Every time I think I have got this thing nailed, it shifts and something else comes in. I don't know now whether I am any nearer to a conclusion or not. What I have been focusing on most recently is the sections of the wheel and considering that the 4 elements are tools for success in the 6 wheel areas. I am also trying to incorporate a metaphysics of quality, control dramas, the hero's journey, the battle with the ego, the power of now, 6 islands narrative, a module on personal development and a symbol that combines all this in one comprehensive and simple structure and I feel like I am going mad with the 'almost but not quite' nature of it all.
The wheel represents area of life to master. There are six areas that need to be addressed either at the same time or in chronology. These might be phases of life, or they could be applied to one day or one experience. All I can say for sure is that together they cover the main aspects of life and they are equally balanced between the external and internal. The areas are either called: -
- belonging
- relationships
- quality
- creativity
- planning
- contribution
or they have recently morphed into verbs
- belong
- connect
- discover
- create
- plan
- contribute
which makes them actions rather than areas. This seems to help as it leads to a set of six qualities that help these activities, almost like the tools you need for the job. These are:
- compassion
- love
- curiosity
- imagination
- discipline
- purpose
But I'm not sure if these are right. The benefit of being successful in these areas are:
- a sense of belonging
- feeling of being loved and understood
- understanding of quality and inspiration
- personal expression and transformation
- structure and focus
- a sense that you are making a positive difference
Within each of these paths lies the danger of being seduced by the ego. The ego operates in 3 main ways - passive, aggressive and passive/aggressive. In short, 'life is doing this to me', 'I'll bloody well show them who's boss' and 'life is doing this to me
and I'll bloody well show them who's boss'. This manifests as:
- 'they won't let me belong', 'I won't let them belong' and 'I won't let them belong before or because they don't let me belong'
- 'they aren't interested in me', 'I am not interested in them' and 'I am not interested in them before or because they are not interested in me'
- 'There is no quality to find in my life', 'I don't need any more quality in my life as I have decided I have it all' and 'I have decided I have it all before or because I fear there is no quality to find in my life'
- 'I am not creative', 'I know how to create and have my set ways to do it that work based on habit,' and 'I will follow my set ways to create because I fear I am not creative'
- 'I can't control my resources,' 'I have ultimate control over all my resources, based on habit', 'I fear I can't control my resources, so exert ultimate control, based on habit.'
- 'I have nothing to offer anyone', 'I know what you need and will advise you accordingly', 'I fear I have nothing to give, so overcompensate by taking change and relying on what has worked in the past'
These become a bit confusing but generally the three points are the 'passive' one who takes on too little responsibility for their life through a fear of failure. It is easier for this person to blame external events for why they are 'less than' others. The 'aggressive' one who makes a point of making it known that they are 'more than' others. The 'passive/aggressive' view is of someone who is tired of feeling 'less than' and subsequently wants to prove they are actually 'more than'.
So if these are all versions of the ego and how the system can go wrong, what is the right way to be?
This is where the 4 elements come in. The 4 elements present a series of principles that must be learned in order to navigate through the ego. The elements are as follows:
- earth - centre
- water - flow
- air - freedom
- fire - passion
TBC
