“For every problem there is an answer. No question can exist without the answer being already in it. For instance, ask any question. Question: What is infinity? Answer: Infinity is what. The moment you ask what, you are relating something beyond the finite and you are in infinity.“ Yogi Bhajan
Today: “It is our duty to become more aware than our ancestors. We can improve on their vision, though be careful about throwing away what they have produced for our benefit.” – from the I Ching
It is our duty to become more aware than our ancestors. We can improve on their vision, though be careful about throwing away what they have produced for our benefit.
See Yogi Bhajan’s quote for the day
Tao Te Ching – Verse 35 – She who is centered in the Tao can go where she wishes, without danger.
See previous reading
Musings on Grace and Gratitude
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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.
Nine in the third place means:
Restoring what his father damaged.
Some regrets, but no great mistakes.
Setting right what has been spoiled by the father.
There will be a little remorse. No great blame.
‘Writing to Father’ – Eastman Johnson 1863 – Boston Museum of Fine Arts
This describes a man who proceeds a little too energetically in righting the mistakes of the past. Now and then, as a result, minor discords and annoyances will surely develop. But too much energy is better than too little. Therefore, although he may at times have some slight cause for regret, he remains free of any serious blame.
4 – Four. Mêng / Inexperience
A fresh Spring at the foot of the Mountain:
The Superior Person refines his character by being thorough in every activity.
The Sage does not recruit students; the students seek him.
He asks nothing but a sincere desire to learn.
If the student doubts or challenges his authority, the Sage regretfully cuts his losses.
SITUATION ANALYSIS:
This is a time of interchange between a mentor and pupil.
Whether you are the teacher or the student, it is a time of companionship along a mutual path.
This hexagram also emphasizes the eternal, cyclical nature of the mentor/student relationship — a mentor is merely a more seasoned pupil, further along on the journey.
A pupil holds within himself the seed of a future Master.
Today: “The attitude of gratitude is the highest way of living, and is the biggest truth, the highest truth.” Yogi Bhajan
“The attitude of gratitude is the highest way of living, and is the biggest truth, the highest truth. You cannot live with applied consciousness until you understand that you have to be grateful for what you have. If you are grateful for what you have, then Mother Nature will give you more.” Yogi Bhajan
Today: “Whip up enthusiasm, rally your forces, and move boldly forward.” – from the I Ching
Whip up enthusiasm, rally your forces, and move boldly forward.
See Yogi Bhajan’s quote for the day
Tao Te Ching – Verse 34 – The great Tao flows everywhere
See previous reading
Meditation: NM0347-20000502-Guru Kriya
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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.
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above: Chên / The Arousing, Thunder | |
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below: K’un / The Receptive, Earth | |
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Chinese banquet When, at the beginning of summer, thunder – electrical energy – comes rushing forth from the earth again, and the first thunderstorm refreshes nature, a prolonged state of tension is resolved. Joy and relief make themselves felt. So too, music has power to ease tension within the heart and to loosen the grip of obscure emotions. The enthusiasm of the heart expresses itself involuntarily in a burst of song, in dance and rhythmic movement of the body. From immemorial times the inspiring effect of the invisible sound that moves all hearts, and draws them together, has mystified mankind. |
Today: “What are you doing on the planet earth? We are here to realize ourselves and nothing more. That’s it.” Yogi Bhajan
“What are you doing on the planet earth? We are here to realize ourselves and nothing more. That’s it.” Yogi Bhajan
Today: “Use whatever practical means you have to forestall wild and chaotic forces in your life.” – from the I Ching
Use whatever practical means you have to forestall wild and chaotic forces in your life.
See Yogi Bhajan’s quote for the day
Tao Te Ching – Verse 33 – Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom.
See previous reading
Meditation: LA041-780525- Control the Mind
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26 – Twenty-Six. Ta Ch’u / Recharging Power
Heaven’s motherlode waits within the Mountain:
The Superior Person mines deep into history’s wealth of wisdom and deeds, charging his character with timeless strength.
Persevere.
Drawing sustenance from these sources creates good fortune.
Then you may cross to the far shore.
SITUATION ANALYSIS:
There are important precedents in this situation.
Others have trodden this Path before you, overcoming the same obstacles facing you now, and making crucial decisions at the same crossroads.
Study their journals, watch for their trail markings.
Gain inspiration and wisdom from the heroes and learn from the mistakes of those who chose a sidepath.
All were Seekers, explorers whose daring mapped a course you can follow.
The words and deeds of the finest can imbue you with the courage necessary to face what lies before you.
Six in the fourth place means:The headboard of a young bull. Attaching a plank of wood to the brow of this young bull will stunt the growth of his horns.
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| This line and the one following it are the two that tame the forward-pushing lower lines. Before a bull’s horns grow out, a headboard is fastened to its forehead, so that later when the horns appear they cannot do harm. A good way to restrain wild force is to forestall it. By so doing one achieves an easy and a great success. |
14 – Fourteen. Ta Yu / Great Treasures
The Fire of clarity illuminates the Heavens to those below:
The Superior Person possesses great inner treasures — compassion, economy, and modesty.
These treasures allow the benevolent will of Heaven to flow through him outward to curb evil and to further good.
Supreme success.
SITUATION ANALYSIS:
You have become an instrument of Heaven’s will, offering a balance in the world around you.
It is not swashbuckling prowess or uncanny talent that qualifies you for this office, but your simplest gifts — your modesty, your compassion, your economy.
Because you can see clearly who most needs a miracle, Heaven’s bounty is being put at your disposal.
Today: “Now you will ask me if a mind can be controlled. Yes. Not only can your mind be controlled, your life can be controlled.” – Yogi Bhajan
“Now you will ask me if a mind can be controlled. Yes. Not only can your mind be controlled, your life can be controlled. A situation can be controlled. Sometime you get into very, very, very ugly situation. If you have the practice to switch your breath to the left nostril you will get out of it in two seconds. The moment you start breathing with your left nostril, your elementary self will come in play. Moment your elementary self comes in play, your totality of the mind becomes one unit to confirm and it puts the radiance shield of your body and you will immediately become very pleasant and positive rather than angry and reactive. Some people train themselves to breathe through any nostril they choose. But many of you have not practiced that, and therefore you use your hand to close your right nostril. Long, deep breathing through the left nostril is good for the heart and good for the health. It will calm you down.” Yogi Bhajan
Meditation: LA041-780525- Control the Mind
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Today: “Serving your family, draw from your skills and strengths.” – from the I Ching
Serving your family, draw from your skills and strengths.
See Yogi Bhajan’s quote for the day
See previous reading
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37 – Thirty-Seven. Chia Jên / Family Duties
Warming Air Currents rise and spread from the Hearthfire:
The Superior Person weighs his words carefully and is consistent in his behavior.
Be as faithful as a good wife.
SITUATION ANALYSIS:
One in this situation must be keenly aware of his influence on others.
Maintain a healthy respect for the ripple effect of your words and deeds.
To some you serve as a role model.
You can either help shape their world or tilt them into chaos.
Show temperance and consideration to all.
Six in the second place means:
The neglected wife resists temptation and returns to her family duties.
For her, things will improve.
She should not follow her whims.
She must attend within to the food.
Perseverance brings good fortune.
‘The milkmaid’ – Johannes Vermeer (1632 – 1675)
Rijksmuseum Amsterdam – Holland
The wife must always be guided by the will of the master of the house, be he father, husband, or grown son. Her place is within the house. There, without having to look for them, she has great and important duties. She must attend to the nourishment of her family and to the food for the sacrifice. In this way she becomes the centre of the social and religious life of the family, and her perseverance in this position brings good fortune to the whole house.
In relation to general conditions, the counsel given here is to seek nothing by means of force, but quietly to confine oneself to the duties at hand.
48 – Forty-Eight. Ching / The Well
Deep Waters Penetrated and drawn to the surface:
The Superior Person refreshes the people with constant encouragement to help one another.
Encampments, settlements, walled cities, whole empires may rise and fall, yet the Well at the center endures, never drying to dust, never overflowing.
It served those before and will serve those after.
Again and again you may draw from the Well, but if the bucket breaks or the rope is too short there will be misfortune.
SITUATION ANALYSIS:
There is a Source common to us all.
Jung named it the Collective Unconscious.
Others hail it as God within.
Inside each of us are dreamlike symbols and archetypes, emotions and instincts that we share with every other human being.
When we feel a lonely separateness from others, it is not because this Well within has dried up, but because we have lost the means to reach its waters.
You need to reclaim the tools necessary to penetrate to the depths of your fellows.
Then the bonds you build will be as timeless and inexhaustible as the Well that nourishes them.
Today: “Breaking the barriers of the subconscious mind is the union of the unit consciousness with supreme consciousness” Yogi Bhajan
“Breaking the barriers of the subconscious mind is the union of the unit consciousness with supreme consciousness; you must not have any misunderstanding about yoga. When the conscious mind can break through the barriers of the subconscious block and can penetrate and merge with the supreme conscious mind, that union is known as yoga, a happening, and we seek this happening because the finite must know its infinite potential.” Yogi Bhajan
Meditation: LA935-980608- Connect the subconscious and intuition
Today: “You must participate in your own governance. Overcome apathy and engage.” – from the I Ching
You must participate in your own governance. Overcome apathy and engage.
See Yogi Bhajan’s quote for the day
Tao Te Ching – Verse 31 – Weapons are the tools of violence; all decent men detest them.
See previous reading
Meditation: KWTC 19970630 – For Faculty of Self Engagement
Meditation: NM091 – 19921110 – Self Emboldenment, Engagement, Vision
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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. Boylike contemplation.
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. |
42 – Forty-Two. I / Expansion
Whirlwinds and Thunder:
When the Superior Person encounters saintly behavior, he adopts it; when he encounters a fault within, he transforms it.
Progress in every endeavor.
You may cross to the far shore.
SITUATION ANALYSIS:
Get ready to ride a tide of accelerated growth toward self-actualization.
A joyful awareness of the best within you, coupled with an acceptance of your Shadow, will provide a greater repertoire, a much bolder vision, and new depth and clarity that will compel you to expand your horizons.
Today: “In the spiritual world we are responsible to take the person towards Infinity. ” – Yogi Bhajan
“In the spiritual world we are responsible to take the person towards Infinity. We are responsible to the whole self and to the destiny in the person. That is why we are direct. Our guidance may take one minute or many hours. That is why we poke, provoke, confront, and elevate. We must speak in a way that confronts you with your self and that adjusts the relationship to your mind based on your reality, identity, and basic nature.” Yogi Bhajan
Today: “Expect good things coming your way. Use them to your best abilities. Be grateful.” – from the I Ching
Expect good things coming your way. Use them to your best abilities. Be grateful.
See Yogi Bhajan’s quote for the day
See previous reading
Meditation: https://www.harinam.com/musings-on-grace-and-gratitude/
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Tell The Magical Story of Mushkil Gusha over your Thanksgiving meal today.
31 – Thirty-One. Hsien / Attraction
The joyous Lake is cradled by the tranquil Mountain:
The Superior Person takes great satisfaction in encouraging others along their journey.
He draws them to him with his welcoming nature and genuine interest.
Supreme success.
This course leads to marriage.
SITUATION ANALYSIS:
There is no greater natural law in the Cosmos than Attraction.
From the magnetic pull of an atom’s nucleus to the centrifugal force that spirals a galaxy, the face of the universe is shaped by Attraction.
On a human scale, it is Attraction that fuels procreation and furthers our species.
Yet it is also Attraction that spawns greed and covetousness, threatening our extinction.
Attraction is the underlying force of the situation in question.
You are refined or debased by the objects of your desire.
What gravitational pull are you now under?
Around what sphere of influence do you circle?
Can you use your own ability to attract?
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above: Tui / The Joyous, Lake | |
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below: Kên / Keeping Still, Mountain | |
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The name of the hexagram means “universal,” “general,” and in a figurative sense “to influence,” “to stimulate.” The upper trigram is Tui, the Joyous; the lower is Kên, Keeping still. By its persistent, quiet influence, the lower, rigid trigram stimulates the upper, weak trigram, which responds to this stimulation cheerfully and joyously. Kên, the lower trigram, is the youngest son; the upper, Tui, is the youngest daughter. Thus the universal mutual attraction between the sexes is represented. In courtship, the masculine principle must seize the initiative and place itself below the feminine principle. Just as the first part of book 1 begins with the hexagrams of heaven and earth, the foundations of all that exists, the second part begins with the hexagrams of courtship and marriage, the foundations of all social relationships. THE JUDGEMENT Influence. Success. The weak element is above, the strong below; hence their powers attract each other, so that they unite. This brings about success, for all success depends on the effect of mutual attraction. By keeping still within while experiencing joy without, one can prevent the joy from going to excess and hold it within proper bounds. This is the meaning of the added admonition, “Perseverance furthers,” for it is perseverance that makes the difference between seduction and courtship; in the latter the strong man takes a position inferior to that of the weak girl and shows consideration for her. This attraction between affinities is a general law of nature. Heaven and earth attract each other and thus all creatures come into being. Through such attraction the sage influences men’s hearts, and thus the world attains peace. From the attractions they exert we can learn the nature of all beings in heaven and on earth. |
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Stone Mountain Summit Lake – The highest point on the Alaska Highway – British Columbia |
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THE IMAGE A lake on the mountain: A mountain with a lake on its summit is stimulated by the moisture from the lake. It has this advantage because its summit does not jut out as a peak but is sunken. The image counsels that the mind should be kept humble and free, so that it may remain receptive to good advice. People soon give up counseling a man who thinks that he knows everything better than anyone else. |
Today: “God gave you the body with praana and apaana. Apaanas are there to eliminate negativity.” Yogi Bhajan
“God gave you the body with praana and apaana. Apaanas are there to eliminate negativity. People who have strong praana and do not have equally strong apaana are very cluttered people. They do not know how to eliminate things and elimination is very important. It is the balance of praana and apaana which creates the power of the Shushmana, the central being, the equilibrium being. The Supreme being will awaken in you only when the praana and apaana both work together. One gives the power and the other eliminates negativity; all you will be left with is the plus.” Yogi Bhajan
Today: “Interact and stay close with your companions for mutual encouragement and expanding your awareness of everything..” – from the I Ching
Interact and stay close with your companions for mutual encouragement and expanding your awareness of everything.
See Yogi Bhajan’s quote for the day
Tao Te Ching – Verse 29 – Do you want to improve the world? I don’t think it can be done.
See previous reading
Meditation: Meditation: LA741 – 921125 – Dance of Shiva
Recap: Healing Intensive at Park Slope Brooklyn June 2-3, 2017
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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.
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above: Tui / The Joyous, Lake | |
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below: Tui / The Joyous, Lake | |
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| This hexagram, like Sun – The Gentle / The Penetrating, Wind (hexagram 57), is one of the eight formed by doubling of a trigram. The trigram Tui denotes the youngest daughter; it is symbolised by the smiling lake, and its attribute is joyousness. Contrary to appearances, it is not the yielding quality of the top line that accounts for joy here. The attribute of the yielding or dark principle is not joy but melancholy. However, joy is indicated by the fact that there are two strong lines within, expressing themselves through the medium of gentleness. True joy, therefore, rests on firmness and strength within, manifesting itself outwardly as yielding and gentle.THE JUDGEMENT THE JOYOUS. Success. 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. Under certain conditions, intimidation without gentleness may achieve something momentarily, but not for all time. When, on the other hand, the hearts of men are won by friendliness, they are led to take all hardships upon themselves willingly, and if need be will not shun death itself, so great is the power of joy over men. |
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Golden Trout Lake |
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THE IMAGE Lakes resting one on the other: A lake evaporates upward and thus gradually dries up; but when two lakes are joined they do not dry up so readily, for one replenishes the other. It is the same in the field of knowledge. Knowledge should be a refreshing and vitalising force. It becomes so only through stimulating intercourse with congenial friends with whom one holds discussion and practices application of the truths of life. In this way learning becomes many-sided and takes on a cheerful lightness, whereas there is always something ponderous and one-sided about the learning of the self-taught. |
Today: “The force which gives you life is called praana. The force which maintains you is called udyaana. The force which is the eliminating faculty in you, is called apaana.” Yogi Bhajan
“The force which gives you life is called praana. The force which maintains you is called udyaana. The force which is the eliminating faculty in you, is called apaana. So these forces are the principle vayus, powerful air currents. Udyaana relates to your nervous system. Praana gives you energy and apaana takes away what is not needed by you. These are three automatics and you can have conscious control of them if you are conscious enough.” Yogi Bhajan
Today: “Become aware of the destructive habits that have seeped into your life. Take control before they bring disaster.” – from the I Ching
Become aware of the destructive habits that have seeped into your life. Take control before they bring disaster.
See Yogi Bhajan’s quote for the day
See previous reading
Meditation: Meditation: LA741 – 921125 – Dance of Shiva
Recap: Healing Intensive at Park Slope Brooklyn June 2-3, 2017
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Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's and subsequent translations of the I Ching
44 – Forty-Four. Kou / Compulsion
A playful Zephyr dances and delights beneath indulgent Heaven:
A Prince who shouts orders but will not walk among his people may as well try to command the four winds.
A strong, addictive temptation, much more dangerous than it seems.
SITUATION ANALYSIS:
You are ignoring a clear and present danger to your well-being.
If this threat emanated from a heavy-handed oppressor, you would see it coming.
But this danger comes to you in the form of a seduction, an amusement, a diversion, an indulgence that is eating away at the fiber of your secure little world.
You are too cocksure.
You underestimate the tribute this dalliance will demand.
Six at the beginning [yin at bottom] means:Get control of yourself. It must be checked with a brake of bronze.
‘Pig’ – J. Singer |
| If an inferior element has wormed its way in, it must be energetically checked at once. By consistently checking it, bad effects can be avoided. If it is allowed to take its course, misfortune is bound to result; the insignificance of that which creeps in should not be a temptation to underrate it. A pig that is still young and lean cannot rage around much, but after it has eaten its fill and become strong, its true nature comes out if it has not previously been curbed. |
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.