Evening

and nighttime are

times of rest for cultivated people.

Accordingly you should withdraw into the

chamber of spirit and embrace oneness without

parting. Since there are no worldly feelings enveloping

you, neither is there an original sublime truth —

when you are like a dead man for the time

being, that is called great rest. After you

get to the point of dreaming and

sleeping without becoming

muddled, you see the

effect of mastering

seriousness.

 

Then

the following morning

is the time for the cultured person’s

“daily renewal”. Accordingly, you should rise

early and daily seek what you have yet to attain,

with the determination to do ten times or a hundred

times what others do. The days become months, the months

become years; those who study without question of how

long it takes, be it three years or five years, never

fail to reach sagehood. When you are mindful

at every moment, nurturing it with each

breath, the work is never interrupted;

perfected day after day and month

after month, learning will

shine with light.

 

The Cultivator of Realization

 

There is

no one method for

attaining realization of the Tao.

To regard any method as the method is

to create a duality, which can only delay your

understanding of the subtle truth. The mature

person perceives the fruitlessness of rigid,

external methodologies; remembering this,

she keeps her attitude unstructured at

all times and thus is always free

to pursue the Integral

Way.

 

She studies the

teachings of the masters.

She dissolves all concepts of duality.

She pours herself out in service to others. She

performs her inner cleansing…gently eliminating all

obstacles to her own understanding, she constantly

maintains her unconditional sincerity. Her

humility, perseverance, and adaptability

evoke the response of the

universe and fill her 

with divine

light.

 

from Hua hu Ching, Chapter 18

 

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Disperse hard attitudes with gentleness.
 

The hexagram Huan comes to indicate that there are rigidity and harshness present, either in yourself or others, and that they should be dissolved now for the benefit of all. Whenever we fall into a negative state such as judgement, anger, fear, anxiety, or desire, our attitude becomes structured and inflexible. As long as we remain in this condition we cannot receive the assistance of the Higher Power. Therefore, if we wish for a return of good fortune now we must take steps to dissolve the hardness.

The image of Huan is that of a warm spring wind steadily dissolving winter ice. This is meant to teach us that it is through perseverance and gentleness—rather than aggressiveness—that we overcome what is hard. The I Ching counsels the use of religious forces now: employ music, prayer, meditation, a common project, or some other form of sacred concentration or ceremony to release the pent-up energy in yourself and others.

Allow harsh and unforgiving feelings to be carried away by the song of a flute, the reverberation of a drum, or the sound of the wind through the trees. In your mind’s eye, see where the flow of positive energy is blocked, and then imagine this place as an ice floe breaking up in a thawing river.

Until the inflexibility is removed there can be no unity, either within your own spirit, with others, or with the Sage. Remember that inferior emotions are hard, where the attitudes of the superior person—acceptance, detachment, modesty, innocence, and equanimity—have a quality of softness to them. By returning to this now you insure your own good fortune.

 

from The I Ching, or Book of Changes

Hexagram 59, Huan / Dispersion

 

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Hua hu Ching, Wei wu Wei Ching,

Art of War for iPad, Phone,

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Android

 

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M96:i calls it “the belly button galaxy”

 

To be

truly happy in this

world is a revolutionary act

because true happiness depends

upon a revolution in

ourselves.

 

Sharon Salzberg

 

 

If you’ve

melted your desires in

the river of time, choose to be a

recluse, or choose a family,

the village job.

 

If you know

that pure Lord within

you, you’ll be That,

wherever.

 

Lalla