From this basic principle, this truth, many implications follow. Only some of these have I been able to consider and understand. Of these I include only the most general here. It will be seen that all of the other insights I have labored to comprehend and to teach and share with others, all of them follow from this single revealed foundation, this root source, this well of truth from which all that follows draws strength. I liken this truth to the cherished seed from which springs the tree that will be the city. My seed of truth, like the city’s seed, grows a great taproot into the earth, then a mighty trunk into the sky. From which grow many branches that are insights that encompass the world of living things. This image constructs and embodies my second principle.

TWO

We all dwell in the City of Life.

When this has been stated there instantly appears the implication that this principle may be a threat to our traditional Yilanè way of life. This implication can only be explored when we understand completely an earlier, older, greater tradition; that we are all citizens of one great world-encompassing city; the City of Life.

Consider this. As full citizens of this greater City we are equally members of the City, so if equally members we are then equal in value, equal in worth. Rank and rule are now seen as being different from our traditional order of ruler and ruled. Equality becomes based upon our mutual citizenship in Life and not upon political, social or linguistic skills that normally determine our daily order. The eistaa of a city and the fargi still wet from the sea are both equal citizens in this larger City of Life. They will each be equally sustained, valued, enriched in direct proportion to the degree of realization and acceptance each achieves of this true order of life.

The basic truth of this observation may be seen in, and explained by, the Yilanè respect for all other species, our unstinting efforts to aid species that are threatened and to preserve the continuity of all species. We do this although we are unaware of the underlying principle upon which all of our actions and inclinations are based. It must be mentioned that even our greatest scientists, those who have manipulated life forms, changing and adapting them for our comfort and pragmatic benefits, even they have not seen the permeating principle of this shared citizenship in the great City of Life.