Step 6: Experience

"I used to live in a room full of mirrors; all I could see was me. I take my spirit and I crash my mirrors, now the whole world is here for me to see." -Jimi Hendrix

Now that we've been re-conditioned to the elegant rhythms of Earth, enduring both the thrash of violent weather and the gentle comfort of the ponds, a harmonious balance of strife and euphoria is beginning to permeate within. Ralph Waldo Emerson describes the balance of positive and negative forces as the "Equator of Life." He writes:

"The middle region of our being is the temperate zone. We may climb into the thin and cold realm of pure geometry and lifeless science, or sink into that of sensation. Between these extremes is the equator of life, of thought, of spirit -- a narrow belt. Moreover, in popular experience, everything good is on the highway."

In Chinese philosophy, the  (Yin-Yang) symbol representing the balance that comprise the "temperate zone" as Emerson describes. The creation of one begins at the destruction of the other, and their centers are shared by the opposite force. The Yin portion (black) represents intuitive thinking while Yang (white) represents logical thinking. In order to put the logical hemisphere of your brain to best use (left side), it must be actively connected to its creative, intuition portion (right side). The Ancient Egyptians also applied this concept to their goddess Isis:

The Bembine Tablet of Isis, above, is currently housed in the Museum of Antiquities, Turin, Italy.

"[Isis] is sometimes shown standing between two great pillars, symbolizing the fact that Nature attains productivity by means of polarity. As wisdom personified, Isis stands between the pillars of opposites, demonstrating that understanding is always found at the point of equilibrium and that truth is often crucified between the two thieves of apparent contradiction."

-Manly P. Hall, "The Secret Teachings of All The Ages"

Psychologists describe the state of inner harmony as "Flow." In flow, one is able to obtain total focus and mastery of craft. This step means beginning to extend your abilities in a larger dynamic- and wield any color of a limitless color palate.

The band Pink Floyd pioneered the use of instruments and soundscapes to represent textures, colors, and surreal atmospheres. Here is their Any Color You Like.

-SubTemplum