Month: October 2017

Today: “You and your mind must meet” Yogi Bhajan

“You and your mind must meet. If you rush ahead of your time and space, if you depend on the shortcuts your mind projects, your life will be half digested, and you will carry a bad smell.” Yogi Bhajan
(via Ram Anand)

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Today: Gracefully nourish yourself and others – I Ching

Nourish yourself and those around you with only what is needed, not desired.  Nourishment is a matter of sustenance, not gratification.  Lose your bad habits that only try to make you feel good.  Make all consumption an act of growth beyond desire and you will be graceful.

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's translation of the I Ching

In bestowing care and nourishment, it is important that the right people should be taken care of and that we should attend to our own nourishment in the right way. If we wish to know what anyone is like, we have only to observe on whom he bestows his care and what sides of his own nature he cultivates and nourishes. Nature nourishes all creatures. The great man fosters and takes care of superior men, in order to take care of all men through them.
He who seeks nourishment that does not nourish reels from desire to gratification and in gratification craves desire. Mad pursuit of pleasure for the satisfaction of the senses never brings one to the goal. One should never (ten years is a complete cycle of time) follow this path, for nothing good can come of it.
This hexagram shows tranquil beauty – clarity within, quiet without. This is the tranquillity of pure contemplation. When desire is silenced and the will comes to rest, the world-as-idea becomes manifest. In this aspect the world is beautiful and removed from the struggle for existence. This is the world of art. However, contemplation alone will not put the will to rest absolutely. It will awaken again, and then all the beauty of form will appear to have been only a brief moment of exaltation. Hence this is still not the true way of redemption. For this reason Confucius felt very uncomfortable when once, on consulting the oracle, he obtained the hexagram of GRACE.

Meditation
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Today: I Ching

Today: “If you do not depend directly on your consciousness” Yogi Bhajan

“If you do not depend directly on your consciousness, you are not you at all. When you are not you in the beginning and core of each action, then there is nothing you can do which will be true, and there is nothing you can do which can make you happy.” Yogi Bhajan
(via Ram Anand)

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Today: Seize the moment to turn things around – from the I Ching

Now is an opportunity for a turning point.  Put aside pride and vanity and seize the moment.  Then success is assured.  Otherwise, conditions are such that another opportunity of the same nature will not arise in the near future and a time of decrease will ensue.

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.
All movements are accomplished in six stages, and the seventh brings return. Thus the winter solstice, with which the decline of the year begins, comes in the seventh month after the summer solstice; so too sunrise comes in the seventh double hour after sunset. Therefore seven is the number of the young light, and it arises when six, the number of the great darkness, is increased by one. In this way the state of rest gives place to movement.
Return always calls for a decision and is an act of self-mastery. It is made easier if a man is in good company. If he can bring himself to put aside pride and follow the example of good men, good fortune results.
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.
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.

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Today: I Ching

Today: “You have been so trained and brainwashed…” Yogi Bhajan

“You have been so trained and brainwashed that you can’t relate to yourself as a living consciousness. You do not even have the concept.” Yogi Bhajan
(via Ram Anand)

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Today: Command yourself to remember the ways in which you are strong – from the I Ching

Besieged by the pressures of adversity, keep heart.  Command yourself to remember the ways in which you are strong and act in alignment with them.  In perseverance you will succeed in breaking the opposition and exiling them.  Then you are surrounded by friends.

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's translation of the I Ching
Times of adversity are the reverse of times of success, but they can lead to success if they befall the right man. When a strong man meets with adversity, he remains cheerful despite all danger, and this cheerfulness is the source of later successes; it is that stability which is stronger than fate. He who lets his spirit be broken by exhaustion certainly has no success. But if adversity only bends a man, it creates in him a power to react that is bound in time to manifest itself. No inferior man is capable of this. Only the great man brings about good fortune and remains blameless. It is true that for the time being outward influence is denied him, because his words have no effect. Therefore in times of adversity it is important to be strong within and sparing of words.
This shows a man who is restless and indecisive in times of adversity. At first he wants to push ahead, then he encounters obstructions that, it is true, mean oppression only when recklessly dealt with. He butts his head against a wall and in consequence feels himself oppressed by the wall. Then he leans on things that have in themselves no stability and that are merely a hazard for him who leans on them. Thereupon he turns back irresolutely and retires into his house, only to find, as a fresh disappointment, that his wife is not there. Kongfu (Confucius) says about this line:
If a man permits himself to be oppressed by something that ought not to oppress him, his name will certainly be disgraced. If he leans on things upon which one cannot lean, his life will certainly be endangered. For him who is in disgrace and danger, the hour of death draws near; how can he then still see his wife?
This hexagram signifies on the one hand a break-through after a long accumulation of tension, as a swollen river breaks through its dikes, or in the manner of a cloudburst. On the other hand, applied to human conditions, it refers to the time when inferior people gradually begin to disappear. Their influence is on the wane; as a result of resolute action, a change in conditions occurs, a break-through.

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Today: I Ching

Today: “Project from the point of view of your consciousness” Yogi Bhajan

“Every normal person thinks, imagines, and projects through the mind. You ultimately identify with your mind and become dependent on the mind. The reality is that you should not depend on your mind. Instead, you should project from the point of view of your consciousness.” Yogi Bhajan
(via Ram Anand)

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Today: Be simple and unassuming – from the I Ching

Being as a wanderer, a tenant in the world, allowing everything to come to you and then depart in its time, and staying in touch with your inner being, you will attract the support of others and ultimately, great wealth.  Be simple and unassuming.  Empty yourself and the universe will serve you.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth – Jesus

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's translation of the I Ching
“
A wanderer has no fixed abode; his home is the road. Therefore he must take care to remain upright and steadfast, so that he sojourns only in the proper places, associating only with good people. Then he has good fortune and can go his way unmolested.
The wanderer here described is modest and reserved. He does not lose touch with his inner being, hence he finds a resting place. In the outside world he does not lose the liking of other people, hence all persons further him, so that he can acquire property. Moreover, he wins the allegiance of a faithful and trustworthy servant – a thing of inestimable value to a wanderer.
The sun in heaven above, shedding light over everything on earth, is the image of possession on a grand scale. But a possession of this sort must be administered properly. The sun brings both evil and good into the light of day. Man must combat and curb the evil, and must favor and promote the good. Only in this way does he fulfil the benevolent will of God, who desires only good and not evil.

Meditation
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Today: I Ching

Today: “Your basic necessity, the drive of your elemental self…” Yogi Bhajan

“Your basic necessity, the drive of your elemental self is to become a practical, grassroots, living consciousness – potential living consciousness to practical living consciousness.” Yogi Bhajan
(via Ram Anand)

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Today: Be strong within, peaceful without – from the I Ching

For self preservation in very dangerous times sometimes your true colors must remain hidden, not calling too much attention to your dissension.  At the right time, pent-up demand for change can lead to social revolution where change can be effected.

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's translation of the I Ching
“
One must not unresistingly let himself be swept along by unfavourable circumstances, nor permit his steadfastness to be shaken. He can avoid this by maintaining his inner light, while remaining outwardly yielding and tractable. With this attitude he can overcome even the greatest adversities.
In some situations indeed a man must hide his light, in order to make his will prevail in spite of difficulties in his immediate environment. Perseverance must dwell in inmost consciousness and should not be discernible from without. Only thus is a man able to maintain his will in the face of difficulties.
Prince Chi lived at the court of the evil tyrant Chou Hsin, who, although not mentioned by name, furnishes the historical example on which this whole situation is based. Prince Chi was a relative of the tyrant and could not withdraw from court; therefore he concealed his true sentiments and feigned insanity. Although he was held a slave, he did not allow external misery to deflect him from his convictions.
This provides a teaching for those who cannot leave their posts in times of darkness. In order to escape danger, they need invincible perseverance of spirit and redoubled caution in their dealings with the world.
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
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Today: I Ching

Meditation: LA747 921231 Fear 6, to command yourself

Yogi Bhajan Los Angeles December 31, 1992

Close your eyes, interlace your fingers and bring them above your head. Stick your tongue out; this is called the “snake’s tongue”. Move as you want, but do it very fast. Be conscious of the central channel, which goes form the navel point to the third eye. connect the two chakras. Do this for 12 minutes.

See complete lecture video from 19921231

 

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Today: “You are nothing but a potential living consciousness” Yogi Bhajan

“You are nothing but a potential living consciousness.” Yogi Bhajan
(via Ram Anand)

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Today: Your actions should include everyone – from the I Ching

All your actions should include everyone.  That will ensure the broadest support.  Following this principle will calm controversy, dissipate challenges to your intentions and attract supporters who will rally around your initiatives.  The splintering of recent times will reverse and become a coalition once members of the community begin to recognize their vested interest in the success of the whole.  You can spark that enthusiasm.

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's translation of the I Ching
“
The mountain rests on the earth. When it is steep and narrow, lacking a broad base, it must topple over. Its position is strong only when it rises out of the earth broad and great, not proud and steep. So likewise those who rule rest on the broad foundation of the people. They too should be generous and benevolent, like the earth that carries all. Then they will make their position as secure as a mountain is in its tranquillity.
Here, in immediate proximity to the strong, light-giving principle at the top, the nature of the dark force undergoes a change. It no longer opposes the strong principle by means of intrigues but submits to its guidance. Indeed, as the head of the other weak lines, it leads all of these to the strong line, just as a princess leads her maids-in-waiting like a shoal of fishes to her husband and thus gains his favour. Inasmuch as the lower element thus voluntarily places itself under the higher, it attains happiness and the higher also receives its due. Therefore all goes well.
WATER FILLS UP all the empty places on the earth and clings fast to it. The social organisation of ancient China was based on this principle of the holding together of dependents and rulers. Water flows to unite with water, because all parts of it are subject to the same laws. So too should human society hold together through a community of interests that allows each individual to feel himself a member of a whole. The central power of a social organisation must see to it that every member finds that his true interest lies in holding together with it, as was the case in the paternal relationship between king and vassals in ancient China.

Meditation
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Today: I Ching

Today: “If you live in absolute fearlessness” Yogi Bhajan

“If you live in absolute fearlessness, God will live in you because fear and truth cannot go together.” Yogi Bhajan
(via Ram Anand)

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Today: Dispense blessings to the world – from the I Ching

In a time of decrease and decay you can be one who helps reverse the tendency by dispensing blessings to the world. You can become the example that catches on and causes a return to generosity and shared prosperity, which will come in its own time.

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's translation of the I Ching
“
The lake at the foot of the mountain evaporates. In this way it decreases to the benefit of the mountain, which is enriched by its moisture. The mountain stands as the symbol of a stubborn strength that can harden into anger. The lake is the symbol of unchecked gaiety that can develop into passionate drives at the expense of the life forces. Therefore decrease is necessary; anger must be decreased by keeping still, the instincts must be curbed by restriction. By this decrease of the lower powers of the psyche, the higher aspects of the soul are enriched.
There are people who dispense blessings to the whole world. Every increase in power that comes to them benefits the whole of mankind and therefore does not bring decrease to others. Through perseverance and zealous work a man wins success and finds helpers as they are needed. But what he accomplishes is not a limited private advantage; it is a public good and available to everyone.
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 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.

Meditation
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Today: I Ching