Drawing The Bow
The Way of Nature
is like the bending of a bow —
the top bends downward
and the bottom bends upward —
thus balancing and harmonizing
excess and deficiency
so that there is always
perfect
equilibrium
— an adaptation of a teaching as recorded in the Writings on the Nature of the Way (The Way of Nature) (Dào Dé Jīng 道德經), chapter 77, attributed to the 6th century BCE philosopher, poet, teacher and archivist, Lǎozǐ
In archery —
the art of the bow —
to skillfully hit the mark,
the bow must be balanced and harmonized.
If the archer either over-tightens
or over-draws the bowstring,
creating too much tension,
the force will be too great —
the arrow will be unstable in its flight —
and it is likely that she will overshoot the target.
If the tension is excessive,
the bow may even break.
If the archer either neglects to tighten the bowstring enough
or under-draws the bowstring,
not enough power will be generated —
it is unlikely that he will reach the mark.
A skilled archer knows just how to find the “sweet spot” —
just how much to tighten the bowstring to ‘tune' the bow.
It is likewise with a stringed musical instrument.
If the string of a violin or guitar is too tense,
the music will likely sound “high strung” —
urgent, strident and discordant —
the instrument will be difficult to play —
and the there will be a high risk of breaking the string or damaging the instrument.
If the string is too slack,
the music will likely sound dull, lethargic and lifeless —
the instrument lacklustre and unresponsive.
If the musician tunes the instrument
so that it is balanced and harmonious,
the instrument will become lively, melodious, responsive —
it will 'sing' itself —
and the playing will feel
natural,
responsive
and
effortless.
Thus, in the hands of a skilled musician, the music will be a true joy to listen.
Likewise, we can align with the Way of Nature
in the realm of matter, time and space,
by reducing areas of excess
and tonifying areas of deficiency —
and thus cultivate balance and harmony in our experience of Life.
In doing so, like a well-tuned instrument,
our lives will “sing”
naturally
melodiously.
Like a balanced and harmonious bow,
the trajectory of our lives will be on on target.
So, as we mark the beginning
of the Autumnal Equinox Solar Cycle
why not consider giving some time
to enter into the Great Silence —
the Sacred Gap
the Pregnant Pivot
the Liminal Lemniscate
and inquire...
Where in my experience of Life am I either too tense or too slack?
Where might I be too excessive or too deficient?
Where might I be out of balance and disharmonious?
Where might I be out of tune?
Where have I been perhaps...
missing
the mark?
And as you do...
may your every breath be Infinite, Ineffable Light, Love and Wisdom.
Not two
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