Today I’d like to share with you one of the stories I mentioned in my book Inner Mastery, Outer Impact:

Winston Churchill always sought to be in the middle of the action. He was keen to participate in every battle Britain fought in his life- time, if not as part of the military, then as a journalist covering the action or as a leader commanding the course of the war. At the age of twenty-one, he traveled to Cuba to observe its war of independence, and then he joined with Spanish troops to suppress independence fighters. Two years later, he was at it again, participating in battles in northwest India. He used his contacts with the British prime minister to get assigned to a war in Egypt and then in Sudan. He once gave skin from his arm for a graft for an injured officer—talk about having skin in the game. Later he participated in the Boer Wars in South Africa, where he was caught by the enemies and became a prisoner of war, only to plot and execute his own escape. During World War I, he was a cabinet minister in charge of the British navy. He resigned this position after a disastrous battle in Gallipoli, Turkey. So what did he do next? Join the army as a major and proceed to the battlefront.

Now imagine Churchill, a man of action, doing his final act. It is the year 1955. With age catching up to him, he has announced his resignation as prime minister and has been asked to deliver some parting words of guidance to his colleagues in Parliament. This is his opportunity to impart whatever wisdom he has learned over his long lifetime. What would you say if you were Churchill?

With the carriage waiting outside to whisk him away from the theater of public life where he had played a front-stage role for over half a century, Churchill’s message was this: “Man is spirit.”

This is a remarkable statement. Notice the word “spirit.” Spirit is what lies beyond our senses, thoughts, and feelings. Spirit is pure. Spirit is tranquil. Spirit is in harmony with the truth. And Churchill is telling his colleagues that this is the essence of humanity—your true self, or what I am calling your Inner Core.

Now notice the word “man.” Churchill is not focusing on himself, or his colleagues, or the British people, or their allies. He has chosen a word that embraces all humanity in its sweep (for in his time, the word “man” was commonly used to denote humankind). By telling his colleagues that they are spirit, he is urging them to seek out their essence. By instructing them that all people are spirit, he is encouraging them to see the essence in everyone.

Finally, notice the word “is.” Churchill is not saying “You will become,” or “You can become.” You are already spirit.

My book Inner Mastery, Outer Impact invites you to take a look within, befriend your Inner Core, and then express it in everything you do. Our Inner Core is the essence of our being, what Churchill would have called our spirit. It also holds the key to our success in life and leadership. If you’re interested in picking up a copy to learn more about discovering your Inner Core, you can find more information about Inner Mastery, Outer Impact here.

Warmly,
Hitendra

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