Arriving
at the correct solution
to a difficult situation requires a
receptivity to inner truth. Unless we are
willing to put aside the strong emotions of
our egos and devote ourselves to discovering
what is right, there can be no hope of
progress at this time. Help only
comes when we invite it with
a sincere and innocent
attitude.
The
I Ching teaches
a simple but effective
method of influencing difficult
people and arduous situations. It advises
us first to lay aside our prejudices — our feelings
of being wounded, angry, or in the right —
and second to seek to understand the
positions of others and the lesson
that the Sage is teaching
us with the
situation.
Even
when another is
truly out of line, it is only by
accepting this and remaining balanced
that you make it possible for positive change
to occur. Gentleness and understanding
create in others an unconscious
willingness to
be led.
The
superior person
therefore avoids the use of anger
and force in trying times, knowing that they
only prolong conflict. It is far wiser to accept that
each experience we have is necessary for us to learn
something about ourselves and about the higher
laws of life. The greatest openings come when
we meet difficulty with acceptance,
gentleness, and a desire to
understand the lesson
underneath.
from The I Ching, or Book of Changes
Hexagram 61, Chung Fu / Inner Truth
People
of the Way
are quiet and still,
within and
without.
Wei wu Wei Ching, Chapter 61
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