Principles Before Personalities

From the Idiosyncradeck, the Three of Stones; from the Mixed Emotions deck, Frustrated:

To all those whose progress remains hampered by ego-related distractions, let humility serve to remind one to place virtue before vice, values before vanity and principles before personalities.

~Matsumura Sokon

For the Greek Pythagoreans, the number three represented harmony, wisdom and understanding. Three is the only number equal to the sum of the previous numbers (1+2=3). It symbolized a collaboration and cooperation toward a common goal. Frustration, however,  shows what often happens when working with another person or group. Personal proclivities, our tendency to do things regularly in a certain way, can bump into each other when they differ. Yet if we can hold fast to the solution or objective we're trying to reach, we may be able to discuss rather than argue about our strategy.

Grounded and Centered

From the Idiosyncradeck, the Queen of Stones (Pentacles); from the Mixed Emotions deck, Receptive:

Stay in the center, and you will be ready to move in any direction.

― Alan W. Watts

With the flowering vine wrapped around it, there is a sense that this obelisk is firmly planted in the ground. The Queen of Stones is also grounded, completely aware of the present moment which prevents thoughts and emotions from dragging her elsewhere. She is also centered, having a reference point or compass that keeps her body, mind, heart and spirit in balance during life's challenges. These traits are what make her dependable and resourceful because they allow her to be Receptive to whatever comes. Grounded and centered, this Queen is open to reality and has the clarity to see what is appropriate and needed in each situation. 

Being Heard

From the Idiosyncradeck, the Queen of Cups; from the Mixed Emotions deck, Resistant:

Distractions are plentiful. And time is short.

~Adam Hochschild

The Queen of Cup has prepared for a visitor's arrival by creating an inviting space that is calm and encourages communication. Humans have a need for being fully engaged with another person - being not only seen, but heard. It is a validating experience to have someone's undivided attention, and it signals that we matter to them. Yet how often do we let the ping of a text message or some other distraction keep us from doing this? Resistant suggests we practice restraint when our mind wants to wander. Instead, we can make eye contact and listen without expectations or feeling the need to advise or fix. We can ask appropriate questions to clarify what was said that we didn't quite understand. We eliminate as many distractions as possible. As David Augsburger wrote, "Being heard is so close to being loved that for the average person they are almost indistinguishable."

Explorer at Heart

From the Idiosyncradeck, the Queen of Arrows (Wands); from the Mixed Emotions deck, Curious:

Curiosity about life in all of its aspects, I think, is still the secret of great creative people. 

―Leo Burnett

The Queen of Wands (Arrows) is a fan of swagger and flair - check out her brightly colored scepter with ribbons and flowers. It's not that she tries to be the center of attention; her passion simply shows itself in everything she does and says. But best of all, she'll encourage others to follow whatever fascinates and interests them. How does she sustain such a creative and appealing personality? Curiosity. Her curious nature is open-ended without an agenda. She is an explorer of life in all its aspects, and her life is shaped by it.

Forget the Desperate Measures

This week I'll be using the Idiosyncradeck Tarot, created and self-published by Jessica Bott. Along with it, I'll be drawing from the Mixed Emotions Cards, created by Petra Martin with Kris Wiltse (Illustrator) and published by Heron Lake Press. Today's draws are the Star and Desperate:

This is one more piece of advice I have for you: don't get impatient. Even if things are so tangled up you can't do anything, don't get desperate or blow a fuse and start yanking on one particular thread before it's ready to come undone. You have to realize it's going to be a long process and that you'll work on things slowly, one at a time. ―Haruki Murakami

When life flattens us, we instinctively look for hope and a way out of our predicament. Yet Desperation, that frantic fear of impending doom, can throw our guidance system off kilter. Suddenly we see 'signs' where there are none, look to 'gurus' who are simply con men in robes, and spend money on any scam that promises a quick fix. We'd do better to take a few calm breaths until the logical part of our brain comes back online. It's likely that we didn't get here overnight, and it's probable that it will take some time to get back on our feet. 

Aspiration, not Fixation

From the Tarot of the Crone, the Beast (Page) of Wands; from the Transforming Dragons deck, Caleus:

Love looks through a telescope; envy, through a microscope.

―Josh Billings

The Beast of Wands taps into the untamed, primal expression of his element. His passion pushes him to explore, create and experience his world fully. He is much like a well-fed domesticated cat - he still will chase and hunt as that is his nature. Caleus represents envy, a deep craving to have something he sees in the possession of another. Social media has stirred this hunger: we see what looks to be beautiful, delightful and fun and think we are missing out. But like the quote from Billings, we don't see the whole picture - the effort, the hardships, the frustrations and the exhaustion - often tied to what we think we need. If we keep our senses and mind open, we will see there is plenty for us to explore, create and experience within our reach.

Fixation is the way to death, fluidity is the way to life. This is something that should be well understood. ―Miyamoto Musashi, 

Two Kinds of Doubt

 From the Tarot of the Crone, the Fool; from the Transforming Dragons deck, Kustic:

The actual teachings on emptiness imply an infinitely open space that allows for anything to appear, change, disappear, and reappear. ~Tsoknyi Rinpoche

The little star in the void is the Fool, only it isn't an expanse of nothingness. Like the night sky, it is so open and spacious it just appears that way. There are no concepts, categories and opinions here, only a moment to moment experience. No wonder the Fool is so carefree and curious without all that baggage weighing him down! Then there is Kustic, the dragon who believes that failure and collapse are always imminent, so any effort is wasted. Yet he might see reality a little more clearly if he realized there are two forms of doubt: cynical and inquiring. Cynical doubt is full of suspicious and negative assumptions; it is a dogma of belief that leads to confusion and stagnation. Inquiring doubt uses mindfulness and curiosity for investigation; it is beneficial because it leads to understanding and growth.