Religious, spiritual, and mystic allegory is replete with images of the hero — the seeker after truth, love, and kindness — being challenged by dark forces, intent on destroying the hero’s noble pursuit.

It all makes for entertaining storytelling until, tag — you’re it, you’re the hero or heroine under siege.

You will be brought into the spiritual battlefield at the ordained time — or, when all of your hard-earned preparatory training has been satisfactorily completed.

The assault you will inevitably have to suffer is necessary for the final stage of self-mastery. Something has to stress test your values, your understanding, as well as your practices.

Under fire, you come to the terrifying realization that backup isn’t coming — either you fight and live, or you perish. You alone determine this outcome, though many will be waiting for you on the other side.

The forces of light prepare the hero.

The forces of darkness make the hero.