Taking a Seat

From the Tarot of the Absurd, Temperance; from the Post-psychedelic Cyberpunk, 'The Eye:'

          Two angelic figures create one fountain, suggesting a middle way rather than an extreme. Our society seems geared to force people to pick sides, choose this or that. It makes others uncomfortable when we don't because they can't figure out what box to put us in. If the law of impermanence applies to everything and everyone, there can be no permanent labeling.
          The Eye is described as 'unfiltered seeing,' meaning that there is an awareness of what is happening as it happens without judgmental labels applied. We all have this ability to connect to our inner, unbiased witness who can see with clarity. But it requires a consistent meditation practice; it's simple but not easy. Achaan Chah metaphorically described it this way:

Take the seat in the center of the room, open the doors and the windows, and see who comes to visit. You will witness all kinds of scenes and actors, all kinds of temptations and stories, everything imaginable. Your only job is to stay in your seat. You will see it all arise and pass, and out of this, wisdom and understanding will come.

Dancing in this Adventure of Life

This week I'll be using the Tarot of the Absurd, created by Jessica Rose Shanahan.  Today's draw is the Lovers:

I am reminded by this card what a dance any partnership is, one that requires a balance of give and take.  In this image, the woman allows the man to support her weight as she leans backward.  In my marriage, there are times when I am the cheerleader, and times I need encouragement; times when I need a shoulder to cry on, and times when I provide the shoulder; times when I have the strength and energy to get things done, and times when I rest and allow my partner to do what needs to be done.  It is a balanced commitment to each other, that defines any true partnership.

The oracle deck I'll be using this week is the Post-psychedelic Cyberpunk by Masha Falkov.  This morning's card is "The Eye:"

What would happen if we could observe, without preconceptions, expectations or judgments?  How would such unadulterated observation affect the way we interacted with others?  The Eye encourages me to look with the wonder of a child, to see without prejudice, looking objectively instead of subjectively.  Such a decision has the power to turn a frustrating, unhappy day into an adventure...