Today: “Love, my friend, is good for your health” Yogi Bhajan

“Love, my friend, is good for your health. Rejoice and show your gratitude toward God.” Yogi Bhajan
(via Ram Anand)

 

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Today: It’s time for a revolution – from the I Ching

It’s time for a revolution.  When conditions cannot hold, and enough people see a clear way based on inner truth, then change is inevitable and will be successful.  The message is clear: it’s time to cast off the oppressors.  They cannot be appeased.  Swift and positive action will lead to certain success in short order.  The people are already their in their minds and hearts.  The tipping point only must be crossed.  Under these conditions a new order will stabilize.  The difference is that people will want to nurture it and ensure its success.

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's translation of the I Ching

Political revolutions are extremely grave matters. They should be undertaken only under stress of direst necessity, when there is no other way out. Not everyone is called to this task, but only the man who has the confidence of the people, and even he only when the time is ripe. He must then proceed in the right way, so that he gladdens the people and, by enlightening them, prevents excesses. Furthermore, he must be quite free of selfish aims and must really relieve the need of the people. Only then does he have nothing to regret.
Times change, and with them their demands. Thus the seasons change in the course of the year. In the world cycle also there are spring and autumn in the life of peoples and nations, and these call for social transformations.
Radical changes require adequate authority. A man must have inner strength as well as influential position. What he does must correspond with a higher truth and must not spring from arbitrary or petty motives; then it brings great good fortune. If a revolution is not founded on such inner truth, the results are bad, and it has no success. For in the end men will support only those undertakings which they feel instinctively to be just.
The transition from the old to the new time is already accomplished. In principle, everything stands systematised, and it is only in regard to details that success is still to be achieved. In respect to this, however, we must be careful to maintain the right attitude. Everything proceeds as if of its own accord, and this can all too easily tempt us to relax and let things take their course without troubling over details. Such indifference is the root of all evil. Symptoms of decay are bound to be the result. Here we have the rule indicating the usual course of history. But this rule is not an inescapable law. He who understands it is in position to avoid its effects by dint of unremitting perseverance and caution.

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Today: “There is no tragedy worse than the way you feel it” Yogi Bhajan

“There is no tragedy worse than the way you feel it. There is no poverty worse than when you cannot give. There is no misfortune worse than your broken word. There is no gruesome sin worse than betraying your own trust, And there is no insanity worse than when you let down yourself or a friend.” Yogi Bhajan
(via Ram Anand)

 

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Today: Deliverance – from the I Ching

Deliverance.  Tensions are eased.  Clarity prevails.  Forgive misdeeds and move on.

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's translation of the I Ching

This refers to a time in which tensions and complications begin to be eased. At such times we ought to make our way back to ordinary conditions as soon as possible; this is the meaning of “the south-west.” These periods of sudden change have great importance. Just as rain relieves atmospheric tension, making all the buds burst open, so a time of deliverance from burdensome pressure has a liberating and stimulating effect on life. One thing is important, however: in such times we must not overdo our triumph. The point is not to push on farther than is necessary. Returning to the regular order of life as soon as deliverance is achieved brings good fortune. If there are any residual matters that ought to be attended to, it should be done as quickly as possible, so that a clean sweep is made and no retardations occur.
A thunderstorm has the effect of clearing the air; the superior man produces a similar effect when dealing with mistakes and sins of men that induce a condition of tension. Through clarity he brings deliverance. However, when failings come to light, he does not dwell on them; he simply passes over mistakes, the unintentional transgressions, just as thunder dies away. He forgives misdeeds, the intentional transgressions, just as water washes everything clean.

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Today: “Things do happen because of time and space. Keep moving” Yogi Bhajan

Losing a friend or facing an enemy Is sometimes purely circumstantial. Things do happen because of time and space. Keep moving – Otherwise, you will jam the traffic of life.” Yogi Bhajan
(via Ram Anand)

 

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Today: “Don’t repeat mistakes” Yogi Bhajan

“Don’t repeat mistakes. It will empty your life. Don’t feel sorry. It will empty the joy of victory. Plan graciously before you play your hand.” Yogi Bhajan
(via Ram Anand)

 

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Today: It is potentially a time for great abundance – from the I Ching

It is potentially a time for great abundance, if only the leaders could share the vision of their constituents.  Initiating great measures in the current environment would only lead to opposition and derision from those who are holding oppression in place.  If leaders could begin to represent all people equally, the situation would change instantly.  Then peace and prosperity would prevail.

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's translation of the I Ching

It is not given to every mortal to bring about a time of outstanding greatness and abundance. Only a born ruler of men is able to do it, because his will is directed to what is great. Such a time of abundance is usually brief. Therefore a sage might well feel sad in view of the decline that must follow. But such sadness does not befit him. Only a man who is inwardly free of sorrow and care can lead in a time of abundance. He must be like the sun at midday, illuminating and gladdening everything under heaven.
It often happens that plots and party intrigues, which have the darkening effect of an eclipse of the sun, come between a ruler intent on great achievement and the man who could effect great undertakings. Then, instead of the sun, we see the northern stars in the sky. The ruler is overshadowed by a party that has usurped power. If a man at such a time were to try to take energetic measures, he would encounter only mistrust and envy, which would prohibit all movement. The essential thing then is to hold inwardly to the power of truth, which in the end is so strong that it exerts an invisible influence on the ruler, so that all goes well.
In the world of man it is a time of social harmony; those in high places show favour to the lowly, and the lowly and inferior in their turn are well disposed toward the highly placed. There is an end to all feuds.
Inside, at the centre, in the key position, is the light principle; the dark principle is outside. Thus the light has a powerful influence, while the dark is submissive. In this way each receives its due. When the good elements of society occupy a central position and are in control, the evil elements come under their influence and change for the better. When the spirit of heaven rules in man, his animal nature also comes under its influence and takes its appropriate place.

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Today: If you need God’s help in your life Yogi Bhajan

“If you need God’s help in your life, Be graceful and God shall be grateful to help you. How you are known will not depend on your demand, It will depend on your commitments.” Yogi Bhajan
(via Ram Anand)

 

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Today: Right the wrongs of prior transgressions – from the I Ching

It’s not too late to right the wrongs of prior transgressions.  Merely correct their causes and free yourself of those tendencies.  It may be difficult at first, but it’s a move in the right direction.

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's translation of the I Ching

After a time of decay comes the turning point. The powerful light that has been banished returns. There is movement, but it is not brought about by force. The upper trigram Kun is characterised by devotion; thus the movement is natural, arising spontaneously. For this reason the transformation of the old becomes easy. The old is discarded and the new is introduced. Both measures accord with the time; therefore no harm results. Societies of people sharing the same views are formed. But since these groups come together in full public knowledge and are in harmony with the time, all selfish separatist tendencies are excluded, and no mistake is made. The idea of RETURN is based on the course of nature. The movement is cyclic, and the course completes itself. Therefore it is not necessary to hasten anything artificially. Everything comes of itself at the appointed time. This is the meaning of heaven and earth.
All movements are accomplished in six stages, and the seventh brings return. Thus the winter solstice, with which the decline of the year begins, comes in the seventh month after the summer solstice; so too sunrise comes in the seventh double hour after sunset. Therefore seven is the number of the young light, and it arises when six, the number of the great darkness, is increased by one. In this way the state of rest gives place to movement.
When the time for return has come, a man should not take shelter in trivial excuses, but should look within and examine himself. And if he has done something wrong he should make a noblehearted resolve to confess his fault. No one will regret having taken this road.
TIMES OF GROWTH are beset with difficulties. They resemble a first birth. But these difficulties arise from the very profusion of all that is struggling to attain form. Everything is in motion: therefore if one perseveres there is a prospect of great success, in spite of the existing danger. When it is a man’s fate to undertake such new beginnings, everything is still unformed, dark. Hence he must hold back, because any premature move might bring disaster. Likewise, it is very important not to remain alone; in order to overcome the chaos he needs helpers. This is not to say, however, that he himself should look on passively at what is happening. He must lend his hand and participate with inspiration and guidance.

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Today: “Watch out and behold” Yogi Bhajan

“Watch out and behold: God can manifest in many ways to test the purity of heart, The wisdom of your head and the greatness of your life.” Yogi Bhajan
(via Ram Anand)

 

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Today: Hold to your convictions to bring justice & peace – from the I Ching

Where you are not personally in a position to challenge overtly the status quo, you can hold to your convictions in smaller ways that will affect your environment in a positive way.  You can shine from the inside while you demur outwardly.  When everyone does this, then justice prevails and evil departs.  It is already happening.

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's translation of the I Ching

One must not unresistingly let himself be swept along by unfavourable circumstances, nor permit his steadfastness to be shaken. He can avoid this by maintaining his inner light, while remaining outwardly yielding and tractable. With this attitude he can overcome even the greatest adversities.
In some situations indeed a man must hide his light, in order to make his will prevail in spite of difficulties in his immediate environment. Perseverance must dwell in inmost consciousness and should not be discernible from without. Only thus is a man able to maintain his will in the face of difficulties.
Prince Chi lived at the court of the evil tyrant Chou Hsin, who, although not mentioned by name, furnishes the historical example on which this whole situation is based. Prince Chi was a relative of the tyrant and could not withdraw from court; therefore he concealed his true sentiments and feigned insanity. Although he was held a slave, he did not allow external misery to deflect him from his convictions.
This provides a teaching for those who cannot leave their posts in times of darkness. In order to escape danger, they need invincible perseverance of spirit and redoubled caution in their dealings with the world.
The transition from the old to the new time is already accomplished. In principle, everything stands systematised, and it is only in regard to details that success is still to be achieved. In respect to this, however, we must be careful to maintain the right attitude. Everything proceeds as if of its own accord, and this can all too easily tempt us to relax and let things take their course without troubling over details. Such indifference is the root of all evil. Symptoms of decay are bound to be the result. Here we have the rule indicating the usual course of history. But this rule is not an inescapable law. He who understands it is in position to avoid its effects by dint of unremitting perseverance and caution.

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Today: “Do not subject yourself to time and space” Yogi Bhajan

“Do not subject yourself to time and space – Keep the wealth of your wisdom and just leap over them.” Yogi Bhajan
(via Ram Anand)

 

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Today: Recognize all who are family – from the I Ching

Waiting so long with no end in sight, it is tempting to give up. Patience can become despair.  Hope is a matter of expectation.  Giving up expectations opens one up to recognizing and accepting support from unexpected places.  We think of family as coming to the rescue in a pinch.  Sometimes we are surprised by who actually is family when it is first recognized by the other.  In the broadest sense, we can embrace the universe.

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's translation of the I Ching

WAITING is not mere empty hoping. It has the inner certainty of reaching the goal. Such certainty alone gives that light which leads to success. This leads to the perseverance that brings good fortune and bestows power to cross the great water. One is faced with a danger that has to be overcome. Weakness and impatience can do nothing. Only a strong man can stand up to his fate, for his inner security enables him to endure to the end. This strength shows itself in uncompromising truthfulness [with himself]. It is only when we have the courage to face things exactly as they are, without any sort of self- deception or illusion, that a light will develop out of events, by which the path to success may be recognised. This recognition must be followed by resolute and persevering action. For only the man who goes to meet his fate resolutely is equipped to deal with it adequately. Then he will be able to cross the great water – that is to say, he will be capable of making the necessary decision and of surmounting the danger.
The waiting is over; the danger can no longer be averted. One falls into the pit and must yield to the inevitable. Everything seems to have been in vain. But precisely in this extremity things take an unforeseen turn. Without a move on one’s own part, there is outside intervention. At first one cannot be sure of its meaning: is it rescue or is it destruction? A person in this situation must keep his mind alert and not withdraw into himself with a sulky gesture of refusal, but must greet the new turn with respect. Thus he ultimately escapes the danger, and all goes well. Even happy turns of fortune often come in a form that at first seems strange to us.
The family is society in embryo; it is the native soil on which performance of moral duty is made easy through natural affection, so that within a small circle a basis of moral practice is created, and this is later widened to include human relationships in general.

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Today: “Every child is your first student” Yogi Bhajan

“Every child is your first student, There to prove your worth as a teacher.” Yogi Bhajan
(via Ram Anand)

 

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Today: find the discipline to rely on intuition – from the I Ching

We must be creative to find the proper means of producing something useful.  There are many offers of solutions that come from all places, but we must be careful not to accept any proposal that would obligate us to a course that in the end will only serve as a distraction from what we know must be done.  We must find the discipline to rely on intuition in order to move forward.

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's translation of the I Ching

TIMES OF GROWTH are beset with difficulties. They resemble a first birth. But these difficulties arise from the very profusion of all that is struggling to attain form. Everything is in motion: therefore if one perseveres there is a prospect of great success, in spite of the existing danger. When it is a man’s fate to undertake such new beginnings, everything is still unformed, dark. Hence he must hold back, because any premature move might bring disaster. Likewise, it is very important not to remain alone; in order to overcome the chaos he needs helpers. This is not to say, however, that he himself should look on passively at what is happening. He must lend his hand and participate with inspiration and guidance.
We find ourselves beset by difficulties and hindrances. Suddenly there is a turn of affairs, as if someone were coming up with a horse and wagon and unhitching them. This event comes so unexpectedly that we assume the newcomer to be a robber. Gradually it becomes clear that he has no evil intentions but seeks to be friendly and to offer help. But this offer is not to be accepted, because it does not come from the right quarter. We must wait until the time is fulfilled; ten years is a fulfilled cycle of time. Then normal conditions return of themselves, and we can join forces with the friend intended for us.
Using the image of a betrothed girl who remains true to her lover in face of grave conflicts, the hexagram gives counsel for a special situation. When in times of difficulty a hindrance is encountered and unexpected relief is offered from a source unrelated to us, we must be careful and not take upon ourselves any obligations entailed by such help; otherwise our freedom of decision is impaired. If we bide our time, things will quiet down again, and we shall attain what we have hoped for.
Times of adversity are the reverse of times of success, but they can lead to success if they befall the right man. When a strong man meets with adversity, he remains cheerful despite all danger, and this cheerfulness is the source of later successes; it is that stability which is stronger than fate. He who lets his spirit be broken by exhaustion certainly has no success. But if adversity only bends a man, it creates in him a power to react that is bound in time to manifest itself. No inferior man is capable of this. Only the great man brings about good fortune and remains blameless. It is true that for the time being outward influence is denied him, because his words have no effect. Therefore in times of adversity it is important to be strong within and sparing of words.

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