The Steward

The Steward

Looking at the accompanying images, what do they all have in common, other than they’re all from Asian cultures? If you have a deck of playing cards, take a look at the king of hearts card. There too is the same motif.

Because for most of us, consciousness is not a permanent principle, that is, it waxes and wanes, during those periods where awareness is faint, there needs to be a way to prevent energy being lost in identification or imagination. This is the role of the steward.

The steward is the part of essence that stops that which hinders self-remembering and pursues or allows that which promotes it. It can be as simple as intentionally chewing with one’s mouth closed, or showering daily, or keeping our vehicles clean and in good repair. These all take a modicum of effort that requires an attentiveness to our external environment and differs from one essence to another.

However, the true role of the steward is that part of essence that has the strength to immediately stop imagination and the expression of a negative emotion. This is why when portrayed in paintings or sculptures, he is often pictured with an upraised sword, ready to cut completely the identification or imagination - or both - before they engulf consciousness.

The Japanese portrayal of the steward added another dimension to the characterization of the steward. The Japanese school gave the steward a fierce visage and have him standing guard. It is a common mistake to believe that this statue is that of a fiery devil or some other under-worldly figure. In fact, he’s a rendition of a strong steward ready to counter the fierce I’s of a negative state trying to impinge on consciousness, as portrayed by the flame behind him.

Looking at the two other images of the steward with their upraised swords, the impression of these stewards is less masculine, and more feminine. It is another lesson for us not to take the label 'steward' that we've ascribed to this part of essence as only masculine. Queen Elizabeth I is quoted as saying “I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king.” Most certainly her own king of hearts.

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Statuary from Tibet, India and Japan