In the East it has traditionally been called Dharma or Dao. In the West, natural law or God's law. The common idea is that there is a grain to the universe and the best way to live is to discover that grain and go with it.
When I was at grammar school in the late sixties most of our classes were academic: they were preparing us for university. But, just in case, they had made a mistake and we didn't have an aptitude for Latin and Greek and algebra they gave us two classes to test other aptitudes: metalwork and woodwork. I was not very good at metalwork. I was equally bad at woodwork. But a few years ago I decided to turn my hand to wood again. I started making seiza benches for meditation. A seiza bench is not a complicated affair. It is a top, roughly eighteen inches by six, and two legs. I make the portable kind and the legs are fixed to the top by hinges, so they fold for easy carrying and storage. I have made benches in oak, walnut, purpleheart, and zebrawood, amongst others. All these woods have their own characteristics. Some are hard and others soft. Some highly figured, others less so. In common for all wood is that if you are to work successfully, you work with the grain and not against it. If you work against the grain you get splinters, and if you are not careful you can split the wood. Having been successful with benches, I turned my hand to ukuleles. A different story! And the amount of wood I have made mistakes on is great. Incidentally, I still don't think I have any talent for woodwork. It is simply a matter of perseverance, patience and beginning to learn the "nature" of wood and how it is shaped, and moves and breathes.
Working with wood has helped me begin to learn that the best way to live is with the grain. Yet, finding the Way is not an easy affair. The ancients are agreed that the Way is often shrouded in mystery. The Way does not reveal its secrets easily. Perseverance, practice, and daily attention are required. In time the Way becomes clear. It often seems obvious in time, but at first counter-intuitive. This is because if you work against the grain for some time, working with the grain seems not quite right. Here's an example. The grain of the universe, the Dao, is very humble. The Way is not about seeking honor or power or greatness. Honor and power and greatness may come to you, but are not to be sought after. In the Dao, those with humility are honored not those with hubris. Take a quick look at history. Whenever nations and empires grow and glow with pride in their achievements, watch for the inevitable decline. Say a few times, "The sun never sets on the ..." and watch the sun sink quickly over the horizon! But, humility seems counterintuitive. If you want something you ought to get it. Push yourself forward. Fight for your rights. Get what you deserve.
"Those who exalt themselves will be humbled. Those who humble themselves will be exalted." That is the Dharma.
+Ab. Andy
When I was at grammar school in the late sixties most of our classes were academic: they were preparing us for university. But, just in case, they had made a mistake and we didn't have an aptitude for Latin and Greek and algebra they gave us two classes to test other aptitudes: metalwork and woodwork. I was not very good at metalwork. I was equally bad at woodwork. But a few years ago I decided to turn my hand to wood again. I started making seiza benches for meditation. A seiza bench is not a complicated affair. It is a top, roughly eighteen inches by six, and two legs. I make the portable kind and the legs are fixed to the top by hinges, so they fold for easy carrying and storage. I have made benches in oak, walnut, purpleheart, and zebrawood, amongst others. All these woods have their own characteristics. Some are hard and others soft. Some highly figured, others less so. In common for all wood is that if you are to work successfully, you work with the grain and not against it. If you work against the grain you get splinters, and if you are not careful you can split the wood. Having been successful with benches, I turned my hand to ukuleles. A different story! And the amount of wood I have made mistakes on is great. Incidentally, I still don't think I have any talent for woodwork. It is simply a matter of perseverance, patience and beginning to learn the "nature" of wood and how it is shaped, and moves and breathes.
Working with wood has helped me begin to learn that the best way to live is with the grain. Yet, finding the Way is not an easy affair. The ancients are agreed that the Way is often shrouded in mystery. The Way does not reveal its secrets easily. Perseverance, practice, and daily attention are required. In time the Way becomes clear. It often seems obvious in time, but at first counter-intuitive. This is because if you work against the grain for some time, working with the grain seems not quite right. Here's an example. The grain of the universe, the Dao, is very humble. The Way is not about seeking honor or power or greatness. Honor and power and greatness may come to you, but are not to be sought after. In the Dao, those with humility are honored not those with hubris. Take a quick look at history. Whenever nations and empires grow and glow with pride in their achievements, watch for the inevitable decline. Say a few times, "The sun never sets on the ..." and watch the sun sink quickly over the horizon! But, humility seems counterintuitive. If you want something you ought to get it. Push yourself forward. Fight for your rights. Get what you deserve."Those who exalt themselves will be humbled. Those who humble themselves will be exalted." That is the Dharma.
+Ab. Andy