On the Current State of Democracy – a reading from the I Ching

One may wonder whether the world’s democratic institutions are unravelling in the face of their neglect and the exploitation of peoples’ discontent by unscrupulous and powerful (oligarch) autocratic forces.
The I Ching warns that, though we have achieved a pinnacle of human achievement as a civilization, peoples’ complacency and indifference to the influence of bad actors imperils the status quo and the health of our society.
The long term outlook is favorable for the survival of democracy.
This is supported only if  first, the level of general awareness of the world’s citizens expands enough to check the pattern of decay that has taken hold, and second, enough people are in a position and able to serve to preserve it.
It has been shown that too many people have been placed in positions of power and influence who have been corrupted by the seduction of the promise of personal gain.  They need to ask “at what cost?”.  Everyone must ask “at what cost have we neglected our civil duties as citizens and nations?”
The first thing is to wake up.  Then, serve.

Meditation: LA021-780319 – You Will Feel Totally Conscious

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Today: I Ching – Previous Readings

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

#63, line 4, #17

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.
In a time of flowering culture, an occasional convulsion is bound to occur, uncovering a hidden evil within society and at first causing a great sensation. But since the situation is favorable on the whole, such evils can easily be glossed over and concealed from the public. Then everything is forgotten and peace apparently reigns complacently once more. However, to the thoughtful man, such occurrences are grave omens that he does not neglect. This is the only way of averting evil consequences.
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. But even joyous movement can lead to evil consequences, hence the added stipulation, “Perseverance furthers” – that is, consistency in doing right – together with “No blame.” Just as we should not ask others to follow us unless this condition is fulfilled, so it is only under this condition that we can in turn follow others without coming to harm.
The thought of obtaining a following through adaptation to the demands of the time is a great and significant idea; this is why the appended judgement is so favorable.  

Meditation: LA021-780319 – You Will Feel Totally Conscious

Yogi Bhajan – LA021-780319 – You Will Feel Totally Conscious 

Sit with crossed legs and a straight spine in a meditative posture.   Interlace the fingers with the palms facing the body. Touch the thumb tip to the tip of the mercury (little) finger on each hand respectively.   The mudra is held at shoulder level.

Inhale completely and repeat the mantra j as you exhale. Inhale and begin again.
The eyes are nine-tenths closed. 

Inhale deeply and chant the healing mantra: 

RA MA DA SA! SA SAY SO HUNG!

Make the SAY long and pause briefly between SA’s.   The mantra is chanted in a particular melody. Refer to tape for correct melody. 

Practice for 31 minutes, then inhale, relax, breathe while stretching up for one minute. 

In the first 3-5 minutes you will feel enthusiastic about it. After another seven minutes you will be “badly relaxed” yawning and spacing out. The next 10 minutes will bring you to a different state of consciousness, ecstasy. The final 10 minutes, you will feel totally conscious. 

LA021 780319 you will feel totally conscious

See Yogi Bhajan’s Library of Teachings

“When faced with overwhelming opposition, it is wise to cut your losses and retreat to a stronger position.” – a reading from the I Ching

When faced with overwhelming opposition, it is wise to cut your losses and retreat to a stronger position.  Still, one must protect faithful allies who have stood by you from the wrath of the evildoers.  Don’t expect anything positive in the near term.  Give attention do details that help you to survive.  Hold quietly to your inner truth.

Meditation: LA019 780315 – Shuni Mudra Kriya

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Today: I Ching – Previous Readings

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

#33, line 3, #12

The power of the dark is ascending. The light retreats to security, so that the dark cannot encroach upon it. This retreat is a matter not of man’s will but of natural law. Therefore in this case withdrawal is proper; it is the correct way to behave in order not to exhaust one’s forces.1
In the calendar this hexagram is linked with the sixth month (July-August), in which the forces of winter are already showing their influence.
Conditions are such that the hostile forces favored by the time are advancing. In this case retreat is the right course, and it is through retreat that success is achieved. But success consists in being able to carry out retreat correctly. Retreat is not to be confused with flight. Flight means saving oneself under any circumstances, whereas retreat is a sign of strength. We must be careful not to miss the right moment while we’re in full possession of power and position. Then we shall be able to interpret the signs of the time before it is too late and to prepare for provisional retreat instead of being drawn into a desperate life-and-death struggle. Thus we do not simply abandon the field to the opponent; we make it difficult for him to advance by showing perseverance in single acts of resistance. In this way we prepare, while retreating, for the counter- movement. Understanding the laws of a constructive retreat of this sort is not easy. The meaning that lies hidden in such a time is important.
When it is time to retreat it is both unpleasant and dangerous to be held back, because then one no longer has freedom of action. In such a case the only expedient is to take into one’s service, so to speak, those who refuse to let one go, so that one may at least keep one’s initiative and not fall helplessly under their domination. But even with this expedient the situation is far from satisfactory – for what can one hope to accomplish with such servants?
Heaven and earth are out of communion and all things are benumbed. What is above has no relation to what is below, and on earth confusion and disorder prevail. The dark power is within, the light power is without. Weakness is within, harshness without. Within are the inferior, and without are the superior. The way of inferior people is in ascent; the way of superior people is on the decline. But the superior people do not allow themselves to be turned from their principles. If the possibility of exerting influence is closed to them, they nevertheless remain faithful to their principles and withdraw into seclusion.

Heaven and earth do not unite:
The image of STANDSTILL.
Thus the superior man falls back upon his inner worth
In order to escape the difficulties.
He does not permit himself to be honored with revenue.

When, owing to the influence of inferior men, mutual mistrust prevails in public life, fruitful activity is rendered impossible, because the fundaments are wrong. Therefore the superior man knows what he must do under such circumstances; he does not allow himself to be tempted by dazzling offers to take part in public activities. This would only expose him to danger, since he cannot assent to the meanness of the others. He therefore hides his worth and withdraws into seclusion. . 

Today: “When a man knows himself, he knows every self. When a man loves himself, he loves every self.” Yogi Bhajan

“When a man knows himself, he knows every self. When a man loves himself, he loves every self.” Yogi Bhajan

Meditation: Know the Psyche of the Other

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