Lighting a Fire

From the Rohrig Tarot, the Ace of Batons; from the Master Tarot, 'The Pearl:'

          A match of inspiration has been struck, but like an actual flame, it needs oxygen, fuel, and protection from the wind to take hold. Fully fleshed ideas, resources, and effort will allow the inspiration to take form. But perhaps it is wise to pause and consider what type of fuel will feed my bonfire. I've been motivated by anger and fear, and the actions that I took under their sway did not turn out the way I intended. The Pearl tells a story of a merchant who had a load of goods, found a priceless pearl, then sold what he had to buy the pearl. The wisdom the story hints at is that what appears as valuable and worthwhile on the surface is not what it seems; there may be a better option. The Zen sage Hsin Hsin Ming gives a few hints that might help:

When love and hate are both absent 

everything becomes clear and undisguised. 

Make the smallest distinction, however, 

and heaven and earth are set infinitely apart. 

If you wish to see the truth 

then hold no opinions for or against anything. 

To set up what you like against what you dislike 

is the disease of the mind. 

When the deep meaning of things is not understood, 

the mind's essential peace is disturbed to no avail.