Insight from Inquiry

From the Songs for the Journey Home, the Hermit; from the Magic Neko Deck, the Seven of Clubs:

The student is inside you. The teacher is also inside you.

—Sayadaw U Tejaniya

In an effort to understand who he is beyond what he sees in the mirror, the Hermit finds a place of solitude and peace. Rather than being driven by unconscious beliefs, the Hermit seeks self-awareness - knowledge of his character, feelings, motives and desires. He understands that insight comes with inquiry, questions that allow him to see the truth of what lies behind what his thoughts, words and actions. The Seven of Clubs represents training. It's not easy to see our self with clarity and honesty, but we get better at it if we practice diligently. Then we can act mindfully, without some hidden impulse pulling our strings.