My examination of Common Law is based on the writings of Lao Tse who wrote the Tao Te Ching
(The Classic Book of Integrity in Life) around 500BC. He states that the book is a recording of the
wisdom of the Ancient Ones.
There are many versions of the Tao Te Ching depending on the interpreter’s reading and
understanding of Ancient Chinese as a contextual language. I primarily use six English translated
versions to arrive at an acceptable comprehension. The version used here is one of them.
Taoist documents are not religious texts, teachings or dogmas. Taoism is a philosophy of living
available for anyone to study and learn from. The text ‘Tao Te Ching’ can be translated as ‘The way
of life with integrity’. There are many interpretation of these words, each are valid.
The word “Tao” holds many meanings in Ancient Chinese, but in the context of this writing it means
‘Way’, ‘Path’ or ‘Method of Travel’.
The first stanza of the Tao Te Ching reads:
-1-
The Tao that can be spoken of is not the eternal Tao.
The name that can be named is not the eternal name.
The nameless is the beginning of heaven and earth.
The name is the mother of the ten thousand things.
Send your desires away and you will see the mystery.
Be filled with desire and you will see only the manifestation.
As these two come forth they differ in name.
Yet at their source they are the same.
This source is called a mystery.
Darkness within darkness, the gateway to all mystery.
In line with this description, this document is my interpretation of my perceptions and is not the
divine truth. That which is spoken or written down is not reality, it is an interpretation of reality.
When you name something you claim ownership of that which is named. In the naming you begin to
create a web of “ten thousand things” to support the naming.
However, the source is ever changing and remains constant, un-named and the source of all
mystery. The Tao, Path or Way, is unlimited and exists as a divine expression in physical
manifestation.
The origin of law emanates from the source and must return to the source.
In stanza 42 of the Tao Te Ching we read:
-42-
The Tao gives birth to the One.
The One gives birth to two.
Two gives birth to three.
And three gives birth to the ten thousand things.
The ten thousand things have their backs in the shadow
while they embrace the light.
Harmony is achieved by blending the breaths of these two forces.
People dislike the words “alone,” “helpless,” “worthless,”
yet this is how Princes describe themselves.
So it is that sometimes a thing is increased
by being diminished and diminished by being increased.
What others teach I also teach:
“A violent person will not die a natural death.”
I shall make this the basis of my teaching.
The Way
The two dimensional picture above is an attempt to show a multi-dimensional concept from this
stanza.
As the Tao, Path or Way, from the creator as the nothing from which all things are manifested, it
emanates outward and gives birth to the One-verse, universe, under the influence of what we call
Natural Law or Universal Law.
Divine Law is the single point of emanation from which the universe comes into reality. For many
spiritual belief systems, it is the thought of the Creator that created the universe. Integrated within
Divine Law are the underlying truths contained in the space-time fabric that fills the universe:
- Everything is connected: You are never alone.
Everything has value: You are worthy to receive.
Anything is possible: You always get what you need.
- Mentalism - Everything is consciousness.
Cause and Effect – Every effect has a cause.
Polarity – Duality expressed in opposites.
Balance – Equilibrium in all things.
Correspondence – As above, so below.
Vibration – Nothing remains constant and is ever changing.
influence of the Interaction Laws.
Interaction Laws as expressed by many includes, but is not limited to, such concepts as:
Consequence - For every action there is a reaction.
- Equilibrium - Every action has a purpose. For every force there is an equal and opposite force to maintain balance.
Attraction – Opposites attract.
Relativity – Everything acts in relation to something else as part of the one.
Manifestation – Energy flows where attention goes.
Perception – Everything is interpreted according to how it is perceived.
Interaction Laws gives birth to Humanity, amongst other species, and the creation by Man and of
Social Laws.
It is under these laws that the “ten thousand things”, in ancient Chinese this can also be a reference
to “all things”, are created.
Social Laws as expressed across the planet and within different social structures surely are one of the
“ten thousand things”.
It is from within the Social Laws that the Rule of Law was formed in recognition that the created
cannot control the creator. The created can only make rules to control its own behaviour. The Rule
of Law gives hierarchical structure as the mind of Man attempts to prioritise and give levels of
importance to all things.
Social Laws as expressed within these structures includes, but is not limited to, such concepts as;
- Tribal Lore
Religion
Social mores and rules
Legislative rules
Polices and Procedures
Contracts
Agreements
Universal/Natural Law, and Interaction Law. These laws are not separated or hierarchical but are
part of the whole. The mind of Man attempts to create Order from Chaos and creates structures and
hierarchies to comprehend the nature of the world around Him. In reality, to be harmonious and in
equilibrium they must exist as a reflection of each layer inside, outside, above and below, to the left
and the right.
Chaos is the natural order of the universe. Putting things in Order is Man’s attempt to control the
One-verse.
In stanza 40 – Lao Tse writes a guidance in preparation for stanza 42 and says:
-40-
Returning is the direction of the Tao.
Yielding is the way of the Tao.
The ten thousand things are born of Being and Being is born of
Nonbeing.
In all laws, the Path must always return to the source. The Ten Thousand Things must return to the
Three, the Three returns to the Two, the Two returns to the One, and the One returns to Nothing or
Source.
This is a reminder that all things created must eventually return to its source and be accountable to
its source. It is an expression of the Universal Law of Rhythm, of ebb and flow. What goes out must
return.
As an entity incarnated on the physical plane, we are living beings expressing the Source in physical
form. We are all multi-dimensional beings not limited by our physical bodies. We carry with us the
source of all laws within our being recorded on our soul memory and experienced during our life
journey.
That is why the Divine Law can never be written down, because it is a point of emanation and
already recorded with your Spirit upon your soul and any 3 dimensional attempt to record it does a
dis-service.
And so, I apologise to you for this attempt to describe the indescribable!
Common Law as a whole is represented by the blue circle and contains the three aspects as it
emanates from the source:
- Natural
Tribal
Civil
points of focus.
This can be represented by the ‘triquerta’ symbol (above)
that is common amongst many cultures and has been adopted
by many systems of belief. Each arm of the symbol represents
an element indivisible from the whole. The elements are: Soul,
Mind, and Body. The Power of Three.
Each element is part of, and indivisible from, the whole. It is
when these elements work together in unity that its power is
recognised.
When we focus on Natural Common Law it locates at the Soul point of manifestation. The Spirit
brings into influence Divine Law and Natural Law, including the Laws of Nature. This influence brings
into being our moral sense and knowledge of what is right and wrong. For example, a smile and
open hand is universally recognised as a sign of our intention towards peace and a friendly
disposition.
When we focus on Tribal Common Law it locates at the Mind point of manifestation. The Soul
accompanied with the Spirit is influenced by Tribal Law. When the Soul incarnates into physical form
within a culturally specific situation it is for the Mind’s purpose of learning and achievement through
experience.
When we focus on Civil Common Law it locates at the Body point of manifestation. The developing
consciousness or Mind coming through the veil still has awareness of the Spirit, Soul and Mind
connection but this lessens as the Mind begins to focus on the physical reality. The Mind begins to
learn the Social Laws influencing their physical reality.
Man can comprehend what is manifest but cannot completely control the universe. Man perceives
approximately 5% of what exists, and does not exist, in the Universe. The rest is beyond our physical
ability to perceive. The aspects of self that do have the ability to perceive these realities are located
in the Mind and Soul. And, of course, the Spirit.
All of these elements make up what is usually referred to as Common Law. The word ‘Common’ can
be broken down to be a ‘coming together as one’. Even though the details of each may be different,
the core, or ‘spirit’, of the Common Law share a common source. Natural Law!
And so, in harmony with the ‘Tao’ or ‘Way’, we return to and confirm the source, the No-thing.
This harmony with source, in Taoism, is known as “Wu Wei”, a state of effortless action.
Common Law Mechanism
The mechanism of Common Law operates on the perception of choices existing in Divine and Natural
Laws.
The mechanism is an automatic self-regulating system that is driven by Spirit in harmony with
Natural Law and the guiding principle “The only thing I can control is myself”.
To operate in the experience of the physical Body requires an action, or behaviour, and expresses
the guiding principle “I have needs that have to be met to ensure survival”.
To perceive the available choices is dependent on the awareness of the Mind as it recognises the
guiding principle “All behaviours, actions, are the result of a choice to satisfy a need”.
Divine and Natural Laws engage the mechanism naturally initiated by the choice so the Soul can gain
knowledge and wisdom through the experience of the guiding principle “I am responsible for the
effects created by my behaviour, action”.
Common Law revolves around choice. The choices we make every day which creates and controls
our reality. No choice is inherently right or wrong, but brings consequences into our reality. Every
choice followed by an action, or in-action, is for the purpose of fulfilling a need in harmony with
Natural Law.
Key questions we need to ask ourselves:
Are you in control of your being or are you controlled by forces outside your being?
What is the need I am fulfilling with this choice?
Am I acting responsibly and creating a quality world?
Copyright, Phillip John of the Clan Myers, 2021
