Dragon of Inscrutability – Part 4 of Four–Series
This fourth dignity is the dragon of inscrutability. The warrior's spiritual path is rigorous and thorough, beginning with the work of the Tiger of Meekness. It continues with the Snow Lion of perkiness inspired by discipline that is uplifted and joyful. The Garuda of outrageousness helps the warrior go beyond timidity and act in a bold and brave way in service to awakening and healing suffering.
In Eastern traditions, the dragon is viewed as a symbol of vitality and the earth’s liveliness. It’s said to rest and hibernate in the ground during winter and emerge with the mist and dew in the spring. In the summer it abides and plays in the clouds of the vast blue sky. So it behaves very differently according to the season. Sometimes in storms the dragon breaths out fire and thunder.
The dragon is a dynamic archetype for the movement of the seasons and the weather which are often unpredictable. This kind of flexibility and strength could be skillful in our time when norms and laws are dissolving and great disruptions are taking place.
Inscrutability here does not mean being tricky or devious. It means giving birth to fearlessness. The previous stage of the Garuda has helped the warrior go beyond timidity and conventional conditioning. Fearlessness is expressed through gentleness and empathy for others. This allows you to be patient and let situations develop. So you develop a sense of timing knowing when to give and when to take away. Context and timing allow you to act appropriately in whatever situation you find yourself in, often with a sense of humor.
CONFIDENCE
Inscrutability is an expression of confidence. You are settled within your experience so you have no hesitation or fear. You can be noncommittal, yet follow through. You don't have to spell everything out because you can be with uncertainty. Truth arises from the situation. You don't need any confirmation so you also don't have to be the center of attention. You are not in any great rush, so you can begin with the basics. You are not calculating according to some idea of gain or loss. You work with the situation, bearing witness to whatever arises, and doing so with sympathy and compassion for those around you. This unconditional confidence comes from giving and extending yourself and overcoming timidity.
HEART OF THE WARRIOR
We've been appreciating qualities of the spiritual warrior which arise from not needing to defend any territory. This selfless, open and gentle conduct is the heart of the Bodhisattva path. Such a person is not aggressive, bombastic or arrogant, but humble, kind, gentle and extremely accurate in whatever they do or say. Without a pre-set of rules, they still manage to conduct themselves appropriately in whatever situation they find themselves. I hope through the regular practice of meditation and your commitment to this spiritual path, you will find your footing in this way and help to awaken and inspire others around you, even if the times we live in are chaotic and dark. The world needs you awake!
Roshi Robert Joshin Althouse is the Abbot of the Zen Life & Meditation Center. He has been teaching for over 30 years and practicing for 50 years. He is also an artist and painter. He’s been doing digital paintings on his computer for the last 10 years. You can view his work at his site for Robert Althouse Fine Arts at www.althouseart.com.