Month: July 2017

“Getting up for sadhana in the morning is a totally ” Yogi Bhajan

“Getting up for sadhana in the morning is a totally selfish act for personal strength, for personal intuition, for personal sharpness, for personal discipline, and overall for absolute personal prosperity.” Yogi Bhajan
(via Ram Anand)

 

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Today: Do not fight evil on its own terms – from the I Ching

Yesterday’s reading indicated a dire situation that needs to be addressed.  Doing so, one must be certain to eradicate any remnants of oppression.  One cannot negotiate with evil, nor fight it on its own terms.  It must be thoroughly discredited.  Even expressing the truth seems not to be good enough.  One must appeal to people’s better natures so they can arrive at a proper view of the situation.  Then, it is possible to arrive at an equilibrium that is free of oppression and conflict.

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's translation of the I Ching
“Even if only one inferior man is occupying a ruling position in a city, he is able to oppress superior men. Even a single passion still lurking in the heart has power to obscure reason. Passion and reason cannot exist side by side- therefore fight without quarter is necessary if the good is to prevail.
In a resolute struggle of the good against evil, there are, however, definite rules that must not be disregarded, if it is to succeed. First, resolution must be based on a union of strength and friendliness. Second, a compromise with evil is not possible; evil must under all circumstances be openly discredited. Nor must our own passions and shortcomings be glossed over. Third, the struggle must not be carried on directly by force. If evil is branded, it thinks of weapons, and if we do it the favour of fighting against it blow for blow, we lose in the end because thus we ourselves get entangled in hatred and passion. Therefore it is important to begin at home, to be on guard in our own persons against the faults we have branded. In this way, finding no opponent, the sharp edges of the weapons of evil become dulled. For the same reasons we should not combat our own faults directly. As long as we wrestle with them, they continue victorious. Finally, the best way to fight evil is to make energetic progress in the good.
Here a man is suffering from inner restlessness and cannot abide in his place. He would like to push forward under any circumstances, but encounters insuperable obstacles. Thus his situation entails an inner conflict. This is due to the obstinacy with which he seeks to enforce his will. If he would desist from this obstinacy, everything would go well. But this advice, like so much other good counsel, will be ignored. For obstinacy makes a man unable to hear, for all that he has ears.
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.

”

Meditation
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Today: I Ching

“Meditation is not what you do in the morning” Yogi Bhajan

“Meditation is not what you do in the morning, that’s practice. Meditation is the daily result of that practice.” Yogi Bhajan
(via Ram Anand)

 

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Today: The urgency of the situation has reached a breaking point – from the I Ching

The urgency of the situation has reached a breaking point.  Pushing ahead in the current climate will lead to disaster.  A leader must bring to the table the wisdom of the ages.  Otherwise, all is lost.

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's translation of the I Ching
“This indicates a type of man who in times of preponderance of the great insists on pushing ahead. He accepts no advice from others, and therefore they in turn are not willing to lend him support. Because of this the burden grows, until the structure of things bends or breaks. Plunging willfully ahead in times of danger only hastens the catastrophe.
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.
”

Meditation
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Today: I Ching

Today: An auspicious day – from the I Ching

This is a very auspicious day.  Success comes from the primal depths of the universe.  Trust in your creative powers and inner strength to spread the light that shines within you and bless the world.  You have the capacity to bring  clarity, success and wealth to all who see you.

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's translation of the I Ching
“When an individual draws this oracle, it means that success will come to him from the primal depths of the universe and that everything depends upon his seeking his happiness and that of others in one way only, that is, by perseverance in what is right.
Here the great man has attained the sphere of the heavenly beings. His influence spreads and becomes visible throughout the whole world. Everyone who sees him may count himself blessed.
Confucius says about this line:
Things that accord in tone vibrate together. Things that have affinity in their inmost natures seek one another. Water flows to what is wet, fire turns to what is dry. Clouds (the breath of heaven) follow the dragon, wind (the breath of earth) follows the tiger. Thus the sage arises, and all creatures follow him with their eyes. What is born of heaven feels related to what is above. What is born of earth feels related to what is below. Each follows its kind.
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.
”

Meditation
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Today: I Ching

“The greatest blunder you can commit” Yogi Bhajan

“The greatest blunder you can commit is to think that mind and soul are yours. They are not finite, they cannot belong to finite. They are infinite, they belong to infinite. Just think that. Happiness will come to you.” Yogi Bhajan
(via Ram Anand)

 

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Today: Still waiting; stay calm – from the I Ching

Still waiting.  Despite criticism and other tongue wagging, stay calm.  Accept good advice, and lead from the heart.

 

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's translation of the I Ching
“The wind blowing across the sky. The wind restrains the clouds and makes them grow dense, but as yet is not strong enough to turn them to rain. A strong element is temporarily held in leash by a weak element. It is only through gentleness that this can have a successful outcome.
The danger gradually comes closer. Sand is near the bank of the river, and the water means danger. Disagreements crop up. General unrest can easily develop in such times, and we lay the blame on one another. He who stays calm will succeed in making things go well in the end. Slander will be silenced if we do not gratify it with injured retorts.
Through attraction the sage influences men’s hearts, and thus the world attains peace. From the attractions they exert we can learn the nature of all beings in heaven and on earth.
”

Meditation
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Today: I Ching

On this Fourth of July, 2017

Some of my friends and kindred souls are saying that the health of our democratic republic, America, has hit a new low.  I think that the real low was the Civil War, which, evidently, never ended completely, and hopefully, will not be repeated.  With all the diversity of our Nation, there are inevitably people who do want to go there and revive that tragic incident.  We know who they are.

As to why, the question is one of identity.  We can choose to identify with our self and God, or abdicate the elevated self to our ego, other egos, groups of people founded on ego and all the baggage of ego: misery, suffering, fear, hatred and a clinging to ignorance.

I brought this up earlier presenting  a reading from the I Ching for July 4.  Today, I am reminded that people whom we consider to be heroes are just people who remained themselves, no matter what the circumstances: forces, pressures, enticements, threats and dangers.

Today in the Los Angeles Times an article appeared which tells the story of a hero who is just a regular guy who knows who he is and what his duty is to himself, his friends, his nation and humanity.  It may be interpreted, as it is in the article, that certain ethnic or other groups are constantly having to prove that they are Americans.  I don’t see this guy as having any ideal outside of himself that inspired his bravery.  I see him as just a simple fellow from a nondescript place at a certain time under certain circumstances who found within himself the wherewithal to keep going.  In his moment of trial, he had faith.

 

 

 

 

Today: Don’t make a big deal of being right – from the I Ching

Don’t make a big deal of being right.  Those who are weak now are in control.  We must wait for the situation to change.  The high ground cannot be taken by force.  Compromise is not an abdication of one’s personal power and ability to have a positive impact on the situation.  Your clear-headed vision and inner strength will prevail in the end.
Take Yogi Bhajan’s advice

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's translation of the I Ching
“The wind blowing across the sky. The wind restrains the clouds and makes them grow dense, but as yet is not strong enough to turn them to rain. A strong element is temporarily held in leash by a weak element. It is only through gentleness that this can have a successful outcome.
Here an attempt is made to press forward forcibly, in the consciousness that the obstructing power is slight. But since, under the circumstances, power actually lies with the weak, this sudden offensive is doomed to failure. External conditions hinder the advance, just as loss of the wheel spokes stops the progress of a wagon. We do not yet heed this hint from fate, hence there are annoying arguments like those of a married couple. Naturally this is not a favourable state of things, for though the situation may enable the weaker side to hold its ground, the difficulties are too numerous to permit of a happy result. In consequence even the strong man cannot so use his power as to exert the right influence on those around him. He experiences a rebuff where he expected an easy victory, and he thus compromises his dignity.
CONFLICT DEVELOPS when one feels himself to be in the right and runs into opposition. If one is not convinced of being in the right, opposition leads to craftiness or high-handed encroachment but not to open conflict.
If a man is entangled in a conflict, his only salvation lies in being so clear- headed and inwardly strong that he is always ready to come to terms by meeting the opponent halfway. To carry on the conflict to the bitter end has evil effects even when one is the right, because the enmity is then perpetuated.
”

Meditation
Previous readings
Today: I Ching

“The greatest art is to sit, and wait, and let it come” Yogi Bhajan

“The greatest art is to sit, and wait, and let it come.” Yogi Bhajan
(via Ram Anand)

 

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Today: Contemplate & be aware how others look to you for guidance – from the I Ching

Contemplate at this time of transition whether to advance or retreat.  Looking back at your life will give you answers.  Recognize that in any case, what you say and do have effects on others.  Be aware how others look to you for guidance.

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's translation of the I Ching
“Contemplation of the divine meaning underlying the workings of the universe gives to the man who is called upon to influence others the means of producing like effects. This requires that power of inner concentration which religious contemplation develops in great men strong in faith. It enables them to apprehend the mysterious and divine laws of life, and by means of profoundest inner concentration they give expression to these laws in their own persons. Thus a hidden spiritual power emanates from them, influencing and dominating others without their being aware of how it happens.
This is the place of transition. We no longer look outward to receive pictures that are more or less limited and confused, but direct our contemplation upon ourselves in order to find a guideline for our decisions. This self-contemplation means the overcoming of naïve egotism in the person who sees everything solely form his own standpoint. He begins to reflect and in this way acquires objectivity. However, self-knowledge does not mean preoccupation with one’s own thoughts; rather, it means concern about the effects one creates. It is only the effects our lives produce that give us the right to judge whether what we have done means progress or regression.
the influence on others must proceed form one’s own person. In order to be capable of producing such an influence, one’s words must have power, and this they can have only if they are based on something real, just as flame depends on its fuel. Words have influence only when they are pertinent and clearly related to definite circumstances. General discourses and admonitions have no effect whatsoever. Furthermore, the words must be supported by one’s entire conduct, just as the wind is made effective by its duration. Only firm and consistent conduct will make such an impression on others that they can adapt and conform to it. If words and conduct are not in accord and not consistent, they will have no effect.
”

Meditation
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Today: I Ching

“Love is the ultimate state of human being” Yogi Bhajan

“Love is the ultimate state of human being where compassion prevails
and kindness rules.” Yogi Bhajan
(via Ram Anand)

 

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Today: It is time to recognize the causes for corruption – from the I Ching

It is time to recognize the causes for corruption in our world and begin to repair the damage.  What has been going on for some time must be dealt with and corrected.  The danger has come to a point of crisis only because the concerted efforts of the few who created this situation were met generally with apathy.  That has to change.  While corruption is widespread, it can be remedied.
Rather than charging headlong into a reactionary course, the causes that are perpetuating the situation must be identified, discredited and neutralized.  Every new action must be considered deliberately and applied frugally in order to avoid new reaction.
What has gone before is no longer relevant.  Bringing to light the negative influences that have held the status quo will be sufficient.  They will discredit themselves, their influence will wane and the social organism will begin to begin to heal.

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's translation of the I Ching
“What has been spoiled through man’s fault can be made good again through man’s work.  
It is not immutable fate that has caused the state of corruption, but rather the abuse of human freedom.
We must first know the [specific] causes of corruption before we can do away with them; hence it is necessary to be cautious during the time before the start. Then we must see to it that the new way is safely entered on, so that a relapse may be avoided; therefore we must pay attention to the time after the start. Decisiveness and energy must take the place of inertia and indifference that have led to decay, in order that the ending may be followed by a new beginning.
Rigid adherence to tradition has resulted in decay. But the decay has not yet penetrated deeply and so can still be easily remedied. It is as if a son were compensating for the decay his father allowed to creep in. Then no blame attaches to the father. However, one must not overlook the danger or take the matter too lightly. Only if one is conscious of the danger connected with every reform will everything go well in the end.
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.
”

Meditation
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Today: I Ching

“Committed language is when you speak directly” Yogi Bhajan

“Committed language is when you speak directly, with your heart, with all parts of your mind supporting what you say.” Yogi Bhajan
(via Ram Anand)

 

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