HOKUSHIN GA SONO TOKORO NI IREBA SHUUSEI KORE O MEGURU -
When the north star is in position all stars revolve around it
(click image to enlarge)
This is worth remembering when chaos and turmoil make one's head spin, for Confucius was thinking about the key to order. Specifically, he was speaking about the attributes of a good leader when he talked about the North Star knowing its position.
However many the stars that move across the night sky, all move in arcs that have the North Star as their center. This center does not move, no matter what time of night or even day. Confucius is observing that while the North Star may appear to be ruling the motions of the other stars with direction and control, that is not really the case. The North Star is indeed the leader, but only because it alone among all the stars knows where the axis of the turning earth points, and that is where it shines. All it has to do is shine there and all the movements of all other stars become ordered.
When entertaining at a Chinese restaurant, the host in days of old would take his place at the table with his back to the front of the restaurant and thus show his guests that he would be the first to absorb an attack from outside if there were to be any. Today, the reason may have more to do with who will be the first to take the check at the end of the meal, but the position of the host or hostess is the same. Only after the host determines the head of the table by taking a seat would the guests be able to arrange themselves with the head of the table as their reference point. Without that reference point, no one would know where to sit. A good leader does not have to point or direct. A good leader observes, knows, and acts from the key point.
Ordering one's life may be as the North Star rules the skies. Structure and control may be but by products of a more fundamental knowledge. Act from where the axis points, and everything else will fall into place.
by Robin Fujikawa