Second Arrow in Ink

When a teaching becomes branding, and branding becomes cover

Content warning: domestic abuse, strangulation.

I came across a public post showing a tattoo of artwork created by my ex. Seeing his work permanently carried on someone else’s body is jarring for me, not because of the person wearing it, but because it illustrates how effectively an abusive persona can be packaged as “spiritual” and received as trustworthy.

The tattoo design includes the phrase “WHAT SECOND ARROW?” above a skeleton figure pierced by arrows, clutching an orange fish. At the bottom, the image is signed “OLD SICK DEAD.” In other words, the work is not only circulating, it is being claimed and branded.

Why this matters

The “second arrow” is a concept meant to reduce suffering, not decorate it. It points to the way pain is compounded when the mind adds a second layer: blame, story, rumination, self attack, moral superiority, or “I should not feel this.” The point of the teaching is restraint, honesty, and less harm.

So when I see “What second arrow?” used as a signature motif in the branding of a person who has left a private record of violence and coercive control, it lands differently. It reads less like a reminder toward accountability and more like a shield. A way to recast consequences as “your reaction.” A way to imply that the harmed person is the one creating the problem.

That framing is not neutral. It is one of the oldest reversals in abusive dynamics: harm is done, then the focus shifts to the survivor’s response.

Public record context

In his criminal case, my ex was charged with five felony counts related to abuse, including strangulation. A CPS investigation also resulted in founded findings of abuse involving our children. A jury trial is expected in January 2026.

I am stating that because it is not gossip. It is context that exists in records outside of me.

Personal context

Since I left on December 5, 2024, he has not contributed to child support, while continuing to present himself publicly as a spiritual teacher through art and online presence.

This contrast is the point of this entry.

What gets distorted when a persona is polished

A public image can be curated to look gentle, insightful, and safe. The aesthetic can be compelling. The language can be persuasive. The community reception can be real.

But a polished presentation does not outweigh the private record.

When harm is present, “teachings” can be used as narrative control. Not always with grand speeches. Sometimes through small, repeated insinuations:

• If you name the harm, you are “attached.”

• If you are afraid, you are “reactive.”

• If you set a boundary, you are “the second arrow.”

That is not wisdom. That is deflection dressed as virtue.

Why I am documenting this

I am documenting this tattoo image because it is a public artifact that shows how branding travels. It is evidence of reach. It also clarifies the mechanism. A spiritual concept is being used as a recognizable signature, while the private record reflects coercion and violence.

This is not about attacking strangers. It is about preserving coherence.

Boundaries

Please do not contact, harass, threaten, or dox anyone connected to this image. This is documentation and commentary, not a call to mobilize.

Artist credit: Old Sick Dead