Sabian Symbols: An old native woman selling beads
Old Indian woman selling beads
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This universal idea is best expressed through planets in
Taurus 27 (26°- 27°)WISDOM OF AN ELDER
As youth fades we become less assertive of self and more willing to adapt to collective ways and needs "Calm wisdom that grows with age" In time the role-playing sheds its glamour and the glitter and shine are replaced by a depth of beauty and peaceful joy. With age we become aspects of the culture, representatives of our tradition and holders of its deepest wisdom.
Rudhyar: AN OLD INDIAN WOMAN SELLING THE ARTEFACTS OF HER TRIBE TO PASSERS-BY |
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An old Indian woman selling the artefacts of her tribe to passers-by
Detachment
An old Native American woman selling beads
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The soul is indifferent to circumstances and scenarios
Whatever life throws up as a challenge or temptation, a person who is anchored to an inner sense of self will always ring true and remain dignified and calm, little troubled by outer circumstances. An old native woman scratching a living at the roadside is an image associated with squalor and poverty – yet these are only the outer conditions of her life, and say nothing of the depth of richness experienced within. This inner wealth is a cornucopia of gifts, and a person who draws on these hidden reserves of skill is paying tribute to what is the heritage – the soul – of their culture. We can see the beads now as having a much deeper meaning, they are more than demonstrations of dexterity; they contain a poignant record of times gone by, connecting us to a past upon which today’s reality, and our resourcefulness, have their foundation. Humanity has an astonishing ability to respond to any situation, however squalid, and find a way to express joy and creativity within it. One who has this realisation will move from one thing to another with no attachment to anything permanent – since anyway nothing is permanent – and no attachment to positions of importance, since nothing external has importance to the soul. However, we need to avoid being stuck in the distorted interpretation that ‘nothing matters so life is sterile’. This leads to isolation and the self-fulfilling outcome of unfruitfulness. The fruits of one’s abilities may well be inconsequential, yet without them, the talents that produce them cannot be developed, and these are the true treasures. The beads are near worthless; the skill is priceless. DetachmentDetachment is a state of grace; it certainly does not preclude full and sensitive participation in the affairs of others, it simply allows for that participation to be without agenda – having no intention to exert unasked-for influence. This is described by Sufis as ‘being in the world but not of the world’ – this is a strange idea to many Westerners, yet well-understood in India and the Middle East. We take the perspective that we are simply witnessing a mirror image of inner hidden processes, which we find engaging and worthy of constant review. Such a review function cannot operate when we get too involved, so we downplay the importance of things and circumstances. We can then release any attachment to public opinion and material security in order to turn within, to seek ancient and intuitive wisdom.
The soul is impervious to the needs of the personality and seeks to be neither rich nor poor, neither loved nor despised, neither respected nor disdained. These are petty irrelevances that threaten to distract from the true purpose of the inner self, which is to experience its authentic self as fully as possible. |
