Astrology - Simplicity, Patience, and Compassion

As one begins to see the life around oneself as an orchestration of the various planetary frequencies, there begins to take place an inner transformation - one begins to see everything as a play fulfilling itself. A surrender to the Way arises - a non-clinging develops. One need not force this transformation induced by the study of Time or the Way whatsoever, one simply must continue to live one's life while studying, practicing, and teaching astrology, and the constant observance of the astrological phenomenon will naturally garner a sense of detachment - and from this loosening of the grip upon the self arises the three great teachings of the Way - Patience, Simplicity, and Compassion.

This is the "change of heart" experienced by a meditative astrologer - it is nothing special, it is the natural state of each one of us - in this particular case induced by Astrology.

As Lao Tzu whispers into our hearts, "I have only three things to teach: Simplicity, Patience, and Compassion." The study of Time is the study of the Way. As the mind begins to grasp the Way of the world through the eyes of Jyotisha, the mind foregoes grasping, and finds itself fumbling between a forgetting and remembering of this essential truth. There are times when the astrologer regardless of foreseeing the patterns gives into the troubles of pain and pleasure, and then there are instances where the astrologer is somehow able to avert such troubles and thus, remain centred - neither rejoicing in pleasure nor disheartened by pain.

Gradually, the these three teachings - Simplicity, Patience, and Compassion begin to color the entire watery essence of the Moon, of the Manas, of the Psyche of the practitioner. I have only glimpsed it enough for it to be theoretically articulated somehow. 1) Simplicity arises as one astrologically sees how the ripples of Action create the world. One begins to not only see the physiological elemental patterns created by the seasons, but also the psychological patterns of being. This then reveals the fundamental frameworks of the collective human psyche - and the astrologer unravels the human condition - especially, through self-reflection (seeing these patterns within oneself) as well as contemplating the inter-personal relationships.

One realises that every being is plagued by the same problems - similar difficulties and states of sorrows - but in varying degrees and capacities, and each being somehow believes that they are chosen for their suffering or pleasure. The many longings of the heart wither it away - always seeking. Self-absorbed. The heart of the astrologer wants to say, all in its own time dear one, but the mind says, here is the medicine, I hope you take it - always knowing that the medicine will only remove the symptoms and never the cause.

A simplicity arises in one's actions, desires, and one simply foregoes one's own preferential consciousness slowly and steadily, all in its own time. Self-collected.

2) As one begins to simplify one's life - the relations, the needs and wants, the longings, cravings, thirsts, the lovesickness, one begins to find out something about Patience. Every transit, every aspect, every planetary time-cycle, every astrological technique reveals to the heart of the Astrologer to its own surprise that life is happening through us and not to us. An impersonality arises. There are times when through great effort only little is achieved, and other times where through little effort a lot gets done - for effort is only due to a resistance - where there is no resistance, there is no effort. Resistance towards what, one may ask? Resistance towards the natural ways of the world, that is, the biological circadian rhythms to the seasonal rhythms to the luni-solar rhythms and the more complex cosmic rhythms.

Do we put our clothes out in the rains to dry? But we do make efforts during difficult psychological seasons where there is so much resistance that one eventually burns out and quits.

Astrology reveals to the seeker, the Way, and the understanding of the Way will naturally relieve oneself of one's self-possessed psychological self-torture. It reveals to the heart how everything completes itself regardless of oneself - for there is no self. The Self, the Sun orchestrates the whole solar system and thus many frequencies of each Graha. But the Sun itself is always vibrating at a particular frequency according to the Will of the creator of the Way - the Tao. Patience. It is supported by simplicity and supports simplicity. When we see the Way of the world, how the Grahas possess the consciousness and animate it in order to fulfil the karmic destiny of each - one eases into the present moment. A trust arises. There is no rush - one simply becomes aware of the moments of self-possession, the urge arises, and one gives into the urge to act, and the task gets completed all by itself. Nothing is forced and nothing is not forced - Wei Wu Wei - all takes care of itself in due time. Patience requires trust in the Ways of the world - if you flinch, there will be a ripple, and an action in performed in the calm Reality, and the ripples caused by the non-trusting flinch of the heart will fulfil their own destiny. 3) As one sees everyone as playing their part, and sees how no-one consciously remembers choosing their birth chart, Compassion arises.

The unique individual with its sense of separated from everyone else ailing to feel connected and appreciated and validated by the world around itself is recognised within oneself, and thus, in everyone else. A grandmotherly kindness arises and continues to grow as one becomes more compassionate towards one's own faults and failings.

The sense of judgment of Good and Evil also begins to change - a the leargeheartedness allows for forgiveness. As Master Tzu speaks, "What is a good man but a bad man's teacher, and what is a bad man but the good man's job," one simply feels fortunate to be able to help and grieves in the misfortune of those who reject help. Even for Evil compassion arises. How can one become good towards something that wants Evil. This is the most difficult bit. Master Tzu asks us of only one thing - to look within oneself - constantly, patiently, without the need of even finding something. How grandiose and lofty are these teachings - they are practical and natural - simple and difficult. As one let's go of one's own preferences and desires, and gives into the Way of the world, one starts to see how the world is simply coming and disappearing into being all by itself. As one perceives this phenomenon directly through the mathematical, symbolical, and practicable principles of Astrology, these three teachings of the Way begin to enter one's heart automatically. Naturally. There are times when one even must forget about such realizations and give into the many demons that possess oneself, and there are times when one must completely embody these teachings and cultivate them. It all happens in its own time - we must simply develop the understanding, if we are fortunate enough, to know what Time it really is. Thank you for reading the words of this blind beggar who seems to believe he can see and has something to give. Haha.