Today: Use your great treasures to ignite the world – I Ching

You have the physical resources and the means to use them to accomplish great things.  With them you can ignite the world.

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

The sun in heaven above, shedding light over everything on earth, is the image of possession on a grand scale.
The time is favorable – a time of strength within, clarity and culture without. Power is expressing itself in a graceful and controlled way. This brings supreme success and wealth.
Great possession consists not only in the quantity of goods at one’s disposal, but first and foremost, in their mobility and utility, for then they can be used in undertakings, and we remain free of embarrassment and mistakes. The big wagon, which will carry a heavy load and in which one can journey far, means that there are at hand able helpers who give their support and are equal to their task. One can load great responsibility upon such persons, and this is necessary in important undertakings.
The great man continues the work of nature in the human world. Through the clarity of his nature he causes the light to spread farther and farther and to penetrate the nature of man ever more deeply.

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Today: “Love and respect a woman voluntarily” – Yogi Bhajan

SSSYWa“Love and respect a woman voluntarily, with no compulsion. There should be knowledge, there should be awareness of each individual. This must be the first rule or there shall never be peace, there shall be agony on the planet Earth. Yogi Bhajan

Sat Nam!
Ram Anand

 

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Today: inspire others to join the movement – I Ching

You can enjoy abundance despite the chaos swirling around.  Even if you are not heard directly in the noise, you can help spark a movement in the direction of your intentions.  You can inspire others to follow in accord and help to bring the movement to fruition.

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

It is not given to every mortal to bring about a time of outstanding greatness and abundance. Only a born ruler of men is able to do it, because his will is directed to what is great. Such a time of abundance is usually brief. Therefore a sage might well feel sad in view of the decline that must follow. But such sadness does not befit him. Only a man who is inwardly free of sorrow and care can lead in a time of abundance. He must be like the sun at midday, illuminating and gladdening everything under heaven.
The image is that of a progressive covering over of the sun. Here the eclipse reaches totality, therefore even the small stars can be seen at noon.
In the sphere of social relationships, this means that the prince is now so eclipsed that even the most insignificant persons can push themselves into the foreground. This makes it impossible for an able man, though he might be the right hand of the ruler, to undertake anything. It is as though his arm were broken, but he is not to blame for being thus hindered in action.
The time of ENTHUSIASM derives from the fact that there is at hand an eminent man who is in sympathy with the spirit of the people and acts in accord with it. Hence he finds universal and willing obedience. To arouse enthusiasm it is necessary for a man to adjust himself and his ordinances to the character of those whom he has to lead. The inviolability of natural laws rests on this principle of movement along the line of least resistance. These laws are not forces external to things but represent the harmony of movement immanent in them. That is why the celestial bodies do not deviate from their orbits and why all events in nature occur with fixed regularity. It is the same with human society: only such laws as are rooted in popular sentiment can be enforced, while laws violating this sentiment merely arouse resentment.
Again, it is enthusiasm that enables us to install helpers for the completion of an undertaking without fear of secret opposition. It is enthusiasm too that can unify mass movements, as in war, so that they achieve victory.

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Today: “The blend of your soul, mind, and body makes you talk” – Yogi Bhajan

SSSYWa“The blend of your soul, mind, and body makes you talk. This is the art of vibration. If your mind is off you cannot talk sensibly. If your soul is off you don’t exist. Hence, it is a blending of the three that makes you vibrate. You vibrate anyway, but vibration in the form of communication is effectively recognized when you talk. Word was with God and communicated with maya to create this universe and its beauty. Word is with you. Communicate to create your own world.” Yogi Bhajan

Sat Nam!
Ram Anand

 

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Today: use your awesome power to proceed in a considered, smart and righteous way – I Ching

As the gates to success open, use your awesome power to proceed in a considered, smart and righteous way.  If you can apply it wisely you will enjoy great abundance.

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

The hexagram points to a time when inner worth mounts with great force and comes to power. But its strength has already passed beyond the median line, hence there is danger that one may rely entirely on one’s own power and forget to ask what is right. There is danger too that, being intent on movement, we may not wait for the right time. Therefore the added statement that perseverance furthers. For that is truly great power which does not degenerate into mere force but remains inwardly united with the fundamental principles of right and of justice. When we understand this point – namely, that greatness and justice must be indissolubly united – we understand the true meaning of all that happens in heaven and on earth.
The premise here is that the gates to success are beginning to open. Resistance gives way and we forge ahead. This is the point at which, only too easily, we become the prey of exuberant self-confidence. This is why the oracle says that perseverance (i.e., perseverance in inner equilibrium, without excessive use of power) brings good fortune.
It is not given to every mortal to bring about a time of outstanding greatness and abundance. Only a born ruler of men is able to do it, because his will is directed to what is great. Such a time of abundance is usually brief. Therefore a sage might well feel sad in view of the decline that must follow. But such sadness does not befit him. Only a man who is inwardly free of sorrow and care can lead in a time of abundance. He must be like the sun at midday, illuminating and gladdening everything under heaven.

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“Victoria and Abdul” – movie recommendation and review

Victoria and Abdul is the story of the meeting and friendship of an elderly Queen Victoria of England and a  young and handsome Abdul from Agra, India, who happened to visit the royal court on an official state visit to present a nondescript gift to Victoria from the colonial government of India.

The story is told from the points of view of Victoria and Abdul.  The story emerges from their relationship.  There are many complexities to the story, such as the imperialistic tendencies of the British empire, white racial dominance, and power seeking sycophants at the royal court.  Sound familiar?

In its telling, the intention is to distill the aspects of the experience that are important to the characters and express them in human terms that we can understand, for our benefit.  Many of the scenes are humorous, but real.

It is tempting to see the race relations and power structure portrayed in the movie in today’s popular terms, but only doing that limits the impact of the experience of the movie.  Those things are secondary in importance at best, though that seems to be mostly what the critics are hung up on and all they can talk about.

We, the audience, are not objective observers of a drama played out in a certain (maybe familiar) context.  We can actually share the characters’  experience if we allow the suspension of disbelief and merge with them.  What they see, feel and know is what we see, feel and know.  That is the virtue of how the movie is crafted.

We don’t emerge from the movie loving Victoria and Abdul.  We do love the love these characters found as it resonates in us.  After the movie we can go on with great satisfaction having had that experience, just as Abdul suggests to Victoria for her final journey as he recites Rumi’s poem.

On Dying – Rumi

Listen, O drop, give yourself up without regret,
and in exchange gain the Ocean.
Listen, O drop, bestow upon yourself this honor,
and in the arms of the Sea be secure.
Who indeed should be so fortunate?
An Ocean wooing a drop!
In God’s name, in God’s name, sell and buy at once!
Give a drop, and take this Sea full of pearls.
Rumi

Today: “When thou shalt hear the truth with the center of the two eyes” – Yogi Bhajan

SSSYWa“When thou shalt hear the truth with the center of the two eyes, the third eye, thou shalt never forget it.” Yogi Bhajan

Sat Nam!
Ram Anand

 

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Today: ride out the quagmire – I Ching

Stagnation.  Doe not make bold attempts to change things.  Don’t try to feel better. Hold to your inner truth and ride out the quagmire.

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

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.

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“The King of Hearts” – movie recommendation and review

This is one of a few movies that I have been moved to recommend.  In my world view, it deserves everyone’s attention.

Many stories have been written about war and the consequences of engaging in it.  Here is a movie that strips away most of the consequential horror, leaving an experience of very absurd humor and pathos.  Not districted by all the graphic ugliness, the audience is allowed to experience some very profound truth about the mind and human behavior when anything is allowed to happen.  It resonates with and brings a fresh view to today’s world-scape of non-fact reality.  Enjoy.

Here is the review from the Los Angeles Times.

Today: Meet shock and upheaval with vast awareness – I Ching

Meet shock and upheaval with vast awareness.  Avoid being crippled by reaction and fear.  A more favorable circumstance follows close at hand where the agents of darkness are dispersed and the light returns.

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

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.
Movement within the mind depends for its success partly on circumstances. If there is neither a resistance that might be vigorously combated, nor yet a yielding that permits of victory – if, instead, everything is tough and inert like mire – movement is crippled.
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.

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Today: seek proper relations with all whom we associate – I Ching

It is our natural inclination to seek fellowship with others.  In bonding with kindred spirits great things can be accomplished.  We should seek the proper relations with all whom we associate.
Be careful not to make a casual relationship a pivotal one that is the basis for any serious endeavors.  Choose your colleagues carefully.  This requires careful self examination.  See what you are attracting and make adjustments that will align with your aspirations.

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

WHAT IS required is that we unite with others, in order that all may complement and aid one another through holding together. But such holding together calls for a central figure around whom other persons may unite. To become a centre of influence holding people together is a grave matter and fraught with great responsibility. It requires greatness of spirit, consistency, and strength. Therefore let him who wishes to gather others about him ask himself whether he is equal to the undertaking, for anyone attempting the task without a real calling for it only makes confusion worse than if no union at all had taken place.
But when there is a real rallying point, those who at first are hesitant or uncertain gradually come in of their own accord. Late-comers must suffer the consequences, for in holding together the question of the right time is also important. Relationships are formed and firmly established according to definite inner laws. Common experiences strengthen these ties, and he who comes too late to share in these basic experiences must suffer for it if, as a straggler, he finds the door locked.
If a man has recognised the necessity for union and does not feel strong enough to function as the centre, it is his duty to become a member of some other organic fellowship.
We are often among people who do not belong to our own sphere. In that case we must beware of being drawn into false intimacy through force of habit. Needless to say, this would have evil consequences. Maintaining sociability without intimacy is the only right attitude toward such people, because otherwise we should not be free to enter into relationship with people of our own kind later on.
Difficulties and obstructions throw a man back upon himself. While the inferior man seeks to put the blame on other persons, bewailing his fate, the superior man seeks the error within himself, and through this introspection the external obstacle becomes for him an occasion for inner enrichment and education.

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Meditation: LA057 780928 Change your frequency

Relax the arms down with the elbows bent. Raise the forearms up and in toward each other until the hands meet in front of the chest at the level of the Solar plexus. Press the entire length of the fingers of the opposite hands together from the mounds to the fingertips but leave the palms spread far apart. Cross the thumbs with the right thumb over the left thumb. The fingers point up as this is traditionally taught. A variation is to point the fingers forward. (This is the way Siri Singh Sahibji prefers to practice it.) Continue reading “Meditation: LA057 780928 Change your frequency”

Today: “If you have the power to believe” – Yogi Bhajan

SSSYWa“If you have the power to believe, then what you believe shall come true. It means this little unit computer has the power to organize the main Master Computer to act on a signal. In simple rational words, man has the control over the Universal Consciousness. They call it bhakti yoga, also devotion, worship.” Yogi Bhajan

Sat Nam!
Ram Anand

 

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