To us Arkana means being at one with self, others and nature. Simple, and yet it takes constant vigilance and mindfulness to achieve in practise.

We actually borrowed the phrase from Arkana Publishing, which published books aligned with this doctrine. I find great truth and beauty in its simplicity, and by my experience, I believe it summarises most, if not all, truths that I've encountered in religion and other faiths and practices.

At a personal level there are two adages I like: one from Wicca - "If it harms no one, do what you will" where the 'no one' includes yourself; and secondly, the six great virtues of Buddhism - morality, charity, industry, patience, meditation and wisdom.

I recently received a small book that describes some guidelines for living. I've paraphrased them below. If I could achieve these I think I'd be doing pretty well by the world.

• The body is the horse upon which you ride through life, therefore you must treat it well - you must not overwork it, you must feed it properly on pure food and drink only.
• You are not this mind or body, but it is yours to use so you must discriminate and use it wisely.
• A person's race or religion is unimportant - it's their knowledge of life that matters. And if you know, it is your duty to help others to know.
• You must not hold a thought because many others hold it or that it has been believed for centuries, nor because it is written in a book that men think sacred. You must think the matter through for yourself, for although a thousand men might agree on a subject, if they know nothing about that subject their opinion is of no value.
• To others say only things that are true, kind and helpful; don't exaggerate nor volunteer an opinion unless asked.
• If you hear a story against anyone, do not repeat it. It may not be true; but even if it is, it is kinder to say nothing.
• If someone does harm against you, don't assume that it was intended for you personally. Indeed the person probably wasn't thinking of you at all, you just happened to be there.
• Be true in action; never pretend to be other than you are.
• Be tolerant, for you can help another by that which you have in common with them. But in order to gain this tolerance you must first free yourself from bigotry.
• If someone does the wrong thing, allow them to learn from their mistake. If they are harming others or breaking laws then you may choose to point out, gently, the consequences of their actions.
• Work as an expression of love, rather than for money or what you will get from it.
• Don't criticise others for the ceremonies they practice. If you have outgrown them you must still respect that there are others for whom they have purpose.
• Use your thought-power every day, at every instant, for good purposes rather than adding sorrow and anger to the world.
• Bear your karma, or what life presents you, cheerfully. Karma may take from you the things that you like best, even those people whom you love the most. The pain will be as great whether you bear it cheerfully or miserably, but being miserable will simply burden others.
• Maintain your focus on the work at hand. "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might".
• In daily life love means doing no hurt to any living thing, and watching for opportunities to help others. So much suffering is caused by carelessness - by forgetting to think how an action will affect others.

I believe these are examples of what the Buddhists describe as Right Understanding, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Attention and Right Concentration. It sounds simple and yet is a life-long endeavour.

While I choose this framework for determining my life, I readily accept that it's not the only way. I like Kahlil Gibran's description, "Say not, 'I have found the truth', but rather, 'I have found a truth'. Say not, 'I have found the path of the soul'. Say rather, 'I have met the soul walking upon my path'. For the soul walks upon all paths ... The soul unfolds itself, like a lotus of countless petals."

So whatever your own personal belief I wish you peace and support in your journey.

— Lee