THE FOURFOLD WAY
The Woodcraft Way is the Fourfold Way of life. These four pathways of life are portrayed graphically for all by the symbolism of the sand painting used as the Great Central Fire. This Great Central Fire is the emblem of The Great Spirit, The All Father; The Great Creator of us all. The four ways set forth by the program are as follows:
THE BODY WAY embracing those things which have to do with the health of both ourselves and those around us. It involves cleanliness both of body, thought and action. “The body is the temple of the Spirit, hence should be of primary concern, and without health can neither strength nor beauty be.” What is true of the body would seem to be likewise of the physical world in which we live; therefore the conservation angle is amply justified.
THE MIND WAY seeks to lead us into a better understanding of the world and the society in which we live. This includes the whole realm of knowledge of things as they are, and seeks to establish a relationship between these manifestations of The Great Spirit and the individual. Knowledge in itself is not complete. Only knowledge in its application to the problems of living is effective.
The relationship of the person to life and all its contacts leads directly to the next pathway of the fourfold plan.
THE SPIRIT WAY seeks to develop within the individual those deep appreciations of life and what it has to offer. There is sought for all a spiritual bond and inspiration with the source of Life in that we may most fully enjoy and develop not only for ourselves but for others as well what life has to offer. In seeking for ourselves we invariably find that only in the sharing with others is there a full realization of the inspiration of spiritual things. For complete growth we then must continue along our fourfold way.
THE SERVICE WAY attempts to develop in all Woodcrafters the desire to share the joys of life with those about them. The truly cultured and civilized man learns that he does not live fully when living for self alone. He learns that he must “do his part” in making for the fullness of life.
