Month: February 2022

Tao Te Ching – Verse 79 – Failure is an opportunity

Meditation: M043-19890623 See Your Soul Within Your Third Eye

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's and subsequent translations of the I Ching

5 – Five Hsü / Calculated Waiting

Deep Waters in the Heavens:
Thunderclouds approaching from the West, but no rain yet.
The Superior Person nourishes himself and remains of good cheer to condition himself for the moment of truth.

Great Success if you sincerely keep to your course.
You may cross to the far shore.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

You must now endure this Dangling — either a carrot before your nose, or a sword above your head.
This strange mix of apprehension and anticipation is a Purgatory.
There is nothing more you can do to affect the outcome.
You must now submit to the Fates.

Nine at the beginning [yang at bottom] means:

No trouble in sight, but vague anxieties about what lies beyond the horizon.
Whether real or not, the threat has already won your peace of mind.

Waiting in the meadow.
It furthers one to abide in what endures.
No blame.

THE DANGER is not yet close. One is still waiting on the open plain. Conditions are still simple, yet there is a feeling of something impending. One must continue to lead a regular life as long as possible. Only in this way does one guard against a premature waste of strength, keep free of blame and error that would become a source of weakness later on.

48 – Forty-Eight Ching / The Well

Deep Waters Penetrated and drawn to the surface:
The Superior Person refreshes the people with constant encouragement to help one another.

Encampments, settlements, walled cities, whole empires may rise and fall, yet the Well at the center endures, never drying to dust, never overflowing.
It served those before and will serve those after.
Again and again you may draw from the Well, but if the bucket breaks or the rope is too short there will be misfortune.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

There is a Source common to us all.
Jung named it the Collective Unconscious.
Others hail it as God within.
Inside each of us are dreamlike symbols and archetypes, emotions and instincts that we share with every other human being.
When we feel a lonely separateness from others, it is not because this Well within has dried up, but because we have lost the means to reach its waters.
You need to reclaim the tools necessary to penetrate to the depths of your fellows.
Then the bonds you build will be as timeless and inexhaustible as the Well that nourishes them.

Today: “Our realization is through our own soul; the very realization of the self within the structured self is the greatest achievement.” Yogi Bhajan

“Our realization is through our own soul; the very realization of the self within the structured self is the greatest achievement.” Yogi Bhajan

Today: You see what others cannot. Your willingness to change yourself will spare you the trauma of fate and create a safe zone around you.” – from the I Ching

You see what others cannot. Your willingness to change yourself will spare you the trauma of fate and create a safe zone around you.

Meditation: Meditation: LA015 780227 – To Bring Swift and Powerful Change

Tao Te Ching – Verse 79 – Failure is an opportunity

Meditation: Milarepa’s Song to Lady Palderboom

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's and subsequent translations of the I Ching

24 – Twenty-Four Fu / Return

Thunder regenerates deep within Earth’s womb:
Sage rulers recognized that the end of Earth’s seasonal cycle was also the starting point of a new year and a time for dormancy.
They closed the passes at the Solstice to enforce a rest from commerce and activity.
The ruler himself did not travel.

You have passed this way before but you are not regressing.
This is progress, for the cycle now repeats itself, and this time you are aware that it truly is a cycle.
The return of old familiars is welcome.
You can be as sure of this cycle as you are that seven days bring the start of a new week.
Use this dormancy phase to plan which direction you will grow.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

You are about to experience a rebirth — about to be given another chance, a new lease on life.
You have persevered, gone the distance through an entire cycle — through the Spring of hope or new passion, through a Summer of growth and building, only to be sacrificed like the archetypal Harvest King at the Autumn reaping.
You lie dormant like seed beneath Winter snows now, healing and absorbing new energies in preparation for the new young Spring coming shortly to your life.

Six in the fourth place means:

As the masses move on, you see a better path and return alone.

Walking in the midst of others,
One returns alone.

Xian warriors

A man is in a society composed of inferior people, but is connected spiritually with a strong and good friend, and this makes him turn back alone. Although nothing is said of reward and punishment, this return is certainly favorable, for such a resolve to choose the good brings its own reward.

51 – Fifty-One Chên / Thunder

Thunder echoes upon Thunder, commanding reverence for its father Heaven:
In awe of Heaven’s majestic power, the Superior Person looks within and sets his life in order.
Thunder mingles with startled screams of terror for a hundred miles around.
As the people nervously laugh at their own fright, the devout presents the sacrificial chalice with nary a drop of wine spilt.
Deliverance

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

A thunderbolt of Cosmic judgement crashes to earth.
For the common person, it’s just a momentary fright soon forgotten, its warning unfathomed and unheeded.
But to one who understands its significance, this thunder is a signal to awaken.
Centering the Self, seeking balance, the enlightened person will respect and align himself with this Higher Power, while his fellows remain subject to the whims of every passing storm.

Today: “Flexibility is a law of life. In our common language we call it compassion.” Yogi Bhajan

“Flexibility is a law of life. In our common language we call it compassion.” Yogi Bhajan

Today: Share your good fortune. Generosity will ensure long lasting peace.” – from the I Ching

Share your good fortune. Generosity will ensure long lasting peace.

Meditation: Meditation: NM142 19940615 – Bless the Planet Earth and Let the Heavens Descend in You

Tao Te Ching – Verse 79 – Failure is an opportunity

Meditation: LA719 930303 – Magnetic Field – Sacred Space

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's and subsequent translations of the I Ching

11 – Eleven T’ai / Peace

Heaven and Earth embrace, giving birth to Peace.
The Superior Person serves as midwife, presenting the newborn gift to the people.

The small depart; the great approach.
Success.
Good fortune.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

It doesn’t get any better than this.
Everything is in harmony, all obstacles are cleared from your Path, anything you could ask for is right at hand.
This is the Elysian Fields, the Garden of Eden.
The only thing wrong with Peace is that it, too, must change.
Whether you are in this state of harmony now or it is predicted for your future, recognize it as your greatest opportunity to build your resources against less harmonious times.

Six in the fourth place means:

Instead of stretching to grasp the wealth that may rise out of reach, he stoops to help his companions climb to his level.
They expect his resentment but receive only his faith and love; they no longer fear his power.

He flutters down, not boasting of his wealth,
Together with his neighbor,
Guileless and sincere.

In times of mutual confidence, people of high rank come in close contact with the lowly quite simply and without boasting of their wealth. This is not due to the force of circumstances but corresponds with their inmost sentiment. The approach is made quite spontaneously, because it is based on inner conviction.

32 – Thirty-Two Hêng / Durability

Arousing Thunder and penetrating Wind.
Close companions in any storm:
The Superior Person possesses a resiliency and durability that lets him remain firmly and faithfully on course.

Such constancy deserves success.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

Endurance is the key to success in this situation.
However, durability is not synonymous with stone-like rigidity.
True resilience requires a flexibility that allows adaptation to any adverse condition, while still remaining true to the core.
Can you maintain your integrity under any circumstance?
Can you influence the situation without giving opposing forces anything to resist?
Then you will endure to reach your goal.

Today: “If we all had to die for our mistakes, none of us would be alive. We commit mistakes every day.” – Yogi Bhajan

“If we all had to die for our mistakes, none of us would be alive. We commit mistakes every day. But there is a protective hand around us all the time. It is life’s magnetic field, the psyche of individual existence. The psyche of individual existence creates a magnetic field in which the vibratory level must keep itself on channel and in tune; and that is why we are above, although we are in the physical form.”
Yogi Bhajan

Today: Slow and steady. No rush. Persevere.” – from the I Ching

Slow and steady. No rush. Persevere.

Meditation: Meditation: LA714-19920219

Tao Te Ching – Verse 79 – Failure is an opportunity

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's and subsequent translations of the I Ching

53 – Fifty-Three Chien / Gradual Progress
The gnarled Pine grows tenaciously off the Cliff face:
The Superior Person clings faithfully to dignity and integrity, thus elevating the Collective Spirit of Man in his own small way.
Development.
The maiden is given in marriage.
Good fortune if you stay on course.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:Adaptability mixed with integrity will bring a calm, steady progress.
Move from your center, always faithful to your principles, yet with the flexibility to weather any tempest.
Yours is not a meteoric rise to the top, but the solid, confident footing of one who has a clear vision of what can be, and who is willing to climb the distance to reach it.
The oracle foresees companionship along the way — a Divine comfort on any journey.

This hexagram is made up of Sun (wood, penetration) above, i.e., without, and Kên (mountain, stillness) below, i.e., within. A tree on a mountain develops slowly according to the law of its being and consequently stands firmly rooted. This gives the idea of a development that proceeds gradually, step by step. The attributes of the trigrams also point to this: within is tranquillity, which guards against precipitate actions, and without is penetration, which makes development and progress possible.

THE JUDGEMENT

DEVELOPMENT. The maiden
Is given in marriage.
Good fortune.
Perseverance furthers.

The development of events that leads to a girl’s following a man to his home proceeds slowly. The various formalities must be disposed of before the marriage takes place. This principle of gradual development can be applied to other situations as well; it is always applicable where it is a matter of correct relationships of co-operation, as for instance in the appointment of an official. The development must be allowed to take its proper course. Hasty action would not be wise. This is also true, finally, of any effort to exert influence on others, for here too the essential factor is a correct way of development through cultivation of one’s own personality. No influence such as that exerted by agitators has a lasting effect.
Within the personality too, development must follow the same course if lasting results are to be achieved. Gentleness that is adaptable, but at the same time penetrating, is the outer form that should proceed from inner calm.
The very gradualness of the development makes it necessary to have perseverance, for perseverance alone prevents slow progress from dwindling to nothing.

Tree on a mountain

Tree on a mountain – from monastry of Semen Stolbnik near Aleppo – Syria

THE IMAGE

On the mountain, a tree:
The image of DEVELOPMENT.
Thus the superior man abides in dignity and virtue,
In order to improve the mores.

The tree on the mountain is visible from afar, and its development influences the landscape of the entire region. It does not shoot up like a swamp plant; its growth proceeds gradually. Thus also the work of influencing people can be only gradual. No sudden influence or awakening is of lasting effect. Progress must be quite gradual, and in order to obtain such progress in public opinion and in the mores of the people, it is necessary for the personality to acquire influence and weight. This comes about through careful and constant work on one’s own moral development.

Today: “Mantra is what? Man’s protection.” – Yogi Bhajan

“Mantra is what? Man’s protection. And man’s protection lies in what? In existence; righteous existence leads to man’s protection.”
Yogi Bhajan

Meditation: Kirtan Kriya

Today: Recognize and work together with people who share your values and vision. Realize that you are stronger together.” – from the I Ching

Recognize and work together with people who share your values and vision. Realize that you are stronger together.

Meditation: Meditation: LA007-780117-Sadhana Yojina-To Infinity Upon Death

Tao Te Ching – Verse 79 – Failure is an opportunity

Share this magical story, The Story of Mushkil Gusha over a meal today with friends

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's and subsequent translations of the I Ching

8 – Eight Pi / Bonding

Deep Waters on the face of the Earth:
Surface waters flow together.
The Superior Person recognizes the situation calls for joining together.
Thus he cultivates friendly relations with all.

Good fortune is possible.
Cast the coins again to discover if you have the qualities needed to lead such a group.
Then there will be no error.
Those uncertain will gradually join.
Those who join too late will meet with misfortune.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

This is a time of connection with another or others — not just an alliance, but a melding of parts into a new whole.
Such a connection may be too close, too intense for some.
Consult the oracle again to see if you have the qualities needed to strengthen and withstand such an intense synthesis.

THE WATERS on the surface of the earth flow together wherever they can, as for example in the ocean, where all the rivers come together. Symbolically this connotes holding together and the laws that regulate it. The same idea is suggested by the fact that all the lines of the hexagram except the fifth, the place of the ruler, are yielding. The yielding lines hold together because they are influenced by a man of strong will in the leading position, a man who is their centre of union. Moreover, this strong and guiding personality in turn holds together with the others, finding in them the complement of his own nature.

THE JUDGEMENT

Holding together brings good fortune.
Inquire of the oracle once again
Whether you possess sublimity, constancy, and perseverance;
Then there is no blame.
Those who are uncertain gradually join.
Whoever comes too late
Meets with misfortune.

WHAT IS required is that we unite with others, in order that all may complement and aid one another through holding together. But such holding together calls for a central figure around whom other persons may unite. To become a centre of influence holding people together is a grave matter and fraught with great responsibility. It requires greatness of spirit, consistency, and strength. Therefore let him who wishes to gather others about him ask himself whether he is equal to the undertaking, for anyone attempting the task without a real calling for it only makes confusion worse than if no union at all had taken place.
But when there is a real rallying point, those who at first are hesitant or uncertain gradually come in of their own accord. Late-comers must suffer the consequences, for in holding together the question of the right time is also important. Relationships are formed and firmly established according to definite inner laws. Common experiences strengthen these ties, and he who comes too late to share in these basic experiences must suffer for it if, as a straggler, he finds the door locked.
If a man has recognized the necessity for union and does not feel strong enough to function as the centre, it is his duty to become a member of some other organic fellowship.

Ocean waves

THE IMAGE

On the earth is water:
The image of holding together.
Thus the kings of antiquity
Bestowed the different states as fiefs
And cultivated friendly relations
With the feudal lords.

WATER FILLS UP all the empty places on the earth and clings fast to it. The social organisation of ancient China was based on this principle of the holding together of dependents and rulers. Water flows to unite with water, because all parts of it are subject to the same laws. So too should human society hold together through a community of interests that allows each individual to feel himself a member of a whole. The central power of a social organisation must see to it that every member finds that his true interest lies in holding together with it, as was the case in the paternal relationship between king and vassals in ancient China.

Today: “Activity with responsibility, honesty, and self-consciousness leads to God-consciousness. That is karma yoga.” – Yogi Bhajan

“Activity with responsibility, honesty, and self-consciousness leads to God-consciousness. That is karma yoga.”
Yogi Bhajan

Sadhana

Today: Embrace all of your self. Include all of your polarity. No need to force any issue. Show others how to move with such ease.” – from the I Ching

Embrace all of your self. Include all of your polarity. No need to force any issue. Show others how to move with such ease.

Meditation: Meditation: LA372 831212 Corruption and character

Tao Te Ching – Verse 79 – Failure is an opportunity

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's and subsequent translations of the I Ching

34 – Thirty-Four Ta Chuang / Awesome Power

Thunder fills the Heavens with its awful roar, not out of pride, but with integrity; if it did less, it would not be Thunder:
Because of his Great Power, the Superior Person takes pains not to overstep his position, so that he will not seem intimidating or threatening to the Established Order.

Opportunity will arise along this course.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

The Awesome Power available in this hexagram stems from what the Taoists call your Te, a term not perfectly translated into English.
Roughly, it is your Integrity — not in the Western sense of honor — but more in the psychological definition of a full integration of Who You Are.
This Awesome Power is achieved only by fully embracing both the good and the bad, the strong and the weak, the masculine and the feminine — all polarities within you.
Such self-knowledge spawns a Mastery tempered with the humility necessary to rein in and harness this Awesome Power.

Six in the fifth place means:

here are no threats left before you.
You may set your ram free without regret.

Loses the goat with ease.
No remorse.

Feral goat

The goat is noted for hardness outwardly and weakness within. Now the situation is such that everything is easy; there is no more resistance. One can give up a belligerent, stubborn way of acting and will not have to regret it.

43 – Forty-Three Kuai / Breakthrough

A Deluge from Heaven:
The Superior Person rains fortune upon those in need, then moves on with no thought of the good he does.

The issue must be raised before an impartial authority.
Be sincere and earnest, despite the danger.
Do not try to force the outcome, but seek support where needed.
Set a clear goal.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

Your iron will must come to the forefront now.
It will take great personal determination to resolve the situation in question.
Your adversary would love to force you into an angry display.
That would legitimize his opposition to you.
Such a berserker rage would drag you down to his level.
You must resolutely take a public stand against what he represents, but refuse to engage him.
Without compromise, you show others the way to higher ground.

Today: “If you engage your mind, you can be your real self, and you will realize happiness is your birthright.” – Yogi Bhajan

“If you engage your mind, you can be your real self, and you will realize happiness is your birthright. You will decide to at least try to drop your mind’s bad habits to be commotional, fearful, and limited. Try to engage your mind in sadhana. Try to get up in the early morning. Try to understand that the time is now and now is the time.”
Yogi Bhajan

Sadhana

Today: Keep your identity and individuality in the presence of strong personalities. Beware of joining and adopting cultish behavior.” – from the I Ching

Keep your identity and individuality in the presence of strong personalities. Beware of joining and adopting cultish behavior.

Meditation: Meditation: KWTC04-960627-Soul and Identity

Tao Te Ching – Verse 77 – May not the Tao be compared to bending a bow?

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's and subsequent translations of the I Ching

4 – Four Meng -Inexperience

A fresh Spring at the foot of the Mountain:
The Superior Person refines his character by being thorough in every activity.
The Sage does not recruit students; the students seek him.
He asks nothing but a sincere desire to learn.
If the student doubts or challenges his authority, the Sage regretfully cuts his losses.

Situation analysis:

This is a time of interchange between a mentor and pupil.
Whether you are the teacher or the student, it is a time of companionship along a mutual path.
This hexagram also emphasizes the eternal, cyclical nature of the mentor/student relationship — a mentor is merely a more seasoned pupil, further along on the journey.
A pupil holds within himself the seed of a future Master.

Six in the third place means:

Take not a maiden who, when she sees a man of bronze,

Loses possession of herself.
Nothing furthers.

Chinese strong man

A weak, inexperienced man, struggling to rise, easily loses his own individuality when he slavishly imitates a strong personality of higher station. He is like a girl throwing herself away when she meets a strong man. Such a servile approach should not be encouraged, because it is bad both for the youth and the teacher. A girl owes it to her dignity to wait till she is wooed. In both cases it is undignified to offer oneself, and no good comes of accepting such an offer.

46 – Forty-Six Shêng / Upward Mobility
Beneath the Soil, the Seedling pushes upward toward the light:
To preserve his integrity, the Superior Person contents himself with small gains that eventually lead to great accomplishment.

Supreme Success.
Have no doubts.
Seek guidance from someone you respect.
A constant move toward greater clarity will bring reward.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:
You are progressing, rising inch-by-inch toward certain success.
What makes this assured is your refusal to tilt headlong toward your goal, slamming into obstacles and going mad with frustration.
You have a clear map before you of the steps necessary to reach your objective.
With faithful patience and a careful conservation of personal energy and resources, you will run this long, slow distance.

Today: “I know it is very difficult for you to believe a man of God.” – Yogi Bhajan

“I know it is very difficult for you to believe a man of God. Especially here in America, because so many people who claim to be men of God have cheated you, betrayed you, or misled you. You don’t know who or what to believe or not believe. I understand the problem and your anger. In America you are only two hundred years old and you do not have a long, established tradition that can act as a testing stone for teachings and teachers. Without developing your inner sensitivity and without a profound established tradition to learn about your mind and spirit, many things have gone wrong, and things will keep on going wrong. So what can you do? If you feel you can’t believe anybody or anything, fine. Don’t. Instead believe in yourself. Wake up and go deeply in your self. Master the mind. Get to the essence and process of your own life. Stop playing games. If you find I am wrong in my statements, then try to be right and exalt, elevate, and take care of yourself.”
Yogi Bhajan

The Teacher

Kriya: Awakening Yourself to Your Ten Bodies

Today: “The physical body is a temple. Take care of it.” – Yogi Bhajan

“The physical body is a temple. Take care of it. The mind is energy. Regulate it. The soul is the projection. Represent it. All knowledge is false if the soul is not experienced in the body.”
Yogi Bhajan

Today: Remember that you cannot control the course of events. When faced with true evil you have to let it go and remain safe from its ravages.” – from the I Ching

Remember that you cannot control the course of events. When faced with true evil you have to let it go and remain safe from its ravages.

Meditation: Meditation: NM091 – 19921110 – Self Emboldenment, Engagement, Vision

Tao Te Ching – Verse 77 – May not the Tao be compared to bending a bow?