“To deny a man and to sit in judgment on a human being is to sit in judgment on God, because the Creator is responsible for the creature.” Yogi Bhajan
Meditation: NM0426 – 20011117 – Self Transformation
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Month: March 2025
Tao Te Ching – Verse 57 – If you want to be a great leader, you must learn to follow the Tao.
Tao Te Ching – Verse 57
If you want to be a great leader,
you must learn to follow the Tao.
Stop trying to control.
Let go of fixed plans and concepts,
and the world will govern itself.
The more prohibitions you have,
the less virtuous people will be.
The more weapons you have,
the less secure people will be.
The more subsidies you have,
the less self-reliant people will be. Continue reading “Tao Te Ching – Verse 57 – If you want to be a great leader, you must learn to follow the Tao.”
Today: “One must not only think of himself. Others depend on his choices. In a time of adversity, you must consider not only what you can endure, but also those in your trust. In every action, consider the welfare of the whole.” – From the I Ching
One must not only think of himself. Others depend on his choices. In a time of adversity, you must consider not only what you can endure, but also those in your trust. In every action, consider the welfare of the whole.
The Obstacle lies in obstinance.
An insistence on only one way of proceeding has brought things to an impasse.
You may either continue banging your head with irresistible force against this immovable object, or you might step back and survey this situation from a fresh perspective.
Advance will meet with breathtaking obstacles.
Remaining will meet with criticism from family and friends.
While the preceding line shows the official compelled by duty to follow the way of danger, this line shows the man who must act as father of a family or as head of his kin. If he were to plunge recklessly into danger, it would be a useless act, because those entrusted to his care cannot get along by themselves. But if he withdraws and turns back to his own, they welcome him with great joy.
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.
Tao Te Ching – Verse 56 – Those who know don’t talk. Those who talk don’t know.
Today: “If a man has grace in his personality, it is evidence that God has found him.” Yogi Bhajan
Today: “If a man has grace in his personality, it is evidence that God has found him.” Yogi Bhajan
Practice this:
Meditation: Melt Negativity – From the Master’s Touch 19970425
Check out the various healing workshops we have conducted over the years.
See Richard Wilhelm's translation for this reading from the original text
39 – Thirty-Nine. Chien / Obstacle
Ominous roiling in the Crater Lake atop the Volcano:
When meeting an impasse, the Superior Person turns his gaze within, and views the obstacle from a new perspective.
Offer your opponent nothing to resist.
Let a sage guide you in this.
Good fortune lies along this course.
SITUATION ANALYSIS:
The Obstacle lies in obstinance.
An insistence on only one way of proceeding has brought things to an impasse.
You may either continue banging your head with irresistible force against this immovable object, or you might step back and survey this situation from a fresh perspective.
Which is immobile here — the obstruction or your attitude?
Nine in the third place means:
Advance will meet with breathtaking obstacles.
Remaining will meet with criticism from family and friends.
Going leads to obstructions;
Hence he comes back.
Life in old China
While the preceding line shows the official compelled by duty to follow the way of danger, this line shows the man who must act as father of a family or as head of his kin. If he were to plunge recklessly into danger, it would be a useless act, because those entrusted to his care cannot get along by themselves. But if he withdraws and turns back to his own, they welcome him with great joy.
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.
Today: “If a man has grace in his personality, it is evidence that God has found him.” Yogi Bhajan
“If a man has grace in his personality, it is evidence that God has found him. Contentment only means that man has an attitude of gratitude while alive.” Yogi Bhajan
Meditation: LA958 A00413 Grace My Grace Is Me! 20000413
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Tao Te Ching – Verse 56 – Those who know don’t talk. Those who talk don’t know.
Tao Te Ching – Verse 56
Those who know don’t talk.
Those who talk don’t know.
Close your mouth,
block off your senses,
blunt your sharpness,
untie your knots,
soften your glare,
settle your dust.
This is the primal identity.
Be like the Tao.
Continue reading “Tao Te Ching – Verse 56 – Those who know don’t talk. Those who talk don’t know.”
Today: “You have joined the realm of heavenly beings. When applied, your power and influence will produce transformation in everyone and everything you encounter.” – From the I Ching
You have joined the realm of heavenly beings. When applied, your power and influence will produce transformation in everyone and everything you encounter.
Success is assured.
Heaven above and Heaven below:
Heaven in constant motion.
With the strength of the dragon, the Superior Person steels himself for ceaseless activity.
Productive Activity.
Potent Influence.
Sublime Success if you keep to your course.
SITUATION ANALYSIS:
The time for action has come.
You now have the focus and the stamina necessary for accomplishing great tasks.
The path before you is being cleared and reward lies ahead.
The dragon rises high for all to see.
He has become the mentor he always longed to find.
Flying dragon in the heavens.
Here the great man has attained the sphere of the heavenly beings. His influence spreads and becomes visible throughout the whole world. Everyone who sees him may count himself blessed.
The Superior Person holds an inner Fire that ignites passion in every heart it touches, until all the world is enlightened and aflame.
With so searing a flame, success will not be denied you.
A Promethean flame is delivering light and heat to the situation at hand.
This radiance will cause such an alchemical transformation of circumstances that the changes will seem magical, miraculous.
Tao Te Ching – Verse 55 – He who is in harmony with the Tao is like a newborn child
Today: “Let us meditate on God.” Yogi Bhajan
Practice this:
This one is profound. One of my favorites.
Check out the various healing workshops we have conducted over the years.
See Richard Wilhelm's translation for this reading from the original text
1 – One Ch’ien / Creative Activity
Heaven above and Heaven below:
Heaven in constant motion.
With the strength of the dragon, the Superior Person steels himself for ceaseless activity.
Productive Activity.
Potent Influence.
Sublime Success if you keep to your course.
SITUATION ANALYSIS:
The time for action has come.
You now have the focus and the stamina necessary for accomplishing great tasks.
The path before you is being cleared and reward lies ahead.
Nine in the fifth place means:
The dragon rises high for all to see.
He has become the mentor he always longed to find.
Flying dragon in the heavens.
It furthers one to see the great man.
Dragon in heaven
Here the great man has attained the sphere of the heavenly beings. His influence spreads and becomes visible throughout the whole world. Everyone who sees him may count himself blessed.
30 – Thirty Li / Igniting
Fire sparks more Flames:
The Superior Person holds an inner Fire that ignites passion in every heart it touches, until all the world is enlightened and aflame.
With so searing a flame, success will not be denied you.
Take care to be as peaceful and nurturing as the cow in the meadow; you are strong enough to be gentle.
SITUATION ANALYSIS:
A Promethean flame is delivering light and heat to the situation at hand.
This radiance will cause such an alchemical transformation of circumstances that the changes will seem magical, miraculous.
Yet they are only shifts of perspective and attitude that bring clarity.
The passions kindled by this fire must be harnessed and used judiciously, or they threaten to consume your hopes and dreams.
Today: “Let us meditate on God.” Yogi Bhajan
“Let us meditate on God. By God, I mean the Infinite Creator, the giver of energy, and the power through which our breath fluctuates in us as we inhale and exhale; that great Existence, that great Phenomenon of Truth in us which brings us the satya and gives us the life. Unknown we are, to Known we have to go. From the God who made the blueprint of the being—the eyes, the nose, the hair, the shoulders, the hands and arms—fill all of that with humility. Draw from the universe that great energy and feel it in every cell of your body. Let every cell of your body vibrate and extend that vibration to every extent. Feel it as a big whirlwind of energy circling with each cell of your body. Just concentrate and feel it in you.” Yogi Bhajan
Meditation: KYB117-19860822 – Achieve an Experience of God
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Tao Te Ching – Verse 55 – He who is in harmony with the Tao is like a newborn child
Tao Te Ching – Verse 55
He who is in harmony with the Tao
is like a newborn child.
Its bones are soft, its muscles are weak,
but its grip is powerful.
It doesn’t know about the union
of male and female, yet its member can stand erect, so intense is its vital power.
It can scream its head off all day,
yet it never becomes hoarse,
so complete is its harmony. Continue reading “Tao Te Ching – Verse 55 – He who is in harmony with the Tao is like a newborn child”
Today: “We have the inherent ability to shape our destiny. We can be aware of the prevailing flow of events and sentiment. Our merging in that flow is the simplest and easiest path to bringing balance to polarities of excess and need, averting extremes which cause suffering.” – From the I Ching
We have the inherent ability to shape our destiny. We can be aware of the prevailing flow of events and sentiment. Our merging in that flow is the simplest and easiest path to bringing balance to polarities of excess and need, averting extremes which cause suffering.
The Mountain does not overshadow the Plain surrounding it:
Such modest consideration in a Superior Person creates a channel through which excess flows to the needy.
The Cosmos is moving toward equilibrium.
Extremes are being tempered, excess is beginning to shift toward the empty.
You can use these moderating influences to strike a balance in the world around you.
Remember, though, that this Leveling will not come about through an arrogant confiscation of excess, but through subtler persuasions.
Modesty and moderation are the keys.
The destinies of men are subject to immutable laws that must fulfil themselves. But man has it in his power to shape his fate, according as his behavior exposes him to the influence of benevolent or of destructive forces. When a man holds a high position and is nevertheless modest, he shines with the light of wisdom; if he is in a lowly position and is modest, he cannot be passed by. Thus the superior man can carry out his work to the end without boasting of what he has achieved.
Tao Te Ching – Verse 54 – Whoever is planted in the Tao will not be rooted up
Today: “The highest man is he who can uninvolve in every involvement.” Yogi Bhajan
Today: “The highest man is he who can uninvolve in every involvement.” Yogi Bhajan
Practice this:
Meditation: LA093-790319 – Pranic Energy – the Earth Element Balanced by Ether
Meditation: NM142 19940615 – Bless the Planet Earth and Let the Heavens Descend in You
Check out the various healing workshops we have conducted over the years.
See Richard Wilhelm's translation for this reading from the original text
15 – Fifteen. Ch’ien / Modesty
The Mountain does not overshadow the Plain surrounding it:
Such modest consideration in a Superior Person creates a channel through which excess flows to the needy.
Success if you carry things through.
SITUATION ANALYSIS:
The Cosmos is moving toward equilibrium.
Extremes are being tempered, excess is beginning to shift toward the empty.
You can use these moderating influences to strike a balance in the world around you.
Remember, though, that this Leveling will not come about through an arrogant confiscation of excess, but through subtler persuasions.
Modesty and moderation are the keys.
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above: K’un / The Receptive, Earth |
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below: Kên / Keeping Still, Mountain |
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| This hexagram is made up of the trigrams Kên, Keeping Still, mountain, and K’un. The mountain is the youngest son of the Creative (1), the representative of heaven and earth. It dispenses the blessings of heaven, the clouds and rain that gather round its summit, and thereafter shines forth radiant with heavenly light. This shows what modesty is and how it functions in great and strong men. K’un, the earth, stands above. Lowliness is a quality of the earth: this is the very reason why it appears in this hexagram as exalted, by being placed above the mountain. This shows how modesty functions in lowly, simple people: they are lifted up by it.
THE JUDGEMENT MODESTY creates success. It is the law of heaven to make fullness empty and to make full what is modest; when the sun is at its zenith, it must, according to the law of heaven, turn toward its setting, and at its nadir it rises toward a new dawn. In obedience to the same law, the moon when it is full begins to wane, and when empty of light it waxes again. This heavenly law works itself out in the fates of men also. It is the law of earth to alter the full and to contribute to the modest. High mountains are worn down by the waters, and the valleys are filled up. It is the law of fate to undermine what is full and to prosper the modest. And men also hate fullness and love the modest. |
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THE IMAGE Within the earth, a mountain: The wealth of the earth in which a mountain is hidden is not visible to the eye, because the depths are offset by the height of the mountain. Thus high and low complement each other and the result is the plain. Here an effect that it took a long time to achieve, but that in the end seems easy of accomplishment and self-evident, is used as the image of modesty. The superior man does the same thing when he establishes order in the world; he equalises the extremes that are the source of social discontent and thereby creates just and equable conditions.1 2 1. This hexagram offers a number of parallels to the teachings of the Old and the New Testament, e.g., “And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted” [Matt. 23:12]; “Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain” [Isa. 40: 4]; “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” [Jas. 4: 6]. The concept of the Last Judgment in the Parsee religion shows similar features. The Greek notion of the jealousy of the gods might be mentioned in connection with the third of the biblical passages here cited. 2. There are not many hexagrams in the Book of Changes in which all the lines have an exclusive favorable meaning, as in the hexagram of MODESTY. This shows how great a value Chinese wisdom places on this virtue. |
Today: “The highest man is he who can uninvolve in every involvement.” Yogi Bhajan
“The highest man is he who can uninvolve in every involvement.” Yogi Bhajan
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Tao Te Ching – Verse 54 – Whoever is planted in the Tao will not be rooted up
Tao Te Ching – Verse 54
Whoever is planted in the Tao
will not be rooted up.
Whoever embraces the Tao
will not slip away.
Her name will be held in honor
from generation to generation.
Continue reading “Tao Te Ching – Verse 54 – Whoever is planted in the Tao will not be rooted up”
Today: “We are experiencing a crisis stemming from delusion and confusion. It comes from within the psyche, individually, and in our relations. It can only be remedied by self transformation on all levels.” – From the I Ching
We are experiencing a crisis stemming from delusion and confusion. It comes from within the psyche, individually, and in our relations. It can only be remedied by self transformation on all levels.
The group psyche has a profound influence on the individual psyche and vise versa. There is a resonance that flows both ways. We must fix our individual self first, then relate skillfully in our actions and behavior with the broader identity. We end up healing each other.
47 – Forty-Seven. K’un / Exhaustion
Triumph belongs to those who endure.
Trial and tribulation can hone exceptional character to a razor edge that slices deftly through every challenge.
Action prevails where words will fail.
Six at the beginning
When adversity befalls a man, it is important above all things for him to be strong and to overcome the trouble inwardly. If he is weak, the trouble overwhelms him. Instead of proceeding on his way, he remains sitting under a bare tree and falls ever more deeply into gloom and melancholy. This makes the situation only more and more hopeless. Such an attitude comes from an inner delusion that he must by all means overcome.
58 – Fifty-Eight. Tui / Empowering
The principals in this situation exchange energy, ideas and feelings, constantly invigorating and encouraging each other to new heights of Spiritual achievement and Self-discovery.
This exchange is not for the glory of the Team, but for furthering the process of each individual’s ‘Te’, or pure potentiality.
Tao Te Ching – Verse 53 – The great Way is easy, yet people prefer the side paths
Practice this:
Check out the various healing workshops we have conducted over the years.
See Richard Wilhelm's translation for this reading from the original text
47 – Forty-Seven. K’un / Exhaustion
A Dead Sea, its Waters spent eons ago, more deadly than the desert surrounding it:
The Superior Person will stake his life and fortune on what he deeply believes.
Triumph belongs to those who endure.
Trial and tribulation can hone exceptional character to a razor edge that slices deftly through every challenge.
Action prevails where words will fail.
SITUATION ANALYSIS:
This is the realm of the Shaman.
You have exhausted every alternative, spent yourself completely, taxed body and mind beyond your former limits.
Survival and salvation lie beyond your reach now.
Only transcendence to a new existence — a higher plane of being — will see you through.
The Old You is just a dry husk.
You can’t return to it.
Metamorphosis is the only grace offered.
You can only return to your homeland as a New You.
Six at the beginning [yin at bottom] means:
He rests beneath a dead tree, trying to make sense of this dark, desolate valley he has strayed into.
These lost wanderings will last three years.
One sits oppressed under a bare tree
And strays into a gloomy valley.
For three years one sees nothing.
‘Bare Tree in Moonlight’ – Dottie Briggs
When adversity befalls a man, it is important above all things for him to be strong and to overcome the trouble inwardly. If he is weak, the trouble overwhelms him. Instead of proceeding on his way, he remains sitting under a bare tree and falls ever more deeply into gloom and melancholy. This makes the situation only more and more hopeless. Such an attitude comes from an inner delusion that he must by all means overcome.
58 – Fifty-Eight. Tui / Empowering
The joyous Lake spans on and on to the horizon:
The Superior Person renews and expands his Spirit through heart-to-heart exchanges with others.
Success if you stay on course.
SITUATION ANALYSIS:
This is the sign of true companionship.
The principals in this situation exchange energy, ideas and feelings, constantly invigorating and encouraging each other to new heights of Spiritual achievement and Self-discovery.
This exchange is not for the glory of the Team, but for furthering the process of each individual’s ‘Te’, or pure potentiality.
Today: “When thou shalt hear the truth with the center of the two eyes, the third eye, thou shalt never forget it.” Yogi Bhajan
“When thou shalt hear the truth with the center of the two eyes, the third eye, thou shalt never forget it.” Yogi Bhajan
Meditation: LA827-19950307 – Third Eye
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Tao Te Ching – Verse 53 – The great Way is easy, yet people prefer the side paths
Tao Te Ching – Verse 53
The great Way is easy,
yet people prefer the side paths.
Be aware when things are out of balance.
Stay centered within the Tao. Continue reading “Tao Te Ching – Verse 53 – The great Way is easy, yet people prefer the side paths”
Today: “Before taking any action on your situation, include everything that appears in your perception and contemplate. Allow all the elements to integrate sufficiently to form a modified perspective. Then contemplate further and repeat the process.” – From the I Ching
Before taking any action on your situation, include everything that appears in your perception and contemplate. Allow all the elements to integrate sufficiently to form a modified perspective. Then contemplate further and repeat the process.
Winds of change high in the Heavens:
Air currents carry the weather.
Dense clouds blow in from the West, but still no rain.
The Superior Person fine tunes the image he presents to the world.
He allows himself to be drawn into returning.
Good fortune.
One would like to press forward, but before going farther one sees from the example of others like oneself that this way is blocked. In such a case, if the effort to push forward is not in harmony with the time, a reasonable and resolute man will not expose himself to a personal rebuff, but will retreat with others of like mind. This brings good fortune, because he does not needlessly jeopardise himself.
Ominous roiling in the Crater Lake atop the Volcano:
When meeting an impasse, the Superior Person turns his gaze within, and views the obstacle from a new perspective.
Practice this:
Meditation: For the Full Moon, New Moon and 11th Day of the New Moon
Check out the various healing workshops we have conducted over the years.
See Richard Wilhelm's translation for this reading from the original text
9 – Nine. Hsiao Ch’u / Gentle Restraint
Winds of change high in the Heavens:
Air currents carry the weather.
Dense clouds blow in from the West, but still no rain.
The Superior Person fine tunes the image he presents to the world.
Small successes.
SITUATION ANALYSIS:
No matter what you do, the fruit of your labors never seems to ripen.
Your reward remains just out of reach.
Men have gone mad from such anticipation.
Don’t lose your balance lunging for the brass ring.
While the Fates continue to restrain you, go them one better and display a self-generated restraint and grace.
Look for the humor in the situation.
Nine in the second place means:
He lets himself be drawn back.
Good fortune.
He allows himself to be drawn into returning.
Good fortune.
‘The Chess Game’ – Francesco Beda (1840-1900)
One would like to press forward, but before going farther one sees from the example of others like oneself that this way is blocked. In such a case, if the effort to push forward is not in harmony with the time, a reasonable and resolute man will not expose himself to a personal rebuff, but will retreat with others of like mind. This brings good fortune, because he does not needlessly jeopardise himself.
39 – Thirty-Nine. Chien / Obstacle
Offer your opponent nothing to resist.
Let a sage guide you in this.
Good fortune lies along this course.
SITUATION ANALYSIS:
The Obstacle lies in obstinance.
An insistence on only one way of proceeding has brought things to an impasse.
You may either continue banging your head with irresistible force against this immovable object, or you might step back and survey this situation from a fresh perspective.
Which is immobile here — the obstruction or your attitude
Today: “You must understand that you are three selves. One is your body, with its desires. One is your mind, with its thoughts. And one is you, with your controlling whip.” Yogi Bhajan
“You must understand that you are three selves. One is your body, with its desires. One is your mind, with its thoughts. And one is you, with your controlling whip. Most people do not know that the mind and the self are two separate things. The mental self and the higher self are two separate things. If you cannot recognize the fight in you between these three selves, then you know absolutely nothing. But gradually you will realize this conflict within you, and you will be able to overcome that conflict so that the higher self may win.” Yogi Bhajan
Meditation: LA877-19960604 – Self Realization
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