A spiritual understanding
that is not practiced under fire is without
value; only by applying our knowledge in trying
situations do we come into genuine
possession of it.
from The I Ching, or Book of Changes
Hexagram 26: Ta Ch’u 大畜 The Taming Power of the Great
(full text here)
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Wherever you find yourself,
it’s within your power, at every moment,
to be reverently content with your present circumstances,
to behave with justice toward the people who are presently around you,
and to manage your present impressions so that nothing
slips into your mind that you haven’t
adequately grasped.
By seeing
all the way through
things we are able to perceive
the perfection of existence. The
foreground of mind is noisy chatter,
but by simply watching that with
discipline and perseverance, we
see it quiet. In its place arises
a vast, silent, illuminated
emptiness.
So
also with life.
The foreground is rife
with suffering and difficulty,
but by doing non-doing and
quietly observing, we
become aware of
its purity.
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A healthy family,
a healthy country, a healthy
world — all grow outward from
a single superior
person.
The hexagram Chia Jen concerns the proper foundation of human communities. The I Ching teaches that all clans must have a superior person at their center if they are to prosper and succeed. Therefore, in order to improve our family, company, nation, or world community, we must begin by improving ourselves.
If you will observe healthy families you will always see present in them three qualities: love, faithfulness, and correctness. When we truly love others, we are naturally kind, gentle, and patient with them. When we are faithful to others, we place proper principles and conduct above temporary influences like anger, desire, or greed. And when we practice correctness, we spiritually nourish ourselves and all those around us. When all three qualities are cultivated, a healthy clan springs naturally into being.
The difference between paying lip service to these ideals and practicing them is profound. If you advocate high ideals and actions to others but do not embody them yourself, your influence will disintegrate for lack of a proper foundation. Therefore, in order to inspire superior qualities in others, you must first instill them in yourself.
Concentrate not upon influencing others or external events but upon strengthening your inner devotion to proper principles. When modesty, acceptance, equanimity, and gentleness become deeply ingrained in your character, they will flow steadily out from from you.
Soon you will find yourself enmeshed in a web of healthy relationships, and in this there is great good fortune.
from The I Ching, or Book of Changes
Hexagram 37, Chia Jén / The Family (The Clan)
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Our actions
entrench the power of the light
on this planet. Every positive thought we pass
between us makes room for more light. And if we do more
than think, then our actions clear the path for even
more light. That is why forgiveness and
compassion must become more
important principles in
public life…
Anchor the eternity
of love in your own soul and embed
this planet with goodness. Lean toward the whispers
of your own heart, discover the universal truth,
and follow its dictates. Release the need
to hate, to harbor division, and the
enticement of revenge. Release
all bitterness.
Hold only love,
only peace in your heart,
knowing that the battle of good
to overcome evil is already won. Choose
confrontation wisely, but when it is
your time don’t be afraid to stand
up, speak up, and speak out
against injustice.
And if you
follow your truth
down the road to peace
and the affirmation of love,
if you shine like a beacon for all to see,
then the poetry of all the great dreamers and
philosophers is yours to manifest in
a nation, a world community, and
a Beloved Community that is
finally at peace with
itself.
that glorious saint John Lewis
