going with the flow, smoking weed, reading nothing, and being generally groovy. Ecstasy amounts to living within reach of the high voltage of the golden gifts. The ecstasy comes after thought, after discipline imposed on ourselves, after grief.”
― Robert Bly, Iron John: A Book about Men
Modernity has produced a cacophony of blinding neon lights and mind-numbing digital distractions, dulling the spirit of life within every man: the Wild Man. He is not a ghastly apparition, a feral left-over of ancient, primal chaos, nor a figure of untamed anarchy. He is a being of profound wisdom and raw, unfiltered life. Yet, his full life, his true emergence, is not a product of mere spontaneity or superficial pursuits. The Wild Man can only come to full life through a series of disciplined, intentional acts—each an initiation into deeper layers of reality.
The First Wound
The experience begins with the first wound. This is not merely a metaphorical injury but a profound, often painful realization that the world is far from the idealized paradise of childhood dreams. It is the harsh slap of reality, the disillusionment that breaks the shell of naivety. Embracing this wound is the first step, a rite of passage that opens the heart to the deeper truths of life. It is through this crack in the soul that the light begins to enter.
Kitchen and Ashes Work
Following the acknowledgment of the wound comes the humble labor of kitchen and ashes work. This is a period of grounding, where one must engage in the mundane, the overlooked tasks of daily life. It is in these simple acts that the spirit is tempered. Cooking, cleaning, tending to the hearth—these are not tedious chores but deeply meaningful rituals that teach humility and perseverance. Through them, the Wild Man learns to honor the ordinary, to find meaning in the routine, and to cultivate patience.
Creating a Garden
From the ashes of humility, a garden is now ready to be planted. This is the act of nurturing life, of participating in bringing forth beauty from the earth. It symbolizes the Wild Man’s connection to nature, his role as a steward of the land. The garden is a place of solace, a sanctuary where the spirit can find peace and renewal. It is here that the Wild Man learns the rhythms of the seasons, the cycles of growth and decay, life and death, and the profound interconnectedness of all living things.
Bringing Wild Flowers to the Holy Woman
In the midst of this experience, the Wild Man is freed to also acknowledge the feminine other. Bringing wild flowers to the Holy Woman is an act of reverence, a gesture of respect for the other, the bride, the mother, the nurturer of human life. It is an acknowledgment of the balance needed to live a life in communion with another, the union of the masculine and feminine. This act cultivates empathy, compassion, and a deep sense of gratitude.
Experiencing the Warrior
The path then leads to the awakening of the warrior spirit. This is not an immediate call to physical violence but a call to focus on building inner strength, developing courage, and taking serious the necessity of taking on a fierce guardianship of one’s values and loved ones. The Wild Man must experience the warrior’s discipline, the rigor of training, and the clarity of purpose. It is by treading the warrior’s path that he learns to confront his fears, to stand tall in the face of adversity, and to fight for what truly matters.
Riding the Red, White, and Black Horses
The experience continues with the symbolic ride of the red, white, and black horses. Each horse represents a different part of change. The red horse signifies the fiery passion and primal energy that must be harnessed and directed. The white horse symbolizes purity, clarity, and the higher aspirations of the soul. The black horse represents the shadow, the dark aspects that must be integrated and understood. Riding these horses is a wrestling with the elements of the self, a pilgrimage across the complex landscape of one’s heart and mind.
Learning to Create Art
Art is the language of the soul, and the Wild Man must learn to express himself through it. Creating art is not about technical skill but about channeling the inner world of the imagination into tangible form. It is an act of self-revelation, a way to express the depths of one’s being. Through art, the Wild Man discovers his unique voice, his personal myth, and the power of creative expression.
Receiving the Second Heart
Finally, the Wild Man must receive the second heart. This is a profound moment of change, where he seeks to transcend the limitations of ego and opens his eyes to the greater mysteries of life. The second heart is a symbol of expanded consciousness, a deeper connection to the divine. It is through this heart that the Wild Man experiences true ecstasy, standing outside himself, living within reach of the high voltage of the golden gifts.
The Wild Man’s journey is not one of hedonistic indulgence or passive acceptance. It is a path of rigorous discipline, thoughtful reflection, and deep, transformative experiences. Ecstasy, in its truest form, comes not from escapism but from plunging head first into full participation in reality, embracing both joy and grief, and relentlessly pursuing growth, both of himself and in his relationships with others. The Wild Man’s life is a testament to the power of intentional living, a reminder that true fulfillment lies in the wrestling match between discipline and wildness, between thought and ecstasy.