The Six Rules of the Path
(Rules of the Road)
- The Road is trodden in the full light of day, thrown upon the Path by Those Who know and
lead. Naught can then be hidden, and at each turn, a man must face himself.
- Upon the Road the hidden stands revealed. Each sees and knows the villainy of each. (I
can find no other word, my brother, to translate the ancient word which designates the
unrevealed stupidity, the vileness and crass ignorance, and the self-interest which are
distinguishing characteristics of the average aspirant.) And yet there is, with that great
revelation, no turning back, no spurning of [51] each other, and no shakiness upon the
Road. The Road goes forward into day.
Upon that
Road one wanders not alone. There is no rush, no hurry. And yet there is no time to lose.
Each Pilgrim, knowing this, presses his footsteps forward, and finds himself surrounded by
his fellowmen. Some move ahead; he follows after. Some move behind; he sets the pace. He
travels not alone.
Three things
the Pilgrim must avoid. The wearing of a hood, the veil which hides his face from others;
the carrying of a water pot which only holds enough for his own wants; the shouldering of
a staff without a crook to hold.
Each Pilgrim
on the Road must carry with him what he needs: a pot of fire, to warm his fellowmen; a
lamp, to cast its rays upon his heart and shew his fellowmen the nature of his hidden
life; a purse of gold, which he scatters not upon the Road but shares with others; a
sealed vase, wherein he carries all his aspiration to cast before the feet of Him Who
waits to greet him at the gate - a sealed vase.
The Pilgrim,
as he walks upon the Road, must have the open ear, the giving hand, the silent tongue, the
chastened heart, the golden voice, the rapid foot, and the open eye which sees the light.
He knows he travels not alone.
|
