Great Construction

The Law of Order

     Since ancient times it has been said that “God’s first law is order.” The law of order is a most important one and it is essential for us to understand it. When we watch the change of all things in nature, we see how everything moves in accordance with it. Think of the four seasons. After winter, comes spring, then summer, and then autumn. In Japan, first the plum trees blossom, then cherry trees, then the wisteria, and then bloom the irises. This sort of order is maintained year after year without deviation.
     If we are not aware of the law of order and act without paying attention to it, things will not proceed smoothly. Often mishaps or difficulties occur and conditions are apt to be confused. Up to this time, most people have paid little attention to this law because its meaning and its significance have never been sufficiently understood.
     I would like to record the main facts people in general should know about the law or order. First, we should realize that all events in the physical world are the reflections of occurrences in the spiritual realm. By the same token, the phenomena of the physical world reflect on the various strata of the spiritual plane. Since order is the way and the law of the universe, the spiritual realm is the realm in which deviations from the law or order carry the severest consequences.
     To act against the law of order is to disobey a divine law, to depart from the way of truth, and to be out of alignment with one of the innate laws of existence. In Buddhism, they put great stress on “the way, the law, and the propriety of conduct.” An old Chinese saying goes, “There is etiquette between man and wife; order between age and youth.” The general trend toward the disregard of the law and order today is great and is reflected in the shocking condition of society as a while. I wish to mention, too, that order and the rules of conduct are inseparably related. On this point we must be especially careful.
     Even in our everyday living there is always an orderly sequence of things to be observed. There should be the proper difference in conduct and activity of each member of a household according to his or her status. When the family is seated in a room we should know which part of the room carries the higher spiritual vibrations and decide upon the seating place of each person accordingly.
     In a Japanese household in which there is an alcove or ornamental recess, called “Tokonoma”, the place in front of the Tokonoma is considered to carry the highest vibration.* In a room where there is no Tokonoma, the part which is farthest away from the main entrance is considered the most desirable. The father should seat himself there or near it, next to him the mother, then the oldest child, and then the next oldest and so on, followed by the servants if there are any.
     This is in accordance with the law or order and if it is observed, there will be a most harmonious atmosphere and conversation will proceed smoothly. Conversely, if the order is not observed, discord or disagreeable incidents may arise. I have often experienced in a meeting or an assembly an unpleasant atmosphere filling the room. Careful observation revealed mistakes in the order of the seats or other deviations from the law of order.
     Pertaining to the difference between the right side and the left side, according to what has been revealed to me, left stands for the spiritual aspects and is considered the highest vibration; right stands for the physical aspects. Consequently, we use the right hand more than the left in performing physical activities
     Even in this democratic age, if we deviate from the law, we stand a lesser chance of succeeding and of prospering in our undertakings. This applies to all things. For example, it is obvious that on a narrow bridge over a river which permits only one person to pass at a time, if several people should try to cross it at the same time instead, it would create confusion and danger and would cause some to fall into the river. The only way to cross it safely is one by one. This shows the necessity to observe the right order.
     Let us take another instance. Suppose we expect a visitor—be it a total stranger, a friend, an acquaintance, a superior or an employee—again we must know the right order of procedure. The way of greeting differs according to the relationship. If we keep this in mind and act and speak accordingly, there will be harmony and peace, and the visitor will feel at ease. One’s attitude and speech should differ also when addressing a lady, an older person, or a child. In short, the first consideration always should be to make the other person feel at ease and as pleasant as possible.
     There are families whose children or servants sleep upstairs while the master of the house and his wife sleep downstairs. From the spiritual point of view, this is not the proper order of things, and in such an arrangement the children or servants tend to become disobedient.
     Suppose one is going to church for prayer or worship or Johrei and on the way stops to attend some business or other matter. In this case the personal business is placed before God’s business and the blessings received may be on a reduced scale. In the case of Johrei, it will be more effective if it is received before attending to spiritually less important things.
Note:
*The “Tokonoma” in ancient days in Japan was a holy place in a home, something like a shrine or a center of worship. Every house was supposed to have at least one Tokonoma in its best room. Now this meaning has been more or less lost and it is generally used as a place to hang an art scroll, place objects of art or flower arrangements.

The Glory, Number 035, page 1, November 10, 1961