Carrots

From the Neuzeit Tarot, the Hierophant; from Rory's Story Cubes, 'Phone:'

 The practice becomes a body of teaching, the celebration is expressed in ritual, and the way of life is formulated in precepts. As time passes, traditions accumulate accretions, and the teaching becomes dogma; rituals become empty forms, and precepts originally intended to guide become restrictive moral codes. ~ Ken McLeod

          Though outfitted with the traditional crown and staff of the pope, this hierophant sits outdoors with his students (barefoot!). When the teacher is actively practicing the principles he or she teaches - even imperfectly - the learners understand the difference between spiritual tools and prescribed beliefs. The goal is not to feel smug about having found the 'truth' but to find a way to transform one's life and cultivate an open, wise heart. There is a story about the Sufi Nasrudin who was sent out by the king to bring back information about the religions and spiritual philosophies in the area. His report contained one word: carrots. When questioned, Nasrudin explained that the best part was underground; the followers had forgotten they must do the work to find it. The Phone die suggests communication. If something does have the effect of changing one's life for the better, it's hard not to share it. But perhaps unearthing carrots would transmit the information better than just talking about it.