ANARCHIST LITURGY

What follows in this blog is the brief contents of an anarchist liturgy. Both terms perhaps need some explanation, not least from my perspective in even presenting such a thing. Over at least the past year I have been working on writing three books under the title There is Nothing to Stick to which, as they turned out, became the basis for what I eventually conceived of as a philosophical and spiritual form of anarchism. This was based on a conception of all of existence rather than the political circumstances on one tiny planet, our planet, although, as is the nature of the thinking that went into it, it inevitably connected one with the other intimately. Anarchism, then, is consequently my description for the state of all existence everywhere and not simply a political thing related to human activity. When I describe something as anarchist in this sense, as with the liturgy below, I am using anarchy in this sense, the widest most spiritual and philosophical sense possible. "Liturgy," on the other hand, is used in a religious sense [although in my case not at all religiously] as a form of linguistic ritual and participation in something greater. You can, I hope, already see why this might be useful given my conception of anarchy. The purpose of such liturgy, here certainly spiritual and mysterious, is to give a form of words to our participation in the great anarchy which is existence itself. 

A word about the text. The text itself is not my own words or ideas although, in a few cases, I have rewritten a prior translation for what I regarded as better clarity. The text comes from numerous ancient texts such as the Tao Te Ching, the Zhuangzi, the Dhammapada, the "six words" of Tilopa, some words ascribed to Jesus of Nazareth, and one or two other [Zen] Buddhist texts such as Faith in Mind and the Mind Inscription. Here sources are important in that where something comes from gives it a context and also not important in that things should be judged on their content and not their identity. In short, do not let their provenance in Taoism, in Zen or elsewhere disturb you. What matters, if anything, is what they say and what they mean. They express a worldview, an ethic, an attitude, a practice of life, at once spiritual, philosophical, anarchist. My practice in using them is simply to read through them, which takes a few short minutes, and to silently ponder them. But you may use them as you like. There are no rules. This is offered to readers humbly for their thought and consideration. If it is of use and stimulates further thought and meditation - good! If it does not, also good! You can read how and why I came to such ideas by clicking the link to my more fleshed out thinking above or by reading other articles from this website.

Peace to you all.

It is said that in olden times those who ruled everything under Heaven wanted nothing and the world was fulfilled; they practised non-action and the whole of life was transformed; they were immensely deep in their stillness and the many families of the world were calm.

The action of non-action is called Heaven.

The words of non-action are called Virtue.

To love all humanity and to bring success to them is called benevolence.

To unite that which is not united is called greatness. 

To go beyond barriers and boundaries is called open-handedness. 

To have a vast multitude of diverse things is called wealth. 

To have and to hold Virtue is called guidance. 

To grow in maturity in Virtue is called stability. 

To be aligned with the Tao is called completion. 

To refuse to allow anything external which distracts you is called perfection. 

The one who clearly perceives these ten things will also be magnanimous in their ventures and their actions will benefit all life.

At the great Origin there was nothing, nothing, no name. 

The Whole arose from it; there was One without form. 

In taking different forms, it brought life and became known as Virtue. 

Before any shape was given their roles were assigned, various and diverse but all linked to one another. 

This was their lot. 

The forces worked on and things were created, they grew and took distinct shapes, and these were called ‘bodies’. 

The bodies contained spirits, each distinct and mortal. 

This is what we call the innate nature. 

Train this innate nature and it will return to Virtue; Virtue at its best is identical with the Origin. 

Being of the One is to be ultimately formless and this formlessness is vast. 

This is like the opening and shutting of a bird's beak, where the opening and shutting is like Heaven and Earth united. 

This unity is chaotic and disorderly; it looks stupid or foolish. 

This is known as Mysterious Virtue, being, without knowing it, part of the great Submission. 

Let me tell you about the way: 

There is a way that leads to vision, 

A way that confuses confusion. 

At the end of this way there is no sorrow, 

This way leads away from the world, 

But it is you who must make the effort to walk this way

Because you must follow the way to become free. 

And this is that way: 

Everything is transient, 

Everything is sorrow, 

Everything is unreal: 

This is the way.

Therefore:

Don’t remember, don’t project, don’t think.              

Don’t analyse, don’t control, let go.

No past, no future, no now.

No solution, no intention, no attachment.

This is the way.

Congratulations to the person who has toiled and has found life!

Follow the way of water and not a way of your own!

If you want the way to appear,

Be neither for nor against.

For and against opposing each other - 

This is the mind’s disease.

Without recognising the mysterious principle

It is useless to practice quietude.

Do not seek the real;

Just extinguish your views.

Living and dying while forgetting desire —

This is original nature.

Life is not life

And death is not death. 

The way makes no such distinctions. 

Things are not as they appear;

Yet neither are they otherwise. 

So you should only cease to cherish your opinions. 

In the pursuit of learning, every day something is acquired.

In the pursuit of Tao, every day something is dropped.

Less and less is done 

Until actionless action is achieved.

When nothing is done, nothing is left undone.

The world is ruled by letting things take their course.

It cannot be ruled by interfering.

Practice non-action.

Work without doing.

There is nothing to stick to.

Be passersby.