Able to spin silk by Ben

If Dogen is right and MIB's intrinsic weighing scale has the black stone weighing down one side, then Jacob's white stone must have been counter balancing, suggesting Jacobs actions ('it's not who you are, but what you do that defines you') are solely for good, and the greater good. The picture painted of Jacob, however, can also be seen as one of abuser, life voyeur, and suppressor of purpose. On the face of things it's surprising those scales were not tipped further down the dark side when MIBlocke manually unbalanced them, in the cave. This leads me to my analogy of Jacob's philosophy.

A growing segment of John's dialogue in season one is proving prophetic, or presciently wise. We've read a fair few in theories over the years. I want to revert to his conversation with Charlie back in 'The Moth'. I've always loved this conversation. It was one of those classic Lost scenes, for me.

Locke: What do you suppose is in that cocoon, Charlie?
Charlie: I don't know. A - a - a butterfly, I guess.
Locke: No, it's much more beautiful than that. That's a moth cocoon. It's ironic - butterflies get all the attention, but moths, they spin silk. They're stronger. They're faster.
Charlie: That's wonderful, but...
Locke: You see this little hole? This moth's just about to emerge. It's in there right now, struggling. It's digging it's way through the thick hide of the cocoon. Now, I could help it - take my knife, gently widen the opening, and the moth would be free - but it would be too weak to survive. Struggle is nature's way of strengthening it. Now this is the second time you've asked me for your drugs back... ask me again, and it's yours.

Metaphorically speaking I see Jacob as the thick hide of the cocoon (the snow globe of the island? Not literally of course, but more symbolism?), and by the power of opposites MIBlocke is the knife. He will offer anything he can to ease suffering, slicing open the hide, and allowing our Losties to escape without a struggle. Coping with their lives off island wasn't an easy task. They were too weak to cope, or lived in false hope. Jacob knows that facing hardship and turmoil, resulting in conscious sacrifice will enrich their lives and make them stronger, faster……maybe even able to spin a new tapestry? If they are willing to to trust and have faith. It's a massive ask, but I expect the pay off is enlightening.

So part of Jacob's philosophy involves the very nature of struggle. Even John re-emphasised this point when flashing through time and seeing the light shine out from the hatch. He explained to James that he needed that pain to make him who he was.

Cheers.