From the Roots of Asia Tarot, the Ten of Cups; from the Mah Jongg Oracle, North:
The Buddhist approach to the Ten of Cups is not that we got lucky and landed in the lap of love that overflows happiness. Instead, it requires that we work to develop what is known as the Ten Virtues. Three of these ten actions deal with the body: instead of killing, we should value and cherish life; instead of stealing, we should give freely of what we can to help others; and instead of sexual misconduct, we should respect our partner's feelings. Four actions concern speech: instead of lying, we should speak the truth; instead of causing disharmony by slandering others, we should speak about their good qualities; instead of speaking harshly and sharply, our words should be soft, gentle and loving; and instead of conversing meaninglessly (gossip), we should engage in meaningful activities. The last three of the ten actions concern the mind: we should replace attachment with non-attachment; ill-will towards others with feelings of love and compassion; and incorrect beliefs with realistic attitudes.
Since the North is an area rarely visited by the Sun, it is seen as an inauspicious direction. It represents the cold wind of discomfort and a physical and emotional drain. Why would such a harsh card show up with such a happy one? I have friends who try to live by the Ten Virtues, and when they go through hard times, those they have helped come to their aid and support them. Looking out for the benefit of others instead of living selfishly sows the seeds of happiness. It reminds me of the words of Zhang Jigang (choreographer for the "
Thousand Hand Guan Yin" in which all the dancers are deaf):
As long as you are kind and there is love in your heart,
A thousand hands will naturally come to your aid.
As long as you are kind and there is love in your heart,
You will reach out with a thousand hands to help others.
Beautiful ruminations, Bev! It's funny, though, my first thought when you asked about why the harsh North would come up with the Ten Virtues was something I call the "yogier than thou" attitude. Where someone who feels they live by those precepts becomes harsh and hard to others who do not live up to their standards. Of course, then they wouldn't really be living those precepts, but they might not see that...
ReplyDeleteHeehee, maybe that's a case where those thousand hands could be used for head slaps. :D
Deleteit is almost like a savings account of Love and Kindness. Making deposits when you have in abundance so you can ask for help in times of need
ReplyDeleteA savings account that other people make deposits in - I like that idea! :)
Deletethe cards in your deck I'm using this week are just a hair bigger than the Mah Jongg deck. I once laid out a giant spread using the Mah Jongg deck, on a clients hospital bed for something to do :)
DeleteHuh, I was thinking your deck was about poker-sized. Such gorgeous drawings; I'm partial to Asian artwork. I've downsized my Mah Jongg deck to only non-repeaters.
DeleteI try working at the Ten Virtues, or something along those lines, but some days I just want to scream at stupid and hit something.
ReplyDeleteAs they say in recovery groups, "progress not perfection." Thank goodness! :)
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