Unlocking the door
Published: Mon, 12/12/16
Last Friday I worked a day for one of my regular clients. I was given a list of the jobs she wanted taking care of. One of which was get back door lock working properly. The lock had become extremely stiff and my client was becoming afraid that in the event of an emergency she would not be able to exit her own house. The door housed a good quality, insurance standard, five lever lock. These devices do not usually break unless someone has done something stupid such as forced the wrong key inside. I took the lock out of the door, opened it up and could see no sign of wear or damage. A few drops of 3 in 1 oil were applied and I kept working the mechanism open and shut while applying more oil until it was working as smoothly and freely as the day it was made, possibly better. My client was delighted at the result. Throughout the rest of the day I noticed her locking and unlocking the door again for no apparent reason other than the
pleasure of having the lock working smoothly.
Of course I could have suggested she spent 30 pounds or so on a replacement lock. However, as soon as she asked me to put the lock on the list I knew some lubrication was all that would be needed. If only all jobs were that straight forward with results that pleased clients so much.
Why would a lock get into that state? It can be a good quality lock in perfectly good mechanical order. You might have the original key in equally good condition. Yet the lock will barely move. The necessary amount of lubrication is practically invisible yet it could literally make the difference between life and death if a door cannot be opened quickly. Does it seem strange that something virtually invisible can make such a difference to efficient function?
On Saturday we had the Foundation Training course. I taught some theory and a lot of practical work which seemed to go very well. We had a discussion on the healing bind rune and the issue of Megin (symbolised by Ur) generated a lot of interest. One participant, Andy, is new to Stav but has a lot of knowledge of Chinese martial arts so we were discussing the concept of Qi (Chi) and comparing it to the idea of Megin. Of course this energy is invisible and impossible to measure or even define. Yet, sometimes we have that experience of things just going right and there is energy, progress and a satisfying outcome. Another time all the same elements are seemingly in place and, well, nothing quite goes right, assuming even get started at all. Like that invisible film of oil on the lock, the presence of that invisible force transforms experience from struggle to joy.
I should consider myself very blessed actually since I had three experiences in three days of that mysterious factor being present. Friday the lock, and the other jobs I undertook. On Saturday the course seemed to work well for those who attended. On Sunday I was preaching and I was told by several people afterwards that I make sense of the Bible so that they go away with much greater understanding than they had before.
Perhaps the lesson is that we need some knowledge, we need a willingness to do and act. We also need to be open to receiving that other factor that transforms experience from stiffness, struggle and frustration to easy, smooth and fun. Stav training should be a combination of knowledge, application and discovering your own potential in terms of understanding and energy. It isn’t always easy but it is great when it comes right.
I am currently sorting out programme for the new year, there will be another Foundation Course on the 11th of March, more details tomorrow.
regards
Graham
PS Hope you liked your DIY tip for the day regarding locks. I would recommend using proper oil over a spray lubricant such as WD40. The spray is easier and quicker to apply but the lubricant tends to dry out pretty quickly and, being sticky, it can attract dust and grit into the lock or whatever the mechanism is. Better to get the necessary access and use real, liquid oil. (Maybe a lesson there too about making the effort to use the real thing rather than quick and easy substitutes.)