The Descent to Not
The Tree of Not
We have removed the World layer of the Self and dropped down to the area of the Self where we consider what is most important in this existence. These personal values result from the question, "What is most important to you?" When asked this question it is natural for most people to have several answers that come to mind. After all, there are many things which are important to us. In fact, our multitude of important principles (or values) can compete with each other resulting in indecision or confusion as to what we should do.
Descent X
The Tree of Not
The Tree of Not floats in inverted space. At the base of the Tree is another inversion: a figure in a meditative pose. In the center of the figure’s chest (where dan tien is found) is the sixteen-pointed dual overlay of Ardentis Animae (the fire within) and Tranquillitas Animae (the inner-calm). In the top-left corner is the AON symbol for The Tree indicating that this trump is part of the Self Well.
The Tree represents Principles (or Values) which we develop from having folded together Authorization for Being and Action (from Key 5), Morality (from Key 6), a course of action (from Key 7), Beliefs (from Key 8) and a basic understanding of the fantastic mysteries of the cosmos (from Key 9).
What are the Principles and Values that we base our decisions on? What are the assumptions that have developed from our values? And where did these values come from? Did we inherit our values from our parents or society at large? Are there any of these Values or Principles we should shed?
Guided Meditation
The Tree of Not
What Matters Most
Our Values as Beings in the World
Having competing values which cause us angst in our interactions with the World does not take away from the importance of us having personal values to guide our decisions. Principles are important and it is important that we honor them and hold true to them. It is also important that we check them periodically to see if they are still values we hold true.
However, for the Descent to Not, we are less concerned with what these personal principle or values may be and more concerned with the descent itself. There is a lot more that makes up our sense of self - our identity - than just personal values. If we look deeper within the Self we will find yet more complexity beneath these values. To drop deeper, consider the most fundamental values you hold true and image that they are no longer necessary to guide you in the outer World. The reason it is safe to do this here is because here you are in the Self Well and there is no outer World. Here you are just calmly descending into the Sea of Self, deeper and deeper. Less and less layers of complexity that make up a Self are not needed as we sink deeper and deeper.