Prophetic texts use the image of the “shaggy” not as a literal description but as a powerful symbol of wild, uncivilized strength that is alien to an ordered world. In this context, long, unbridled hair is employed as a metaphor for barbarians—the very groups that the Roman Empire associated with foreign, dangerous, and devastating forces. One source states:
Volitional habits are formed through the repetition of conscious, intentional actions, where initially deliberate efforts gradually transform into automatic reactions, thereby freeing resources for higher cognitive processes such as thinking and creativity. In particular, the author examines the development of habits in children as a result of volitional movements: through constant regulation of actions using willpower, the intellectual energy that was previously devoted to this control becomes available for higher tasks. “When movement becomes a habit, volitional regulation gives way to automation, and higher spiritual work receives the energy that was formerly expended on conscious control” (1348_6739.txt).
Habits arising from acts of will play an important role in developing a person’s intellectual and spiritual pursuits, as they transform the initial conscious effort into an automated mode, freeing mental energy for higher forms of activity. When a person consciously directs their willpower toward performing actions that initially require significant effort, these actions eventually become habits. Consequently, the energy previously spent on managing volitional processes is released and can be channeled into the development of intellect and the spiritual realm.
The primary difference is that habits formed through willful activity arise as a result of consciously setting a goal and making an effort, which brings a vivid sense of the active “I” and enables one to channel energy into creative and intellectual development. Such habits contribute to the automation of movements without excessive emotional burden and, on the contrary, conserve inner resources for higher pursuits.
True victory, as discussed, does not lie in battlefield conquests but in an inner triumph of the spirit over evil, which transforms the entire world from within. This victory signifies a rejection of reliance on brute force and military power, replacing them with profound trust in the power of truth and spirituality. In other words, when a person achieves inner victory, they gain the ability to establish true peace, for spiritual renewal is the strongest foundation for lasting harmony.