The Precepts of Natura Balanus (The Faith)

[Lady Nadira]

I have been asked by those curious to better explain the precepts that the Seekers and I follow in The Faith. I humbly submit this for your consideration, and welcome discussion with any who wish it.


The Precepts of Natura Balanus


Do not close one’s self off to change. Do not hold yourself immovable to any one doctrine, theory, or ideology, even The Faith. All systems of thought are guiding means; though know they are not absolute truth.

Find whatever means possible to you to protect truth, honesty and balance. All things in balance.

Walk the way of The Faith to guide your own need for truth and balance. Then strive to touch those things within you and without in order to achieve or maintain balance.

Be willing to serve even those who do not seem to seek it. Offer but never force. Counsel with balance and compassion. Never counsel when the self is firmly out of balance in order to assure that you do not forward imbalance on to others or around you.

Do not force others, by any means whatsoever, to adopt your views, whether by authority, threat, propaganda. However, through compassionate dialogue, help others renounce imbalance, fanaticism and narrowness.

Do not take as the sole aim of your life fame, status or sensual pleasures. Live in balance with all these things.

Do not think that the knowledge you presently possess is changeless or absolute truth. Avoid being narrow-minded and bound to present views. Truth is found in life and not merely in conceptual knowledge. Be ready to listen and learn. Practice listening to other’s views, in order to be open to receive and respect others' viewpoints.

Do not avoid contact with suffering or close your eyes before suffering. Do not lose awareness of the existence of suffering in the life of the world. Find ways to be with those who are suffering by all means, including personal contact and visits and deeds. By such means, awaken yourself and others to the reality of suffering and the need for compassion.

Just because a man or woman is called a fool or Fool, or that he or she does not behave as you or I does not mean they have nothing to teach. Look for lessons in balance in the most unlikely of people and events.

Learn to look at other with the eyes of compassion and do not maintain out of balance anger or hatred. Use prayer and meditation to more deeply understand the persons who have caused anger and hatred.

Speak truthfully and constructively. Have the courage to speak out about situations of imbalance, even when doing so may threaten your own safety.

Do not live with a vocation that is harmful to nature or to your balance. Select a vocation, or many vocations, which help you to realize your ideal balanced self.

Respect your body. Do not look on your body as only an instrument or tool.

To preserve the happiness of others, respect the rights and commitments of others.


Do not believe that each of us follows each and every of these precepts perfectly. We fail in many ways. None of us can fully fulfill any of these. However, we strive toward the goal and toward balance within and without. No words can replace practice; only practice can make the words.

Strength to your Quests,
Priestess Nadira
Natura Balanus

[izkim]

Dear Priestess Nadira,

I am overjoyed that you posted these precepts. My efforts to meet with you have been unsuccessful and I was beginning to give up hope. I shall take this posting as a sign of encouragement.

I have copied your guidelines and will seclude myself in my room for a short period to meditate. I hope to emerge seeing more clearly.

I look forward to our eventual meeting and would like to encourage other castle guests, especially Seekers, to discuss with me their take on The Faith.

Your Humble Servant
Sera Siobhan

[goby]

My dear friend Siobhan,

I am pleased that you perhaps now have found a beginning to your path here in the castle.Your new attitude is most encouraging and I look forward to assisting you ,as best I am able ,on your journey.

Devotedly,
Ghobii

[Boilermg]

Many of you have been asking about who Seekers are, what do they represent...
We are most honored in your interest...
I am bringing the Precepts to the forefront for your review. IF you have further interest in the Faith...

Please seek out any Seeker or Acolyte...

Strength to your Quests...Seeker Margaret, First Counselor

[Kas Sommers]

Originally posted by Boilermg:
IF you have further interest in the Faith...

Please seek out any Seeker or Acolyte...

Thank you Seeker Margaret. I would just like to add, for the benefit of those who may not be aware, that Seekers and Acolytes are identified by their pins. Seekers wear a green leaf pin, and Acolytes wear a silver leaf pin.

And please, seek us out not only if you are interested in the Faith, but also if you need aid in sharing your burdens. We are here to serve others, by keeping ourselves balanced, so that we may provide good counsel to those who seek it.

Strength to your quests,
Acolyte Charmiam

[jwalton]

Priestess and Seekers,

Looking over a clear explanation of your professed beliefs for the first time, I was pleasantly surprised by how similar many of them are to the goals and values held by the Forgetters. There are great differences, of course, but the fundamentals arise from the same feelings, I believe. What we have chosen to do with those feelings may be miles apart, but I am glad to know that there are more kindred spirits out there than I first suspected.

Your humble servant,
and a seeker in his own right (without the capital 'S,' of course),
Yuen.

[nimrod]

As I have recieved several inquiries about the Faith of late, I am moving this to the forefront.

Acolyte Robert

[Consuela]

And again to the forefront.

[Kas Sommers]

I return the Precepts to the top of the notice board.

If any have questions about the Precepts, or the Faith, please speak to a Seeker or Acolyte. Seekers wear a green leaf, Acolytes wear a silver leaf.

Strength to your quests,
~First Acolyte Charmiam~
Natura Balanus

[Charmiam]

In addition to bringing the Precepts to the top of the notice board again, I thought it was time to share with you here, some of the duties the Seekers undertake.

~Public Duties of Seekers~
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

- share burdens (counseling those out of balance)
- counsel those seeking to marry
- conduct betrothal vigil and final counsel
- conduct funerals
- conduct weddings
- conduct knighting ceremonies
- counsel and advise on a variety of matters
- bless new inductees of Outer Bailey guilds
- assist others
- ritually burn the linens of newly awakened
- conduct candlelight rituals and group meditations in order to help achieve balance of the spirit
- work with other groups, such as the Counsel, on issues of concern to the castle.

[Charmiam]

Please add to the above list, one more which I omitted through oversight.

- Last Rites

[Charmiam]

To enable this to be easily found, I return it to the front of the noticeboard.

Strength to your quests.

[Kyle]

[an uncolored (black and white) leaf has been added to this notice as a deceration. It is a spirited attempt but ultimatly futile as the leaf veins sometimes cross over eachother and one side is slightly bigger than the other. You would have to say this isnt a profesional work.]

[post is unsigned, probobly due to shame.]

(ooc- translation: bump)

[Sorcha]

bumping to the top...

[Emris]

Most interesting, I realy like the part that reads...


Do not close one’s self off to change. Do not hold yourself immovable to any one doctrine, theory, or ideology, even The Faith. All systems of thought are guiding means; though know they are not absolute truth.

Emris the Scientist

[OOC: and a little bump]

[Martina]

[bump]

[Reishin]

My thanks to you for posting these Precepts which have inspired mme to seek further devotion to the Faith...

A Hopeful Soon to be Seeker\

[Mayakovsky]

With so many duels inspiring bloodshed, I wanted to bring this to the top. I am no Seeker... just a believer. There is not enough balance being exercised here, there is too much strife and politicking that is causing vast unhappiness. Please, denizens of Marrach, I beg you to regulate your tempers and rethink violence.

I hope this appeal does not fall on blind eyes...

With a bow and a flourish,

[Seidl]

Ser, why do you assume that violence is not withint he balance of some of the denizens of the castle? I do not consider myself a violent person, but I do think that duels and bloodshed can be great devices for showing others the errors in their ways. If you profess to follow the Faith's tenets, would you not then have to accept that others are different, and you should not seek to push your beliefs to them?

Now, I do agree that some forms of violence are too much. The people who simply run about the courtyard brutilizing all they come upon. I would not think that in balance with anything, and those people mearly touched by some other power and deranged. And for their own protection as well.

I truly find the opinion that dueling is not a valid way to settle an argument disturbing. Twould her Majesty have set such if it were not to be allowed and sanctioned? Would the laws make to perfectly legal for unsanctioned duels to occur? I think that you might wish to consider your opinion furhter.

With respect and interest,

Martel

[Medb]

In a delicate, spiky script

I would also like to note, as I have encountered many strange sects of late, that as far as my research into the Chronicles and so forth (for the purpose of the Encyclopaedia) indicate the only recognized Faith is Natura-Balanus. That does not mean that you may not practice whatever bizarre rites you choose, but of course such apostasy is conducted at your own risk.

In fidelity to reason, I remain as always,

Medb

(I place below my affiliations, for those who may be interested)
Poetess, Poet's Brotherhood
Student of sera Sara, of the Seamstresses
Encyclopaedist

[Mayakovsky]

I wish to apologise for my remarks. I was referring to particular duels which are being fought without any non-violent mediation of the disputes occurring before. Certainly this is contrary to balance. I appreciate your words, ser Martel, I truly do, but some duels that are being fought are being fought over issues that can be resolved by peaceful methods. Dueling as an institution is a practised and traditional form of dispute mediation here and I do not call it into question. What I was asking for is the rethinking of certain duels which may be avoided. I am merely trying to save lives, I really meant no harm, treason, or assault on the Faith.

I choose to practise non-violence, not as a religious belief but simply because I abhor bloodshed and the taking of life. If this is contrary to the beliefs of the castle, I don't know what to do...

With a bow and a flourish,

[Seidl]

Well, before any sanctioned duel, there must be an attempt at mediation. You do know that do you not? So perhaps you have not seen the discussions, but they are occuring.

As well, most duels being fought within these walls have been mearly to a first hit, or a set number of strikes, not to the death. I can think only of four duels to the death in the last years since the new awakening. There may well have been more, but those have been the most note worthy ones. And many many duels, sanctioned and not, have occured to only a first strike. So you are not saving lives by working to resolve things peacefully, mearly postponing the pain of the injury.

Now, I respect the desire of any guest to decline a duel or to seek nonviolent resolution to a problem. But there are some things that we each should be willing to defend with our lives, and to deny that is to deny the passion that beats within each of our breasts I would think.

With respect and interest,

Martel

[Mayakovsky]

I give up.

Forgive me for my ramblings, I'll in the future stay to my realm of entertainment.

With a bow and a flourish,

[Stix]

I was referring to particular duels which are being fought without any non-violent mediation of the disputes occurring before.

Agreed. It is stated in the Code Duello that both parties must attempt to solve disputes through non-violent means. If no attempts at mediation are made, then the duel should be impermissible. However, I often find this is not the case and duels commence regardless.

There are times, however, when mediation is impossible. When this is the case, the duel is permissible.

«~Stix~»
Teacher of the Battle Guild

[Adayne]

[You notice the first missive as well as another missive bearing the signature of "Acolyte Charmiam" though faded have been gone over in fresh ink and retacked]

Originally penned by Lady Nadira
I have been asked by those curious to better explain the precepts that the Seekers and I follow in The Faith. I humbly submit this for your consideration, and welcome discussion with any who wish it.


The Precepts of Natura Balanus


Do not close one’s self off to change. Do not hold yourself immovable to any one doctrine, theory, or ideology, even The Faith. All systems of thought are guiding means; though know they are not absolute truth.

Find whatever means possible to you to protect truth, honesty and balance. All things in balance.

Walk the way of The Faith to guide your own need for truth and balance. Then strive to touch those things within you and without in order to achieve or maintain balance.

Be willing to serve even those who do not seem to seek it. Offer but never force. Counsel with balance and compassion. Never counsel when the self is firmly out of balance in order to assure that you do not forward imbalance on to others or around you.

Do not force others, by any means whatsoever, to adopt your views, whether by authority, threat, propaganda. However, through compassionate dialogue, help others renounce imbalance, fanaticism and narrowness.

Do not take as the sole aim of your life fame, status or sensual pleasures. Live in balance with all these things.

Do not think that the knowledge you presently possess is changeless or absolute truth. Avoid being narrow-minded and bound to present views. Truth is found in life and not merely in conceptual knowledge. Be ready to listen and learn. Practice listening to other’s views, in order to be open to receive and respect others' viewpoints.

Do not avoid contact with suffering or close your eyes before suffering. Do not lose awareness of the existence of suffering in the life of the world. Find ways to be with those who are suffering by all means, including personal contact and visits and deeds. By such means, awaken yourself and others to the reality of suffering and the need for compassion.

Just because a man or woman is called a fool or Fool, or that he or she does not behave as you or I does not mean they have nothing to teach. Look for lessons in balance in the most unlikely of people and events.

Learn to look at other with the eyes of compassion and do not maintain out of balance anger or hatred. Use prayer and meditation to more deeply understand the persons who have caused anger and hatred.

Speak truthfully and constructively. Have the courage to speak out about situations of imbalance, even when doing so may threaten your own safety.

Do not live with a vocation that is harmful to nature or to your balance. Select a vocation, or many vocations, which help you to realize your ideal balanced self.

Respect your body. Do not look on your body as only an instrument or tool.

To preserve the happiness of others, respect the rights and commitments of others.


Do not believe that each of us follows each and every of these precepts perfectly. We fail in many ways. None of us can fully fulfill any of these. However, we strive toward the goal and toward balance within and without. No words can replace practice; only practice can make the words.

Strength to your Quests,
Priestess Nadira
Natura Balanus

~~

In addition to bringing the Precepts to the top of the notice board again, I thought it was time to share with you here, some of the duties the Seekers undertake.

~Public Duties of Seekers~
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

- share burdens (counseling those out of balance)
- counsel those seeking to marry
- conduct betrothal vigil and final counsel
- conduct funerals
- conduct weddings
- conduct knighting ceremonies
- counsel and advise on a variety of matters
- bless new inductees of Outer Bailey guilds
- assist others
- ritually burn the linens of newly awakened
- conduct candlelight rituals and group meditations in order to help achieve balance of the spirit
- work with other groups, such as the Counsel, on issues of concern to the castle.

Acolyte Charmiam

[Geist]

(OOC: The parchment seems to have been carefully moved to the forefront and methodically smoothed and flattened. There appear to be fresh water droplet stains near the bottom.)

[Kitra]

*Neatfully Retacked*

[Dalla]

*retacked*

[Bubbabz]

*retacked*

[Trystan]

[OOC: This old piece of parchment has been once again smoothed, and posted near the forefront, as if someone took it out to read it, but forgot to replace it where it came from.]

[Malatrios]

[A squeaky clean page boy was sent to bring this to the fore, but never seen again. An extremely dusty page boy was seen leaving the lecture hall shortly thereafter.]