Liberation from Extremes

From the Middle Way Arcana, Temperance; from the Vertical Oracle, Monkey Mind:

The Buddha's message was simple but profound. Neither a life of self-indulgence nor one of self-mortification can bring happiness. Only a middle path, avoiding these two extremes, leads to peace of mind, wisdom, & complete liberation from the dissatisfactions of life.

~Henepola Gunaratana

Buddha lived many years as an indulged prince, but when he acknowledged the inevitability of sickness, aging and death, he decided to try ascetism to find meaning. Neither approach showed him how to live a content and purposeful life until he sat down under a tree with a fed belly and meditated without expectation. He realized a path that accepts the pain inherent in life yet also offers a way to avoid dumping more suffering on top of it. He taught a Way that didn't involve extremes. Monkey Mind is a reminder that these extremes can be mental as well as physical. Ever found yourself making pointless lists of things or traveled down a rabbit hole searching the internet? It's all forms of intoxication, and Buddha would encourage us to seek mental clarity and peace instead.

Subject to Change

 From the Middle Way Arcana, the Hermit; from the Vertical Oracle, Death:

Possibly driving some of the misunderstanding of retreat is a deep-seated fear of being alone without distraction, without entertainment, without ‘work,’ without other people around to constantly confirm our sense of self. —Reginald Ray

In all the noise and busyness of our lives, it's easy to forget that we are more than our roles and beliefs. The Hermit takes a break from the daily swirl to find quiet and stillness. He knows that we are not the identities our ego chooses to face the world with; we all have a luminous buddha nature within. We don't have to earn it, as it is ever-present. We just have to let go of our obsessive attachments (that we think define us) for it to appear. Death shows a door flying through a cyclone, symbolizing the constant change and transitions we undergo. If we lose the abilities, things, or people who define us, who will we be? The Dhammapada says, “All conditioned* things are not-self. When one sees this with wisdom, one turns away from suffering.”

[*Conditioned things are created when certain causes and conditions come together; their nature is to be impermanent because causes and conditions are always changing.]

The Great Perhaps

From the Middle Way Arcana, Death; from the Vertical Oracle, Magic:

At one time or another, everyone loses something.

~Lama Surya Das

The Buddha called impermanence one of the distinguishing marks of existence. Though we may intellectually understand that nothing is permanent and everything is changing, we rarely integrate this fact into our day-to-day life. I've had two reminders this week - the death of my backdoor neighbor and the breakdown of our HVAC unit (a necessity in our heat and humidity). Again, I am reminded not to be neglectful but to embrace life and find delight in it. The companion booklet describes Magic occurring "when imagination informs intellect." The open doors and windows in these cards suggest that the thinking mind needs to fly outside its confines. There are a wide range of possibilities when thoughts are replaced by wings. I shall take the guidance of François Rabelais: "I go to seek a Great Perhaps."

Seeing With the Heart

From the Middle Way Arcana, the Empress; from the Vertical Oracle, Vertical:

Unless we view things with our hearts, we can see nothing. But if we look at the world with a love of life, it will reveal its beauty to us.

~Daisaku Ikeda

The Empress could easily be known as the Bodhisattva of Grace: all that she creates and nourishes is fueled by her unconditional love and compassion. Rather than judging worthiness, she gives her abundance freely to all beings. Her only interest is the well-being of others. Vertical reminds us that there is a power greater than ourselves, whether it's called Nature, the Cosmos, Reality or some other name. It is humbling but also freeing to know we're not in charge of how the world spins. Our focus only needs to be on engaging kindly and respectfully with our horizontal relationships, whether human, animal or the earth itself. The Empress could teach us a lot about embracing it all.

No Transcending

From the Middle Way Arcana, the World; from the Vertical Oracle, Outside Shock:

We think that the point is to pass the test or to overcome the problem, but the truth is that things don’t really get solved. They come together and they fall apart. Then they come together again and fall apart again. It’s just like that. The healing comes from letting there be room for all of this to happen: room for grief, for relief, for misery, for joy. ~Pema Chodron

We can sometimes fall under a delusion when attempting to live a spiritual life. We imagine that if we say enough prayers, donate generously to charity, and read sacred texts daily, we won't have to deal with the hard parts of life. We feel like we can generate a way to be untouched by the fray of life. Yet as Outside Shock implies, we still have to deal with long lines, unexpected bills, the side effects of aging, obnoxious people, and losing the things and people we love. A spiritual framework doesn't protect us from challenges, it just helps us respond to them appropriately. Used correctly, it helps us meet each one as it comes, with clarity, wisdom and compassion.

Detonation

From the Middle Way Arcana, the Moon; from the Vertical Oracle, Chaos:

Our perceptions carry with them all the errors of our subjectivity.

~Thich Nhat Hanh

Buddhist psychology describes how our awareness is shaped and directed by an ocean of unconscious imprints. We first have a direct experience through our senses, followed by an immediate feeling tone – like, dislike or indifference. Mental and emotional reactions are triggered (conditioned by what’s already in our ‘ocean’) and are then trailed by interpretation and labeling. Based on these, we create a subjective story around the encounter and download our data to this ocean that Buddhists call ‘storehouse consciousness.’ With all of our individual imprints, it's no wonder people find it hard to perceive things in the same way. Chaos is what happens when those dusty imprints collide into situation that does not support them. Will we take the opportunity to detonate those outdated mental constructs and assumptions?

Balanced Harmony

This week I'll be using the Middle Way Arcana, a major arcana deck based on the ideas of Buddhism. This deck was one I created for personal use with scissors and a glue stick. I'll also be drawing from the Vertical Oracle, created by Antero Alli with Sylvie Pickering and published by Vertical Pool. Today's cards are the Emperor and Ritual:

Understand that just as a bird needs two wings to fly, you must develop wisdom and compassion simultaneously. Wisdom is a correct understanding of reality and compassion is the desire for all beings to be liberated from the causes of suffering.

―Mattieu Ricard

The Emperor holds his hands in the Anjali ("offering") mudra, a symbol of respect as well as unity. He understands that the discernment of wisdom needs to be paired with the kindness of compassion in order to have a balanced peace. His "laws" - the precepts - are meant to guide us toward this balanced harmony: nurture all beings, be generous, speak from the heart, treat others with dignity, and cultivate a clear mind. Ritual is not meant to be a monotonous practice, but a way to slow our mind and body down so that we remember what is sacred and important. It helps us clarify our intentions and provides a check to see if we're traveling the Way or have taken an exit ramp. The Anjali mudra is also a ritualized gesture; it reminds us that within our palms is a seed that will be planted by our actions and words. What fruit will it produce?

Not Defined By

From the Tarot of the Crone, the Moon; from the Wondering Traveler's Oracle, Push Through:

Your past may always remind you, but it does not have to define you. 

—Andy Stanley 

Ellen describes the Moon as "She who rules the ghosts of your own past." Indeed, our subconscious stores memories, beliefs, and past experiences; it's a hidden realm of mental activity that shapes how we think, feel, and act, often without even realizing it. Meditation, journaling, therapy or simply becoming aware of our behavioral patterns can give us insight into these 'ghosts' that influence us. Push Through encourages us not to get stuck in habits that aren't beneficial. We may not be able to wipe the past from our minds, but we can make the effort to change its impact. Doing new things in different ways can create new rooms in the mind.

Looking in a New Direction

From the Tarot of the Crone, the Ten of Disks; from the Wondering Traveler's Oracle, Inspiration:

There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age. 

—Sophia Loren

Over the decades, a crisp, new dollar bill will become creased and worn thin. Likewise, the body loses height, the skin becomes more fragile, and muscle mass is lost. I used to love to do strenuous landscaping, but my body can no longer sustain that kind of work. The crone in this card knows her physical limitations, yet she realizes age does not diminish her wisdom or experience. The Inspiration card shows up to encourage us to continue to live a full and meaningful life. However, it may come from a place we don't usually look (note the bird in her sleeve cuff). Thanks to my friend Judy, art now fills my life; I've also decided to learn Tai Chi (with the help of YouTube). It doesn't really matter if I become a master of either, as long as it gives me purpose and fulfills me. 

Still Amazing

From the Tarot of the Crone, the Grandmother (Queen) of Swords; from the Wondering Traveler's Oracle, Still Amazing:

For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed. 

—Khalil Gibran

Ellen calls this Grandmother the Storyteller and writes: "She speaks of what is and what could be. She feeds the minds of those around her, lest those minds become starved and narrow." You can tell someone about ethics and possibilities, but if you want them to remember, weave a story that includes them. One of my favorite memories is sneaking into bed with my grandmother as a preschooler and listening to her talk; I didn't realize at the time she was teaching as well as entertaining me. The Wondering Traveler card reminds us that even if our world is small, it is still no less amazing. It simply requires us to drop our expectations and remain curious. While traveling is often encouraged as a way to expand our minds, money and circumstances may keep some of us from doing so. Yet reading, especially about lands, cultures and philosophies different from our own can have the same effect. 

The Unknown

From the Tarot of the Crone, the Two of Wands; from the Wondering Traveler's Oracle, Wonder:

The heart has a yearning for the unknown, a longing to penetrate the deep shadow and the winding glade, where, as it seems, no human foot has been. 

—Richard Jefferies

There are those of us who prefer the tried and true, the devil we know rather than the one we don't. Then there are those who are drawn to the unknown, the mysterious places we've never been and know little about. In reality, we are constantly pushed into the unfamiliar because life is constantly flipping our normal upside down. What seems strange at first has a way of becoming routine and typical. Wonder is a feeling of surprise mingled with admiration, often the result of experiencing something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar, or unexplainable. The unknown is a perfect place to find it - if we're paying attention rather than grumping about how things used to be.

A United Benefit

From the Tarot of the Crone, the Nine Disks; from the Wondering Traveler's Oracle, Hibernation:

We men and women are all in the same boat, upon a stormy sea. We owe to each other a terrible and tragic loyalty. ― G.K. Chesterton

Ellen's illustration reminds me of the multi-story cliff dwellings of the Anasazi (Ancient Puebloans). Her point is that, while none of us are getting out of life alive, we sure can create a better life for ourselves when we cooperate. As Elizabeth Mattis-Namgyel explained, interdependence allows us to feel the fullness of the world that we are a part of, rather than the weight of the world against us. Hibernation reflects a time when we must rest or step out of the busyness of our days. A serious illness, a natural disaster, or just plain exhaustion can keep us from contributing yet allow us to receive. We all rely on others, sometimes more than we know. In time, we may become benefactors again in whatever way we are able. As Tolkien reminds us, "All have their worth and each contributes to the worth of the others."

Wise Motives

From the Tarot of the Crone, the Two of Swords; from the Wondering Traveler's Oracle, Worth the Effort:

We all remember epochs in our experience when some dear expectation dies, or some new motive is born. ― George Eliot

It's time to make a decision, but what to choose? We could make the choice to appease someone and to look good; we might make the choice that goes against tradition but follows our personal ethics. The decision might be self-centered or include the concerns of others. Humans have the ability to reflect on our own thoughts, to dig up their underlying motive, whether that's a treasure chest or a decaying corpse. Perhaps the better question would be, "What results and residual effects will each choice have a year from now? Worth the Effort suggests that any major decision deserves a patient endeavor to gather as much knowledge as possible so that we can choose wisely. 

Shifts in Perspective

This week I'll be using the Tarot of the Crone, a book and deck set created and self-published by Ellen Lorenzi-Prince. I'll be pairing it with the Wondering Traveler's Oracle, created and self-published by Marika McCoola. Today's draws are Sacrifice (Hanged Man) and Time Brings:

I soon realized that there were two ways in which I could respond to my situation - either to react with bitterness or seek to transform the suffering into a creative force. I decided to follow the latter course.

―Martin Luther King, Jr.

Ellen designates this card Sacrifice rather than Hanged Man, emphasizing the suffering we endure as we are forced to bend to life as it is. Without thinking we're special or making it into a lifestyle, she encourages us to discover what is at the root of this pain and learn from it. Seeking a new perspective rather fighting reality is what can bring transformation. The oracle card reminds us that even though the world seems to be on a never-ending rinse and repeat cycle, time brings change and wisdom. A philosopher on PBS reminded his listeners that it was in the middle of the Black Death (the bubonic plague) that Julian of Norwich had a vision and proclaimed, "All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well." Such a shift is shown in the crone's smiling face in the water. 

Making a Crack in the Mind

From the Ship of Fools Tarot, the Five of Swords; from the Wisdom of the Four Winds, Sunset:

Intellectual humility involves understanding that we can’t fully trust our beliefs and opinions because we might be relying on faulty or incomplete information or are incapable of understanding the details.

—Mark Leary

The fool smiles because he won the argument, but what he doesn't yet realize is that he's lost all of his friends. Intellectual humility acknowledges that we could be wrong, no matter how much we think we know. Choosing not to be an expert allows us to expand our knowledge and understand new perspectives. This trait takes some effort to develop - we naturally bow up and become defensive when others question what we accept as truth. Yet being open-minded opens up new avenues of thoughts and ideas and helps us sustain our relationships. Sunset suggests it's time to let go of our need to be an expert on everything. It might help us to use the fictional Armand Gamache's statements he teaches his new recruits: "I don't know. I need help. I'm sorry. I was wrong."

Lobster Limo

From the Ship of Fools Tarot, the Knight of Cups; from the Wisdom of the Four Winds, Tree Fern:

The more we are able to connect with ourselves, the better we are able to connect with others.

—Todd Baratz

Bless his heart. This fool is ready for love, and he is riding a lobster limo to find "the one" who will complete him. Even the bird (who is likely waiting for the lobster to croak) knows he's clueless. Healthy relationships require inner work before we go out seeking. We need to know who we are - our values, likes and dislikes, and boundaries - as well as how our history and upbringing has shaped our ways of relating and our expectations. But perhaps most of all, we need to have developed self-compassion, so we don't go looking for someone to give it to us. The Tree Fern has korus, or unfurled fern fronds, that remind us that all things need time to unfold and develop. Working on ourselves, with the idea of progress not perfection, is the best way to meet a companion we'll want to grow old with.

The Soft Spot

From the Ship of Fools Tarot, the Six of Cups; from the Wisdom of the Four Winds, Moss:

Care is a state in which something does matter; it is the source of human tenderness. 

—Rollo May

Have you ever been watching a younger generation at play and fondly thought, "I remember when..." This fool, meeting the young boy on his hobby horse, is likely having the same thoughts. Such moments are important; in a harsh world, we need to be reminded that our hearts can still be tender. Moss, with its beauty and cushiony softness reminds us that we need to nurture this quality. We cultivate the softness of our hearts so that we don't lose our empathy and goodwill. As Robert Frost wrote, "There never was any heart truly great and generous, that was not also tender and compassionate."

A Whiny Edge

From the Ship of Fools Tarot, the Ten of Staves; from the Wisdom of the Four Winds, Obsidian:

You can only whine for so long. Then you need to get your life back. 

―Marya Hornbacher

This fool's body is in a strange position because he is twisting backward instead of looking forward. My guess is that he's looking for someone to complain to about the load he's carrying. Venting can help reduce our stress if we express what's bothering us (without going on and on). But Obsidian suggests we might take a sharper, reflective look to see if our complaining has taken on a whiny edge. Using this checklist may help us be aware if this habit is hurting rather than helping:

1. We feel even worse than before.
2. We resist every helpful suggestion or solution.
3. We ignore any silver linings.
4. We complain in a mean-spirited or catastrophic way.
5. We're starting to wear out our support system.

What We Put Into It

From the Ship of Fools Tarot, the Five of Coins; from the Wisdom of the Four Winds, Antares/Rehua:

What you put into life is what you get out of it.

―Clint Eastwood

Researchers in the U.S. found that people of lower socioeconomic status are actually more altruistic than those higher on the economic ladder. And what happens when these kindhearted folks are in need? People reach out to help immediately. The original text by Sebastian Brant says: "He who has riches and delights in them/ paying no heed to those in need/ will be forsaken, so that he too shall beg." Antares (the summer star), known as Rehua in Māori lore, was visited on behalf of the humans by two brothers - the benevolent lord of light and the angry lord of darkness. The deity gave the first lord three baskets of knowledge, but the latter's basket was filled with pain. As the companion book explains: "Gentleness came asking and gathered seeds of hope; Anger came demanding and garnered seeds of war." The acts and attitude we carry into life will affect the quality we get out of it.

Don't Worry About It

From the Ship of Fools, the Tower; from the Wisdom of the Four Winds, Octopus:

Why are you, or anybody, afraid? Is it based on not wanting to be hurt? Or is it that one wants complete security? —Krishnamurti

This fool's house is on fire, but he seems to be thinking, "Maybe it will go out on its own" instead of getting to safety. For him, the Tower is his security, his escape from all he fears. Everyone is scared of something, but reality has a way of finding us whether we like it or not. The Octopus, an adaptable, intelligent creature, has had legends told about it that make it into a hideous monster. From 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea to Ursala in The Little Mermaid, it was something to be feared. Yes, it is unusual, but it is also wonderful. Sometimes what we fear - if we face it - can teach us how to be more adaptable to what shows up unexpected.

Blustering Windbags

This week I'll be using the Ship of Fools Tarot created by Brian Williams and published by Llewellyn. Paired with it will be the Wisdom of the Four Winds created by Barry Brailsford, illustrated by Cecilie Okada and published by StonePrint Press. Today's draws are the Five of Staves and Whitebait:

The monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind.

—Albert Einstein

Four fools brandish their batons angrily while another fellow rests his on the ground and speaks calmly. It's strange that the loudest and rudest folks seem to be listened to more than those who speak quietly and tactfully. But I think Einstein has a point - the loudmouths are generally just spewing unhelpful opinions while the gentle conversationalist often comes up with a beneficial creative solution. Whitebait are tiny fish (2 inches) that have a life cycle similar to the much larger salmon - beginning in the ocean and then migrating upstream to a freshwater habitat. A popular delicacy, they are often caught in nets. These tiny fish symbolize determination and commitment, and they encourage us to speak up, even if we're surrounded by a bunch of blustering windbags. 

Harmonious Exchange

From Waking the Wild Spirit Tarot, the Eight of Water (Cups); from the Saltwater Reading Cards, Giant Clam:

It’s one thing to fight well, and something else altogether to love well.

―Stan Tatkin

Relationships require the willingness to have conversations that dip below the surface. A partner needs to be able to trust and feel secure with the other person, knowing they are valued and appreciated. Being treated like a useful piece of furniture won't cut it - such a relationship will quickly become unfulfilling. Poppy calls this card "pollution." The Giant Clam is the largest living bivalve mollusk, growing up to four feet in length. It has a symbiotic relationship with algae, which live within their mantles and produce metabolic waste products that serve as a nutritional source. Healthy relationships have a harmonious exchange. In the words of Robin Williams, "I used to think the worst thing in life was to end up all alone, it's not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people that make you feel all alone."

A Severance

From the Waking the Wild Spirit Tarot, the Five of Water (Cups); from the Saltwater Reading Cards, Rock Pool:

As humans, we are strongly motivated to seek out social bonds that are warm, dependable, friendly and supportive. Losing someone close to us terminates that bond and the social and physical protection they provided. —Dr. George Slavich

Grieving a loss is not just an emotional reaction, it puts a significant strain on our bodies too. Tears may serve a biological function by excreting stress-inducing hormones built up by our emotional distress. Rock Pool, a shallow pool of seawater that forms on the rocky intertidal shore, symbolizes a sanctuary we can begin to heal in. While these pools are small, they do hold a variety of marine life. Dealing with loss may be something we prefer to do in private, but this pool encourages us to include a few others who can help us adapt and move through our sorrow.

Take a Break, Clear Your Head

From the Waking the Wild Spirit Tarot, the Seven of Earth (Pentacles); from the Saltwater Reading Cards, Sea Anemone:

You have to be displaced from what's comfortable and routine, and then you get to see things with fresh eyes, with new eyes. ―Amy Tan

The Seven of Earth/Pentacles is generally about pausing and assessing a project we're working on. In Poppy's card, it shows someone taking a stroll through a forest. Often when I am sketching a subject, especially if it is on a large scale, I can tell something doesn't look right but can't put my finger on what it is. If I fiddle around enough, I'll mess up the whole thing. So, I try to put it down and go do things that have nothing to do with drawing to clear my mind and eyes. Anemones reinforce this idea, symbolizing boundaries with their stinging tentacles. I am always tempted to hurry up and finish something that is frustrating me, but that is when I make my worst mistakes. Better to take a walk and get some fresh air.

"Bedtime Book Club" - artwork for the children's 9.5 ft. bulletin board at the library

Not By Halves

From the Waking the Wild Spirit Tarot, the Four of Cups; from the Saltwater Reading Cards, Seagull:

There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends. I have no notion of loving people by halves, it is not my nature. – Jane Austen

Blood oaths have been around for centuries, representing sacred bonds of friendship, alliance, and foster brotherhood. It was a way of saying, "Our blood now flows in each other's veins." The Four of Cups usually suggests depression, remorse or disillusionment, an emotional danger zone that can easily send us sliding into deep, dark hole. Yet here Poppy reminds us of our connections - those spiritual relationships that can "shine to lessen the darkness of another being's suffering" (MJ Dodd). Seagull symbolizes opportunity; these birds have been known to snatch a sandwich out of a beach goer's hand. Allowing friends the chance to reach out and pull us from the dark abyss does not make us incompetent or weak, it makes us smart (and hopefully grateful).