無為

This thought/concept/idea has sprung to mind lately as I am trying to learn and understand powerlessness. Two passages that I came across that illustrate this well.

The first one is:

THE DIVINE SON IN THE VALE OF THE SOUL by John Ruysbroeck

'Now understand this: when the sun sends its beams and it's radiance into a deep valley between two high mountains, and, standing in the zenith, can yet shine upon the bottom and ground of the valley, then three things happen: the valley becomes full of light by reflections from the mountains, and it receives more heat, and becomes more fruitful, than the plain and level country. And so likewise, when a good man takes his stand upon his own littleness, in the most lowly part of himself, and confesses and knows that he has nothing, and is nothing, and can do nothing of himself, neither stand still nor go on, and when he sees how often he fails in virtues and good works: then he confesses his poverty and his helplessness, then he makes a valley of humility....
...Then, this valley, the humble heart receives, receives three things: it becomes more radiant and enlightened by grace, it becomes more ardent in charity, and it becomes more fruitful in perfect virtues and in good works.

...yep... It says right there "and can do nothing of himself". My understanding to be 無為。

And of course the second is in our own 道德經:

王邦雄教授說：「『反』就是復歸其自身的法則，而此法則，就是天之道之均衡和諧的作用。道就在天地相合的均衡中，為天地之始...道之所以能長久的生養化成天地萬物，就在其『不自生』的虛，此即老子所謂的弱。」

...yep... 物極必反。而最精彩的，竟然這就是 balance and harmony.
...yep... 不自生 的虛，non-generating emptiness. 舍利子 是諸法空相 不生不滅 不垢不淨 不增不減...
...yep... 所謂的弱，and here it comes. Powerlessness!!! Putting it in contrast. 強者, power-ful(l). 弱者, power-less.

Oh, so much to appreciate and contain in this two short little paragraph.

TGIF

Yes it's Friday! I missed this feeling for such a long time. Only today have I re-begun to enjoy and look forward to a Friday - after a full week of work.

Yes, I have started in a temp job this past Monday. Partner has said that I am alive again on Tuesday after working for two days, compared to the previous "All Play and No Work makes Fiona a Dull Girl" days. Ya, ya, ya, believe it or not!

Yet this job is not easy at all. Not my field of expertise and a lot of things I really have to learn. It's like I am exercising a different set of muscles now. I am also taking this opportunity to re-establish my boundaries between work and play. I have already passed the line today when there is an urgent job - only my fifth day at work and it seemed I have been there for a long time and done a lot already.

Oh well, next Monday is Buddha's birthday and gives a nice break.

And from the bottom of my heart, I truly am grateful to the Buddha, Dakini, God who has heard my prayers.

Once again, I love Fridays.

Baba Yaga

Was reading the book "Women Who Run With the Wolves" and in there is Baba Yaga whom is the Old Wild Mother, the Life/Death/Life Mother Goddess, the Witch (as in wit), the One Who Knows. She teaches both death and renewal.

Through greeting with Her and serving Her, we acknowledge that the Life/Death/Life cycle is a natural one. Both life-giving and death-dealing natures are waiting to be befriended, forever loved. In this process, we become like the cyclical wild. We have the ability to infuse energy and strengthen life, and to stand out of the way of what dies. We received a part of the wild Hag's power, this deep knowing via instinct and intuition.

Perhaps She has come into my dreams and since then things are stirred and going forward - without me consciously knowing.

Today I landed on a temporary job. I am quite happy and thrilled. Perhaps this is entering into another great cycle to be lived and explored.

Gratitude to be out of the pit hole.