Today: “A relaxed mind is a creative mind and a creative mind is a relaxed mind ” – Yogi Bhajan

“A relaxed mind is a creative mind and a creative mind is a relaxed mind and only a relaxed mind can become a one-pointed mind, and a one-pointed mind is the most wonderful mind; it is the most powerful, it can do anything.” Yogi Bhajan

Meditation: 771201 – Three Minute Meditation – For a Meditative Mind

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Today: Look to your experience in order to know what to do next.  Use your wisdom to make good choices.” – from the I Ching

Look to your experience in order to know what to do next.  Use your wisdom to make good choices.

Meditation: LA082-790123 Telescopic Infinity

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Tao Te Ching – Verse 33 – Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom.

Tell The Magical Story of Mushkil Gusha over a meal with friends today.

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's, Thomas Cleary's, Brian Arnold's and other translations of the I Ching
26 – Twenty-Six  Ta Ch’u / Recharging Power

Heaven’s motherlode waits within the Mountain:
The Superior Person mines deep into history’s wealth of wisdom and deeds, charging his character with timeless strength.

Persevere.
Drawing sustenance from these sources creates good fortune.
Then you may cross to the far shore.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

There are important precedents in this situation.
Others have trodden this Path before you, overcoming the same obstacles facing you now, and making crucial decisions at the same crossroads.
Study their journals, watch for their trail markings.
Gain inspiration and wisdom from the heroes and learn from the mistakes of those who chose a sidepath.
All were Seekers, explorers whose daring mapped a course you can follow.
The words and deeds of the finest can imbue you with the courage necessary to face what lies before you.

yang
yin above: Kên / Keeping Still, Mountain
yin
yang
yang below: Ch’ien / The Creative, Heaven
yang

 

Volcano Caldera de Taburiente - La Palma

 

Cloud in the crater of the volcano Caldera de Taburiente, La Palma – Canary Islands, May 2013
Mirador de Los Roques (La Cumbrecita) – photo Lex van den Bos

THE IMAGE

Heaven within the mountain:
The image of THE TAMING POWER OF THE GREAT.
Thus the superior man acquaints himself with many sayings of antiquity
And many deeds of the past,
In order to strengthen his character thereby.

Heaven within the mountain points to hidden treasures. In the words and deeds of the past there lies hidden a treasure that men may use to strengthen and elevate their own characters. The way to study the past is not to confine oneself to mere knowledge of history but, through application of this knowledge, to give actuality to the past.

Today: “If you want to relate to the unseen, all you have to do is sit down in a very easy and common position and imagine, image in, that you are reaching Him.” – Yogi Bhajan

“If you want to relate to the unseen, all you have to do is sit down in a very easy and common position and imagine, image in, that you are reaching Him. Don’t think you are performing a miracle; this is an easy thing.” Yogi Bhajan

Meditation: Listening to Angelic Whispers – from the Mind

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Today: “Make peace with the world.  Fix any contentious relations.  Five up trying to control what happens.” from the I Ching

Make peace with the world.  Fix any contentious relations.  Five up trying to control what happens.

Meditation: A Prayer for Peace

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Tao Te Ching – Verse 32 – The Tao can’t be perceived. Smaller than an electron, it contains uncountable galaxies.

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's, Thomas Cleary's, Brian Arnold's and other translations of the I Ching
18 – Eighteen

59 – Fifty-Nine  Huan / Dissolution

Wind carries the Mists aloft:
Sage rulers dedicated their lives to serving a Higher Power and built temples that still endure.

The King approaches his temple.
Success if you stay on course.
You may cross to the far shore.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

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.

Six at the beginning [yin at bottom] means:

He brings help with the strength of a horse.
Good fortune.

He gives aid with the strength and stamina of a horse.
Good fortune.

Horse

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.

Horse zodiac

42 – Forty-Two  I / Expansion

Whirlwinds and Thunder:
When the Superior Person encounters saintly behavior, he adopts it; when he encounters a fault within, he transforms it.

Progress in every endeavor.
You may cross to the far shore.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

Get ready to ride a tide of accelerated growth toward self-actualization.
A joyful awareness of the best within you, coupled with an acceptance of your Shadow, will provide a greater repertoire, a much bolder vision, and new depth and clarity that will compel you to expand your horizons.

Today: “When there is a time to stay, one should stay. When there is a time to go, one should go…but it should all be graceful.” – Yogi Bhajan

“When there is a time to stay, one should stay. When there is a time to go, one should go. When there is a time to fight, one should fight. When there is a time to have, one should have; but it should all be graceful.” Yogi Bhajan

Kriya:  KYB053 841107 – Balancing Life (Prana & Apana) 

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Today: “Saber rattling does not necessarily lead to danger.  Words can reflect dissatisfaction rather than intention.  Use your communication skills to settle conflict.” from the I Ching

Saber rattling does not necessarily lead to danger.  Words can reflect dissatisfaction rather than intention.  Use your communication skills to settle conflict.

See today’s quote from the Tao Te Ching

Meditation: NM0365-20001024-On Communication II

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Tao Te Ching – Verse 31 – Weapons are the tools of violence; all decent men detest them.

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's, Thomas Cleary's, Brian Arnold's and other translations of the I Ching
18 – Eighteen

26 – Twenty-Six  Ta Ch’u / Recharging Power

Heaven’s motherlode waits within the Mountain:
The Superior Person mines deep into history’s wealth of wisdom and deeds, charging his character with timeless strength.

Persevere.
Drawing sustenance from these sources creates good fortune.
Then you may cross to the far shore.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

There are important precedents in this situation.
Others have trodden this Path before you, overcoming the same obstacles facing you now, and making crucial decisions at the same crossroads.
Study their journals, watch for their trail markings.
Gain inspiration and wisdom from the heroes and learn from the mistakes of those who chose a sidepath.
All were Seekers, explorers whose daring mapped a course you can follow.
The words and deeds of the finest can imbue you with the courage necessary to face what lies before you.

Six in the fifth place means:

The tusk of a gelded boar.
Good fortune.

The tusks of a gelded boar.
Ominous-looking, but without purpose.

Boar

Boar

Here the restraining of the impetuous forward drive is achieved in an indirect way. A boar’s tusk is in itself dangerous, but if the boar’s nature is altered, the tusk is no longer a menace. Thus also where men are concerned, wild force should not be combated directly; instead, its roots should be eradicated.
57 – Fifty-Seven  Sun / The Penetrating Wind

Wind follows upon wind, wandering the earth, penetrating gently but persistently:
The Superior Person expands his influence by reaffirming his decisions and carrying out his promises.

Small, persistent, focused effort brings success.
Seek advice from someone you respect.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

Gentle persuasion is the key in this instance.
Though the words are soft, their speaker must be firm, calm and confident.
Gentle words are worthless if spoken with trepidation.
Wordless influence by example is also effective in this situation.
All persuasion should be almost unfelt, yet consistent and persistent.
Ask for feedback from someone you know to be an effective persuader.

Today: “If you are not aware for you and aware of you, then your existence will be damaged.” – Yogi Bhajan

“If you are not aware for you and aware of you, then your existence will be damaged. If you want to be great, then you will have to feel great and act great. Many people think they have to seek approval. All you have to do is approve of yourself.” Yogi Bhajan

Meditation: NM249 971230 theorem of the Kundalini Yoga; control your micro & macro consciousness

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On dying – Rumi

What else Yogi Bhajan said

Today: “Use adversity to enrich your understanding and relations with your environment and your situation.” from the I Ching

Use adversity to enrich your understanding and relations with your environment and your situation.

Meditation: NM374 – 20001128 – Patience and Intuition

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Tao Te Ching – Verse 30 – Whoever relies on the Tao in governing men doesn’t try to force issues or defeat enemies by force of arms

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18 – Eighteen

39 – Thirty-Nine  Chien / Obstacle

Ominous roiling in the Crater Lake atop the Volcano:
When meeting an impasse, the Superior Person turns his gaze within, and views the obstacle from a new perspective.

Offer your opponent nothing to resist.
Let a sage guide you in this.
Good fortune lies along this course.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

The Obstacle lies in obstinance.
An insistence on only one way of proceeding has brought things to an impasse.
You may either continue banging your head with irresistible force against this immovable object, or you might step back and survey this situation from a fresh perspective.
Which is immobile here — the obstruction or your attitude?

yin
yang above: K’an / The Abysmal, Water
yin
yang
yin below: Kên / Keeping Still, Mountain
yin

 

The hexagram pictures a dangerous abyss lying before us and a steep, inaccessible mountain rising behind us. We are surrounded by obstacles; at the same time, since the mountain has the attribute of keeping still, there is implicit a hint as to how we can extricate ourselves. The hexagram represents obstructions that appear in the course of time but that can and should be overcome. Therefore all the instruction given is directed to overcoming them.

THE JUDGEMENT

OBSTRUCTION. The southwest furthers.
The northeast does not further.
It furthers one to see the great man.
Perseverance brings good fortune.

The southwest is the region of retreat, the northeast that of advance. Here an individual is confronted by obstacles that cannot be overcome directly. In such a situation it is wise to pause in view of the danger and to retreat. However, this is merely a preparation for overcoming the obstructions. One must join forces with friends of like mind and put himself under the leadership of a man equal to the situation: then one will succeed in removing the obstacles. This requires the will to persevere just when one apparently must do something that leads away from his goal. This unswerving inner purpose brings good fortune in the end. An obstruction that lasts only for a time is useful for self-development. This is the value of adversity.

THE IMAGE

Water on the mountain:
The image of OBSTRUCTION.
Thus the superior man turns his attention to himself
And molds his character.

 

Heaven Lake - Baekdu Mountain

Heaven Lake, Baekdu Mountain – a crater lake on the border separating China and North Korea

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.

Today: “Man suffers for one reason: Man loses his innocence.” – Yogi Bhajan

“Man suffers for one reason: Man loses his innocence. When you lose your innocence, you end up with dispute. To regain innocence so that universal consciousness will serve and maintain you is the idea of this yoga.” Yogi Bhajan

Meditation: LA010 – 19780210 – Gobinda – Project to the Infinite

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Today: “Resolve your discontent with discipline and giving up all expectations for deliverance by an external savior.” from the I Ching

Resolve your discontent with discipline and giving up all expectations for deliverance by an external savior.

Meditation: LA135-19791029 Resolve Inner Conflict

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https://www.harinam.com/tao-te-ching-verse-29-do-you-want-to-improve-the-world-i-dont-think-it-can-be-done/

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's, Thomas Cleary's, Brian Arnold's and other translations of the I Ching
18 – Eighteen

47 – Forty-Seven  K’un / Exhaustion

A Dead Sea, its Waters spent eons ago, more deadly than the desert surrounding it:
The Superior Person will stake his life and fortune on what he deeply believes.

Triumph belongs to those who endure.
Trial and tribulation can hone exceptional character to a razor edge that slices deftly through every challenge.
Action prevails where words will fail.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

This is the realm of the Shaman.
You have exhausted every alternative, spent yourself completely, taxed body and mind beyond your former limits.
Survival and salvation lie beyond your reach now.
Only transcendence to a new existence — a higher plane of being — will see you through.
The Old You is just a dry husk.
You can’t return to it.
Metamorphosis is the only grace offered.
You can only return to your homeland as a New You.

Nine in the second place means:

One is oppressed while at meat and drink.
The man with the scarlet knee bands is just coming.
It furthers one to offer sacrifice.
To set forth brings misfortune.
No blame.

Chinese banquet

Chinese banquet

This pictures a state of inner oppression. Externally, all is well, one has meat and drink. But one is exhausted by the commonplaces of life, and there seems to be no way of escape. Then help comes from a high place. A prince – in ancient China princes wore scarlet knee bands – is in search of able helpers. But there are still obstructions to be overcome. Therefore it is important to meet these obstructions in the invisible realm by offerings and prayer. To set forth without being prepared would be disastrous, though not morally wrong. Here a disagreeable situation must be overcome by patience of spirit.

45 – Forty-Five  Ts’ui / Gathering

The Lake rises by welcoming and receiving Earth’s waters:
The King approaches his temple.
It is wise to seek audience with him there.

Success follows this course.
Making an offering will seal your good fortune.
A goal will be realized now.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

This is an important Convergence, and you must be part of it.
Look for the Center of this convergence.
Like waters running to the sea, like an astronomical convergence of planets revolving around the sun, you should let the gravity of this Center draw you near.
Others are also drawn to this Center, and among them you will find shared bonds and kindred spirits.
This tribal convergence will give you a clarity of purpose.
You will no longer be alone.

Today: “By construction, the fulfillment of a woman is motherhood” – Yogi Bhajan

“By construction, the fulfillment of a woman is motherhood; and motherhood does not mean that she gets pregnant and delivers a baby. If you understand her total behavior, you will understand her motherhood. Her motherhood is service, her motherhood is sacrifice, her motherhood is relationship. When she knows motherhood, she is fulfilled. But when she becomes a partner with man she shares equally.” Yogi Bhajan

Lecture: The meaning of love

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Today: “Clean your own house before presuming to interfere in your neighbors’ business.” from the I Ching

Clean your own house before presuming to interfere in your neighbors’ business.

Meditation: NM0393-20010402 – Sarab Gyan Kriya

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Tao Te Ching – Verse 28 – Know the male, yet keep to the female

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18 – Eighteen

35 – Thirty-Five  Chin / Aspiration

The Sun shines down upon the Earth:
Constantly honing and refining his brilliance, the Superior Person is a Godsend to his people.
They repay his benevolence with a herd of horses, and he is granted audience three times in a single day.

Promotion.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

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.

Hexagram Thirty-Five/Line Six

Nine at the top means:

Though politically perilous, it is wiser to put infidels within your own city walls to the sword, rather than lead a Crusade to convert faraway lands.

Making progress with the horns is permissible
Only for the purpose of punishing one’s own city.
To be conscious of danger brings good fortune.
No blame.
Perseverance brings humiliation.

Gemsbucks

Gemsbucks

Making progress with lowered horns – i.e., acting on the offensive – is permissible, in times like those referred to here, only in dealing with the mistakes of one’s own people. Even then we must bear in mind that proceeding on the offensive may always be dangerous. In this way we avoid the mistakes that otherwise threaten, and succeed in what we set out to do. On the other hand, perseverance in such overenergetic behavior, especially toward persons with whom there is no close connection, will lead to humiliation.
16 – Sixteen  Yü / Enthusiasm

Thunder comes resounding out of the Earth:
Similar thunder roars up from the masses when the Superior Person strikes a chord in their hearts.

Whip up enthusiasm, rally your forces, and move boldly forward.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

There is a rhythmic force, a world music, that lives deep in the Unconscious of each of us.
It’s a primitive drumbeat, a shaking rattle, a tribal chant that invokes the primal self to rise up and join the dance.
This is the enthusiasm that is generated now.
Not rhetorical persuasion, not a play on the emotions, but a charismatic, irresistible Call of the Wild.
Confucius said that the person who could comprehend this could ‘rule the world as though it were spinning in his hand.’
This is a time for instinct, not intellect — the Thunder from the Beneath.

Today: “The moment you can love the being of an individual, then you love the God of an individual;” – Yogi Bhajan

“The moment you can love the being of an individual, then you love the God of an individual; the moment that experience happens, then you become a universal soul yourself.” Yogi Bhajan

Meditation: KYB117-19860822 – Achieve an Experience of God

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What else Yogi Bhajan said

Today: “It’s OK to be a little overzealous when cleaning up corruption.  Inspire and lift peoples’ spirits, then step back and let them clean.” from the I Ching

It’s OK to be a little overzealous when cleaning up corruption.  Inspire and lift peoples’ spirits, then step back and let them clean.

Meditation:  LA372 831212 Corruption and character

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Tao Te Ching – Verse 27 – A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent upon arriving

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18 – Eighteen

18 – Eighteen Ku / Repairing the Damage

Winds sweep through the Mountain valley:
The Superior Person sweeps away corruption and stagnation by stirring up the people and strengthening their spirit.

Supreme success.
Before crossing to the far shore, consider the move for three days.
After crossing, devote three days of hard labor to damage control.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

You are blessed with an opportunity to resuscitate that which others have abandoned as beyond repair.
This ruin wasn’t caused by evil intention, but by indifference to decay.
Just by addressing yourself to the problem, you exhibit a new awareness, a fresh perspective.
This is a time of recovery, renewal, regeneration.

Nine in the third place means:

Restoring what his father damaged.
Some regrets, but no great mistakes.
Setting right what has been spoiled by the father.
There will be a little remorse. No great blame.

 

Writing to Father

‘Writing to Father’ – Eastman Johnson 1863 – Boston Museum of Fine Arts

This describes a man who proceeds a little too energetically in righting the mistakes of the past. Now and then, as a result, minor discords and annoyances will surely develop. But too much energy is better than too little. Therefore, although he may at times have some slight cause for regret, he remains free of any serious blame.

2 – Two  K’un / Receptive Force

Earth above and Earth below:
The Earth contains and sustains.
In this situation, the Superior Person should not take the initiative; he should follow the initiative of another.
He should seek receptive allies in the southwest; he should break ties with immovable allies in the northeast.

Responsive devotion.
Receptive influence.
Sublime Success if you keep to your course.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

This is a time for dealing with reality as it is, not as you would have it be.
If you realize that in this situation you are the receptor, not the transmitter of the stimulus, you will find yourself reaching goals that seemed unattainable under your own steam.
If you persist in futile efforts to be the Shaper rather than the Shaped, you will completely miss this unique opportunity.

Today: “The highest, most effective energy on this planet is the word.” – Yogi Bhajan

“The highest, most effective energy on this planet is the word. There is nothing beyond it, there shall be nothing beyond it, and there was nothing beyond it; therefore, we must consciously understand the power of the word. When we understand the power of the word and we apply the whole mind behind the word, then we create the word which can create the whole world for us.” Yogi Bhajan

Meditation: LA159 800318 NAAD KRIYA

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Today: “Project the real you.  Lose habits that only serve your outward appearance.” from the I Ching

Project the real you.  Lose habits that only serve your outward appearance.

Meditation: LA010 – 19780210 – Gobinda – Project to the Infinite

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Tao Te Ching – Verse 24 – He who stands on tiptoe doesn’t stand firm

Tell The Magical Story of Mushkil Gusha over a meal with friends today.

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's, Thomas Cleary's, Brian Arnold's and other translations of the I Ching
22 – Twenty-Two  Pi / Grace

Fire illuminates the base of the Mountain:
The Superior Person realizes he has not the wisdom to move the course of the world, except by attending to each day’s affairs as they come.

Success in small matters.
This is a good time to begin something.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

The emphasis now is on form, not function — on the sizzle and not the steak.
The environment around you is not one of depth, and you are appreciated now for your image, not your essence.
You perfectly fill a role, and no one is seeing the genuine you.
Still, you are being listened to and watched.
Use this influence to further your goals as much as possible.
Even if you don’t feel understood, you can perhaps connect with a few isolated hearts.
Relax and enjoy the attention.

Six in the second place means:

Adorning the beard to the detriment of the chin.

Lends grace to the beard on his chin.

Chinese beard

The beard is not an independent thing; it moves only with the chin. The image therefore means that form is to be considered only as a result and attribute of content. The beard is a superfluous ornament. To devote care to it for its own sake, without regard for the inner content of which it is an ornament, would bespeak a certain vanity.
18 – Eighteen  Ku / Repairing the Damage

Winds sweep through the Mountain valley:
The Superior Person sweeps away corruption and stagnation by stirring up the people and strengthening their spirit.

Supreme success.
Before crossing to the far shore, consider the move for three days.
After crossing, devote three days of hard labor to damage control.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

You are blessed with an opportunity to resuscitate that which others have abandoned as beyond repair.
This ruin wasn’t caused by evil intention, but by indifference to decay.
Just by addressing yourself to the problem, you exhibit a new awareness, a fresh perspective.
This is a time of recovery, renewal, regeneration.