Charles Bliss derived the symbol for "action" and the symbol for "nature" from the most basic action of the natural earth: the Volcano. Of all the Blissymbols, it is most important that you ingrain this particular visual connection very deeply. Volcanoes vent the earth's fire, relieving pressure and spreading magma and ash over wide areas. This material has proven to be one of the greatest beginnings for fertile plant growth. And just like volcanoes, we too need to vent sometimes, hopefully in cathartic ways. And we vent by "acting" in various ways. The action might be screaming if we are very upset, but it could just be a sigh as we make a realization. When our thoughts are at their clearest, catharsis is more likely to result from an action. And Blissymbolics just happens to be the clearest expression of human thought on this planet, perhaps anywhere in the universe.
There is a philosophy and an ethics built deeply into this Bliss language, but it comes not from Bliss, but rather through it from Nature.
Teepees are probably the most natural dwelling any native people ever improvised. Was the teepee idea inspired by volcanoes? We can never know, but isn't it interesting that you can build a fire in a teepee, and the smoke from the fire goes out the top just like it does from a volcano? The shape of the teepee assures that all the smoke leaves promptly without getting caught anywhere inside, and the shrinking size at the top prevents too much heat loss. The simplicity of the structure allows easy dismantling and carrying of the teepee to new locations when needed. To erect the teepee, just tie the poles together a couple feet from one end, stand it up, and spread the poles at the base. Then cover it with animal skins, or if you're one of us moderns who can't do anything with the materials on hand, a tarp from Walmart.
Now, connect the glyphs above with the volcano and the teepee, and never let them leave your mind for long. Bliss awaits you, don't be late.
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As you move from the base to the top of the action glyph,
you can see dualities merging.
This can be seen everywhere in nature,
all the way from electrons and protons to women and men.
Heaven (electro-magnetic) and Nature (atomic to human) do indeed sing (and dance) as the Christmas song (Joy to the World) hopes. |
| And the continuing building up of Nature is what results from these mergings, whether human or electro-magnetic. These polarities dance among the smallest and largest objects of all Creation, causing more Creation. |
All Bliss Begins Here
All of Blissymbolics begins with nature. If the meanings of the Bliss glyphs come from abstract sources during a person's learning of the language, those abstract sources will pattern the use of the language until such time as that person goes back to natural images and makes those connections to the glyphs. With those natural connections well established, nature herself begins to guide the Bliss writer's work.