The central benefit of zen,
in the context of ordinary ups and downs
of life, is not in the context of preventing the minus
and promoting the plus, but in directing people
to the fundamental reality that is not
under the sway of ups
and downs.
allow the higher power to renew your strength
Your heart feels exhausted.
If so, it is impatience and ambition
that exhaust it. Actively note your blessings,
concentrate on inner truth, and allow
the Higher Power to renew
your strength.
from The I Ching, or Book of Changes
Hexagram 47, K’un / Oppression (Exhaustion
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yield, accept, nourish
Bear
with things as
the earth bears with us: by
yielding, by accepting,
by nourishing.
K’un the Receptive is the complement to Qián the Creative: the dark which is illuminated by light, the earth which receives the blessings of heaven, the vessel into which nourishment flows. This is a time to follow rather than lead, to assist rather than initiate, to listen rather than talk. Redevote yourself to the cultivation of modesty, receptivity, and gentleness now, and let go of concerns about the conduct of others or the progress of your worldly ambitions.
The wisdom of cultivating receptivity cannot be overstated; receptivity is the rich earth without which the Creative cannot take root in our lives. This fundamental hexagram serves as a strong encouragement to you to concentrate on your capacities to nourish, to support, to accept, to work without desiring recognition, to follow the guidance of the Sage.
You can benefit greatly in a period like this from time spent in solitude; in quietness we have an opportunity to focus on purification of our hearts and minds. It is a good time to ask oneself, “Am I sincerely pursuing the good for its own sake, or do I have a hidden agenda?” If so, detach from it and return to the path of independence and balance. Through humility and openness we become receptive to the assistance of the Higher Power.
from The I Ching, or Book of Changes
Hexagram 2, K’un / The Receptive
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this is the pure buddhaland
There is no dharma
that can be explained, no mind that
can be spoken of: inherent reality-nature is empty.
Going back to the fundamental basis is the Path. The real
identity of the Path is empty and boundless, vast and pure.
With its stillness and solitude, it obliterates the cosmos.
It pervades ancient and modern, but its nature
is pure. It is perfect from top to bottom
and everywhere pure. This is the
pure buddha-land.
…The Path
of enlightenment
cannot be charted or measured:
highest of the high, vast beyond limit,
deepest of the deep, profound beyond
fathoming, big enough to contain
heaven and earth, small enough
to enter an infinitesimal
point—thus it is called
the Path.
Records of the Teachers and Students of the Lanka
The Sixth Patriarch
heard someone recite the Diamond
Sutra phrase “arouse the mind without
placing it anywhere,” and
he awakened.
understand the open door
live close to
who you are and travel light
the magic turtle needs no food but air
be kind to fools and children know your death
the grace of age the trap of seeking pleasure
out of fear take time to understand
the open door
As you develop yourself you
will inevitably be misunderstood by others.
Endure these times patiently, and they will pass.
By staying on the path unswervingly you
meet with great success.
fifth changing line
from The I Ching, or Book of Changes
Hexagram 53, Chien / Gradual Progress
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