Today: A significant week(end) for America – from the I Ching

This is a significant week(end) for Americans and people living in America.  It is a time to assess who we are and what we are about.  It’s about our collective identity.  It’s time to look around and see who else is here and what amplifies US.  We are under attack from without and from within.
Our Republic was founded and is based on the Rule of Law.  The Law is not the Truth, but it is the written contract that defines the parameters by which we agree to live with each other.

The primal law is the Constitution.

From time to time the Law is contorted and stretched, and cheaters will cheat.  But, since the Civil War, its rule has not been breached.

Chaotic forces are now mounting a siege against our nation’s long tradition of unity.  Its reverence for and commitment to Truth is bleeding into the darkness.  The value of Truth itself is being questioned.
The remedy to all this is not to rebel against the dark forces in a disorganized and reactive way.  That would only contribute to the chaos and amplify its effects.
The tools of democracy must be employed in their various forms that offer stability to our way of life.  Dissent must find a common voice through peaceful verbal and physical expression, which includes civil disobedience.
The key has always been, and will always be, unity.

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's translation of the I Ching
Game is in the field – it has left its usual haunts in the forest and is devastating the fields. This points to an enemy invasion. Energetic combat and punishment are here thoroughly justified, but they must not degenerate into a wild melee in which everyone fends for himself. Despite the greatest degree of perseverance and bravery, this would lead to misfortune. The army must be directed by an experienced leader. It is a matter of waging war, not of permitting the mob to slaughter all who fall into their hands; if they do, defeat will be the result, and despite all perseverance there is danger of misfortune. Limitations are troublesome, but they are effective. If we live economically in normal times, we are prepared for times of want. To be sparing saves us from humiliation. Limitations are also indispensable in the regulation of world conditions. In nature there are fixed limits for summer and winter, day and night, and these limits give the year its meaning. In the same way, economy, by setting fixed limits upon expenditures, acts to preserve property and prevent injury to the people.
But in limitation we must observe due measure. If a man should seek to impose galling limitations upon his own nature, it would be injurious. And if he should go too far in imposing limitations on others, they would rebel.
Therefore it is necessary to set limits even upon limitation. .

Meditation
Previous readings
Today: I Ching

Today: Keep your options real – from the I Ching

When caught between advance and retreat and in the grip of fear, do not fantasize.  Keep your options real.  When opposition to your goals is real, see it for what it is and face it.  Do not live in denial.
Choose small undertakings and be content with modest progress.  Find  commonality in the opposition and promote that.  That leads to eventual success.

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's translation of the I Ching
For youthful folly it is the most hopeless thing to entangle itself in empty imaginings. The more obstinately it clings to such unreal fantasies, the more certainly will humiliation overtake it.  
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.

Meditation
Previous readings
Today: I Ching

“The maximum percentage of your brain you can use” Yogi Bhajan

“The maximum percentage of your brain you can use consciously is about five percent out of a hundred. But if you use only point three percent of your brain capacity consciously, intelligently, and without ego, everything will go smoothly.” Yogi Bhajan
(via Ram Anand)

 

Continue reading ““The maximum percentage of your brain you can use” Yogi Bhajan”

Today: Be frugal and measured in your dealings – from the I Ching

Be frugal and measured in your dealings with wild intractable people.  Holding to your inner truth will win the day.  If you stand for what is right, nothing can oppose your efforts.

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's translation of the I Ching
Decrease does not under all circumstances mean something bad. Increase and decrease come in their own time. What matters here is to understand the time and not to try to cover up poverty with empty pretence. If a time of scanty resources brings out an inner truth, one must not feel ashamed of simplicity. For simplicity is then the very thing needed to provide inner strength for further undertakings. Indeed, there need be no concern if the outward beauty of the civilisation, even the elaboration of religious forms, should have to suffer because of simplicity. One must draw on the strength of the inner attitude to compensate for what is lacking in externals; then the power of the content makes up for the simplicity of form. There is no need of presenting false appearances to God. Even with slender means, the sentiment of the heart can be expressed.
If someone is marked out by fate for good fortune, it comes without fail. All oracles – as for instance those that are read from the shells of tortoises – are bound to concur in giving him favourable signs. He need fear nothing, because his luck is ordained from on high.
In dealing with persons as intractable and as difficult to influence as a pig or a fish, the whole secret of success depends on finding the right way of approach. One must first rid oneself of all prejudice and, so to speak, let the psyche of the other person act on one without restraint. Then one will establish contact with him, understand and gain power over him. When a door has thus been opened, the force of one’s personality will influence him. If in this way one finds no obstacles insurmountable, one can undertake even the most dangerous things, such as crossing the great water, and succeed. 
 ”

Meditation
Previous readings
Today: I Ching

“It is mental forgetfulness and your fears that…” Yogi Bhajan

“It is mental forgetfulness and your fears that close the window of the mind, so you do not see the beauty and reality of your self. That is what causes all these unwanted and unnecessary ego troubles.” Yogi Bhajan
(via Ram Anand)

 

Continue reading ““It is mental forgetfulness and your fears that…” Yogi Bhajan”

Today: Be a champion against evil – from the I Ching

Be a champion against evil.  Under no circumstances must evil in any way be normalized.  It is your noble responsibility to nip its advance in the bud and neutralize evil before it gains a foothold.

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's translation of the I Ching
By growing used to what is dangerous, a man can easily allow it to become part of him. He is familiar with it and grows used to evil. With this he has lost the right way, and misfortune is the natural result.
If we meet evil before it becomes reality- before it has even begun to stir-we can master it.
 ”

Meditation
Previous readings
Today: I Ching

“You can tune up your mind with a sacred tune of God” Yogi Bhajan

You can tune up your mind with a sacred tune of God, with the words of truth from the Guru that penetrate your heart.” Yogi Bhajan
(via Ram Anand)

 

Continue reading ““You can tune up your mind with a sacred tune of God” Yogi Bhajan”

Today: Wait, hold your inner strength, and peace is assured – from the I Ching

Wait, hold your inner strength, and peace is assured.

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's translation of the I Ching
Even in the midst of danger there come intervals of peace when things go relatively well. If we possess enough inner strength, we shall take advantage of these intervals to fortify ourselves for renewed struggle. We must know how to enjoy the moment without being deflected from the goal, for perseverance is needed to remain victorious.
This is true in public life as well; it is not possible to achieve everything all at once. The height of wisdom is to allow people enough recreation to quicken pleasure in their work till the task is completed. ”

Meditation
Previous readings
Today: I Ching

“Whenever the ego serves you, your intelligence doesn’t” Yogi Bhajan

“Whenever the ego serves you, your intelligence doesn’t. When intelligence doesn’t serve you, wisdom leaves as well. The ego lets you know only what is yours. It becomes deaf and insensitive to receive anything else.” Yogi Bhajan
(via Ram Anand)

 

Continue reading ““Whenever the ego serves you, your intelligence doesn’t” Yogi Bhajan”

Today: Use your creativity as you gather support – from the I Ching

Use your creativity all day long.  Never forget your purpose even in rest.  As people join in your vision, do not be swept away.  Hold to your  intentions.

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's translation of the I Ching
A sphere of influence opens up for the great man. His fame begins to spread. The masses flock to him. His inner power is adequate to the increased outer activity.1 There are all sorts of things to be done, and when others are at rest in the evening, plans and anxieties press in upon him. But danger lurks here at the place of transition from lowliness to the heights. Many a great man has been ruined because the masses flocked to him and swept him into their course. Ambition has destroyed his integrity. However, true greatness is not impaired by temptations. He who remains in touch with the time that is dawning, and with its demands, is prudent enough to avoid all pitfalls, and remains blameless.

Meditation
Previous readings
Today: I Ching

“Love, live and be alive” Yogi Bhajan

“Love, live and be alive. Ten bodies, seven chakras, three gunas and tattvas five. Power, prosperity and happy will, health and happiness by Thy will. It’s by Thy will.” Yogi Bhajan
(via Ram Anand)

 

Continue reading ““Love, live and be alive” Yogi Bhajan”

Today: Invite people to participate in your vision – from the I Ching

Follow your vision.  Invite people to participate in your vision.  Help them.  Serve them.  In this way your path will be strewn with blessings. Those who hear the calling will come together, mounting a thunderous roar that will shake and transform the culture.  Those who do not will be fearful to oppose.

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's translation of the I Ching
In order to obtain a following one must first know how to adapt oneself. If a man would rule he must first learn to serve, for only in this way does he secure from those below him the joyous assent that is necessary if they are to follow him. If he has to obtain a following by force or cunning, by conspiracy or by creating factions, he invariably arouses resistance, which obstructs willing adherence.
Every man must have something he follows – something that serves him as a lodestar. He who follows with conviction the beautiful and the good may feel himself strengthened by this saying.
The shock of continuing thunder brings fear and trembling. The superior man is always filled with reverence at the manifestation of God; he sets his life in order and searches his heart, lest it harbour any secret opposition to the will of God. Thus reverence is the foundation of true culture.

Meditation
Previous readings
Today: I Ching

“Every man has a wish” Yogi Bhajan

“Every man has a wish. It is the attitude of the magnitude and the manners of the mission which make the man.” Yogi Bhajan
(via Ram Anand)

 

Continue reading ““Every man has a wish” Yogi Bhajan”

Today: Right now there is an opportunity to initiate profound change – from the I Ching

Right now there is an opportunity to initiate profound change.  One only has to recognize it.  Failing that, one will be at odds with the prevailing currents of the time and any actions would be contrary to the cosmic flow.  Missing this opportunity would cause a lot of damage (reverse prosperity) and take years to recover from such neglect.  Speak up and tell those in charge to give up their foolish obstinacy and set things right.

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.
If a man misses the right time for return, he meets with misfortune. The misfortune has its inner cause in a wrong attitude toward the world. The misfortune coming upon him from without results from this wrong attitude. What is pictured here is blind obstinacy and the judgement that is visited upon it.

Meditation
Previous readings
Today: I Ching

“Speak just from grace” Yogi Bhajan

“Speak just from grace, from trust, from love, from your reality. You make a mental statement based reacting to and facing the immediate time. In that way you face the time, and you face the time, and you face the time, until finally the times face you. Since you started with zero and spoke with zero, now you have zero to carry you through the time.” Yogi Bhajan
(via Ram Anand)

 

Continue reading ““Speak just from grace” Yogi Bhajan”

Today: The Seeds of Revolt – from the I Ching

When oppression from usurpers of power becomes intolerable, sometimes the only recourse is to mount an outright revolution.  This must be done carefully, and planned for the greatest effect and best outcome.  Seeds are being planted.  People must be informed and the leaders must not hold selfish agendas, which have already led to the current situation.  Remember that it is a struggle between light and dark forces.

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. ”

Meditation
Previous readings
Today: I Ching