“Love doesn’t give you anything but a glow” Yogi Bhajan

“Love doesn’t give you anything but a glow. In the bewitchment that comes of that glow, even a king will bow to you.” Yogi Bhajan
(via Ram Anand)

 

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Today: Recognize the source of opposition – from the I Ching

When people are at odds, big things cannot be accomplished.  Small endeavors have a chance for success.  Prolonged opposition makes one wary of even true friends.  Such estrangement is caused in part by misunderstanding.  If one can recognize opposition as polarity within a whole, then it is easier to see it as simply a difference of approach.  If reactivity and defenses can be dropped then tensions can be relieved.   If that can be achieved, then it is important to try to leave it behind and return to ordinary conditions.

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's translation of the I Ching
“When people live in opposition and estrangement they cannot carry out a great undertaking in common; their points of view diverge too widely. In such circumstances one should above all not proceed brusquely, for that would only increase the existing opposition; instead, one should limit oneself to producing gradual effects in small matters. Here success can still be expected, because the situation is such that the opposition does not preclude all agreement.
In general, opposition appears as an obstruction, but when it represents polarity within a comprehensive whole, it has also its useful and important functions. The oppositions of heaven and earth, spirit and nature, man and woman, when reconciled, bring about the creation and reproduction of life. In the world of visible things, the principle of opposites makes possible the differentiation by categories through which order is brought into the world.
Here the isolation is due to misunderstanding; it is brought about not by outer circumstances but by inner conditions. A man misjudges his best friends, taking them to be as unclean as a dirty pig and as dangerous as a wagon full of devils. He adopts an attitude of defence. But in the end, realising his mistake, he lays aside the bow, perceiving that the other is approaching with the best intentions for the purpose of close union. Thus the tension is relieved. The union resolves the tension, just as falling rain relieves the sultriness preceding a thunderstorm. All goes well, for just when opposition reaches its climax it changes over to its antithesis.
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.
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. “

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Today: Contemplate within yourself; repair the damage – from the I Ching

Contemplate within yourself.  In this way discover whether you should advance or retreat; whether the effects of your impact on your environment will further or hinder the general well-being.  The question at hand is how best to repair the damage that has been done and salvage what has been spoiled by human recklessness.  Deliberate until you have the answer.

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's translation of the I Ching
“Contemplation of the divine meaning underlying the workings of the universe gives to the man who is called upon to influence others the means of producing like effects. This requires that power of inner concentration which religious contemplation develops in great men strong in faith. It enables them to apprehend the mysterious and divine laws of life, and by means of profoundest inner concentration they give expression to these laws in their own persons. Thus a hidden spiritual power emanates from them, influencing and dominating others without their being aware of how it happens.
This is the place of transition. We no longer look outward to receive pictures that are more or less limited and confused, but direct our contemplation upon ourselves in order to find a guideline for our decisions. This self-contemplation means the overcoming of naïve egotism in the person who sees everything solely form his own standpoint. He begins to reflect and in this way acquires objectivity. However, self-knowledge does not mean preoccupation with one’s own thoughts; rather, it means concern about the effects one creates. It is only the effects our lives produce that give us the right to judge whether what we have done means progress or regression.
What has been spoiled through man’s fault can be made good again through man’s work. It is not immutable fate, as in the time of STANDSTILL, that has caused the state of corruption, but rather the abuse of human freedom. Work toward improving conditions promises well, because it accords the possibilities of the time. We must not recoil from work and danger- symbolised by crossing of the great water-but must take hold energetically. Success depends, however, on proper deliberation.”

Meditation
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Today: I Ching

“You have come from the Infinite to merge…” Yogi Bhajan

“You have come from the Infinite to merge with the Infinite. Infinity in you is your soul.” Yogi Bhajan
(via Ram Anand)

 

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Today: Develop your character so that joy comes from within – from the I Ching

Develop your character so that joy comes from within.  Do not depend on external pleasures or distractions for your contentment.  Know yourself and rely on that.  Extricate yourself from the tendencies for indulgence and diversion before you are broken by them. ”

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's translation of the I Ching
“The joyous mood is infectious and therefore brings success. But joy must be based on steadfastness if it is not to degenerate into uncontrolled mirth. Truth and strength must dwell in the heart, while gentleness reveals itself in social intercourse. In this way one assumes the right attitude toward God and man and achieves something. 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. The load is too heavy for the strength of the supports. The ridge-pole on which the whole roof rests, sags to the breaking point, because its supporting ends are too weak for the load they bear. It is an exceptional time and situation; therefore extraordinary measures are demanded. It is necessary to find a way of transition as quickly as possible, and to take action. This promises success.”

Meditation
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Today: I Ching

“Don’t utter words in friendship…” Yogi Bhajan

“Don’t utter words in friendship that can be used against you in animosity.” Yogi Bhajan
(via Ram Anand)

 

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Today: Develop your character and lead – from the I Ching

Rather than dwell on personal weaknesses, give attention to your character.  Find where it is lacking and develop it.  Turn to your training and the history of the traditions of the path you follow.  Doing so, you will store up a great potential for service and leadership which will be recognized by your peers.  They need someone like that.
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Today: Remain modest, and everything will come to you – from the I Ching

Remain modest, and everything will come to you.  The universe loves an empty vessel. Conversely, it denies one who is full of himself.
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“Trust all for nothing” Yogi Bhajan

“Trust all for nothing. Trust everybody. Expect nothing. Need nothing. Want nothing. Those who trust everybody for nothing, Mother Nature and Heavenly Father will come through, it doesn’t matter what.” Yogi Bhajan
(via Ram Anand)

 

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Today: Remain focused on your goal – from the I Ching

Remain focused on your goal.  Do not let up. Do not be distracted, even by interim successes.  Draw from the inexhaustible wellspring of your divine nature.
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“If somebody says, “I love you…” Yogi Bhajan

“If somebody says, “I love you,” wait for the next step. People use love as a hook. They say they love you, but often they’re only out to get something from you.” Yogi Bhajan
(via Ram Anand)

 

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Today: Enjoy your abundance and use it for good – from the I Ching

Enjoy your abundance.  Be wary of allowing that to define you.  Take a lesson from the man who screens off his family and friends in order to protect his wealth.  He ultimately loses contact with friends and peers and ends up alone and lost.

Instead, use your wealth to stimulate a fiery passion within you to bring clarity of purpose accomplish great things for the good of all.  You can do miraculous things given the wherewithal.
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“Excellence, elegance, and grace are the three elements of a human being” Yogi Bhajan

“Excellence, elegance, and grace are the three elements of a human being. If somebody challenges any of these three in you, avoid that person.” Yogi Bhajan
(via Ram Anand)

 

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The Milky Way Galaxy

On the platform of our planet Earth we can view the milky extending across the sky.  Mostly, we see the edge of the flat disk that is the galaxy in which we live.

Published on Apr 28, 2017

This video takes a close look at a new image of the Milky Way released to mark the completion of the APEX Telescope Large Area Survey of the Galaxy (ATLASGAL). The APEX telescope in Chile has mapped the full area of the Galactic Plane visible from the southern hemisphere for the first time at submillimetre wavelengths — between infrared light and radio waves — and in finer detail than recent space-based surveys.