The Royal Maze: In a field of yellow is a target upheld by 2 heraldic lions-rampant, a white one on our left, and a black one on our right. Their tails are intertwined below center. In top center we find 3 golden rings linked together. The target consists in 7 concentric bands of different color. The center is white and contains a crown, also viewed as a circle. The crown holds 5 jewels: ruby, emerald, diamond, turquoise, onyx. Superimposed on the target is a square, quartered, with diagonals to the corners. In the quarters, clockwise from upper left: torch, sailboat, cup spilling wine, and a figure 8. Here we see the seven ways to higher consciousness (Yoga, The Way of the Saints and Sufis, the Medicine Path, the Song of the Griot, The Tao of the Mandarin, the method of science, and the Way of the Sun) arranged as concentric circles, each complete and infinite by itself, yet also centered and completing one another, forming the wheel of Dharma, whose 8 spokes can be seen superimposed. This is the target for mankind held up by new age leaders throughout the whole spectrum (symbolized by the spectrum of lions from nearly white, through various yellows and browns to nearly black). There is no unity in the religions and dogmas and rituals of mankind, but there is a unity in the 7 paths. Our destiny is to clear away the "droppings" (shit!) and "childish things" and show each one the purity and magnificence of the path underlying their own tradition. Only in that way can we achieve the crown of 5 continents, the crown of world unity and world community, and finally put an end to the terrifying risk of holocaust. There are no entrances marked to the Royal Maze, to remind us that each path is a mode of experience and not a straight and narrow way. Each must find or create his own way. Each path has its discipline. That is the 'binder' of one. Pursuing the discipline expands our powers. That is the 'freer' of one. In the 4 quarters of the wheel we find the things necessary to this destiny: the spilled wine of life, motion and change over the boundless seas, passing the torch on to the next generation (for this will not come quickly), resulting in the doubling of the way. Three golden links of creative life overhead: creation, destruction, preservation; also, thought, being, and action. There are many crowns in the BOOK OF T, and they are all different. This one has on it a ruby, emerald, diamond, turquoise, and onyx. Turquoise suggests North America where it is much used by native Americans. Emeralds come from South America. Onyx is Africa, where it was a favorite stone of the Egyptians. Rubies are Asia, where they are most used, and diamonds are Europe, for the same reason. Five stones, five continents, five races. It is a symbol of world unity on a physical plane, thus the interpretation of the Book of the Royal Maze. Further information on the path to world unity is given by the four symbols on the wheel of destiny, which indicate a cycle of activity. If we begin with the first element mentioned by the Nameless One and proceed in a clockwise direction (in the direction of time), we find a message similar to that of the Book of the Victorious One. Perhaps we might call it a lesson in unresolved group karma that we need to face before world unity becomes a reality. The sail boat has only one mast, because only one of the 6 civilizations (ours) caught the winds of change 500 years ago, and blown by them, eventually came to physically dominate the world. This resulted in much spilled wine, i.e. much bloodshed, many cultures unfortunately destroyed by the militant preachers of the West. Yet, out of many dreadful acts of enslavement and massacre has finally come a 'doubling of the way' (8 sign), as at least the more thoughtful members of Western civilization have begun to find much of value in other cultures, and by contrast have found much lacking in our own. The spiritual awakening of the West really dates from the time 100 years ago when a few people first started taking oriental philosophy seriously. Now, the time has come to raise up the torch of this new synthesis of all cultures and all paths, and light other torches with it, and carry them to places of darkness to en-light-en all mankind. This is the Way of the Sun, which includes everything and everyone under the sun. Everyone is on it, and every experience is relevant to it. The name of the book is significant. Instead of a single road, or set of commandments, the same for all, life and history is a maze, without ready-made entrances or exits or ready-made paths through it. We each of us find our own way, or make our own way. Instead of being a straight line to a single goal, life is full of unexpected twists and turns. If we had it all planned out ahead of time, there would be no room for the little surprises of Self, which in retrospect always appear to be the best thing. Each turn has some value. Either we learned some part of the puzzle we must eventually put together, or we outgrew some limiting belief or value. We are given the challenges we need, though whether we rise up to them, no one can tell, not even the Nameless One. In this philosophy we see the correct linking of the golden links of thought, being and action. It is not enough simply to think. We cannot really develop our being through sitting and reading or writing. We must act, and in acting encounter new experiences, which in turn enlarge our capacity for thought and action. The Royal Maze is in a field of yellow, the color of sunlight, and thus a symbol of whatever provides the ability to see, and the energy to grow. The Royal Maze philosophy liberates us from all exclusiveness and self-righteousness. It is a very positive ideal of unity-in-diversity, and that is why the lions of the new age all across the spectrum agree in upholding it as a target for mankind. Further knowledge of this book comes from taking a solar look at each of the seven paths. |
"Into the Maze you have stalked- - The binder and freer of one. He who enters is allowed to. Always be mindful that certain things have been left behind. Childish things. Those things which do not become you. Should a babble arise, bold on to your Self while your droppings fall. Let fall the limbs. Remember only "I am I". Destiny is the meaning of this book."