Month: December 2011

It is the way of Nature that things which expand might also shrink, that he who is strong will at some time be weak, that he who is raised may then be cast down, and that all men have a need to give, and also have a need to receive.

Whilst guests enjoy good music and food, as these are supplied by a benevolent host, a description of The Way seems without form, for it cannot be heard and cannot be seen. When the music and food are all ended, the taste of the wisdom of The Way still remains.

Modelling himself upon The Way, he who is wise does not contrive, but is content with what he achieves. The wise man acts at one with the Force of Life, for he knows it is here that peace is found. Where there is no harmony; neither is there prosperity. It is for this reason that it is diligently sought.

All things may act, without exclusion, according to the natural way, which fulfils its purpose silently and with no claim. Being an aspect of natural order, The All is not the ruler of any thing, but remains the source of nourishment. The concept may or may not be seen, because it has no form and it has no intention or secret design, but all natural things rely on its presence. When all things return to it, it does not enslave them; it sets men free, and its greatness prevails.

Willpower may bring perseverance and also adversity; but to have tranquillity in attitude ensures endurance. He whose ideas remain in the world is present for all time, and never dead.

He who has many material things may be described as rich, but if he who knows he has enough and is at one with The Way, he is truly wealthy. Though he might have enough of material things, he must seek wisdom and have self-being as well, for without such he has nothing, and that which he considers that he has is so rendered worthless.

When mankind is divided, there is a need for a bringing together, for, like the block which is carved, its parts then can be seen. By stopping in time from torment and conflict, strife is defeated and danger averted. The people shall then seek the wisdom of The Way, just as all rivers flow to the great sea. Knowledge frequently results from knowing others, but the man who is awakened has seen the uncarved block. Others might be mastered by force, but to master one’s self requires the wisdom of the Caulbearers of The Way.

The Way is eternal, but does not have fame. Like the uncarved block, its worth seems small, though its value to man is beyond all measure. Were it definable, it could then be used to obviate conflict, and the need to teach The Way would lead to all men following; and so would they abide in peace and live forever upon the great earth and beyond. A sweet dew of contentment and security would descend to nourish the earth and all its inhabitants.

For thousands of years the shortest day of the year has meant a time of giving and a time of reflection. The year is marked in four thirteen-week segments: the solstices and the equinoxes, the longest day, the shortest day, and the times when the length of day and the length of night are equal. We wish you harmony and prosperity in all things and all ways for the future.

A Solstice Thought

There is no prosperity without harmony.

Not of the mind, and not of the body,

Not within a family, nor within a community,

And not with any other even less important thing.

Beware the thought you think,

Beware what you say that may offend.

A word is like a sword, and can wound deeply.

A word can also heal and calm a troubled soul.

Be aware of what others might feel,

Be sensitive to what they may think.

Your words or actions can make a difference.

Difference goes in two ways, as with all things.

The shortest day of the year has also the longest night.

It comes in the dead of Winter, marking the point where new life begins.

New life begins as the days grow long.

Harmony is therefore maintained, the cycle complete.

2011 © R. G. Crosbie

Weapons of war are instruments of fear and are not favoured by the wise, who use them only when there is no choice; for peace and stillness are dear to their hearts, and victory causes them no rejoicing. To rejoice in victory is to delight in killing. To delight in killing is to have no self-being, and renders one worthless before all reason.