“You must understand, what you call living is just the continual vibration of breath coming in and out. Just delay it either way and intellect must immediately stop giving thoughts. Moment the link of thought wave will stop, you won’t perceive emotion… so simple. It doesn’t take much for you to work on that. Simply you should be conscious of the breath.” Yogi Bhajan
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”
Today: “To find what you seek, you must leave the child and follow the adult.” From the I Ching
To find what you seek, you must leave the child and follow the adult.
It is easy to presume that we know everything, or even anything. However, we will never find contentment with who we are until we realize that we are still a child with much to experience and learn. We must grow into our self. Seeking only external gratification, we are like the hungry ghost.
Tao Te Ching – Verse 49 – The Master has no mind of her own. She works with the mind of the people.
Today: “Whenever there is stress, you will use up more oxygen.” Yogi Bhajan
Meditation: NM371 – Enjoy the Creativity of God
Meditation: NM091 – 19921110 – Self Emboldenment, Engagement, Vision
Meditation: Listening to Angelic Whispers – from the Mind
Meditation: Breath to Conquer Time Space and Destiny
Meditation: LA088 790222 Egyptian Meditation
Meditation: Magic Mantra-19760426
Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's, Thomas Cleary's, Brian Arnold's and other translations of the I Ching
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?
Six in the third place means:
To find what you seek, you must leave the child and follow the adult.
If one clings to the strong man,
One loses the little boy.
Through following one finds what one seeks.
It furthers one to remain persevering.
Portrait of Pope Leo X and two cardinals, c. 1518 by Raphael Sanzio
Uffizi Gallery of Florence
When the right connection with distinguished people has been found, a certain loss naturally ensues. A man must part company with the inferior and superficial. But in his heart he will feel satisfied, because he will find what he seeks and needs for the development of his personality. The important thing is to remain firm. He must know what he wants and not be led astray by momentary inclinations.
4 – Four. Mêng / Inexperience
A fresh Spring at the foot of the Mountain:
The Superior Person refines his character by being thorough in every activity.
The Sage does not recruit students; the students seek him.
He asks nothing but a sincere desire to learn.
If the student doubts or challenges his authority, the Sage regretfully cuts his losses.
SITUATION ANALYSIS:
This is a time of interchange between a mentor and pupil.
Whether you are the teacher or the student, it is a time of companionship along a mutual path.
This hexagram also emphasizes the eternal, cyclical nature of the mentor/student relationship — a mentor is merely a more seasoned pupil, further along on the journey.
A pupil holds within himself the seed of a future Master.
Today: “Whenever there is stress, you will use up more oxygen.” Yogi Bhajan
“Whenever there is stress, you will use up more oxygen. You will not be in a position to be handicapped by lack of oxygen if you do Breath of Fire every day.” Yogi Bhajan
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.”
Today: “A true leader must support those he leads. It’s not all about him. He must promote order and peace rather than chaos. He must be willing to sacrifice for others’ wellbeing. He must speak and live the truth.” From the I Ching
A true leader must support those he leads. It’s not all about him. He must promote order and peace rather than chaos. He must be willing to sacrifice for others’ wellbeing. He must speak and live the truth.
Today: “Five, ten minutes of Breath of Fire is all you need.” Yogi Bhajan
Meditation: LA847-19950816-Unity-Your Magnetic Field of the Total Self Will Become One
Meditation: LA719 930303 – Magnetic Field – Sacred Space
Meditation: Magic Mantra-19760426
Meditation: NM091 – 19921110 – Self Emboldenment, Engagement, Vision
Meditation: Listening to Angelic Whispers – from the Mind
Meditation: Breath to Conquer Time Space and Destiny
Meditation: LA088 790222 Egyptian Meditation
Meditation: Magic Mantra-19760426
Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's, Thomas Cleary's, Brian Arnold's and other translations of the I Ching
2 – 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.
Nine at the top means:
Your heart isn’t in it, and others can sense this.
Every move you make is watched with suspicion.
Steel your resolve, or failure is certain.
He brings increase to no one.
Indeed, someone even strikes him.
He does not keep his heart constantly steady.
Misfortune.
‘Rommel under Attack’ – Lance Russwurm
Two Canadian Spitfires from 412 Squadron have spotted the staff car with Field Marshal Rommel, who is in charge of the German defenses, and are curving in to the attack….., Normandy, July 17, 1944
The meaning here is that through renunciation those in high place should bring increase to those below. By neglecting this duty and helping no one, they in turn lose the furthering influence of others and soon find themselves alone. In this way they invite attacks. An attitude not permanently in harmony with the demands of the time will necessarily bring misfortune with it. Kongfu (Confucius) says about this line:
The superior man sets his person at rest before he moves; he composes his mind before he speaks; he makes his relations firm before he asks for something. By attending to these three matters, the superior man gains complete security. But if a man is brusque in his movements, others will not co-operate. If he is agitated in his words, they awaken no echo in others. If he asks for something without having first established relations, it will not be given to him. If no one is with him, those who would harm him draw near.
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: “Five, ten minutes of Breath of Fire is all you need.” Yogi Bhajan
“Five, ten minutes of Breath of Fire is all you need.. .If you do Breath of Fire, it will cleanse your lungs and make them strong. You will have deep breathing all day, you will have good oxygen in your bloodstream, and you will be young and healthy for a long time. If you do it five to fifteen minutes every day, it is the best way to keep the blood purified, it doesn’t matter what. It’s a direct blood purification system.” Yogi Bhajan
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.”
Today: “The situation requires great discipline and restraint. A radical change is required, involving a man who is at the center of great corruption, yet a precipitous or even premature move toward justice on the part of others may be ill advised.” From the I Ching
The situation requires great discipline and restraint. A radical change is required, involving a man who is at the center of great corruption, yet a precipitous or even premature move toward justice on the part of others may be ill advised.
Premature action brings swift and certain retribution regardless of its justification. Delay of justice brings discontent among peers who think you should do more. As the dilemma persists it causes increased doubt in yours and everyone else’s mind.
The wise choice is to rely intuitively on your integrity and level of clarity in any difficult and potentially compromising situation. Don’t rush it, and, don’t lose it all.
Tao Te Ching – Verse 47 – Without opening your door, you can open your heart to the world
Meditation: LA135-19791029 Resolve Inner Conflict
Meditation: LA101 790419-Faith In Our Self And Our Own Discipline
Meditation: NM091 – 19921110 – Self Emboldenment, Engagement, Vision
Meditation: Listening to Angelic Whispers – from the Mind
Meditation: Breath to Conquer Time Space and Destiny
Meditation: LA088 790222 Egyptian Meditation
Meditation: Magic Mantra-19760426
Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's, Thomas Cleary's, Brian Arnold's and other translations of the I Ching
43 – Forty-Three. Kuai / Breakthrough
A Deluge from Heaven:
The Superior Person rains fortune upon those in need, then moves on with no thought of the good he does.
The issue must be raised before an impartial authority.
Be sincere and earnest, despite the danger.
Do not try to force the outcome, but seek support where needed.
Set a clear goal.
SITUATION ANALYSIS:
Your iron will must come to the forefront now.
It will take great personal determination to resolve the situation in question.
Your adversary would love to force you into an angry display.
That would legitimize his opposition to you.
Such a berserker rage would drag you down to his level.
You must resolutely take a public stand against what he represents, but refuse to engage him.
Without compromise, you show others the way to higher ground.
Nine in the third place means:Keep a tight lock on your mouth. To be powerful in the cheekbones
Walk in rain |
| Here we have a man in an ambiguous situation. While all others are engaged in a resolute fight against all that is inferior, he alone has a certain relationship with an inferior man. If he were to show strength outwardly and turn against this man before the time is ripe, he would only endanger the entire situation, because the inferior man would too quickly have recourse to countermeasures. The task of the superior man becomes extremely difficult here. He must be firmly resolved within himself and, while maintaining association with the inferior man, avoid any participation in his vileness. He will of course be misjudged. It will be thought that he belongs to the party of the inferior man. He will be lonely because no one will understand him. His relations with the inferior man will sully him in the eyes of the multitude, and they will turn against him, grumbling. But he can endure this lack of appreciation and makes no mistake, because he remains true to himself. |
58 – Fifty-Eight. Tui / Empowering
The joyous Lake spans on and on to the horizon:
The Superior Person renews and expands his Spirit through heart-to-heart exchanges with others.
Success if you stay on course.
SITUATION ANALYSIS:
This is the sign of true companionship.
The principals in this situation exchange energy, ideas and feelings, constantly invigorating and encouraging each other to new heights of Spiritual achievement and Self-discovery.
This exchange is not for the glory of the Team, but for furthering the process of each individual’s ‘Te’, or pure potentiality.
Today: “You were alive (in the womb) by the navel point. So now you combine the navel with the breath. If you can combine that, you can conquer death.” Yogi Bhajan
“You were alive (in the womb) by the navel point. So now you combine the navel with the breath. If you can combine that, you can conquer death. It is a very simple yogic rule.” Yogi Bhajan
Meditation: LA007-780117-SADHANA YOJINA-To Infinity Upon Death
Tao Te Ching – Verse 47 – Without opening your door, you can open your heart to the world
Tao Te Ching – Verse 47
Without opening your door,
you can open your heart to the world.
Without looking out your window,
you can see the essence of the Tao.
The more you know,
the less you understand.
The Master arrives without leaving,
sees the light without looking,
achieves without doing a thing. Continue reading “Tao Te Ching – Verse 47 – Without opening your door, you can open your heart to the world”
Today: “Events are supporting your integrity, actions and good will in positive ways. Hold to Truth.” From the I Ching
Events are supporting your integrity, actions and good will in positive ways. Hold to Truth.
Previous reading: “You are called to your destiny, to bring others along on a path to good fortune.”
Share The Magical Story of Mushkil Gusha with friends over a meal today.
Musings on Grace and Gratitude
Meditation: “Sniff” meditation
Meditation: NM091 – 19921110 – Self Emboldenment, Engagement, Vision
Meditation: Listening to Angelic Whispers – from the Mind
Meditation: Breath to Conquer Time Space and Destiny
Meditation: LA088 790222 Egyptian Meditation
Meditation: Magic Mantra-19760426
Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's, Thomas Cleary's, Brian Arnold's and other translations of the I Ching
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.
Six in the third place means:You are enriched by another’s misfortune. One is enriched through unfortunate events.
Single letter wax seal |
| A time of blessing and enrichment has such powerful effects that even events ordinarily unfortunate must turn out to the advantage of those affected by them. These persons become free of error, and by acting in harmony with truth they gain such inner authority that they exert influence as if sanctioned by letter and seal. |
37 – Thirty-Seven. Chia Jên / Family Duties
Warming Air Currents rise and spread from the Hearthfire:
The Superior Person weighs his words carefully and is consistent in his behavior.
Be as faithful as a good wife.
SITUATION ANALYSIS:
One in this situation must be keenly aware of his influence on others.
Maintain a healthy respect for the ripple effect of your words and deeds.
To some you serve as a role model.
You can either help shape their world or tilt them into chaos.
Show temperance and consideration to all.
Today: “(At that time) the only energy you had was at the navel point. That is why we stimulate the navel.” Yogi Bhajan
“(At that time) the only energy you had was at the navel point. That is why we stimulate the navel. In Kundalini Yoga there are two points that we stir up: one is the pituitary and the other is the navel point.” Yogi Bhajan
Tao Te Ching – Verse 46 – When the world has the Tao Fast horses are retired to till the soil. When the world lacks the Tao Warhorses give birth on the battlefield
Tao Te Ching – Verse 46
When the world has the Tao
Fast horses are retired to till the soil
When the world lacks the Tao
Warhorses give birth on the battlefield
There is no crime greater than greed
No disaster greater than discontentment
No fault greater than avarice
Thus the satisfaction of contentment
is the lasting satisfaction
(translation by Derek Lin, 2006)
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When a country is in harmony with the Tao,
the factories make trucks and tractors.
When a country goes counter to the Tao,
warheads are stockpiled outside the cities.
There is no greater illusion than fear,
no greater wrong than preparing to defend yourself, no greater misfortune than having an enemy.
Whoever can see through all fear
will always be safe.
(translation by Stephen Mitchell, 1995)
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Today: “You are called to your destiny, to bring others along on a path to good fortune.” From the I Ching
You are called to your destiny, to bring others along on a path to good fortune.
Meditation: LA822-950201-Healing the Physical
Meditation: NM345- Strengthen and enhance the radiant body
Meditation: NM091 – 19921110 – Self Emboldenment, Engagement, Vision
Meditation: Listening to Angelic Whispers – from the Mind
Meditation: Breath to Conquer Time Space and Destiny
Meditation: LA088 790222 Egyptian Meditation
Meditation: Magic Mantra-19760426
Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's, Thomas Cleary's, Brian Arnold's and other translations of the I Ching
19 – Nineteen. Lin / Noble Calling
The rich, loamy Earth on the banks of the Marsh provides fertile soil for exceptional progress.
The Superior Person is inexhaustible in his willingness to teach, and without limit in his tolerance and support of others.
Supreme Success if you keep to your course.
But be aware that your time is limited; your power will wane, as Summer changes to Fall.
SITUATION ANALYSIS:
You are in a position to help another.
This is a temporary situation, because your power is cyclical, seasonal.
Knowing this, you must perform your good deed without hope of reward.
You are not furthering your own process, but another’s.
Though you may cherish this other, you will never possess.
Touch without grasping.
Take comfort in becoming a fond memory.
Nurture, then let go.
Six at the top means:You approach with humble honesty and generosity. Greathearted approach.
‘Supper at Emmaus’ (Luke 24) – Caravaggio |
| A sage who has put the world behind him and who in spirit has already withdrawn from life may, under certain circumstances, decide to return once more to the here and now and to approach other men. This means great good fortune for the men whom he teaches and helps. And for him this greathearted humbling of himself is blameless. |
31 – Thirty-One. Hsien / Attraction
The joyous Lake is cradled by the tranquil Mountain:
The Superior Person takes great satisfaction in encouraging others along their journey.
He draws them to him with his welcoming nature and genuine interest.
Supreme success.
This course leads to marriage.
SITUATION ANALYSIS:
There is no greater natural law in the Cosmos than Attraction.
From the magnetic pull of an atom’s nucleus to the centripetal force that spirals a galaxy, the face of the universe is shaped by Attraction.
On a human scale, it is Attraction that fuels procreation and furthers our species.
Yet it is also Attraction that spawns greed and covetousness, threatening our extinction.
Attraction is the underlying force of the situation in question.
You are refined or debased by the objects of your desire.
What gravitational pull are you now under?
Around what sphere of influence do you circle?
Can you use your own ability to attract?
Today: “You can achieve what you want, just relate to your own breath of life. That is God in you.” Yogi Bhajan
“You can achieve what you want, just relate to your own breath of life. That is God in you. Never breathe unconsciously and never waste a breath on negativity. “Feel (the breath) in your consciousness, feel it in your body. feel it in the mind, and the soul will awaken. If you are poor, inhale, hold the breath, and tell the breath to bring you prosperity. If you are unhappy, inhale, hold the breath, and tell it to bring you happiness. “Whenever you need your prayer to be answered, breathe like this and ask the breath of life to communicate with the Creator of the breath of life to give you everything. You will be shocked how well you can communicate with God just through the breath of life. What can give you can give you everything. The link between you and God is through the breath of life.” Yogi Bhajan