15 – The Monk – Modesty – A Mountain in the Earth
The first shall be last and the last shall be first. The wise man knows there is a time to shine and a time to whisper. Now is the time to practice modesty, to walk very lightly and to leave no trace. The public dislikes that which is full and reveres that which is empty. Working in the wee hours of the dawn, the monk takes from where there is too much to augment that which has too little.
1st – The Wandering Monk – Leaving the confines of the monastery, the monk returns to the world to practice acts of humility. If there be no boat to take him across the river, he will simply walk on water. We shall now go forth on a journey and let nothing stop us.
2nd – The Heart of the Monk – To the ear, the morning call of the cock is but audible. However to the heart of the monk, the heralding of the new golden dawn rings true. Following the whispers of our heart, we go forth with confidence.
3rd – The Working Monk – Leading through example and not by command, the wise man throws his energies into the details of his work. Barely noticing the people that surround, they come to admire his ironclad work ethic and submit to his will.
4th – The Gardener Monk – Planting seeds in the fall will result in new growth in the spring. We should walk lightly and begin to plan and cultivate that which we wish to achieve.
5th – The Sociable Monk – He invites his neighbors over for tea and serves them from wooden cups. It is best now to be hospitable and to not display our wealth, so as to lull those who would oppose us into a false sense of security. If there are rebels, it would be best to crush them now.
6th – The Warrior Monk – The staff is just as useful for fighting as it is for walking. It would be best now to take a stance of righteous aggression, to correct what has been wronged and to subdue those who will not submit to the Word from above.
All Six – The Monk Renounces – Due to overwhelming circumstances, the monk removes his robes and dons the clothing of the common man. We have done all that we can though working with the mind and the spirit. Now is the time to get our hands dirty and to work with the flesh and the blood.