“Every creator loves his creation. A musician loves his music, an artist loves his art, a chef loves his food. So God loves his creation, and He created every creator with all his totality.” Yogi Bhajan
Tao Te Ching – Verse 77 – As it acts in the world, the Tao is like the bending of a bow.
Tao Te Ching – Verse 77
As it acts in the world, the Tao
is like the bending of a bow.
The top is bent downward;
the bottom is bent up.
It adjusts excess and deficiency
so that there is perfect balance.
It takes from what is too much
and gives to what isn’t enough.
Those who try to control,
who use force to protect their power,
go against the direction of the Tao.
They take from those who don’t have enough
and give to those who have far too much.
The Master can keep giving
because there is no end to her wealth.
She acts without expectation,
succeeds without taking credit,
and doesn’t think that she is better
than anyone else.
(translation by Stephen Mitchell, 1995)
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The Tao of Heaven
Is like drawing a bow
Lower that which is high
Raise that which is low
Reduce that which has excess
Add to that which is lacking
The Tao of heaven
Reduces the excessive
And adds to the lacking
The Tao of people is not so
It reduces the lacking
In order to offer to the excessive
Who can offer their excess to the world?
Only those who have the Tao
Therefore sages act without conceit
Achieve without claiming credit
They do not wish to display their virtue!
(translation by Derek Lin, 2006)
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Charity you say?
I say greed.
Gifts you say?
I say destruction.
Heaven and the Sage live these truths.
(translation by Jeremy M. Miller, 2013)
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“May not the Tao be compared to bending a bow? The part of the bow which was high is brought low, and what was low is raised up. So Heaven diminishes where there is superabundance, and supplements where there is deficiency.
It is the Way of Heaven to diminish superabundance, and to supplement deficiency. It is not so with the way of man. He takes away from those who have not enough to add to his own superabundance.
Who can take his own superabundance and therewith serve all under heaven? Only he who is in possession of the Tao!
Therefore the sage acts without claiming the results as his; he achieves his merit and does not rest in it: — he does not wish to display his superiority.”
Excerpt From Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu
https://books.apple.com/us/book/tao-te-ching/id1436033825
Today: “Great progress and expansion in every endeavor. It furthers one to accomplish great deeds. ” – From the I Ching
progress, expansion
in every endeavor
accomplish great deeds
The forces of the cosmos are cycling in your favor.
This is an ideal time for great progress and expansion in every endeavor.
It furthers one to accomplish great deeds.
If great help comes to a man from on high, this increased strength must be used to achieve something great for which he might otherwise never have found energy, or readiness to take responsibility. Great good fortune is produced by selflessness, and in bringing about great good fortune, he remains free of reproach.
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.
Today: “When spring comes, nature sprouts, blooms, talks to you.” Yogi Bhajan
Practice this yoga:
Check out the various healing workshops we have conducted over the years.
See Richard Wilhelm's translation for this reading from the original text
42 – Forty-Two. I / Expansion
Nine at the beginning [yang at bottom] means:
| The forces of the cosmos are cycling in your favor. This is an ideal time for great progress and expansion in every endeavor. It furthers one to accomplish great deeds. Supreme good fortune. No blame.  Selfless |
| If great help comes to a man from on high, this increased strength must be used to achieve something great for which he might otherwise never have found energy, or readiness to take responsibility. Great good fortune is produced by selflessness, and in bringing about great good fortune, he remains free of reproach. |
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.
Today: “When spring comes, nature sprouts, blooms, talks to you.” Yogi Bhajan
“When spring comes, nature sprouts, blooms, talks to you. Roses are there with their fragrance to reach you. Flowers open up their hearts to tell you how to open up your heart.” Yogi Bhajan
Tao Te Ching – Verse 76 – Men are born soft and supple; dead, they are stiff and hard. Plants are born tender and pliant; dead, they are brittle and dry.
Tao Te Ching – Verse 76
Men are born soft and supple;
dead, they are stiff and hard.
Plants are born tender and pliant;
dead, they are brittle and dry.
Thus whoever is stiff and inflexible
is a disciple of death.
Whoever is soft and yielding
is a disciple of life.
The hard and stiff will be broken.
The soft and supple will prevail.
(translation by Stephen Mitchell, 1995)
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While alive, the body is soft and pliant
When dead, it is hard and rigid
All living things, grass and trees,
While alive, are soft and supple
When dead, become dry and brittle
Thus that which is hard and stiff
is the follower of death
That which is soft and yielding
is the follower of life
Therefore, an inflexible army will not win
A strong tree will be cut down
The big and forceful occupy a lowly position
While the soft and pliant occupy a higher place
(translation by Derek Lin, 2006)
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Be soft and be immortal.
Be the bully and be destroyed.
How many times must this lesson be taught?
(translation by Jeremy M. Miller, 2013)
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Today: “If the relationship between the leader and the follower is based on loyalty and trust, then corruption will disappear.” – From the I Ching
Leader, follower
sharing loyalty and trust,
functioning as one
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.
Loyalty leads to firm ties because it means that each partner complements the other. In the weaker person loyalty consists in devotion, in the stronger it consists in trustworthiness. This relation of mutual reinforcement leads to a true wealth that is all the more apparent because it is not selfishly hoarded but is shared with friends. Pleasure shared is pleasure doubled.
Winds sweep through the Mountain valley:
The Superior Person sweeps away corruption and stagnation by stirring up the people and strengthening their spirit.
Today: “Flexibility is a law of life” – Yogi Bhajan
Practice this yoga:
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 fifth place means:
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18 – Eighteen. Ku / Repairing the Damage
Winds sweep through the Mountain valley:
The Superior Person sweeps away corruption and stagnation by stirring up the people and strengthening their spirit.
Supreme success.
Before crossing to the far shore, consider the move for three days.
After crossing, devote three days of hard labor to damage control.
SITUATION ANALYSIS:
You are blessed with an opportunity to resuscitate that which others have abandoned as beyond repair.
This ruin wasn’t caused by evil intention, but by indifference to decay.
Just by addressing yourself to the problem, you exhibit a new awareness, a fresh perspective.
This is a time of recovery, renewal, regeneration.
Today: “Flexibility is a law of life” – Yogi Bhajan
“Flexibility is a law of life. In our common language we call it compassion.” Yogi Bhajan
Lecture: LA907 970311 burn the subconscious “Life is Love”
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Tao Te Ching – Verse 75 – When taxes are too high, people go hungry. When the government is too intrusive, people lose their spirit
Tao Te Ching – Verse 75
When taxes are too high,
people go hungry.
When the government is too intrusive,
people lose their spirit.
Act for the people’s benefit.
Trust them; leave them alone.
Continue reading “Tao Te Ching – Verse 75 – When taxes are too high, people go hungry. When the government is too intrusive, people lose their spirit”
Today: “Those entrusted with the wellbeing of the nation are not there. All one can do is help others to see what you see, form a firm intention, and act.” – From the I Ching
The Shepherds have fled
by ourselves we create
our destiny
Those entrusted with the wellbeing of the nation are not there. All one can do is help others to see what you see, form a firm intention, and act.
Persevere.
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.
An individual who has the good of mankind at heart is oppressed from above and below . He finds no help among the people whose duty it would be to aid in the work of rescue . But little by little, things take a turn for the better. Until that time, he should turn to God, firm in his inner composure, and pray and offer sacrifice for the general well-being.
You must gain support from others.
Find a way to make others want to see your objectives met as badly as you want it.
Previous reading: Justice has its due. Sometimes harsh, but warranted. Not rushed, but complete.”
Practice this yoga:
Meditation: LA101 790419-Faith In Our Self And Our Own Discipline
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.
Nine in the fifth place means:His nose and feet are cut off.
Emperor Qianlong (r. 1736 – 1795) |
| An individual who has the good of mankind at heart is oppressed from above and below (this is the meaning of the cutting off of nose and feet). He finds no help among the people whose duty it would be to aid in the work of rescue (ministers wore purple knee bands). But little by little, things take a turn for the better. Until that time, he should turn to God, firm in his inner composure, and pray and offer sacrifice for the general well-being. |
7 – Seven. Shih / Recruiting Allies
Deep Water beneath the Earth’s surface:
Untapped resources are available.
The Superior Person nourishes and instructs the people, building a loyal, disciplined following.
Good fortune.
No mistakes if you follow a course led by experience.
SITUATION ANALYSIS:
You must gain support from others.
Find a way to make others want to see your objectives met as badly as you want it.
How can they profit from the attainment of this goal?
Can you command confidence that you are just the person that can bring this plan to fruition?
Today: “Meditate on God right Now! And even if you’ve wasted your past in pursuit of Maya, You can know the Future. ” Yogi Bhajan
“Meditate on God right Now! And even if you’ve wasted your past in pursuit of Maya, You can know the Future. Settling the breath at the third eye point, Energy flows through the Ida and Pingala, The Shushmana is energized, The Thousand Petalled Lotus turns, And the Nectar trickles from the Realm of Brahm. Such a Gursikh is Liberated!” Yogi Bhajan
Meditation: KYB117-19860822 – Achieve an Experience of God
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Tao Te Ching – Verse 74 – If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to.
Tao Te Ching – Verse 74
If you realize that all things change,
there is nothing you will try to hold on to.
If you aren’t afraid of dying,
there is nothing you can’t achieve.
Trying to control the future
is like trying to take the master carpenter’s place.
When you handle the master carpenter’s tools,
chances are that you’ll cut your hand.
Continue reading “Tao Te Ching – Verse 74 – If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to.”
Today: “Justice has its due. Sometimes harsh, but warranted. Not rushed, but complete.” – From the I Ching
Justice has its due. Sometimes harsh, but warranted. Not rushed, but complete.
A terrible reckoning is due.
A wrong will be righted — and even if it has been you who has been wronged, you will tremble at the terrible power of Justice untempered by Mercy.
Pray for your oppressor, that his punishment will fit his crime.
Bites through tender meat,
So that his nose disappears.
No blame.
It is easy to discriminate between right and wrong in this case; it is like biting through tender meat. But one encounters a hardened sinner, and, aroused by anger, one goes a little too far. The disappearance of the nose in the course of the bite signifies that indignation blots out finer sensibility. However, there is no great harm in this, because the penalty as such is just.
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.
Tao Te Ching – Verse 73 – The Tao is always at ease.
Today: “Each experience must lead to your happiness and grace” – Yogi Bhajan
Today: “Each experience must lead to your happiness and grace” – Yogi Bhajan
Practice this yoga:
Meditation: NM0337-Bujung Kriya – For Wisdom and Understanding
Check out the various healing workshops we have conducted over the years.
See Richard Wilhelm's translation for this reading from the original text
21 – Twenty-One. Shih Ho / Biting Through
The merciless, searing judgement of Lightning fulfills the warning prophecies of distant Thunder.
Sage rulers preserved Justice by clearly defining the laws, and by delivering the penalties decreed.
Though unpleasant, it is best to let justice have its due.
SITUATION ANALYSIS:
A terrible reckoning is due.
A wrong will be righted — and even if it has been you who has been wronged, you will tremble at the terrible power of Justice untempered by Mercy.
Pray for your oppressor, that his punishment will fit his crime.
Six in the second place means:A bite so deep into the meat that his nose disappears. Bites through tender meat,
|
| It is easy to discriminate between right and wrong in this case; it is like biting through tender meat. But one encounters a hardened sinner, and, aroused by anger, one goes a little too far. The disappearance of the nose in the course of the bite signifies that indignation blots out finer sensibility. However, there is no great harm in this, because the penalty as such is just. |
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: “Each experience must lead to your happiness and grace” – Yogi Bhajan
“Each experience must lead to your happiness and grace.” Yogi Bhajan
Meditation: LA792 931214 – Experience and Ecstasy
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Tao Te Ching – Verse 73 – The Tao is always at ease.
Tao Te Ching – Verse 73
The Tao is always at ease.
It overcomes without competing,
answers without speaking a word,
arrives without being summoned,
accomplishes without a plan.
Its net covers the whole universe.
And though its meshes are wide,
it doesn’t let a thing slip through.
Continue reading “Tao Te Ching – Verse 73 – The Tao is always at ease.”
Today: “Recognizing the moment where it is impossible to act, disengage, observe and re-form your intentions for new engagement. Then act as yourself.” – From the I Ching
The old you is you /
give up being what you wear /
be I am I am
Recognizing the moment where it is impossible to act, disengage, observe and re-form your intentions for new engagement. Then act as yourself.
The tranquil Mountain towers overhead, yet remains this side of Heaven:
The Superior Person avoids the petty and superficial by keeping shallow men at a distance, not in anger but with dignity.
Retreat in this instance is not a desperate flight in disarray, but a conscious choice to distance yourself from forces that would rob you of your peace.
It is not a surrender, but a regrouping.
Retreat from this conflict is actually an advance toward your own center.
You move toward balance, and thus a much stronger position.
It is the business of the superior man to recognize in time that the moment for retreat has come. If the right moment is chosen, the retreat can be carried out within the forms of perfect friendliness, without the necessity of disagreeable discussions. Yet, for all the observance of amenities, absolute firmness of decision is necessary if one is not to be led astray by irrelevant considerations.
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.
Endurance is the key to success in this situation.
True resilience requires a flexibility that allows adaptation to any adverse condition, while still remaining true to the core.
Today: “Each experience must lead to your happiness and grace.” Yogi Bhajan
Today: “Each experience must lead to your happiness and grace.” Yogi Bhajan
Practice this yoga:
See the video
Check out the various healing workshops we have conducted over the years.
See Richard Wilhelm's translation for this reading from the original text
33 – Thirty-Three. Tun / Retreat
The tranquil Mountain towers overhead, yet remains this side of Heaven:
The Superior Person avoids the petty and superficial by keeping shallow men at a distance, not in anger but with dignity.
Such a retreat sweeps the path clear to Success.
Occupy yourself with minute detail.
SITUATION ANALYSIS:
Retreat in this instance is not a desperate flight in disarray, but a conscious choice to distance yourself from forces that would rob you of your peace.
It is not a surrender, but a regrouping.
Retreat from this conflict is actually an advance toward your own center.
You move toward balance, and thus a much stronger position.
Nine in the fifth place means:He makes a dignified retreat and retains control of the situation. Friendly retreat. Perseverance brings good fortune.
‘The Beginning of a Perfect Day’ – Thomas Kinkade |
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| It is the business of the superior man to recognize in time that the moment for retreat has come. If the right moment is chosen, the retreat can be carried out within the forms of perfect friendliness, without the necessity of disagreeable discussions. Yet, for all the observance of amenities, absolute firmness of decision is necessary if one is not to be led astray by irrelevant considerations. |
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: “Each experience must lead to your happiness and grace.” Yogi Bhajan
“Each experience must lead to your happiness and grace.” Yogi Bhajan
Meditation: LA19970407 – Experiencing the Original You
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