serve the world without mutilating it

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To know

the masculine and yet

cleave to the feminine is to be the

womb for the world. Being the womb for

the world, never departing from the

eternal power of tao, you

become like an infant

once again:

 immortal. 

 

To know

the bright and yet

hold to the dull is to be

an example for the world. 

Being the example for the world, 

not deviating from the everlasting

power of tao, you return to

the infinite once again: 

limitless. 

 

To know

honor and yet keep

to humility is to be the valley

for the world. Being the valley for

the world, rich with the primal power

of tao, you return once again to simplicity, 

like uncarved wood. Allow tao to carve

you into a vessel for tao. Then you

can serve the world without

mutilating

it. 

 

from The Tao te Ching of Lao Tzu,

Chapter 28

 

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this very mind is buddha

aigana gali, “meditator”

 

If you wish

to bring the two matters

of birth and death to conclusion,

and pass directly beyond the triple-world,

you must penetrate the koan “This

very mind is Buddha.”

 

Tell me:

What is its principle?

How is it that this very mind

is Buddha? And “this very

mind” — just what is

it like?

 

Investigate it coming. Investigate it going.

Investigate it thoroughly and exhaustively.

All you have to do is keep this koan

constantly in your thoughts.

 

Daito Kokushi

move steadily in a single direction

for the last day of your life

 

Consistent

correctness turns every 

situation to your advantage.

 
The image of this hexagram is that of a gentle wind dispersing storm clouds. A wind that changes direction often, even a very powerful one, will disperse nothing—it only stirs up the sky. The wind that causes real change is the one that blows consistently in the same direction. There is an important lesson for us in this example.

When faced with a difficult problem to resolve or a goal we wish to achieve, we often are tempted to take striking and energetic actions. Though it is possible to achieve temporary results in this fashion, they tend to collapse when we cannot sustain the vigorous effort. More enduring accomplishments are won through gentle but ceaseless penetration, like that of a soft wind blowing steadily in the same direction. The truth of the Sage penetrates to us in this way, and this hexagram comes now to remind you that this is how you should seek to penetrate others.

The advice given to you by the I Ching is threefold. First, establish a clear goal; the wind that continually changes direction has no real effect. Second, apply the principle of gentle penetration to yourself; by eliminating your own inferior qualities you earn an influence over others. Third, avoid aggressive or ambitious maneuvers now; these are rooted in desire and fear and will only serve to block the aid of the Creative. The desirable influence is the one that flows naturally from maintaining a proper attitude.

In your interactions with others, bend like the willow. By remaining adaptable, balanced, accepting, and independent, and by steadily moving in a single direction, you gain the clarity and strength that make possible a series of great successes.
 

from The I Ching, or Book of Changes

Hexagram 57, Sun / The Gentle (The Penetrating Wind)

 

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patiently bear with inferior elements

married to the sea

 

SECOND LINE
You are wise to bear
with inferior elements patiently and
kindly. The best way to have an influence now
is to cultivate inner strength and
outer calm.

 

SIXTH LINE
A determined fool
has to be punished, but should not
be executed. If you are the fool, accept the lesson
and go on in correctness. If the fool is another,
let him go and leave the punishment
to the Sage.

 

from The I Ching, or Book of Changes

Hexagram 4, Mêng / Youthful Folly

 

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book.

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