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

Tao Te Ching – Verse 53

The great Way is easy,
yet people prefer the side paths.
Be aware when things are out of balance.
Stay centered within the Tao. Continue reading “Tao Te Ching – Verse 53 – The great Way is easy, yet people prefer the side paths”

“An assessment of the state of affairs is described by your gratitude, allowing for the compulsions of others and facilitating opportunities for the needs and nourishment of others.” – Today’s Reading

An assessment of the state of affairs is described by your gratitude, allowing for the compulsions of others and facilitating opportunities for the needs and nourishment of others.

See Yogi Bhajan’s quote for today

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

Meditation: NM0413 – Intuition and the Strength of Excellence

The Seven Steps to Happiness

Today: I Ching – Previous Reading – “With a single word you can set things right in the minds of those who respect and look up to you.”

Today: I Ching – Previous previous reading – “Your means for advancing with your venture is curtailed, so gracefully remain in place for the time being.”

See related posts.

See on healing with Yogi Bhjan

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

Six in the fourth place means:

Self-doubt vanishes and determination grows.
Three forms of game will be taken in this hunt.

Remorse vanishes.
During the hunt
Three kinds of game are caught.

Pheasant Shooting

‘Pheasant Shooting’ – Julius Ceasar Ibbetson, 1790

When a responsible position and accumulated experience lead one to combine innate modesty with energetic action, great success is assured. The three kinds of animals referred to served for offerings to the gods, for feasting guests, and for everyday consumption. When the catch answered all three purposes, the hunt was considered especially successful.

6 – Six   Sung / Conflict

The high Heavens over a yawning Deep chasm:
An expansive void where nothing can dwell.
Even though he sincerely knows he is right, the Superior Person anticipates opposition and carefully prepares for any incident.

Good fortune if your conflict results in compromise.
Misfortune if your conflict escalates to confrontation.
Seek advice.
Postpone your crossing to the far shore.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

Conflict is a necessary part of life.
Tension upon the strings of a violin can make majestic music.
The critical mass of two hydrogen atoms trying to occupy the same space fuel the sun that nourishes our solar system.
Most conflicts you face in life are the result of your Path converging with another’s.
Your Path is not his, and one Path is not necessarily more right than the other.
Can you work together to remove the blockage?

Today: “You need to establish play with your mate. You need a soul mate, you need a religious mate, you need so many things to mate.” – Yogi Bhajan

“You need to establish play with your mate. You need a soul mate, you need a religious mate, you need so many things to mate. There is one word for every man that he must have—a playmate. Playmate is a very polite wrestling match, in which a man and woman induce their integrity, their divinity, their love, their touch, their feeling, their smell and over all, their understanding.” Yogi Bhajan

Meditation: KWTC 19970630 – For Faculty of Self Engagement

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

Tao Te Ching – Verse 52

In the beginning was the Tao.
All things issue from it;
all things return to it.

To find the origin,
trace back the manifestations.
When you recognize the children
and find the mother,
you will be free of sorrow.
Continue reading “Tao Te Ching – Verse 52 – In the beginning was the Tao. All things issue from it; all things return to it.”

“With a single word you can set things right in the minds of those who respect and look up to you.” – Today’s Reading

With a single word you can set things right in the minds of those who respect and look up to you.

The situation is this: People desire to gather around a leader to whom they look up. But they are in a large group, by which they allow themselves to be influenced, so that they waver in their decision. Thus they lack a firm center around which to gather. But if expression is given to this need, and if they call for help, one grasp of the hand from the leader is enough to turn away all distress. Therefore they must not allow themselves to be led astray. It is undoubtedly right that they should attach themselves to this leader.

See Yogi Bhajan’s quote for today

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

Lecture and Meditation: Patience Pays – LA-19831020

The Seven Steps to Happiness

Today: I Ching – Previous Reading – “Your means for advancing with your venture is curtailed, so gracefully remain in place for the time being.”

Today: I Ching – Previous previous reading – “Beware of the bad actors who have usurped power, interfering with legitimate order. Give attention to their deeds rather than their words.”

See related posts.

See on healing with Yogi Bhjan

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

Six at the beginning [yin at bottom] means:

If you’re sincere, but not to the end,
There will sometimes be confusion, sometimes gathering together.
If you call out,
Then after one grasp of the hand you can laugh again.
Regret not. Going is without blame.

Laughing Buddha

Laughing Buddha

The situation is this: People desire to gather around a leader to whom they look up. But they are in a large group, by which they allow themselves to be influenced, so that they waver in their decision. Thus they lack a firm center around which to gather. But if expression is given to this need, and if they call for help, one grasp of the hand from the leader is enough to turn away all distress. Therefore they must not allow themselves to be led astray. It is undoubtedly right that they should attach themselves to this leader.
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: “For the sake of your own intelligence, take anybody and study.” – Yogi Bhajan

“For the sake of your own intelligence, take anybody and study. You will find that they are one-pointed, to a man, and that God is their Infinity. Elevate your consciousness to that. In any relationship where you want permanency, where you want Infinity, direct that relationship toward God—God and Guru.” Yogi Bhajan

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

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

Tao Te Ching – Verse 51

Every being in the universe
is an expression of the Tao.
It springs into existence,
unconscious, perfect, free,
takes on a physical body,
lets circumstances complete it.
That is why every being
spontaneously honors the Tao.
Continue reading “Tao Te Ching – Verse 51 – Every being in the universe is an expression of the Tao”

“Your means for advancing with your venture is curtailed, so gracefully remain in place for the time being.” – Today’s Reading

Your means for advancing with your venture is curtailed, so gracefully remain in place for the time being.

See Yogi Bhajan’s quote for today

Tao Te Ching – Verse 50 – The Master gives himself up to whatever the moment brings

Lecture and Meditation: Patience Pays – LA-19831020

The Seven Steps to Happiness

Today: I Ching – Previous Reading – “Beware of the bad actors who have usurped power, interfering with legitimate order. Give attention to their deeds rather than their words.”

Today: I Ching – Previous previous reading – “If you combine innate modesty with energetic action, great success is assured. You can be the change.”

See related posts.

See on healing with Yogi Bhjan

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.

Nine in the second place means:

The axles have been removed from your cart.
Good reason to remain in place for the moment.

The axletrees are taken from the wagon.

Axletrees taken from the wagon

Here advance is checked just as in the third line of THE TAMING POWER OF THE SMALL (9). However, in the latter the restraining force is slight; thus a conflict arises between the propulsive and the restraining movement, as a result of which the spokes fall out of the wagon wheels, while here the restraining force is absolutely superior; hence no struggle takes place. One submits and removes the axletrees from the wagon – in other words, contents himself with waiting. In this way energy accumulates for a vigorous advance later on.

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.

Today: “As a man there are three faculties that you must have: wisdom, humility, and the desire to serve.” – Yogi Bhajan

“As a man there are three faculties that you must have: wisdom, humility, and the desire to serve. In any walk of life, if you cannot establish that you are a man of wisdom, you cannot win the game 100%. Your wife, your child, your partner, your spiritual teacher, your city, your county, your country—all look to you to be a man of wisdom. The second qualification is humility: that you are social and humble, approachable. Humble means approachable. You need to be approachable, easy to communicate and talk with. That is the second faculty. And the third is that you have the desire to serve, that you are sincere in your purpose of service.” Yogi Bhajan

Meditation: NM0420-20011015 – The Power of Memories – Remember the Saint Within

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Tao Te Ching – Verse 50 – The Master gives himself up to whatever the moment brings

Tao Te Ching – Verse 50

The Master gives himself up
to whatever the moment brings.
He knows that he is going to die,
and he has nothing left to hold on to:
no illusions in his mind,
no resistances in his body.
He doesn’t think about his actions;
they flow from the core of his being.
He holds nothing back from life;
therefore he is ready for death,
as a man is ready for sleep
after a good day’s work. Continue reading “Tao Te Ching – Verse 50 – The Master gives himself up to whatever the moment brings”

“Beware of the bad actors who have usurped power, interfering with legitimate order.  Give attention to their deeds rather than their words.” – Today’s Reading

Beware of the bad actors who have usurped power, interfering with the legitimate order.  Give attention to their deeds rather than their words.

See Yogi Bhajan’s quote for today

Tao Te Ching – Verse 49 – The Master has no mind of her own. She works with the mind of the people.

Meditation: LA046 – 780614 – Hari Shabad Meditation – Use the Wind to Produce Trance and Dissolve Negativity

The Seven Steps to Happiness

Today: I Ching – Previous Reading – “Beware of the bad actors who have usurped power, interfering with legitimate order. Give attention to their deeds rather than their words.”

Today: I Ching – Previous previous reading – “If you combine innate modesty with energetic action, great success is assured. You can be the change.”

See related posts.

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

See on healing with Yogi Bhjan

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's, Thomas Cleary's, Brian Arnold's and other translations of the I Ching
7 – Seven.  Shih / Recruiting Allies

Deep Water beneath the Earth’s surface:
Untapped resources are available.
The Superior Person nourishes and instructs the people, building a loyal, disciplined following.
Good fortune.
No mistakes if you follow a course led by experience.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

You must gain support from others.
Find a way to make others want to see your objectives met as badly as you want it.
How can they profit from the attainment of this goal?
Can you command confidence that you are just the person that can bring this plan to fruition?

Six in the third place means:

A wagonload of corpses this way comes.

Perchance the army carries corpses in the wagon.
Misfortune.

US Army Wagon Train

US Army Wagon Train near Rurdosa, Texas 1916

Here we have a choice of two explanations. One points to defeat because someone other than the chosen leader interferes with the command; the other is similar in its general meaning, but the expression, “carries corpses in the wagon,” is interpreted differently. At burials and at sacrifices to the dead it was customary in China for the deceased to whom the sacrifice was made to be represented by a boy of the family, who sat in the dead man’s place and was honored as his representative. On the basis of this custom the text is interpreted as meaning that a “corpse boy” is sitting in the wagon, or, in other words, that authority is not being exercised by the proper leaders but has been usurped by others. Perhaps the whole difficulty clears up if it is inferred that there has been an error in copying. The character fan, meaning “all,” may have been misread as shih, which means “corpse.” Allowing for this error, the meaning would be that if the multitude assumes leadership of the army (rides in the wagon), misfortune will ensue.

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.

Today: “Remember whenever you speak with anyone, you have only one line to speak. ” – Yogi Bhajan

“Remember whenever you speak with anyone, you have only one line to speak. You must gear yourself mentally. Whatever you have to communicate in that one line, it must be helped by your creative sense, your sixth sense. You must know where you can penetrate the person or situation and then your creative sense must let you establish your relationship.” Yogi Bhajan

Meditation: LA031 19780423 – Ad Nad Kriya – Gupt Gian Shakti the Secret Power of the Knowledge

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Tao Te Ching – Verse 49 – The Master has no mind of her own. She works with the mind of the people.

Tao Te Ching – Verse 49

The Master has no mind of her own.
She works with the mind of the people.
She is good to people who are good.
She is also good to people who aren’t good.
This is true goodness.
She trusts people who are trustworthy.
She also trusts people who aren’t trustworthy.
This is true trust.
The Master’s mind is like space.
People don’t understand her.
They look to her and wait.
She treats them like her own children. Continue reading “Tao Te Ching – Verse 49 – The Master has no mind of her own. She works with the mind of the people.”

“Beware of the bad actors who have usurped power, interfering with legitimate order.  Give attention to their deeds rather than their words.” – Today’s Reading

Beware of the bad actors who have usurped power, interfering with the legitimate order.  Give attention to their deeds rather than their words.

See Yogi Bhajan’s quote for today

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.

Meditation: LA046 – 780614 – Hari Shabad Meditation – Use the Wind to Produce Trance and Dissolve Negativity

The Seven Steps to Happiness

Today: I Ching – Previous Reading – “If you combine innate modesty with energetic action, great success is assured. You can be the change.”

Today: I Ching – Previous previous reading – “Keep your composure and just wait for the dangers you face to change. Any movement on your part will make things worse.”

See related posts.

See on healing with Yogi Bhjan

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's, Thomas Cleary's, Brian Arnold's and other translations of the I Ching
7 – Seven.  Shih / Recruiting Allies

Deep Water beneath the Earth’s surface:
Untapped resources are available.
The Superior Person nourishes and instructs the people, building a loyal, disciplined following.
Good fortune.
No mistakes if you follow a course led by experience.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

You must gain support from others.
Find a way to make others want to see your objectives met as badly as you want it.
How can they profit from the attainment of this goal?
Can you command confidence that you are just the person that can bring this plan to fruition?

Six in the third place means:

A wagonload of corpses this way comes.

Perchance the army carries corpses in the wagon.
Misfortune.

US Army Wagon Train

US Army Wagon Train near Rurdosa, Texas 1916

Here we have a choice of two explanations. One points to defeat because someone other than the chosen leader interferes with the command; the other is similar in its general meaning, but the expression, “carries corpses in the wagon,” is interpreted differently. At burials and at sacrifices to the dead it was customary in China for the deceased to whom the sacrifice was made to be represented by a boy of the family, who sat in the dead man’s place and was honored as his representative. On the basis of this custom the text is interpreted as meaning that a “corpse boy” is sitting in the wagon, or, in other words, that authority is not being exercised by the proper leaders but has been usurped by others. Perhaps the whole difficulty clears up if it is inferred that there has been an error in copying. The character fan, meaning “all,” may have been misread as shih, which means “corpse.” Allowing for this error, the meaning would be that if the multitude assumes leadership of the army (rides in the wagon), misfortune will ensue.

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.

Today: “When you communicate, the only friend you have is the art of creative dialogue.” – Yogi Bhajan

“When you communicate, the only friend you have is the art of creative dialogue. That is what establishes you as a man.”

Meditation: NM0364-20001023-On Communication I

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.

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.
Less and less do you need to force things,
until finally you arrive at non-action.
When nothing is done,
nothing is left undone.
True mastery can be gained
by letting things go their own way.
It can’t be gained by interfering. Continue reading “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.”