Today: Freeing ourselves of ego is the way to liberation – from the I Ching

Drop the ego.  It is what separates us from everything.  Freeing ourselves of ego is the way to liberation.  Give and forgive.
Doing this gives us the strength and creative resources to accomplish anything.  Nothing is denied you on the righteous path.

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's translation of the I Ching
“…but only a man who is himself free of all selfish ulterior considerations, and who perseveres in justice and steadfastness, is capable of so dissolving the hardness of egotism.
Under certain circumstances, a man’s work may become so difficult that he can no longer think of himself. He must set aside all personal desires and disperse whatever the self gathers about it to serve as a barrier against others. Only on the basis of great renunciation can he obtain the strength for great achievements. By setting his goal in a great task outside himself, he can attain this standpoint.
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.   “

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“Even if you have everything…” Yogi Bhajan

“Even if you have everything and you do not know forgiveness, you have nothing.” Yogi Bhajan
(via Ram Anand)

 

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Today: True fellowship is what’s needed – from the I Ching

True fellowship is what’s needed.  Not driven by ego.  Leaders without ulterior motives are needed.  Those who can bring people together.
Divisions and tears in the social fabric have reached a point where even the means for fighting have become paralyzed.  This is actually a good thing.  Impotent in their aggression, the players will begin to come to their senses:  Why?  What’s the point?  There is no need to point fingers.  They know who they are.
In this way, the business of supporting one another and providing for the commonwealth can be restored.  That is what has been forgotten.

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's translation of the I Ching
“True fellowship among men must be based on a concern that is universal. It is not the private interests of the individual that create lasting fellowship among men, but rather the goals of humanity. That is why it is said that fellowship with men in the open succeeds. If unity of this kind prevails, even difficult and dangerous tasks, such as crossing the great water, can be accomplished. But in order to bring about this sort of fellowship, a persevering and enlightened leader is needed – a man with clear, convincing, and inspiring aims and the strength to carry them out.
Here the reconciliation that follows quarrel moves nearer. It is true that there are still dividing walls on which we stand confronting one another. But the difficulties are too great. We get into straits, and this brings us to our senses. We cannot fight, and therein lies our good fortune.
In bestowing care and nourishment, it is important that the right people should be taken care of and that we should attend to our own nourishment in the right way. If we wish to know what anyone is like, we have only to observe on whom he bestows his care and what sides of his own nature he cultivates and nourishes. Nature nourishes all creatures. The great man fosters and takes care of superior men, in order to take care of all men through them. Mencius says about this:
If we wish to know whether anyone is superior or not, we need only observe what part of his being he regards as especially important. The body has superior and inferior, important and unimportant parts. We must not injure important parts for the sake of the unimportant, nor must we injure the superior parts for the sake of the inferior. He who cultivates the inferior parts of his nature is an inferior man. He who cultivates the superior parts of his nature is a superior man.  “

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“When your human ego is bigger than…” Yogi Bhajan

“When your human ego is bigger than your spiritual spirit, then you have died.” Yogi Bhajan
(via Ram Anand)

 

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Today: Do not struggle with evil on its terms – from the I Ching

Our awareness of injurious influences is sufficient to dissipate them if we remain adaptive, tolerant and compassionate in their presence.  There is no need to follow them into the darkness from which they come.  Struggling with evil on its terms is exhausting and ultimately futile.  If your own presence offers the light to which everyone aspires then the darkness will be dispelled.  Be yourself.

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's translation of the I Ching
“Penetration produces gradual and inconspicuous effects. It should be effected not by an act of violation but by influence that never lapses. Results of this kind are less striking to the eye than those won by surprise attack, but they are more enduring and more complete. If one would produce such effects, one must have a clearly defined goal, for only when the penetrating influence works always in the same direction can the object be attained.
A man’s understanding is sufficiently penetrating. He follows up injurious influences into the most secret corners. But he no longer has the strength to combat them decisively. In this case any attempt to penetrate into the personal domain of darkness would only bring harm.
Through repetition of danger we grow accustomed to it. Water sets the example for the right conduct under such circumstances. It flows on and on, and merely fills up all the places through which it flows; it does not shrink from any dangerous spot nor from any plunge, and nothing can make it lose its own essential nature. It remains true to itself under all conditions. Thus likewise, if one is sincere when confronted with difficulties, the heart can penetrate the meaning of the situation. And once we have gained inner mastery of a problem, it will come about naturally that the action we take will succeed. In danger all that counts is really carrying out all that has to be done- -thoroughness – and going forward, in order not to perish through tarrying in the danger. “

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“Love is a self-acknowledgement” Yogi Bhajan

“Love is a self-acknowledgement. When you love yourself, you feel so rich, that you can afford to love everybody.” Yogi Bhajan
(via Ram Anand)

 

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Today: Adaptability – from the I Ching

Your adaptability, patience and tolerance will bring you success in your endeavors.

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's translation of the I Ching
“The pushing upward of the good elements encounters no obstruction and is therefore accompanied by great success. The pushing upward is made possible not by violence but by modesty and adaptability. Since the individual is borne along by the propitiousness of the time, he advances. “

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“Every beat of your heart is the rhythm of your soul” Yogi Bhajan

“Every beat of your heart is the rhythm of your soul. The voice of your soul is your breath.” Yogi Bhajan
(via Ram Anand)

 

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“Where does your love die and you fail…” Yogi Bhajan

“Where does your love die and you fail and you depart from God? When you are insecure. When you forget, “You and God are One.”” Yogi Bhajan
(via Ram Anand)

 

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Today: In danger, wait, and use your intuition – from the I Ching

When there is danger on all sides, stand fast and do not move precipitously.  Just wait for an opening and a way out.  Use your intuition.

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's translation of the I Ching
“Water sets the example for the right conduct under such circumstances. It flows on and on, and merely fills up all the places through which it flows; it does not shrink from any dangerous spot nor from any plunge, and nothing can make it lose its own essential nature. It remains true to itself under all conditions. Thus likewise, if one is sincere when confronted with difficulties, the heart can penetrate the meaning of the situation. And once we have gained inner mastery of a problem, it will come about naturally that the action we take will succeed. In danger all that counts is really carrying out all that has to be done- -thoroughness – and going forward, in order not to perish through tarrying in the danger.
 Here every step, forward or backward, leads into danger. Escape is out of the question. Therefore we must not be misled into action, as a result of which we should only bog down deeper in the danger; disagreeable as it may be to remain in such a situation, we must wait till a way out shows itself.
…the well is the symbol of that social structure which, evolved by mankind in meeting its most primitive needs, is independent of all political forms. Political structures change, as do nations, but the life of man with its needs remains eternally the same-this cannot be changed. Life is also inexhaustible. It grows neither less nor more; it exists for one and for all. The generations come and go, and all enjoy life in its inexhaustible abundance. “

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“I shall not sell my consciousness” Yogi Bhajan

“This is an affirmation for self-realization: “I shall not sell my consciousness. My consciousness is my awareness of my God.” The first principle of self-love is that you are not for sale.” Yogi Bhajan
(via Ram Anand)

 

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Today: Support others and yourself – from the I Ching

Support others as needed.  Do not neglect yourself nor depend on others for your sustenance.  A proper balance and application of effort will benefit all.

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's translation of the I Ching
“In bestowing care and nourishment, it is important that the right people should be taken care of and that we should attend to our own nourishment in the right way. If we wish to know what anyone is like, we have only to observe on whom he bestows his care and what sides of his own nature he cultivates and nourishes. Nature nourishes all creatures. 
Normally a person either provides his own means of nourishment or is supported in a proper way by those whose duty and privilege it is to provide for him. If, owing to weakness of spirit, a man cannot support himself, a feeling of uneasiness comes over him; this is because in shirking the proper way of obtaining a living, he accepts support as a favour from those in higher place. This is unworthy, for he is deviating from his true nature. Kept up indefinitely, this course leads to misfortune.
…a time of joyous, hopeful progress. Spring is approaching. Joy and forbearance bring high and low nearer together. Success is certain. But we must work with determination and perseverance to make full use of the propitiousness of the time.
  “

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Today: Cultivate your internal effectiveness – from the I Ching

Store up and cultivate your internal effectiveness.  Prepare to accomplish great things.  Curb any wild tendencies.  Be measured and responsible.

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's translation of the I Ching
“To hold firmly to great creative powers and store them up, there is need of a strong, clear-headed man who is honoured by the ruler.  Force of habit helps to keep order in quiet times; but in periods when there is a great storing up of energy, everything depends on the power of the personality. However, since the worthy are honoured, as in the case of the strong personality entrusted with leadership by the ruler, it is an advantage not to eat at home but rather to earn one’s bread by entering upon public office.
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.
Limitations are troublesome, but they are effective. If we live economically in normal times, we are prepared for times of want. To be sparing saves us from humiliation. Limitations are also indispensable in the regulation of world conditions. In nature there are fixed limits for summer and winter, day and night, and these limits give the year its meaning. In the same way, economy, by setting fixed limits upon expenditures, acts to preserve property and prevent injury to the people.
  “

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“If your mind is your control and emotional feelings are your guide” Yogi Bhajan

“If your mind is your control and emotional feelings are your guide, you are not human. You are an animal. Feelings are like waves. A boat doesn’t need waves; it needs wind.” Yogi Bhajan
(via Ram Anand)

 

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“More you give, more you’ll be like God” Yogi Bhajan

“More you give, more you’ll be like God. More you take, more you you’ll be a beast of burden.” Yogi Bhajan
(via Ram Anand)

 

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Today: Move cautiously forward – from the I Ching

A delicate equilibrium has been reached.  Move cautiously forward.  To avoid regression, do not look back.

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's translation of the I Ching
“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.
After crossing a stream, a man’s head can get into the water only if he is so imprudent as to turn back. As long as he goes forward and does not look back, he escapes this danger. But there is a fascination in standing still and looking back on a peril overcome. However, such vain self-admiration brings misfortune. It leads only to danger, and unless one finally resolves to go forward without pausing, one falls a victim to this danger.
  “

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