Update 1.04 — light, here & now, difference.

This update applies to the bottom right corner of the Mandala of Characters. There is the following set of words.

PERCEIVING
science
dry

I think, it is worth adding the following phrases to this set of words: “light”, “here and now”, “difference”.

These terms came to my mind when I was analyzing these types of characters: Dry Fire and Dry Earth. These types we can find in this area of the Mandala of Characters.

LIGHT

The word “light”, I decided to put due to the type of character—Dry Fire.

The name of the type “Dry Fire” may sound quite mysterious. So, I thought that it is worthwhile here adding some word which will give a clue to, what might be hidden behind this name? In chapters devoted to this character, I will describe more broadly the symbolic meaning of what is hidden behind the phrase—Dry Fire. Now, however, I will say at least this, that associations connected with it can bring to our mind a lot of ideas. Among these ideas, in my opinion, is the very characteristic and symbolic word—light. I think it is worth placing it on the Mandala of Characters because it will initially say something about this place of the Mandala.

Why?

The Dry Fire, if we look at the Mandala of Characters, is the area of the Fire element. In this area, we have three types of characters:

• Fire that is in the middle of the area where we can find the Fire element.
• Hot Fire, which is above the Fire.
  Hot Fire is close to the Air element. That is why it is so hot. It means, when the fire has contact with a lot of air, it burns faster and its temperature is higher. Therefore, this fire is hotter.
• Dry Fire, which is below Fire.
  Dry Fire belongs to the element of Fire and is close to the element of Earth. So, Dry Fire has a large distance to the element of Air. If Dry Fire has less air, it burns slower and is not as hot as Hot Fire. Then Fire is smaller and milder in the place where Dry Fire is. If it is smaller and milder, then we can better use the light that gives this fire. Among other things, the fire-light gives us a better point of view. When the environment is well lit, we can more accurately perceive different things. In good light, we can better distinguish some important details.

So, I think that the word “light” we can consider as something very characteristic of the place where the type Dry Fire is located.

In that case, I think that the word “light” is worth putting on the Mandala of Characters. This word will initially say what we can find in this place of the Mandala.

The word “light” tells us, for example, that the place is very bright. In this place, there is a lot of light. And the type Dry Fire, that we can find here, is using in his Conscious State this light in his life. Figuratively, we can say that this is the most “enlightened” type. The “enlightenment” we can refer here above all to the cult of reason and knowledge, which occurred in the socio-cultural movement in Europe in the 18th century.

If we are talking about “enlightenment” we can also mention the word “enlighten”. “Enlighten”, for example, has such meanings: to promote education, to teach, to instruct, to inform someone about something, to give insight, to give understanding, etc.

The words “enlightenment” or “enlighten” also reminding me of the Polish word “oświata”. In English, it is similar to “enlightening”, however in Polish it means also “edukacja”, that is, education.

The word “light” is also associated with “lighting”, which can mean, for example, a lighting electrical installation or wiring in our houses. Besides, “lighting” is a term for light effects in art, photography and film. “Lighting” is also a way of reasoning and presenting something.

Moreover, the word “light” appears in many phrases and idioms, such as:

• “shed new light”, “throw light on”, “cast light on”
  something gives more information and contributes to explaining something, for example, a finding, discovery, theory, etc.;
• “introduce/appear in new light” (Polish phrase)
  introduce yourself/somebody or appear in a new way;
• “present/show/put in different light” (Polish phrase)
  present someone/something in a certain way;
• “see daylight”, “come to daylight”
  to born, to create or to be published, published (for example, in the case of a book, article, paper, etc.) (Polish meaning);
• “see the light of day”
  to come into being; to come to public notice;
• “see the light”
  to gain sudden insight into or understanding of something; to experience a religious conversion;
• “come to light”, “brought to light”,
  to become obvious or is made known to a lot of people (English meaning);
• “in full light” (Polish phrase), “in the glaring light”, “with a spotlight”, “in the bright daylight”
  without hiding anything, with all details;
• “in the light of something”
  based or rely on the received information, judging by something (Polish meaning);
  in the light of recent incidents (English meaning);
• • “pull out/bring out/drag out to the daylight” (Polish phrase) to do something explicit/open, to give something to the public/for general information; rediscover something forgotten;
• “go out/get out into the daylight” (Polish phrase)
  to become open, generally known;
• “light downs on somebody”
  to begin to understand something after a period of not being able to understand it;
• “light at the end of the tunnel”
  the end of the difficult or unpleasant situation that you are in at the moment;
• “in the light of”
  in view of; taking into account; considering;
• “all sweetness and light”
  behaving very politely;
• “light a fire under someone”
  to motivate someone to take action
• “hide a light under a bushel”
  keeping abilities or talents hidden from others;
• “light dawns”
  realizing or understanding something what should be well-known before;
• “leading light”
  leading figure; someone who have respect in a group;
• etc.

I want here to emphasize one fact. It means, the lightness of light.

The word “light” also relates to someone or something, what is not heavy. What is less heavy as normal or typical. What is less than some standard or norm.

This meaning of “light” as a little weight does not appear in every language. For example, in Polish, the word “lekki” is simply opposed to the word “ciężki”, that is, “heavy”. And the word “lekki” is not similar to the “light” as something bright and shining. In Polish, we have the word “światło”. So, the word “światło” (noun—light) doesn’t look like “lekki” (adjective—light).

Then, in the English word “light” has bigger ambiguity. And I like it.

Among others, I like it, because I can connect it in a symbolic way with the name of the type Dry Fire, which is in this place of the Mandala of Characters. I think here about it that Dry Fire we can treat as a light. That is, light which is not hot, and thanks to this it is safe and will not hurt us. Dry Fire can also be treated as shutting training without ammunition. It is giving a fire and light, but without bullets. In a sense, we need here “bite on the bullet”, or “pull ourselves together”. We need to have this attitude if we want to practice and develop. For the development, we also need to think about what to do better? If we think we can be enlightened enough to be able to do something, to achieve our goals. Then we can believe in ourselves and see the “light at the end of the tunnel”.

Dry Fire can also be light, that is, not heavy. Dry Fire simply rather is not too heavy. So, Dry Fire, on the one hand, can be enlightened. But on the other hand, he is light, not too heavy. Then we can assume that he can be spectacular, but at the same time, it can be difficult for him to make any long-lasting impact. But sometimes small and light influence can be better than big and heavy impact.

Above and other phrases and idioms related to the word “light” can tell us a lot about types which are in this part of the Mandala of Characters. That is, above all, the type Dry Fire, and afterwards about neighboring types Dry Earth and Fire.

HERE & NOW

The next phrase, which I would like to add to the Mandala of Characters is “here and now”. I decided to add this phrase because of the types of characters that are in this place of Mandala are able to live “here and now”. It means, among other things, that these types are most capable of focusing on the current moment and the place where they are currently located. And this is connected with the fact that they are able to quickly evaluate and draw various conclusions from what is presently happening. Then, after a quick assessment, they can also quickly decide what will be their reaction. This reaction can be really fast, when according to them, the actual situation needs it.

Recently, the phrase “here and now” is becoming more and more popular. For example, in psychology, in philosophical systems, in various therapies, coaching, etc.

The phrase “here and now” and what is associated with it is often described in a very positive way. It is also often recommended to using and following the principle the “here and now” in life.

Personally, during my analyzing of types of characters, I came to the conclusion that the principle of “here and now”, like most things in life, has both positive and negative sides. So, it is like a tool that will be very helpful during the realization of some goals, and using it for other purposes will bring minimal effect.

Besides, the principle “here and now” has a different effect on different types of characters. For some types it is beneficial, and for other types, it may not be useful. Sometimes it will even have an opposite effect on them. For example, when “here and now” will be used too much.

And there is also the fact that some types can make greater use of “here and now” than other types. The types that have the ability to make the most of this principle in life are the Dry Fire and Dry Earth.

DIFFERENCE

The association with the word “difference” appeared when I was analyzing the type of character—Dry Earth.

Where did the connection between the word “difference” and the type “Dry Earth” came from? To answer this question, let’s start with a symbolic association. If we imagine Dry Earth as dry area, the dry area often is very monotonous. Most of the landscape looks similar. For example, such an area can be desert or steppe. In these areas, a lot of time the vegetation either occurs to a small extent, or it is not very varied. For instance, often it is mainly covered with grassy vegetation.

In such terrain, to spot something special, we have to be particularly sensitive if we want to capture various differences. It means, some important details or specific features. For example, for people who live in such terrain, the ability to capture significant differences may be necessary in order to survive, function and exist in such location. For instance, essential is the ability to find something to eat or look for something to hunt. Usually, there is often less food on dry soil. So, we need to be more sensitive about what is going on around, because it can help us to find something to eat. For example, when we go somewhere in search of some vegetable food or follow the trail of an animal that we want to hunt down.

When we go somewhere to find something to eat, we also need to be appropriately prepared. The first of all, we need to take what is necessary with us, because we do not know how long the search will last? We also need rationally to think through what we are taking with us? It is because, too heavy back-pack will slow us down, and we will be more tired. Inappropriate equipment and too heavy back-pack can make the difference by which our efforts and struggles will finish without success.

Living on the dry earth requires the ability to capture various kinds of significant differences or details. Finding differences also often require the maximum focus on the present moment and on the place where we are. Therefore, we must be focused on those mentioned above—“here and now”. Thanks to this, what is important and significant for us will not escape our attention. It is so because, if there is an opportunity to do something that we have been waiting for, it is necessary to make the right decision and do it quickly. If we miss the opportunity then we do not know how long we will have to wait for the next chance or occasion. Such features as the ability to focus on the “here and now”, and to capture significant differences, have to a large extent the type of character—Dry Earth. This type has some natural abilities in this area.

I have just said have these types of abilities can be useful in areas where there is dry earth. In that case, it would be worthwhile to say how these abilities can manifest in a typical life? At his moment, we are primarily interested in the ability to focus on differences. This ability, for example, can manifest in the following way:

• Capturing someone’s mistakes and shortcomings.
  For example, during competing with someone, success depends on spotting someone’s mistakes, shortcomings, gaps, unprotected places and passages, etc.
• Finding somebody’s mistake, which we can “pick on”.
  Finding someone’s mistakes or something that is missing at the given moment. Finding something to pick on somebody can give us an advantage over him. So, finding differences or deficiencies in someone may allow us to take control over him or at least let us manipulate him.
• Being unusual and distinguish.
  Being extraordinary, unusual, rare, special, unique, etc., often require the ability to highlight or emphasize some important differences that distinguish us from others.
• Being characteristic and distinctive.
  If we want to be distinctive and characteristic, we need to emphasize something that differentiates us from others. If at first glance nothing is favoring us, we must find or discover some distinguish differences.
• Discovering something new by finding something that is standing out.
  The discovery of something often depends on finding the difference or detail that no one has ever noticed before.
• Being tasteful through taking care of differences.
  Often good taste is associated with the ability to capture significant differences that affect the overall effect. Finding also whether something is better or worse often depends on some small differences between something one and something the other. These differences are often associated with capturing what is: exceptional and unique; which is unique and one of a kind; which has a sophisticated and unique style. While sophisticated and unique style is associated with good taste.
• Surviving in a given situation depending on spotting differences.
  In many movies, we often have this motif. That is, the main character in the film is able to notice a detail that his opponent did not spot. Or the main character is able to notice a week point of the opponent, before his opponent spot week point in the main character. Thanks to this, they can use it and get out of oppression. Besides, capturing some difference in the surrounding environment can help to predict and protect against approaching danger. For example, noticing something that is not right; what is suspicious; what is different than usual; which does not match the environment and the situation; seeing something in someone’s behavior what is suspicious; etc. For example, in many movies, we can see that such skills help to predict and discover what is planning to do a criminal or enemy. Or what crime already he is doing in secret. An example, of movie hero who uses spotting various details and differences which help to survive and cope with difficult situations, is for instance: actor Bruce Willis playing John McClane in the series of movies “Die Hard”, or Eddie Murphy playing “Axel Foley in the series “Beverly Hills Cop”.
• Capture differences that are helpful in various jobs and occupations.
  In normal life, noticing differences and details can also be very helpful. It can help deal with various life situations and problems. This skill is also useful in many jobs, occupations, and professions. For example, in work with people, thanks to this we can catch different nuances and details by which you can help other people or serve them in the right way. While this, we can transform into successes in a given job or profession.
  This ability might as well be used to catch these details and nuances by which we can effectively harm someone. Furthermore, it can be used to stop somebody from doing something or to take over other’s ideas and methods to outrun them in doing something.
• Honoring appreciation.
  We distinguish someone when we want to appreciate someone. That is, we recognize that someone is better than others, or we see that someone has an advantage in something over others. For example, we distinguish by giving someone: prizes, good grades, marks, feedback, etc. So, in total, we make the difference between one person and the others. Or we divide people into different groups, types, categories, levels, etc.
• Difference as something positive or negative.
  Often the differences and details make a real difference. That is, they distinguish something in a positive way. We say, for example, that something is refined (or nuanced, polished) in every detail.
  It is also possible to distinguish something negatively. That is when a very significant difference or detail has not been refined enough. And because of that, it can be differentiated negatively. And next, it can have a negative influence on the following events. Then, we can say, for example, that “the devil is in the details”. Emphasizing differences is often used in advertisements. It is made by suggesting that a given product will make and will create such a positive difference which will distinguish us from the crowd. Or will provide us with unique benefits and big successes.
• Mistake as a difference.
  The mistake is the thing that is cutting us of something. For example, it subtracts something from us, that is, some points or percentage, it lowers our self-assessment, etc. An excessive number of errors can make it very difficult or impossible for us passing an exam or test. Also, in life, we can get various penalties. For instance, financial penalties, through which we lose our money.
  Generally speaking, often we have to deal with subtracting, and subtraction in the mathematical sense is a difference.

Besides, to the above examples of the difference, the difference describes the following phrases or idioms:

• “it makes no difference”, “some difference”,
  used to say that we don’t care, it doesn’t matter, it is no problem, what will happen or what we will choose, etc.
• “make a difference”,
  used to say that something can cause a change, it may have an impact; something can be important; something or somebody can be distinguished from others;
• “a world of difference”,
  a stark contrast; a vast improvement;
• “all the difference in the world”,
  the greatest degree of difference that is possible
• “without distinction”,
  used for saying that something affects or includes everyone;
• “sink difference”, “set aside difference”, “split the difference”,
  used to say when is needed compromise or realization of the common goal, then it is required to forget or put aside our dislikes, disagreements, etc.
• “with a difference”,
  used to say when we have something unique, really different.
• etc.

And so briefly looks the description of three new terms that I want to add in this place of the Mandala of Characters. Then, let’s add the words: “light”, “here and now” and “difference” to the diagram of the Mandala in the bottom right corner. The set of words that is there will now look as follows:

PERCEIVING
light, science, here and now, difference  
dry

We can see the above changes in the diagram below.

References: