The Second Value

The Second Value of The Everything: Refinement of Character – A Sacred Law Perspective


The following is an excerpt from Sacred Law School materials.For more information, go to www.sacredlaws.c om

The Second Value, Refinement of Character, holds the key to living with respect: self-respect, respect for others, respect for Grandmother Earth’s children and respect for all life. True character development demands respect and the integrity of the process lies in the hands of those who seek respectfully. Here, as in so many dharmic courses of action, we see the absolute need for the how of the journey, not just thewhat of the journey. It matters a great deal how we go about refining our character, not just that we do it. We can gain insights into how we might proceed respectfully on our journey from the three Sacred Laws that sit in the West with Refinement of Character: the Second Universal – All Things Are Born of Woman and Seeded by Man; the Second Magickal Law of Absolute Interconvertability; and the Second Ecological Balance Law of the Earth and the Sanctity of Organic Matter. These Sacred Laws teach us that we must understand the beauty and power of both the egg and the seed of creation and how the union of the two produces infinite variation of sacred life. Respect for the roles of the egg and the seed, the womb space and the spark and the children born from the union is the physical foundation of the substance of our journey. The journey itself is the converting of our raw, unformed character into something fine and shiny. This journey is the age old Hero’s Journey, the Alchemist’s quest to turn the base soul of man (lead) into brilliant, incorruptible worth (gold).

There are so many stumbling blocks that trip us and trick us into living disrespectfully. One of them that heavily impacts this illusive journey into character is the block of doubt. When doubt sits in the body, there is no room for respect. Doubt is like a chasm across which you cannot jump to continue your quest for character. There must be a certain amount of faith in yourself and your journey to continue. There must be trust in the process of refinement, guided by Sacred Law. When doubt grabs a hold of your belly you see things in dismal black and white and are unable to see the nuances of spirit joy (sanctity of organic matter) that are all around. These nuances are like the cheerleading crowd standing on the sidelines applauding your progress and providing much-needed support. They are small things - smiles from strangers, rustling leaves, the color of a petal, the feel of sun-soaked cat fur, and the smell of coffee - but they are all-important as fuel for your journey. It is necessary to learn the roots of your doubt and exorcise it from your being. The roots are deep in karmic patterned thought and action. How does doubt sneak in? A few examples: When you ascribe the worst possible motives to people in your everyday environment; when you make scenarios in your heads and put words in others’ mouths; when you turn away from opportunities for kindness; you refuse to respect the egg and the seed; when you refuse to see your own beauty; when you fail to recognize that how you do something matters; when you fail to see the beauty of life; when you refuse to recognize the possibility of interconverting your soul’s garbage into compost. Above all, when you allow yourself to act in a way that is beneath your dignity, below your level of awareness, underneath your bottom line of respect, your self-doubt becomes unbearable.

The Hero’s Journey into refining the character is the most worthy journey we can undertake. Armed with respect, recognition of our own self-worth (and that of others), integrity, courage, willingness to stumble and get back up, a thoughtful approach to our own individually held principles, dedication to the sacredness of life and the determination to get down to the substance of ourselves, we can and will find ourselves inside the refinement process, leaving a legend behind that is worthy of our give away of beauty.

What you are thunders so loudly that I cannot hear what you say to the contrary.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson


Heart
What stories do others tell about you?
What stories do you offer about yourself? This is key!
Do you truly feel like the hero in your story?
Are your emotions and actions controlled?
Is there an emotional male female balance in your heart?
Do you doubt that you have enough heart for your journey?
Do you doubt others?
Do you doubt the value of life?
Do you doubt you are loved?
Do you offer love to yourself? Others? Life?
Do you hold the sanctity of life in your heart?





Mind
Do you make mistakes and learn from them?
Do you doubt you have anything left to learn?
Are you creating a legend about yourself?
Do you speak your mind? Or do you doubt you will be heard?
Are you a follower or a leader?
Are you flexible or rigid?
Are you at your best when doing things? What things?
When do you shine?
Do you doubt you can shine?
What concepts do you hold about your character?

Body
Do you try to look like someone else?
Do you like how you look?
Do you doubt you can transform your body?
Do you do anything to change your looks?
Do your features express who you really are?
Do your actions match your words?
Do you walk your talk?
Do you doubt your talents. skills and abilities?

Spirit
Are you searching?
What are you searching for?
Do you doubt there is anything to search for?
Where do you want to be in life?
Do you change yourself to conform?
Do you have strong desire for self-growth and improvement?
Do you live by your principles?
Do you doubt your connection to spirit?
Do you doubt your path? Your journey?


Passion
Are you fulfilling your curiosity?
Are you willing to try new things?
Are you experimental?
Do you feel you have anything to gain by refining your character?
Do you doubt your own passion?
Do you doubt that life is wonderful and full of joy?