[book] Introduction to the Light, by Jean-Pierre d'Armagnac

The Light

The Light is a philosophy. It begins with an acknowledgement: the understanding that all life is connected. This connection may surpass the limitations of our mind or can be as simple as the time or space we share in our life. As such, we will influence eachother. This influence can be accidental or intentional.
It is Light's goal to to use this connection for good and through this connection, improve the life of all beings. For this we are taught the non-divisible set of three Virtues that form a guide for us in all aspects of life.

Respect
The first Virtue teaches us Respect. It begins with recognizing this connection and subsequently respecting it. Respect is the basis for harmony between all beings that one is connected with. A teacher can not teach his students if he lacks respect. A mother will not raise her child proper without respect. A farmer will not reap the fruits of a land he does not treat with respect.
The challenge in this Virtue lies that even foes can be connected to us, and as such we must respect them. By disrespecting our enemy, we can not hope to ammend the disharmony. Only by respecting all forms of life can we strive for a better world.

Tenacity
The second Virtue teaches us Tenacity. It deepens the acknowledgement of the world we live in.
It begins by telling us that this world is not enlightened yet. Disharmony and injustice stand in Light's way. It will require work and time, and perhaps more work than one can deliver, perhaps more time than one can live. The Virtue teaches us to stay true to the Light's course, even if we may not see now or never will see the benefit of our labour.
This applies to both the world as well as to the individual. Should anything cloud our sight and we fail to see the Light past it, be it a dark world's disharmony or our own anger in a conflict, we must not stray from the Light's path. For if we abandon Light's path, we can not achieve its purpose.

Compassion
The final Virtue teaches us Compassion. Compassion is an action, meant to directly improve the world or counter disharmony. As a direct action, it is effective and also dangerous. One must aid a lost soul in need but one must avoid to create a dependency, which would cause more harm than good. As such, Compassion is taught with caution... its purpose is to help people and not to deprive them from the valuable lessons that make them grow.


All Virtues have a clear inward and outward aspect. This is because the Virtues teach us to be examplary and altruistic. By seeking perfection within ourselves, the Light guides and empowers us to aid the world around us.