About the nominee for the US Supreme Court – from the I Ching

About the nomination:
After a long period of decay comes a turning point.  The person in question is a sage who is inexhaustible in his readiness to teach mankind, and just as the earth is boundlessly wide, sustaining and caring for all creatures on it, so the sage sustains and cares for all people and excludes no part of humanity.
When the stimulus to approach comes from a high place, and when a man has the inner strength and consistency that need no admonition, good fortune will ensue. Nor need the future cause any concern.
He is well aware that everything earthly is transitory, and that a descent follows upon every rise, but need not be confused by this universal law of fate. Everything serves to further. Therefore he will travel the paths of life swiftly, honestly, and valiantly.

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.
This seems consistent with today’s reading from the I Ching.  Without preconceptions, knowing one’s own mind in relation with the mind of the governed, the governed can be allowed to know how to govern themselves.  That is the definition of a Democracy.  In order for there to be a good outcome, there has to be an end to the tribalism that assumes the existence only of winners and losers, us and them, with a return to the rule of We, the People.
The best we can hope for is a justice who will consider all decisions based on the merits of the case with respect to the law.  Even if he holds biases, it’s better that he is competent and is disposed to give the law a chance.  Perhaps he knows what is at stake here.  He should be asked if he does.  If he indicates that he does know, then there could be worse nominees.

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's and subsequent translations of the I Ching

The earth borders upon the lake from above. This symbolises the approach and condescension of the man of higher position to those beneath him. The two parts of the image indicate what his attitude toward these people will be. Just as the lake is inexhaustible in depth, so the sage is inexhaustible in his readiness to teach mankind, and just as the earth is boundlessly wide, sustaining and caring for all creatures on it, so the sage sustains and cares for all people and excludes no part of humanity.
When the stimulus to approach comes from a high place, and when a man has the inner strength and consistency that need no admonition, good fortune will ensue. Nor need the future cause any concern. He is well aware that everything earthly is transitory, and that a descent follows upon every rise, but need not be confused by this universal law of fate. Everything serves to further. Therefore he will travel the paths of life swiftly, honestly, and valiantly.
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.

Meditation

Tao Te Ching – Verse 65

Previous readings
Today: I Ching

 

Today: “Disunion has led us to a very dangerous precipice” – I Ching

Disunion has led the social and political structures to a very dangerous precipice.  Fear and a lack of understanding, internal and external, have led to this situation.  To resolve this, attention must first be turned inward to understand one’s own nature, then outward to know the psyche of the other.

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's and subsequent translations of the I Ching
Walls meant to protect have instead separated and isolated.
Your defenses have kept you apart from those whom you most need to touch.
Whatever the reason for discord between you, it is time to lay down your arms.
Dispel the inflexible demands and fears of the Mind so that you may reunite in the Heart.

If you have begrudged, forgive.
If you have torn down, repair.
If you have injured, heal.
If you have judged, pardon.
If you have grasped, let go.

It is important that disunion should be overcome at the outset, before it has become complete – that the clouds should be dispersed before they have brought storm and rain. At such times when hidden divergences in temper make themselves felt and lead to mutual misunderstandings, we must take quick and vigorous action to dissolve the misunderstandings and mutual distrust.
The subject of this hexagram discovers a key to Tranquility by first gaining insight into his own nature, then turning that vision outward.
By resolving inner conflicts and being at peace with himself, he learns to gain insight into others.
In effect, he enters another, sees with the other’s eyes, listens with the other’s ears, feels with the other’s heart.
He then returns to his own center, with new perspective and understanding.

Meditation

Tao Te Ching – Verse 65

Previous readings
Today: I Ching

 

Today: “The relationship between the disciple and the guru is established” – Yogi Bhajan

“The relationship between the disciple and the guru is established at that stage when the disciple realizes the ecstasy of infinity.” Yogi Bhajan

 

 

 

Meditation