Tao Te Ching – Verse 41 – When a superior man hears of the Tao, he immediately begins to embody it

Tao Te Ching – Verse 41

When a superior man hears of the Tao,
he immediately begins to embody it.
When an average man hears of the Tao,
he half believes it, half doubts it.
When a foolish man hears of the Tao,
he laughs out loud.
If he didn’t laugh,
it wouldn’t be the Tao.

Continue reading “Tao Te Ching – Verse 41 – When a superior man hears of the Tao, he immediately begins to embody it”

If you look to your inner nature rather than external diversion, you will find the Holy Grail of contentment. – Today’s Reading

If you look to your inner nature rather than external diversion, you will find the Holy Grail of contentment.

See Yogi Bhajan’s quote for today

Tao Te Ching – Verse 40 – Return is the movement of the Tao. Yielding is the way of the Tao.

Meditation:  NM0426 – 20011117 – Self Transformation

The Seven Steps to Happiness

Today: I Ching – Previous Reading – “You can contribute beneficially to the common good only if you understand your connections with the social structure. Know your leaders and your brethren. Understand your presence in the flow. Cults are not allowed.”

Today: I Ching – Previous previous reading – “Rather than forging forward, allow a substantial and durable alliance to form supporting your noble enterprise.”

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Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's, Thomas Cleary's, Brian Arnold's and other translations of the I Ching
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.

Six in the third place means:

Arguing and negotiating to win love and joy.
Self-defeat.
Misfortune.
Coming joyousness. Misfortune.

Romans of the Decadence

‘The Romans of the Decadence’ – Thomas Couture, 1847

True joy must spring from within. But if one is empty within and wholly given over to the world, idle pleasures come streaming in from without. This is what many people welcome as diversion. Those who lack inner stability and therefore need amusement, will always find opportunity of indulgence. They attract external pleasures by the emptiness of their natures. Thus they lose themselves more and more, which of course has bad results.

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 can listen and hear the power of your own spoken word” – Yogi Bhajan

“If you can listen and hear the power of your own spoken word, you own committed language, and if it is remembered by you, it becomes you. Say it and listen to it consciously. That is the work of the mind. It should listen consciously and help you be surprisingly successful.” Yogi Bhajan

Meditation: NM0365-20001024-On Communication II

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Tao Te Ching – Verse 40 – Return is the movement of the Tao. Yielding is the way of the Tao.

Tao Te Ching – Verse 40

Return is the movement of the Tao.
Yielding is the way of the Tao.

All things are born of being.
Being is born of non-being.

Continue reading “Tao Te Ching – Verse 40 – Return is the movement of the Tao. Yielding is the way of the Tao.”

“You can contribute beneficially to the common good only if you understand your connections with the social structure.  Know your leaders and your brethren.  Understand your presence in the flow.  Cults are not allowed.” – Today from the I Ching

You can contribute beneficially to the common good only if you understand your connections with the social structure.  Know your leaders and your brethren.  Understand your presence in the flow.  Cults are not allowed.

See Yogi Bhajan’s quote for today

Tao Te Ching – Verse 39 – In harmony with the Tao, the sky is clear and spacious

Meditation: NM335 – A00111 Connect Up to Infinity

Today: I Ching – Previous Reading – “Rather than forging forward, allow a substantial and durable alliance to form supporting your noble enterprise.”

Today: I Ching – Previous previous reading – “Sincerity with confidence will inspire enthusiasm and cooperation.”

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Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's, Thomas Cleary's, Brian Arnold's and other translations of the I Ching
20 – Twenty.  Kuan / Contemplation

The gentle Wind roams the Earth:
The Superior Person expands his sphere of influence as he expands his awareness.
Deeply devoted to his pursuit of clarity and wisdom, he is unconscious of the inspiring, positive example he is setting for others to emulate.

You have cleansed yourself; now stand ready to make your humble, devout offering.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

The situation marks a rising to new heights.
As you climb for a better view of the panorama, you make yourself more conspicuous to those below.
This hexagram is also known as the Watchtower, because the shape formed by its lines resembles the ancient guardposts manned by Chinese soldiers.
These towers were placed on mountainsides to give a better vantage point.
To those below, the watchtowers served as landmarks to help them find their way.
The quality of your search for clarity in this situation serves as such a guidepost for others along the Way.

Six at the beginning [yin at bottom] means:

You look at things like a child.
This is pardonable in a lesser man, but a fatal flaw in one of your calibre.

Boy like contemplation.
For an inferior man, no blame.
For a superior man, humiliation.

Shepherd Boy

The Shepherd Boy – John Opie

This means contemplation from a distance, without comprehension. A man of influence is at hand, but his influence is not understood by the common people. This matters little in the case of the masses, for they benefit by the actions of the ruling sage whether they understand them or not. But for a superior man it is a disgrace. He must not content himself with a shallow, thoughtless view of prevailing forces; he must contemplate them as a connected whole and try to understand them.
27 – Twenty-Seven.  I / Providing Nourishment

Beneath the immobile Mountain the arousing Thunder stirs:
The Superior Person preserves his freedom under oppressive conditions by watching what comes out of his mouth, as well as what goes in.

Endure and good fortune will come.
Nurture others in need, as if you were feeding yourself.
Take care not to provide sustenance for those who feed off others.
Stay as high as possible on the food chain.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

You are a conduit in this instance, able to provide the sustenance needed by others.
Position yourself to nourish the truly needy and worthy.
Avoid situations where you might be coerced into supporting the parasites and vermin who deprive your true charges.
Your own nourishment is an issue here, too.
Remember Lao Tzu’s three Great Treasures:
Only the person possessed of Compassion, Modesty and Frugality can remain fit enough to stay free of desperation and keep control of the situation.

Today: “The Eighth Chakra is located in the aura” – Yogi Bhajan

“The Eighth Chakra is located in the aura, the magnetic field generated by a human being that surrounds him or her up to nine feet in every direction. The quality of the aura reveals the personality in the projection of power or the depression of defeat.” Yogi Bhajan

Meditation: KWTC-930407 Childhood Patterns – Aura

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Tao Te Ching – Verse 39 – In harmony with the Tao, the sky is clear and spacious

Tao Te Ching – Verse 39

In harmony with the Tao,
the sky is clear and spacious,
the earth is solid and full,
all creatures flourish together,
content with the way they are,
endlessly repeating themselves,
endlessly renewed.
When man interferes with the Tao,
the sky becomes filthy,
the earth becomes depleted,
the equilibrium crumbles,
creatures become extinct.

Continue reading “Tao Te Ching – Verse 39 – In harmony with the Tao, the sky is clear and spacious”

“Rather than forging forward, allow a substantial and durable alliance to form supporting your noble enterprise.” – Today from the I Ching

Rather than forging forward, allow a substantial and durable alliance to form supporting your noble enterprise.

See Yogi Bhajan’s quote for today

Tao Te Ching – Verse 38 – The Master doesn’t try to be powerful; thus he is truly powerful.

Meditation: NM0163 – 20010618 – Polish the Radiant Body

Today: I Ching – Previous Reading – “Sincerity with confidence will inspire enthusiasm and cooperation.”

Today: I Ching – Previous previous reading – “Do not be tempted to engage with evil people.

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Share The Magical Story of Mushkil Gusha with friends over a meal today.

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Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's, Thomas Cleary's, Brian Arnold's and other translations of the I Ching
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?

Six in the fourth place means:

Advance alone against insurmountable odds, or remain in place, gathering strength and allies.

Going leads to obstructions,
Coming leads to union.

Bond of Union

‘Bond of Union’, 1956 – M.C. Escher (1898-1972)

This too describes a situation that cannot be managed single-handed. In such a case the direct way is not the shortest. If a person were to forge ahead on his own strength and without the necessary preparations, he would not find the support he needs and would realize too late that he has been mistaken in his calculations, inasmuch as the conditions on which he hoped he could rely would prove to be inadequate. In this case it is better, therefore, to hold back for the time being and to gather together trustworthy companions who can be counted upon for help in overcoming the obstructions.

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: “…concentrating on yourself as a part of the Universe and meditating on the Holy Nam” – Yogi Bhajan

“The circumvent force can be straightened out by concentrating on yourself as a part of the Universe and meditating on the Holy Nam. It can straighten out any pit in your life. It can plug any deficiency. It is the highest, most powerful method a man has ever developed or known.” Yogi Bhajan

Meditation: LA159 800318 NAAD KRIYA

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Tao Te Ching – Verse 38 – The Master doesn’t try to be powerful; thus he is truly powerful.

Tao Te Ching – Verse 38

The Master doesn’t try to be powerful;
thus he is truly powerful.
The ordinary man keeps reaching for power;
thus he never has enough.

The Master does nothing,
yet he leaves nothing undone.
The ordinary man is always doing things,
yet many more are left to be done.

Continue reading “Tao Te Ching – Verse 38 – The Master doesn’t try to be powerful; thus he is truly powerful.”

“Sincerity with confidence will inspire enthusiasm and cooperation.” – Today from the I Ching

Sincerity with confidence will inspire enthusiasm and cooperation.

See Yogi Bhajan’s quote for today

Tao Te Ching – Verse 37 – The Tao never does anything, yet through it all things are done

Meditation: NM0163 – 20010618 – Polish the Radiant Body

Today: I Ching – Previous Reading – “Do not be tempted to engage with evil people. Let them go.”

Today: I Ching – Previous previous reading – “Exercise your duty, even if it is perceived that you are not up to the task.”

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Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's, Thomas Cleary's, Brian Arnold's and other translations of the I Ching
16 – Sixteen.  Yü / Enthusiasm

Thunder comes resounding out of the Earth:
Similar thunder roars up from the masses when the Superior Person strikes a chord in their hearts.

Whip up enthusiasm, rally your forces, and move boldly forward.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

There is a rhythmic force, a world music, that lives deep in the Unconscious of each of us.
It’s a primitive drumbeat, a shaking rattle, a tribal chant that invokes the primal self to rise up and join the dance.
This is the enthusiasm that is generated now.
Not rhetorical persuasion, not a play on the emotions, but a charismatic, irresistible Call of the Wild.
Confucius said that the person who could comprehend this could ‘rule the world as though it were spinning in his hand.’
This is a time for instinct, not intellect — the Thunder from the Beneath.

Nine in the fourth place means:

His music strikes a chord and wins hearts.
His trust makes them true, and brings great success.
The source of enthusiasm.
He achieves great things.
Doubt not.
You gather friends around you
As a hair clasp gathers the hair.

Hair clasp

Hair clasp

This describes a man who’s able to awaken enthusiasm through his own sureness and freedom from hesitation. He attracts people because he has no doubts and is wholly sincere. Owing to his confidence in them he wins their enthusiastic co-operation and attains success. Just as a clasp draws the hair together and holds it, so he draws men together by the support he gives them.
2 – Two.  K’un / Receptive Force

Earth above and Earth below:
The Earth contains and sustains.
In this situation, the Superior Person should not take the initiative; he should follow the initiative of another.
He should seek receptive allies in the southwest; he should break ties with immovable allies in the northeast.

Responsive devotion.
Receptive influence.
Sublime Success if you keep to your course.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

This is a time for dealing with reality as it is, not as you would have it be.
If you realize that in this situation you are the receptor, not the transmitter of the stimulus, you will find yourself reaching goals that seemed unattainable under your own steam.
If you persist in futile efforts to be the Shaper rather than the Shaped, you will completely miss this unique opportunity.

Today: “Your aura is determined by what you vibrate” – Yogi Bhajan

“Your aura is determined by what you vibrate. Whatever your mental thoughts are, that is your aura and that is the color of your aura.” Yogi Bhajan

Meditation: 760422 – Balancing Projection with Intention

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Tao Te Ching – Verse 37 – The Tao never does anything, yet through it all things are done

Tao Te Ching – Verse 37

The Tao never does anything,
yet through it all things are done.
If powerful men and women
could center themselves in it,
the whole world would be transformed
by itself, in its natural rhythms.
People would be content
with their simple, everyday lives,
in harmony, and free of desire.
When there is no desire,
all things are at peace. Continue reading “Tao Te Ching – Verse 37 – The Tao never does anything, yet through it all things are done”

“Do not be tempted to engage with evil people.  Let them go.” – Today from the I Ching

Do not be tempted to engage with evil people.  Let them go.

See Yogi Bhajan’s quote for today

Tao Te Ching – Verse 36 – If you want to shrink something, you must first allow it to expand

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

Today: I Ching – Previous Reading – “Exercise your duty, even if it is perceived that you are not up to the task.”

Today: I Ching – Previous previous reading – “Be patient. Continue to work on yourself. What you sacrifice is not in vain.”

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See on healing with Yogi Bhjan

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's, Thomas Cleary's, Brian Arnold's and other translations of the I Ching

Today: “Do not be tempted to engage with evil people.”- from the I Ching

Do not be tempted to engage with evil people.  Let them go.

See Yogi Bhajan’s quote for today

Tao Te Ching – Verse 36 – If you want to shrink something, you must first allow it to expand

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

Today: I Ching – Previous Reading – “Exercise your duty, even if it is perceived that you are not up to the task.”

Today: I Ching – Previous previous reading – “Be patient. Continue to work on yourself. What you sacrifice is not in vain.”

See related posts.

See on healing with Yogi Bhjan

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's, Thomas Cleary's, Brian Arnold's and other translations of the I Ching
38 – Thirty-Eight.  K’uei / Estrangement

Fire distances itself from its nemesis, the Lake:
No matter how large or diverse the group, the Superior Person remains uniquely himself.

Small accomplishments are possible.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

You are working at cross-purposes with another.
The distance between you is very wide.
The gap can be closed, however, with no compromise of your integrity.
You are not adversaries in this case — just two persons addressing individual needs.
Ask yourself: are these needs mutually exclusive?
Is there common ground here?
Must there be one winner and one loser?
Could you become partners in seeking a solution that would allow for two winners?

Nine at the beginning [yang at bottom] means:

Don’t search after the horses you’ve lost; They will return in seven days.
Acknowledge the presence of evil people: keep a close eye on them, but don’t be baited into dealing with them.

Remorse disappears.
If you lose your horse, do not run after it;
It will come back of its own accord.
When you see evil people,
Guard yourself against mistakes.

Chinese Horse

Even in times when oppositions prevail, mistakes can be avoided, so that remorse disappears. When opposition begins to manifest itself, a man must not try to bring about unity by force, for by so doing he would only achieve the contrary, just as a horse goes farther and farther away if one runs after it. If it is one’s own horse, one can safely let it go; it will come back of its own accord. So too when someone who belongs with us is momentarily estranged because of a misunderstanding, he will return of his own accord if we leave matters to him. On the other hand, it is well to be cautious when evil men who do not belong with us force themselves upon us, again as the result of a misunderstanding. Here the important thing is to avoid mistakes. We must not try to shake off these evil men by force; this would give rise to real hostility. We must simply endure them. They will eventually withdraw of their own accord.
64 – Sixty-Four. Wei Chi / The End In Sight

Fire ascends above the Water:
The Superior Person examines the nature of things and keeps each in its proper place.

Too anxious the young fox gets his tail wet, just as he completes his crossing.
To attain success, be like the man and not like the fox.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

Resist the rush to completion.
Anticipation of fulfillment may cause you to be careless before you have fully absorbed the lessons of the journey.
The endpoint of this Quest will only prove to be the threshold for another.
You are short steps from Mastery on this plane, yet you stride toward Ignorance of the challenges lying beyond.
Savor this accomplishment.
Fully Become.
Take full possession of your world before embarking to discover the next one.
That voyage begins soon enough, and you will reminisce about this one.
These are the Good Old Days.

Today: “Those who sleep North/South…” – Yogi Bhajan

“Those who sleep North/South—their magnetic field and the magnetic field of the Earth become one and they become zero and lose all initiative. That is why man has always been advised to sleep East/West.” Yogi Bhajan

Meditation: NM132-940504-Pratyahar

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