Seems like human beings have a natural capacity to burn things down. Another phenomenon rather disturbing is the propensity for human beings to make fires and parade around them in masquerade. Ancient cultures did this- we can see their tribal masks in museums.

The erratic dancing is also puzzling. It is not necessarily graceful and orchestrated like a Waltz one may enjoy listening to Baroque music, or Beethoven. These are beautiful. The fires and parades I am talking about are not.

So, that may be considered a “first principle” in my journey of truth. Cognition of that which disturbs.

Possibly, that lack of knowing what disturbs is what inspires the bonfires and shameless parades in the first place. Sort of like a collective cry: “We are all going to hell anyway, might as well eat, drink, and be merry!”

People seem to require fire. One- it is an energy source. We are warmed by fires. But, they are can mesmerize, enchant, and vex us, too, if we allow them to mirror our imagination or desires. Like what happened in Bonfire of the Vanities: Burn the whole place to the ground! Purify the culture!!

In the heroic character of Job, I think we’ve collectively missed the first principle in this story. At least, when I research the meaning of the story, I don’t find the fire he was compulsively feeding mentioned. But, it is in the introduction of the story. So, it has to be important.

The compulsive fire building is fear’s torment. The adversary of our souls was saying to Job: “What happens if your children disobey God?” Or, something to that effect. And, Job continually sacrificed in order to assuage his fears.

I believe, Job misplaced his worship so to speak, by agreeing with and abiding in ignominious fear that haunts us all at times. What scares us is separation anxiety from what appears an absentee Creator; uncertainty about the future- chaos. Dread of punishment can vex us. Lies torment us, as in Job’s case.

Fear can drive people to compulsively pursue anything to quell the inner urges. Carnival is a kind of celebration or release of the inner chaos of being, perhaps. In Medieval times, people purposefully planned to act erratically and dress up in costume (being some else for a while must be a relief). Then, they engaged in excesses which the next day reminds us WHY, generally speaking, conventional wisdom frowns on this behavior.

Hangovers, money wasted or lost, promises made but broken. Strange people on the living room floor, all sort of orient us to hopefully remember acting out our inner chaos can be dangerous. Undesirable. Perilous like a ship heading for a rocky shore.

Well then, the first principle of ordering one’s soul is recognizing chaos and disorder: owning that which disturbs in the world and in the soul. Fortunately, unlike Job, I am certain my Creator is present. I don’t need to send out great, big bonfires indicating SOS to the universe.

Plus, I know the difference between the voice of fear speaking and the voice of love. Fear torments, forces, and drives people’s behavior. It destroys and devours. Love whispers gently, invites, and encourages. Love offers solutions to problems. It does not engage in or create chaos. Love leaves us with no regrets, no hangovers. Only peace.