Natural form
We perceive natural forms as the most beautiful. Any effort to add to how nature appears detracts from its beauty. Nature does not conceal what is within but fully reveals the inner value.
For the sage, form is never fundamental; what matters is the
substance. What we do manifests our
being, not our appearance or possessions.
To devote care to form for its own sake without regard to inner content
reflects foolishness.
Those who contemplate the movement of the stars discern the
changes through the year. Those who contemplate the forms of people’s behavior
and understand what they value and how beliefs shape the world through their
application.Sages govern their behavior through clearly defined (7) and firmly established (4) virtues.[1] Those on the path of the Way of humanity[2]
are moved by love (content), which their express in the world in ways that
benefits all.
Simplicity
Efforts to beautify objects are shallow. The display of wealth does not approach the
beauty and value of a simple life. Our
most perfect form depends not on external ornamentation but in allowing our being[3]
to stand forth. Sages model their lives upon nature. At the highest stages of development, sages
discard all ornamentation. Persistence
in fulfilling the great purpose of caring for the Earth and all life reveals
all that matters.
Within daily life, sages firmly keep to what benefits
all. They avoid going beyond meeting
their basic needs as excessive consumption leads away from the Path. They do for themselves rather than cause harm
for others and the Earth even if it takes more effort to live simply. At first we may struggle with renouncing
conveniences, yet we find peace of mind in taking more responsibilities and
reducing the harm we inflict upon life and the Earth by the way we live. We must make the effort of doing for
ourselves. Sages want what they have.
The world[4]
does not value the self-discipline and righteousness of the wise. Thus, the I Ching encourages withdrawal from
contact with those who seek nothing but magnificence and luxury. Yet within this retreat, the wise find others
who they can emulate and who can support their path. Faithfulness to what benefits all creates a
mutual attraction among those on the path of simplicity. Such spiritual friends may have even lived in
ages past, but because of their sincerity to the good, such sages transcend all
limits of space-time.
Cultural forms
Every object holds two things: the substance and the form. However, the form needs to be transparent to
the content and must not distract but promote it. The content always speaks for
itself and communicates its own value independent of cultural embellishments.
The language of cultural forms of behavior and appearance make
us comprehensible to others. A decorated
object translates its function into a cultural message. Sages express themselves through cultural
forms to manifest the spirit.
The way we form ourselves into groups and community reflects
the ways of our culture and the group’s purpose. When beings associate with one another, they
do so through forms of conduct ordered and organized by their species and
culture. What people actually do as a
group reveal their true substance, what they consider most important.
The highest form is transparent to the substance. The form of the Way of humanity manifests the
universal virtues of love, morality, justice, and wisdom expressed through
firmly established rules of conduct in culturally dependent ways.
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