Today: “You are being challenged by wild, intractable people.  You must face them.  Be hard as metal, straight as an arrow.” – From the I Ching

You are being challenged by wild, intractable people.  You must face them.  Be hard as metal, straight as an arrow.  They must be punished.
You will succeed as long as the Truth is on your side.

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#21, line #4, #61

When an obstacle to union arises, energetic biting through brings success. This is true in all situations. Whenever unity cannot be established, the obstruction is due to a talebearer and traitor who is interfering and blocking the way. To prevent permanent injury, vigorous measures must be taken at once. Deliberate obstruction of this sort does not vanish of its own accord. Judgement and punishment are required to deter or obviate it.
There are great obstacles to be overcome, powerful opponents are to be punished. Though this is arduous, the effort succeeds. But it is necessary to be hard as metal and straight as an arrow to surmount the difficulties. If one knows these difficulties and remains persevering, he attains good fortune. The difficult task is achieved in the end.
The force of inner truth must grow great indeed before its influence can extend to such creatures. 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
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Tao Te Ching – Verse 67
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Today: “You are accumulating powers that amount to a great potential. ” – From the I Ching

You are accumulating powers that amount to a great potential.  Though external circumstances are hobbling your current efforts, waiting with grace for the right time to unleash that power will have profound effects.
See yesterday’s reading.

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

#26, line #2, #22

To hold firmly to great creative powers and store them up, as set forth in this hexagram, there is need of a strong, clear-headed man who is honored by the ruler. The trigram Ch’ien points to strong creative power; Kên indicates firmness and truth. Both point to light and clarity and to the daily renewal of character. Only through such daily self-renewal can a man continue at the height of his powers. Force of habit helps to keep order in quiet times; but in periods when there is a great storing up of energy, everything depends on the power of the personality. However, since the worthy are honored, as in the case of the strong personality entrusted with leadership by the ruler, it is an advantage not to eat at home but rather to earn one’s bread by entering upon public office. Such a man is in harmony with heaven; therefore even great and difficult undertakings, such as crossing the great water, succeed.
The axles have been removed from your cart.
Good reason to remain in place for the moment.
Grace brings success. However, it is not the essential or fundamental thing; it is only the ornament and must therefore be used sparingly and only in little things. In the lower trigram of fire a yielding line comes between two strong lines and makes them beautiful, but the strong lines are the essential content and the weak line is the beautifying form. In the upper trigram of the mountain, the strong line takes the lead, so that here again the strong element must be regarded as the decisive factor. In nature we see in the sky the strong light of the sun; the life of the world depends on it. But this strong, essential thing is changed and given pleasing variety by the moon and the stars. In human affairs, aesthetic form comes into being when traditions exist that, strong and abiding like mountains, are made pleasing by a lucid beauty. By contemplating the forms existing in the heavens we come to understand time and its changing demands. Through contemplation of the forms existing in human society it becomes possible to shape the world.

Meditation
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Tao Te Ching – Verse 66
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Today: “Whatever you are, you’re a piece of garbage if you have not awakened your own dormant power to become totally excellent.” – Yogi Bhajan

“I hope you fully understand. If you see you are rich, you are rich. If you see you are poor, you are poor. If you see you are great, you are great. If you see you are not, you are not. If you are a pimp and a prostitute, bless you. And if you are very saintly and divine and humble and great, fine. Whatever you are, you’re a piece of garbage if you have not awakened your own dormant power to become totally excellent. By rowing a boat you can reach the ocean, but you will never know the power of swimming through it. That is what it is.” Yogi Bhajan

Meditation

Today: “When the social structure devolves into tribalism, what binds it is too strong to fight directly.” – From the I Ching

When the social structure devolves into tribalism, what binds it is too strong to fight directly.  Still a member, you can have an impact if you keep your personal dignity intact and gently teach through your presence and example.

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

#45, line #3, #62

The gathering together of people in large communities is either a natural occurrence, as in the case of the family, or an artificial one, as in the case of the state. The family gathers about the father as its head. The perpetuation of this gathering in groups is achieved through the sacrifice to the ancestors, at which the whole clan is gathered together. Through the collective piety of the living members of the family, the ancestors become so integrated in the spiritual life of the family that it cannot be dispersed or dissolved.
Where men are to be gathered together, religious forces are needed. But there must also be a human leader to serve as the centre of the group. In order to be able to bring others together, this leader must first of all be collected within himself. Only collective moral force can unite the world. Such great times of unification will leave great achievements behind them. This is the significance of the great offerings that are made. In the secular sphere likewise there is need of great deeds in the time of GATHERING TOGETHER.
Often a man feels an urge to unite with others, but the individuals around him have already formed themselves into a group, so that he remains isolated. The whole situation proves untenable. Then he ought to choose the way of progress, resolutely allying himself with a man who stands nearer to the centre of the group, and can help him to gain admission to the closed circle. This is not a mistake, even though at first his position as an outsider is somewhat humiliating.
Exceptional modesty and conscientiousness are sure to be rewarded with success; however, if a man is not to throw himself away, it is important that they should not become empty form and subservience but be combined always with a correct dignity in personal behavior. We must understand the demands of the time in order to find the necessary offset for its deficiencies and damages. In any event we must not count on great success, since the requisite strength is lacking. In this lies the importance of the message that one should not strive after lofty things but hold to lowly things.

Meditation
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Tao Te Ching – Verse 65
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Today: “The one who practices Kundalini Yoga commands the five tattvas, the three gunas, the seven chakras, and all 108 elements in the universe” – Yogi Bhajan

“Kundalini Yoga is not a yoga for everybody or anybody. The one who practices Kundalini Yoga commands the five tattvas, the three gunas, the seven chakras, and all 108 elements in the universe, including a conscious creation of the Creator. Let’s be clear about it. Kundalini Yoga is not a religion. Religions came out of it. Kundalini Yoga is not a fad, and it’s not a cult. It’s a practice of experience of a person’s own excellence which is dormant and which is awakened.” Yogi Bhajan

Meditation

Today: “On the verge of hard won success, do not turn back.  Success enables you to enjoy an expansion of your goals.” – From the I Ching

On the verge of hard won success, do not turn back.  Success enables you to enjoy an expansion of your goals.  Seize the moment.

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

#63, line #6, #42

The transition from the old to the new time is already accomplished. In principle, everything stands systematised, and it is only in regard to details that success is still to be achieved. In respect to this, however, we must be careful to maintain the right attitude. Everything proceeds as if of its own accord, and this can all too easily tempt us to relax and let things take their course without troubling over details. Such indifference is the root of all evil. Symptoms of decay are bound to be the result. Here we have the rule indicating the usual course of history. But this rule is not an inescapable law. He who understands it is in position to avoid its effects by dint of unremitting perseverance and caution.
Here in conclusion another warning is added. After crossing a stream, a man’s head can get into the water only if he is so imprudent as to turn back. As long as he goes forward and does not look back, he escapes this danger. But there is a fascination in standing still and looking back on a peril overcome. However, such vain self-admiration brings misfortune. It leads only to danger, and unless one finally resolves to go forward without pausing, one falls a victim to this danger.
Sacrifice on the part of those above for the increase of those below fills the people with a sense of joy and gratitude that is extremely valuable for the flowering of the commonwealth. When people are thus devoted to their leaders, undertakings are possible, and even difficult and dangerous enterprises will succeed. Therefore in such times of progress and successful development it is necessary to work and make the best use of the time. This time resembles that of the marriage of heaven and earth, when the earth partakes of the creative power of heaven, forming and bringing forth living beings. The time of INCREASE does not endure, therefore it must be utilised while it lasts.

Meditation
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Tao Te Ching – Verse 64
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Today: “I am not, folks, tying a turban because I’m a Sikh, and I’m not tying a turban because I’m running a boutique business.” – Yogi Bhajan

“I am not, folks, tying a turban because I’m a Sikh, and I’m not tying a turban because I’m running a boutique business. Not at all. I’m not teaching a religion, minus reality. I’m a scientist. I came to these United States to be in the United States. I am not seeking students. I don’t initiate. But I am obligated. Somebody touched me and taught me. I’m willing to touch somebody.” Yogi Bhajan

 

Meditation

Today: “Be especially aware when you find yourself in a new situation.  Do not forget where you are.” – From the I Ching

Be especially aware when you find yourself in a new situation.  Do not forget where you are.  Keep your manners.  Do not call too much attention to yourself. Familiarize yourself with the new surroundings.  Act from intuition.

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

#56, line #6, #62

WHEN A man is a wanderer and stranger, he should not be gruff nor overbearing. He has no large circle of acquaintances, therefore he should not give himself airs. He must be cautious and reserved; in this way he protects himself from evil. If he is obliging toward others, he wins success.
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 picture of a bird whose nest burns up indicates loss of one’s resting place. This misfortune may overtake the bird if it is heedless and imprudent when building its nest. It is the same with a wanderer. If he lets himself go, laughing and jesting, and forgets that he is a wanderer, he will later have cause to weep and lament. For if through carelessness a man loses his cow — i.e., his modesty and adaptability — evil will result.
Exceptional modesty and conscientiousness are sure to be rewarded with success; however, if a man is not to throw himself away, it is important that they should not become empty form and subservience but be combined always with a correct dignity in personal behavior. We must understand the demands of the time in order to find the necessary offset for its deficiencies and damages. In any event we must not count on great success, since the requisite strength is lacking. In this lies the importance of the message that one should not strive after lofty things but hold to lowly things.

Meditation
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Tao Te Ching – Verse 63
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Today: “You must understand. Ten percent of you is projection and ten percent of you is object and subject. You can’t be more than that.” – Yogi Bhajan

“You must understand. Ten percent of you is projection and ten percent of you is object and subject. You can’t be more than that. There’s no way. Eighty percent is unknown. The idea of intuition is not to not know. The idea of the development of intuition is that you have to know that eighty percent. You are missing eighty percent.” Yogi Bhajan

 

Meditation

Today: “Accept that you don’t see eye to eye.  Keep your integrity. Exercise kindness.” – From the I Ching

Accept that you don’t see eye to eye.  Keep your integrity. Exercise kindness.  Recognize that there is no end to challenges arising before us.  Just master this one.

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

#38, line #1, #64

You are working at cross-purposes with another.  The distance between you is very wide.  The gap can be closed, however, with no compromise of your integrity.  You are not adversaries in this case — just two persons addressing individual needs.
Don’t search after the horses you’ve lost; They will return in seven days.
Acknowledge the presence of evil people: keep a close eye on them, but don’t be baited into dealing with them.
Resist the rush to completion.  Anticipation of fulfillment may callous you before you have fully absorbed the lessons of the journey.  The endpoint of this Quest will only prove to be the threshold for another.  You are short steps from Mastery on this plane, yet you stride toward Ignorance of the challenges lying beyond.  Savor this accomplishment.  Fully Become.  Take full possession of your world before embarking to discover the next one.  That voyage begins soon enough, and you will reminisce about this one.
These are the Good Old Days.

Meditation
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Tao Te Ching – Verse 62
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Today: “So the most insane person has some sanity somewhere, and the most sane person has the equivalent insanity somewhere. ” – Yogi Bhajan

“So the most insane person has some sanity somewhere, and the most sane person has the equivalent insanity somewhere. But the sanity or insanity doesn’t matter. The question is: Do you have the width to open up, to accommodate, to listen, to understand, from another point of view, so you may not end up screwing up the whole thing? Do you have a little one minute of patience?” Yogi Bhajan

Meditation

Today: “Accept others’ offers of gratitude toward you with gratitude.  Give up your expectations of how others should be or behave.” – From the I Ching

Accept others’ offers of gratitude toward you with gratitude.  Give up your expectations of how others should be or behave.  Doing this, you will be liberated.

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

#35, line #2, #40

The Sun shines down upon the Earth:
Constantly honing and refining his brilliance, the Superior Person is a Godsend to his people.
This is a time of reward for good works.  Those you have helped want to show their gratitude.  Benefits come both from on high and from the humble you uplifted.  Accept all gifts graciously, though the reward may not be what you truly need or hoped for.  Some may bestow more than they can afford to give, but you must realize that they need to feel that they have repaid you.
You advance in sorrow, but this path leads to good fortune.  Accept the boon of a wise woman.
The Superior Person knows the release in forgiveness, pardoning the faults of others and dealing gently with those who sin against him.  It pays to accept things as they are for now.  If there is nothing else to be gained, a return brings good fortune.  If there is something yet to be gained, act on it at once.
The relief you experience here is not your own personal pardon, but the release of others from your rigid expectations.  Feel the lightness of being that results from forgiving others and accepting them as they are.  Free yourself of the endless vigil of policing the behavior of others.  See them for who they are, not what they can or can’t do for you.

Meditation
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Tao Te Ching – Verse 61
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Today: I Ching

 

Today: “Your faculty of projection with your personal reverence will win all for you” – Yogi Bhajan

“Your faculty of projection with your personal reverence will win all for you. That is the path of victory.” Yogi Bhajan

Meditation

Today: “The power of God’s manifestation causes either fear or reverence.  Reverence dispels fear. ” – From the I Ching

The power of God’s manifestation causes either fear or reverence.  Reverence dispels fear.  Be ready for the coming reckoning.

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

#51

The shock that comes from the manifestation of God within the depths of the earth makes man afraid, but this fear of God is good, for joy and merriment can follow upon it.
When a man has learned within his heart what fear and trembling mean, he is safeguarded against any terror produced by outside influences. Let the thunder roll and spread terror a hundred miles around: he remains so composed and reverent in spirit that the sacrificial rite is not interrupted. This is the spirit that must animate leaders and rulers of men – a profound inner seriousness from which all terrors glance off harmlessly.
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
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Tao Te Ching – Verse 60
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Today: I Ching

 

Today: “Suppose you have enough breath of life at the rate of one breath for one year” – Yogi Bhajan

“Suppose you have enough breath of life at the rate of one breath for one year, so you take one breath a minute, you can live fifteen years. Suppose you have breath of life for one hundred years. At fifteen breaths a minute, at that rate, you can live 1500 years. That’s how yogis extend their life—by practicing one breath a minute. When you practice one breath a minute, then you become Pavan Guru— you become the light and knowledge of the prana, and then you know the universe, the universe knows you.”

Meditation