From the Osho Zen Tarot, Aloneness (Hermit); from the
A'HA Oracle, "Grace:"
Padma uses the term "aloneness" to describe solitude rather than loneliness. It reminded me of one of the Buddhist lojong slogans I've been studying: "Of the two witnesses, hold the principal one." The slogan means that while I might listen to another's wisdom, I am the lone one who knows the real truth about
me. Only I know if I am being genuine or have ulterior motives; if what I'm thinking matches what I say. And so this Hermit pulls away all the covers to see what hides underneath. It may not be pretty, but at least with the facts, a practical plan for change can be created.
Grace is represented by a lovely lotus flower. Buried in the mud, it grew upward until it opened to the sunlight above the water. The lotus is connected to all the elements now - earth, water, air and sun. It made me think of a quote by Paul Tillech: "Grace is the reunion of life with life, the reconciliation of the self with itself." What a paradox - when I am alone with my Higher Self, I find I'm not separate but a part of all that is.
Or in my case...akk, is that all there is? :)
ReplyDeleteBut don't you think a lot of that "all" is pretty good, considering everything? :)
DeleteYou have Rob????
DeleteGreat topic. Strange when I am alone I am never lonely and when I am part of a group I feel sometimes so isolated
ReplyDeleteSometimes it can be rather scary to be alone with yourself. As you've said some nasty things can be uncovered. So being alone can be an act of bravery.
The times when I felt the most isolated were when I felt I had no one who could relate to me, no one who shared a similar world view. I had plenty of people around me, but none I could have an honest, in-depth conversation with.
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