Today: “If you can simply embody the teachings that have come to you, you avoid indecision, false starts and chaos in your life.  Follow your path with deeds, not just words. – from the I Ching

If you can simply embody the teachings that have come to you, you avoid indecision, false starts and chaos in your life.  Follow your path with deeds, not just words.  This is supported by  Yogi Bhajan’s quote for today.

Meditation: NM091 – 19921110 – Self Emboldenment, Engagement, Vision

See Previous reading

See Previous previous reading

See related posts

Tao Te Ching – Verse 60 – Governing a large country is like frying a small fish. You spoil it with too much poking.

”Read

Today: “The facts of teachings often are distorted through rituals and time, when people who know those teachings do not live them as their life experience.” – Yogi Bhajan

“The facts of teachings often are distorted through rituals and time, when people who know those teachings do not live them as their life experience.” Yogi Bhajan

Meditation: NM091 – 19921110 – Self Emboldenment, Engagement, Vision

See related posts

What else Yogi Bhajan said

Today: “In this time of transition, emerging from oppression, fully engage your fellow travelers.  Hold great caution, yet be assured of success. – from the I Ching

In this time of transition, emerging from oppression, fully engage your fellow travelers.  Hold great caution, yet be assured of success.

Meditation: NM091 – 19921110 – Self Emboldenment, Engagement, Vision

See Yogi Bhajan’s quote for today

See Previous reading

See Previous previous reading

See related posts

Tao Te Ching – Verse 59 – For governing a country well there is nothing better than moderation

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

”Read

Today: “The only value in old age is wisdom.” – Yogi Bhajan

“Why in old age are we frustrated? Because there is not a lot of wisdom for us to share. The only value in old age is wisdom. So, in your life train your mind with the knowledge of perfect harmony in every relationship. Communicate freely and learn from everything the art of living. This, the highest art of this planet, must be mastered so that you can live realized.” Yogi Bhajan

Meditation: NM374 – 20001128 – Patience and Intuition

See related posts 

What else Yogi Bhajan said

Today: “You have given them every chance.  Now is the time to separate yourself from the riffraff.  Be still in your grace and your silence. – from the I Ching

You have given them every chance.  Now is the time to separate yourself from the riffraff.  Be still in your grace and your silence.

Meditation: NM0406 – Know the Best of You – Share the Best with Others

See Yogi Bhajan’s quote for today

See Previous reading

See Previous previous reading

See related posts

Tao Te Ching – Verse 58 – “If a country is governed with tolerance, the people are comfortable and honest”

”Read

Today: “You must accept that you are you ” Yogi Bhajan

“You must accept that you are you and that your mind is also you. When you have a relationship between you and your mind, it shall answer all your problems.” Yogi Bhajan

(via Ram Anand)

Continue reading “Today: “You must accept that you are you ” Yogi Bhajan”

Today: “Current conflict will be sorted out.  Wait for the adjudication before bringing the current matter to conclusion.  Be confident that if you are right, all will go well.- from the I Ching

Current conflict will be sorted out.  Wait for the adjudication before bringing the current matter to conclusion.  Be confident that if you are right, all will go well.

Meditation: LA135-19791029 Resolve Inner Conflict

See Yogi Bhajan’s quote for today

See Previous reading

See Previous previous reading

See related posts

Tao Te Ching – Verse 56 – Those who know don’t talk. Those who talk don’t know.

”Read

Today: “The magnetic field on which the current of life runs computes thought waves and it is connected with the Supreme Computer; this is known as destiny.” – Yogi Bhajan

“The magnetic field on which the current of life runs computes thought waves and it is connected with the Supreme Computer; this is known as destiny.” Yogi Bhajan

Meditation: LA847-19950816-Unity-Your Magnetic Field of the Total Self Will Become One

See related posts

What else Yogi Bhajan said

Today: “Keep your eye on the prize.  Do not settle for anything less.- from the I Ching

Keep your eye on the prize.  Do not settle for anything less.

Meditation: TCH2012 960727 – Warrior’s Exercise for Opening the Energy into the Shushmana & Balancing the Hemispheres of the Brain

See Yogi Bhajan’s quote for today

See Previous reading

See Previous previous reading

See related posts

Tao Te Ching – Verse 56 – Those who know don’t talk. Those who talk don’t know.

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's, Thomas Cleary's, Brian Arnold's and other translations of the I Ching
54 – Fifty-Four  Kuei Mei / A Loveless Marriage

The Thunderstorm inseminates the swelling Lake, then moves on where the Lake cannot follow:
The Superior Person views passing trials in the light of Eternal Truths.
Any action will prove unfortunate.
Nothing furthers.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

This is at best a Marriage of Convenience.
You have found yourself in desperate straits, a position of weakness, and you are tempted to pay dearly for a remedy.
A drowning man isn’t picky about who throws him a rope.
The rescue offered to you now is undesirable.
It may pull you out of this sticky situation, but it will cause even greater predicaments down the road.
Don’t obligate yourself in this way.
You are selling your future for a quick fix today.

yin
yin above: Chên / The Arousing, Thunder
yang
yin
yang below: Tui / The Joyous, Lake
yang

 

Above we have Chên, the eldest son, and below, Tui, the youngest daughter. The man leads and the girl follows him in gladness. The picture is that of the entrance of the girl into her husband’s house. In all, there are four hexagrams depicting the relationship between husband and wife. Hsien, INFLUENCE, (31), describes the attraction that a young couple have for each other; Hêng, DURATION (32), portrays the permanent relationships of marriage; Chien, DEVELOPMENT (53), reflects the protracted, ceremonious procedures attending the arrangement of a proper marriage; finally, Kuei Mei, THE MARRYING MAIDEN, shows a young girl under the guidance of an older man who marries her.1

THE JUDGEMENT

THE MARRYING MAIDEN.
Undertakings bring misfortune.
Nothing that would further.

A girl who is taken into the family, but not as the chief wife, must behave with special caution and reserve. She must not take it upon herself to supplant the mistress of the house, for that would mean disorder and lead to untenable relationships.
The same is true of all voluntary relationships between human beings. While legally regulated relationships evince a fixed connection between duties and rights, relationships based on personal inclination depend in the long run entirely on tactful reserve.
Affection as the essential principle of relatedness is of the greatest importance in all relationships in the world. For the union of heaven and earth is the origin of the whole of nature. Among human beings likewise, spontaneous affection is the all-inclusive principle of union.

 

Thunder over lake

THE IMAGE

Thunder over the lake:
The image of THE MARRYING MAIDEN.
Thus the superior man
Understands the transitory
In the light of the eternity of the end.

Thunder stirs the water of the lake, which follows it in shimmering waves. This symbolises the girl who follows the man of her choice. But every relationship between individuals bears within it the danger that wrong turns may be taken, leading to endless misunderstandings and disagreements. Therefore it is necessary constantly to remain mindful of the end. If we permit ourselves to drift along, we come together and are parted again as the day may determine. If on the other hand a man fixes his mind on an end that endures, he will succeed in avoiding the reefs that confront the closer relationships of people.

1. In China, monogamy is formally the rule, and every man has but one official wife. This marriage, which is less the concern of the two participants than of their families, is contracted with strict observance of forms. But the husband retains the right also to indulge his more personal inclinations. Indeed, it is the most gracious duty of a good wife to be helpful to him in this respect. In this way the relationship that develops becomes a beautiful and open one, and the girl who enters the family at the husband’s wish subordinates herself modestly to the wife as a younger sister. Of course it is a most difficult and delicate matter, requiring tact on the part of all concerned. But under favorable circumstances this represents the solution of a problem for which European culture has failed to find an answer. Needless to say, the ideal set for woman in China is achieved no oftener than is the European ideal.

Today: “Creative meditation is that every moment you exist as a part of the universe, the whole universe becomes a part of you.” – Yogi Bhajan

“Creative meditation is that every moment you exist as a part of the universe, the whole universe becomes a part of you.” Yogi Bhajan

Meditation: Melt Negativity – From the Master’s Touch 19970425

See related posts

What else Yogi Bhajan said

Today: “Go with the wishes of your allies and followers.  Consensus is important to your success. – from the I Ching

Go with the wishes of your allies and followers.  Consensus is important to your success.

Meditation: KWTC 19970630 – For Faculty of Self Engagement

See Yogi Bhajan’s quote for today

See Previous reading

See Previous previous reading

See related posts

Tao Te Ching – Verse 55 – He who is in harmony with the Tao is like a newborn child

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 second place means:

He lets himself be drawn back.
Good fortune.

Chess Game

‘The Chess Game’ – Francesco Beda (1840-1900)

One would like to press forward, but before going farther one sees from the example of others like oneself that this way is blocked. In such a case, if the effort to push forward is not in harmony with the time, a reasonable and resolute man will not expose himself to a personal rebuff, but will retreat with others of like mind. This brings good fortune, because he does not needlessly jeopardise himself.

53 – Fifty-Three  Chien / Gradual Progress

The gnarled Pine grows tenaciously off the Cliff face:
The Superior Person clings faithfully to dignity and integrity, thus elevating the Collective Spirit of Man in his own small way.
Development.
The maiden is given in marriage.
Good fortune if you stay on course.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

Adaptability mixed with integrity will bring a calm, steady progress.
Move from your center, always faithful to your principles, yet with the flexibility to weather any tempest.
Yours is not a meteoric rise to the top, but the solid, confident footing of one who has a clear vision of what can be, and who is willing to climb the distance to reach it.
The oracle foresees companionship along the way — a Divine comfort on any journey.

Today: “The body has been given to me to realize and I must realize while I am in the body. ” – Yogi Bhajan

“The body has been given to me to realize and I must realize while I am in the body. I am not talking in mystical terms. When the vibratory nucleus realizes that the magnetic field of its own psyche is in relationship to the magnetic field of the universal psyche, this creates a harmony, and then the merger is with Infinity.” Yogi Bhajan

Meditation: LA719 930303 – Magnetic Field – Sacred Space

See related posts

What else Yogi Bhajan said

Today: “Go back to the basics.  Simple and efficient. – from the I Ching

Go back to the basics.  Simple and efficient.

Meditation: LA051-780907 – Tune the Vagus Nerve to Cosmic Consciousness

See Yogi Bhajan’s quote for today

See Previous reading

See Previous previous reading

See related posts

Tao Te Ching – Verse 55 – He who is in harmony with the Tao is like a newborn child

Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's, Thomas Cleary's, Brian Arnold's and other translations of the I Ching
41 – Forty-one  Sun / Decrease

The stoic Mountain drains its excess waters to the Lake below:
The Superior Person curbs his anger and sheds his desires.

To be frugal and content is to possess immeasurable wealth within.
Nothing of value could be refused such a person.
Make a portion of each meal a share of your offering.

SITUATION ANALYSIS:

This is an occasion for downsizing to fighting trim.
Simplicity and economy are strong defenses against the slings and arrows of Outrageous Fortune.
Whether this is a time of want or a time of plenty, it is an auspicious time to shed a dependency.

yang
yin above: Kên / Keeping Still, Mountain
yin
yin
yang below: Tui / The Joyous, Lake
yang

 

This hexagram represents a decrease of the lower trigram in favor of the upper, because the third line, originally strong, has moved up to the top, and the top line, originally weak, has replaced it.1 What is below is decreased to the benefit of what is above. This is out-and-out decrease. If the foundations of a building are decreased in strength and the upper walls are strengthened, the whole structure loses its stability. Likewise, a decrease in the prosperity of the people in favor of the government is out-and-out decrease. And the entire theme of the hexagram is directed to showing how this shift of wealth can take place without causing the sources of wealth in the nation and its lower classes to fail.

THE JUDGEMENT

DECREASE combined with sincerity
Brings about supreme good fortune
Without blame.
One may be persevering in this.
It furthers one to undertake something.
How is this to be carried out?
One may use two small bowls for the sacrifice.

Decrease does not under all circumstances mean something bad. Increase and decrease come in their own time. What matters here is to understand the time and not to try to cover up poverty with empty pretence. If a time of scanty resources brings out an inner truth, one must not feel ashamed of simplicity. For simplicity is then the very thing needed to provide inner strength for further undertakings. Indeed, there need be no concern if the outward beauty of the civilisation, even the elaboration of religious forms, should have to suffer because of simplicity. One must draw on the strength of the inner attitude to compensate for what is lacking in externals; then the power of the content makes up for the simplicity of form. There is no need of presenting false appearances to God. Even with slender means, the sentiment of the heart can be expressed.2

 

Lake at foot of mountain

THE IMAGE

At the foot of the mountain, the lake:
The image of DECREASE.
Thus the superior man controls his anger
And restrains his instincts.

The lake at the foot of the mountain evaporates. In this way it decreases to the benefit of the mountain, which is enriched by its moisture. The mountain stands as the symbol of a stubborn strength that can harden into anger. The lake is the symbol of unchecked gaiety that can develop into passionate drives at the expense of the life forces. Therefore decrease is necessary; anger must be decreased by keeping still, the instincts must be curbed by restriction. By this decrease of the lower powers of the psyche, the higher aspects of the soul are enriched.


1. [The present hexagram and the following one, INCREASE, are regarded as formed by changes in T’ai, PEACE (11), and P’i, STANDSTILL (12), respectively.]

2. Cf. the story of the widow’s mite in the Gospel of Luke.

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.