0 The Fool

Number Zero – all chakras are in receptivity

The Zero - the Fool - the un-numbered card in the tarot, representing the un-anchored point of view, the un-limited range of possibility, the un-classifiable one who - while lightly clutching a small bundle of possessions - is teetering merrily on the brink of a precipice.

Represents the unfixed perspective from where one may move

freely to any perspective. It represents the beginning of a journey, youth in blissful naiveté, the carefree soul with few needs, few formulated opinions, and a lack of a rigid agenda. Little disturbance is caused in his wake, as he goes forth in innocent curiosity. The card depicts a dog nipping at his heels, urging him near to the brink of the cliff, but he is neither distracted nor frightened by the danger and - it's important to note – he’s not shown falling, he is shown to be on uncertain ground near the edge, but not over the edge.

The Fool is not the ‘misfortune’ aspect – there are other cards to deal with that – this is the aspect of mindfully treading the razor’s edge – of walking in the dharma of universal law, therefore there is protection by nature herself from disaster, born out of non-disturbance of the path on which the adept walks. One may move freely to any location, as there are no boundaries of possibility in the open mind. It’s the zen's ‘beginner’s mind’ into which ideas flow in and out easily, to be contrasted with the ‘expert’s mind,’ where ideas are rigidly concluded. At its deepest level this card represents the ‘void,' the formless vast ‘nothingness' of pre-physical manifestation, the force of omnipotent consciousness, the prana which imbues all life forms - beginning with the atom - with its own apportionment of knowledge of how to be itself.
(no-thing-ness, also expressed by its number, zero) the prana from which all material creation springs. The atom is the first manifestation of the physical world, but being physical it too must be animated by an energizing force beyond itself. Prana, as identified by yogis milleniums ago is the animating life-force that the atom depends upon for its life, as a radio depends upon radio waves for its. It is the Control of prana (also known as chi in Chinese medicine ) in the body is the key to the stabilization of health, both mental and physical, which leads to emptiness – the permanently liberated, enlightened mind, free from all imperfections or impurities, like a brilliant diamond. This is what is meant by ‘Truth’ - the ultimate which all seekers seek.

Truth has been referred to cryptically in many ways - as the ‘Philosopher’s Stone’ of the alchemists, the ‘Holy Grail’ of the Christian – as the Lover, or Pearl, or Treasure by the Sufi poets. In plain English, it is this unbroken bliss of 'Sahaj Samadhi' by Hindus, also known as the ‘Ground Luminosity’ or Nirvana by Vajrayana Buddhists. (Vajra = gem, or diamond) Ordinary happiness is born out of this same great joy – but is unstable, subject to instant corrosion when something comes along to upset it. When we have transcended the need for anything, then nothing is able to unseat us. All this is expressed by the ‘zero’ aspect of this card.

Many actively seek Truth through texts and in many roundabout external forms of worship. Text and ritual are helpful, necessary even, but it must be remembered that these outward forms point the way, are roadsigns to the way. But who stops the car and unpacks at the roadsign? We of course drive past it to the destination, but many feel that to know the texts is enough, book-learning is confused with knowledge. True knowledge is gnosis - direct perception, raw experience. To arrive at full liberation one must go the full distance, arduously experiencing each step. Exceedingly few will ever achieve this realization, because it's the most difficult of all endeavors – but no one is excluded from its possibility. The Fool represents the journey in it's entirety, the beginning and the end - and as such runs through and forms the basis for each card in the deck – each step on the way. Again the number Zero - it has no beginning or end, therefore is not accorded a fixed place in any hierarchy. We are, each one of us and at each moment - teetering on the brink of a precipice in this dangerous and uncertain world. Taking each step mindfully, we will maintain our balance upon its jagged edge. Happy journeys!

By Ananda G. Brady copyright 2011