Finding Parallels – Fiction + Philosophy

In the book I just finished, The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss, our protangonist, Kvothe, ends up at the edge of the world with a community of mercenaries called the Adem. They follow a philosophy called Lethani, known as ‘the way’, which sounds a lot like Taoism. “The Lethani rules over everything in the life of the Adem. It cannot be described for it isn’t fully understood, but it is constantly reinforced that it is ‘both the mountain pass and knowledge of the pass.’ This implies it is not only doing what is right, but knowing what is right to begin with.” Source

It brings me great joy to see fiction authors weave in different philosophies and cultures into their worlds. What I found super interesting about the Adem is they are mercenaries and they follow a path that is steeped in ethics.The question Kvothe asks his mentor – Can you follow an ethical path and be a hired killer? Is it ever ethical to kill someone? 

Their answer is yes. It comes down to intention and how you conduct yourself replies his mentor. Part of Lethani is knowing when it is a time to fight. There are no absolutes, you must asses each situation to figure out the right action.

Another piece I enjoyed about the Adem is that they don’t believe in speaking unless it is necessary and only with a few words, to encourage the listener to think and find the meaning on their own. 

We have a very similar conversation in the Bhagavad Gita. Arjuna, a soldier/warrior, is is about to go to war with his extended family and is asking his mentor, Krishna, if this is a good idea. Prior to this war, Arjuna has never questioned if fighting was a good idea. But seeing his extended family on the other side shifts his perspective. Krishna responds that yes, this is what Arjuna is meant to do. This is his dharma (path) and his karma (fate) and he must fight with honor and right action. It is important to understand what it is that you are doing, why it must be done and lastly to do it, as the First Nations community would say, in a good way (in a respectful, authentic, and meaningful way).

These examples can bring up a lot of feelings. As yogis, we practice ahimsa (non violence), yet the Gita is one of our sacred texts. Why is that? Many would say that the war in the Gita is a metaphor for the war we feel in ourselves when we are conflicted, while others believe it is not a metaphor.

What do you think?
Do you think there’s ever a reason to harm another? 
I’d love to hear your thoughts.

I leave you with a quote from the Tao Te Ching. 
Blessings,
Clara

“If you understand others you are smart.
If you understand yourself you are illuminated.
If you overcome others you are powerful.
If you overcome yourself you have strength.
If you know how to be satisfied you are rich.
If you can act with vigor, you have a will.
If you don’t lose your objectives you can be long-lasting.
If you die without loss, you are eternal.”

― Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching