Today: “As your reputation precedes you, give close attention to your means of success.  Your notable deed(s) are not just a lucky shot.  – from the I Ching

As your reputation precedes you, give close attention to your means of success.  Your notable deed(s) are not just a lucky shot.

Meditation: 760422 – Balancing Projection with Intention

See Yogi Bhajan’s quote for today

See Previous reading

See Previous previous reading

See related posts

Tao Te Ching – Verse 54 – Whoever is planted in the Tao will not be rooted up

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's, Thomas Cleary's, Brian Arnold's and other translations of the I Ching
56 – Fifty-Six  Lu / The Wanderer

Fire on the Mountain, catastrophic to man, a passing annoyance to the Mountain:
The Superior Person waits for wisdom and clarity before exacting Justice, then lets no protest sway him.

Find satisfaction in small gains.
To move constantly forward is good fortune to a Wanderer.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

You are a stranger to this situation.
It is your attraction to the exotic that has led you here, but you will move on to a new vista when this one has lost its mystique.
Because much of this environment is foreign to you, you must exercise only the best judgement.
You don’t know the custom here, and it’s too easy to cross a line you don’t know is there.
Because you are the foreigner in this setting, you have no history to acquit you.
Watch, listen, study, contemplate, then step lightly but decisively on.

Six in the fifth place means:

The traveler kills a pheasant with his first shot.
For the price of one arrow, he has bought himself praise and high office.

He shoots a pheasant.
It drops with the first arrow.
In the end this brings both praise and office.

Traveling statesmen were in the habit of introducing themselves to local princes with the gift of a pheasant. Here the wanderer wants to enter the service of a prince. To this end he shoots a pheasant, killing it at the first shot. Thus he finds friends who praise and recommend him, and in the end the prince accepts him and confers an office upon him.
Circumstances often cause a man to seek a home in foreign parts. If he knows how to meet the situation and how to introduce himself in the right way, he may find a circle of friends and a sphere of activity even in a strange country.

33 – Thirty-Three  Tun / Retreat

The tranquil Mountain towers overhead, yet remains this side of Heaven:
The Superior Person avoids the petty and superficial by keeping shallow men at a distance, not in anger but with dignity.

Such a retreat sweeps the path clear to Success.
Occupy yourself with minute detail.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

Retreat in this instance is not a desperate flight in disarray, but a conscious choice to distance yourself from forces that would rob you of your peace.
It is not a surrender, but a regrouping.
Retreat from this conflict is actually an advance toward your own center.
You move toward balance, and thus a much stronger position.

Today: “In kundalini yoga we don’t worry about the effect, we worry about the cause, because cause has the effect.” – Yogi Bhajan

“In kundalini yoga we don’t worry about the effect, we worry about the cause, because cause has the effect. Effect can never happen without cause; consequences shall never happen without sequence. If a person can be aware enough to know the trend of the sequences, he can control the consequences.” Yogi Bhajan

Meditation: LA907 – Kriya for Non-Reaction

See Related posts

What else Yogi Bhajan said

Today: “You must rely, at first, on the wisdom passed down to you through the lineage.  You can depend on the teachings.  Allow your understanding to mature before you take it upon yourself to profess what you have realized.”  – from the I Ching

You must rely, at first, on the wisdom passed down to you through the lineage.  You can depend on the teachings.  Allow your understanding to mature before you take it upon yourself to profess what you have realized.

Meditation: NM0337-Bujung Kriya – For Wisdom and Understanding

See Yogi Bhajan’s quote for today

See Previous reading

See Previous previous reading

See related posts

Tao Te Ching – Verse 53 – The great Way is easy, yet people prefer the side paths

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
27 – Twenty-Seven  I / Providing Nourishment

Beneath the immobile Mountain the arousing Thunder stirs:
The Superior Person preserves his freedom under oppressive conditions by watching what comes out of his mouth, as well as what goes in.

Endure and good fortune will come.
Nurture others in need, as if you were feeding yourself.
Take care not to provide sustenance for those who feed off others.
Stay as high as possible on the food chain.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

You are a conduit in this instance, able to provide the sustenance needed by others.
Position yourself to nourish the truly needy and worthy.
Avoid situations where you might be coerced into supporting the parasites and vermin who deprive your true charges.
Your own nourishment is an issue here, too.
Remember Lao Tzu’s three Great Treasures:
Only the person possessed of Compassion, Modesty and Frugality can remain fit enough to stay free of desperation and keep control of the situation.

Six in the fifth place means:

Unspeakable delights tempt maddeningly from the far bank.
You must not cross this stream.

Turning away from the path.
To remain persevering brings good fortune.
One should not cross the great water.

Fishing Boat

‘Fishing Boat’ – Tom Anderson

A man may be conscious of a deficiency in himself. He should be undertaking the nourishment of the people, but he has not the strength to do it. Thus he must turn from his accustomed path and beg counsel and help from a man who is spiritually his superior but undistinguished outwardly. If he maintains this attitude of mind perseveringly, success and good fortune are his. But he must remain aware of his dependence. He must not put his own person forward nor attempt great labors, such as crossing the great water.

61 – Sixty-One  Chung Fu / Inner Truth

The gentle Wind ripples the Lake’s surface:
The Superior Person finds common ground between points of contention, wearing away rigid perspectives that would lead to fatal error.

Pigs and fishes.
You may cross to the far shore.
Great fortune if you stay on course.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

The subject of this hexagram discovers a key to Tranquility by first gaining insight into his own nature, then turning that vision outward.
By resolving inner conflicts and being at peace with himself, he learns to gain insight into others.
In effect, he enters another, sees with the other’s eyes, listens with the other’s ears, feels with the other’s heart.
He then returns to his own center, with new perspective and understanding.

Today: “Great are those who have the company of the great master, but greater still are those who live by the words of the master, and they become great themselves.” – Yogi Bhajan

“Great are those who have the company of the great master, but greater still are those who live by the words of the master, and they become great themselves.” Yogi Bhajan

Meditation: NM0413 – Intuition and the Strength of Excellence

See related posts

What else Yogi Bhajan said

Today: “When difficulties arise, do not react.  There is no need to complain or blame somebody for the situation.  Accept what is with patience.”  – from the I Ching

When difficulties arise, do not react.  There is no need to complain or blame somebody for the situation.  Accept what is with patience.

Meditation: LA907 – Kriya for Non-Reaction

See Yogi Bhajan’s quote for today

See Previous reading

See Previous previous reading

See related posts

Tao Te Ching – Verse 52 – In the beginning was the Tao. All things issue from it; all things return to it.

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's, Thomas Cleary's, Brian Arnold's and other translations of the I Ching
9 – Nine  Hsiao Ch’u / Gentle Restraint

Winds of change high in the Heavens:
Air currents carry the weather.
Dense clouds blow in from the West, but still no rain.
The Superior Person fine tunes the image he presents to the world.

Small successes.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

No matter what you do, the fruit of your labors never seems to ripen.
Your reward remains just out of reach.
Men have gone mad from such anticipation.
Don’t lose your balance lunging for the brass ring.
While the Fates continue to restrain you, go them one better and display a self-generated restraint and grace.
Look for the humor in the situation.

Nine in the third place means:

The spokes burst out of the wagon wheels.
Man and wife roll their eyes.

Cart wagon broken spoke

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 favorable 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.

3 – Three  Chun / Difficulty at the Beginning

Thunder from the Deep:
The Superior Person carefully weaves order out of confusion.

Supreme Success if you keep to your course.
Carefully consider the first move.
Seek help.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

New ventures always pack along their inherent chaos.
Though this is an annoyance at best, and can even imperil or downright doom an endeavor, it is also the friction needed to polish your project to jewel brilliance.
Learn from these early obstacles.

Today: “We love the finite—the guru—to find the Infinite; and that is the purpose of the guru, to give something to focus on.” – Yogi Bhajan

“We love the finite—the guru—to find the Infinite; and that is the purpose of the guru, to give something to focus on.” Yogi Bhajan

Meditation: NM0347-20000502-Guru Kriya

See related posts

What else Yogi Bhajan said

Today: “Do not accept the chaos that has been unleashed as the new norm.  Participate in the formation of  new paradigms for order based on wisdom handed to us by our ancestors and truth we acknowledge deep within ourselves.”  – from the I Ching

Do not accept the chaos that has been unleashed as the new norm.  Participate in the formation of  new paradigms for order based on wisdom handed to us by our ancestors and truth we acknowledge deep within ourselves.

Meditation: A Prayer for Peace

See Yogi Bhajan’s quote for today

See Previous reading

See Previous previous reading

See related posts

Tao Te Ching – Verse 51 – Every being in the universe is an expression of the Tao

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's, Thomas Cleary's, Brian Arnold's and other translations of the I Ching
3 – Three  Chun / Difficulty at the Beginning

Thunder from the Deep:
The Superior Person carefully weaves order out of confusion.

Supreme Success if you keep to your course.
Carefully consider the first move.
Seek help.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

New ventures always pack along their inherent chaos.
Though this is an annoyance at best, and can even imperil or downright doom an endeavor, it is also the friction needed to polish your project to jewel brilliance.
Learn from these early obstacles.

Six at the top means:

The horses break free.
If the need for aid goes unrecognized, tears and blood will flow.

Horse and wagon part.
Bloody tears flow.

Horse

The difficulties at the beginning are too great for some persons. They get stuck and never find their way out; they fold their hands and give up the struggle. Such resignation is the saddest of all things. Therefore Kongfu (Kongzi, Confucius) says of this line:
“Bloody tears flow: one should not persist in this.”

27 – Twenty-Seven  I / Providing Nourishment

Beneath the immobile Mountain the arousing Thunder stirs:
The Superior Person preserves his freedom under oppressive conditions by watching what comes out of his mouth, as well as what goes in.

Endure and good fortune will come.
Nurture others in need, as if you were feeding yourself.
Take care not to provide sustenance for those who feed off others.
Stay as high as possible on the food chain.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

You are a conduit in this instance, able to provide the sustenance needed by others.
Position yourself to nourish the truly needy and worthy.
Avoid situations where you might be coerced into supporting the parasites and vermin who deprive your true charges.
Your own nourishment is an issue here, too.
Remember Lao Tzu’s three Great Treasures:
Only the person possessed of Compassion, Modesty and Frugality can remain fit enough to stay free of desperation and keep control of the situation.

Today: “What is greatness? Greatness is when you have found that you are not great, but everything else is.” – Yogi Bhajan

“What is greatness? Greatness is when you have found that you are not great, but everything else is. When everything else is great and you have experienced that, then everything else holds you in its esteem.” Yogi Bhajan

Meditation: NM371 – Enjoy the Creativity of God

See related posts

What else Yogi Bhajan said

Today: “Take care of those who have stood faithfully at your side, even when difficult.  You will maintain a loyal following.”  – from the I Ching

Take care of those who have stood faithfully at your side, even when difficult.  You will maintain a loyal following.

Meditation: LA021-780319 – You Will Feel Totally Conscious

See Yogi Bhajan’s quote for today

See Previous reading

See Previous previous reading

See related posts

Tao Te Ching – Verse 48 – In pursuit of knowledge, every day something is added. In the practice of the Tao, every day something is dropped.

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's, Thomas Cleary's, Brian Arnold's and other translations of the I Ching
33 – Thirty-Three  Tun / Retreat

The tranquil Mountain towers overhead, yet remains this side of Heaven:
The Superior Person avoids the petty and superficial by keeping shallow men at a distance, not in anger but with dignity.

Such a retreat sweeps the path clear to Success.
Occupy yourself with minute detail.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

Retreat in this instance is not a desperate flight in disarray, but a conscious choice to distance yourself from forces that would rob you of your peace.
It is not a surrender, but a regrouping.
Retreat from this conflict is actually an advance toward your own center.
You move toward balance, and thus a much stronger position.

Nine in the third place means:

Though it imperils his retreat, he must provide for the safety of those who have served him loyally.

A halted retreat
Is nerve-wracking and dangerous.
To retain people as men- and maidservants
Brings good fortune.

Maidservants

Maidservants

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?

17 – Seventeen  Sui / Following

Thunder beneath the Lake’s surface.
The Superior Person allows himself plenty of sheltered rest and recuperation while awaiting a clear sign to follow.
Supreme success.
No mistakes if you keep to your course.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:
Thunder from the Lake — the lulling, rhythmic roar of the faithful tide, eternally wearing away the stone of the shoreline, forever obedient to the phases of the moon.
The pull of the moon on the tide is the Following called for now.
As mighty as the tide is in its own right, it is ever the puppet of the invisible, irresistible gravity of the moon.
What cyclical forces pull you along?
Are you futilely attempting to resist a natural attraction?

Today: “If there is a purpose other than compassion in all relationships in your life, you will also find pain in that relationship.” – Yogi Bhajan

“If there is a purpose other than compassion in all relationships in your life, you will also find pain in that relationship.” Yogi Bhajan

Meditation: NM0414-20010905 – Correcting the Sensory System

See related posts

What else Yogi Bhajan said

Today: “Keep corrupt people at a distance.  Do not be shy about showing your essence.”  – from the I Ching

Keep corrupt people at a distance.  Do not be shy about showing your essence.

Meditation: LA822-950201-Healing the Physical

See Yogi Bhajan’s quote for today

See Previous reading

See Previous previous reading

See related posts

Tao Te Ching – Verse 48 – In pursuit of knowledge, every day something is added. In the practice of the Tao, every day something is dropped.

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's, Thomas Cleary's, Brian Arnold's and other translations of the I Ching
33 – Thirty-Three  Tun / Retreat

The tranquil Mountain towers overhead, yet remains this side of Heaven:
The Superior Person avoids the petty and superficial by keeping shallow men at a distance, not in anger but with dignity.

Such a retreat sweeps the path clear to Success.
Occupy yourself with minute detail.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

Retreat in this instance is not a desperate flight in disarray, but a conscious choice to distance yourself from forces that would rob you of your peace.
It is not a surrender, but a regrouping.
Retreat from this conflict is actually an advance toward your own center.
You move toward balance, and thus a much stronger position.

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

 

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.

THE JUDGEMENT

RETREAT. Success.
In what is small, perseverance furthers.

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.

 

A Peaceful Retreat - Thomas Kinkade

 

‘A Peaceful Retreat’ by Thomas Kinkade

THE IMAGE

Mountain under heaven: the image of RETREAT.
Thus the superior man keeps the inferior man at a distance,
Not angrily but with reserve.

 

The mountain rises up under heaven, but owing to its nature it finally comes to a stop. Heaven on the other hand retreats upward before it into the distance and remains out of reach. This symbolises the behavior of the superior man toward a climbing inferior; he retreats into his own thoughts as the inferior man comes forward. He does not hate him, for hatred is a form of subjective involvement by which we are bound to the hated object. The superior man shows strength (heaven) in that he brings the inferior man to a standstill (mountain) by his dignified reserve.


1. The idea expressed by this hexagram is similar to that in the saying of Jesus: “But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil” (Matt.  5:39).

Today: “Behave constantly and strive on the path of righteousness, giving your total self unto the fire of purity and maintaining the flame of light to the end” – Yogi Bhajan

Behave constantly and strive on the path of righteousness, giving your total self unto the fire of purity and maintaining the flame of light to the end; your karma will be done, giving will be complete, blessings will exist, awareness will be thy gift. That is the rightful right of every man. That is the truth in you.“ Yogi Bhajan

Meditation: NM0383-20010213 – Culturing the Self

Tao Te Ching – Verse 29 – Do you want to improve the world? I don’t think it can be done.

Related posts

What else Yogi Bhajan said