Author: pentacular

 

The Masters of old were profound and wise. Like a man at a ford, they took great care; alert, perceptive and aware of their surroundings. Desiring nothing for themselves, and having no desire for change for changes sake, their actions were difficult to understand. Being watchful, they had no fear of danger; being responsive, they had no need of fear. The Master was courteous, like a visiting guest and as yielding as the springtime ice. Having no desires, he was untouched by craving. Receptive and mysterious, his knowledge was unfathomable, causing others to think him hesitant. Pure in heart, like an uncut diamond, he cleared the muddy water by leaving it alone. By remaining calm and active, the need for renewing was and is reduced.

It is not beyond our understanding that though it (The Way) cannot be called by any name, it exists amongst the obvious. It has no beginning; even when followed, it has no end. In the now it exists; and also in the future, where it is paramount. To the present, apply it carefully, follow it well and reach its beginning, which is the fountainhead of The All, from where life comes from, and returns to. It is the wheel that keeps turning, and yet never moves from its just place.

The Way is abstract, and therefore has no form. It is neither bright in rising nor dark in sinking. It cannot be grasped, and makes no sound. Without form or image, without existence, the form of the formless is beyond defining, and cannot be described. It is pure thought using reason, knowledge, logic and provable fact. All these have no form; and yet they are forming.

 

The ordinary man seeks to make himself the centre of his universe; whilst the universe of the follower is at his centre. He loves the world, and thus remains unmoved by things of with which others are deeply concerned. He acts with humility, is neither moved nor moving, and can therefore be trusted in his caring for all things.

The ordinary man seeks honour, not dishonour. He cherishes success and abominates failure, loving life, whilst fearing death. The follower does not recognize these things as necessary to his life, and so lives his life quite simply and without unnecessary anxieties.

 

He who collects treasures for himself, more easily becomes fearful of loss. The wise person fulfils his needs, rather than sensory temptations and unnecessary cravings.

 

When hunting for sport and chasing for pleasure, the mind of the lowest beast is made obvious in the hunter. He is so decreased in value as a man, as his tendency is to kill without good reason. He does so for perverse, base instinct only, which has no reason, nor does it possess anything of goodness, and will therefore override all good tendencies in him.

Without a doorway, the room cannot be entered; and without windows light cannot enter, and is therefore full of darkness. Such is the utility of existence and non-existence. Through sight colours may be seen, but too much colour blinds us. Apprehending the tones of sound, too much sound might make us deaf, as too much flavour deadens taste.

 

Though thirty spokes may form the wheel, it is the hole within the hub which gives the wheel utility. So shall the Seventh High Caulbearer be according to his position. It is not the clay the potter throws, which gives the pot its usefulness, but the space within the shape from which the pot is made. Neither is it the clay nor the shape, nor the design that gives the pot is value; but that which it contains, or does not contain. Even the air within the empty vessel must be considered.

 

Maintaining unity in all things is virtuous; for the inner world of thought is one with the external world of action and of things in constant change. The true Followers avoid their separation, by breathing as the sleeping child, and thus maintaining harmony within and without. He cleans the dark mirror of his mind, so that it reflects without intent. He conducts himself without contriving, loving the people, and not interfering. He cultivates without possessing; thus providing nourishment, he remains receptive to changing needs, and creates without desire. By leading from behind, attending to that which must be done, he is said to have attained the state of true knowledge.