the perfection of wisdom

most valued possession

Arouse the mind without

placing it anywhere.

Diamond Sutra

__________________________________

The day before my birthday, October 1,

I mentioned to Mom at her memory care home that the next day

was my birthday. She was upset she had nothing for me, but I assured her about this.

The following day when I arrived, that was waiting for me. My mom was a wonderful writer,

I’m a piker next to both my folks in this regard, they both wrote long letters to me in beautiful hands,

and got them from me, all our lives together. But dementia made it almost impossible for

my mom to write at all near the end, and I was told she labored over this,

with help, for over an hour. Water runs down my face

every time my eye falls on it.

any activity can be your practice

tim fishlock / tristan tzara

Any activity or

occupation can be your practice.

As you go about what you do, simply detach

your mind from its objects. Opening

to emptiness in an alert state,

you become One

with what

is.

Wei wu Wei Ching, Chapter 45

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keep an open heart, free of desire

lee madgwick

An influence comes.

Good fortune to those

whose hearts are

correct.

The hexagram Hsien indicates the coming of an influence. This may take the form of a teaching from the Sage, an interaction with another, or a disturbing or pleasing event. In any case, there is good fortune if you meet the influence with proper thoughts and actions.

It is a good time to remember that like attracts like. If one gives expression to higher things, then one is surrounded by higher things. If one indulges in what is inferior, then one can expect to have the company of inferiors. Therefore, it is wise to cling steadily to humility, independence, gentleness, and openness.

With others, keep an open heart, free of desire, condemning no one, enjoying affinities while retaining your equanimity. With the Sage, keep a clear connection. Seek resolutely to serve as a conduit for truth and innocence and goodness.

If the influence is challenging, persevere in correctness. If it is pleasing, also persevere in correctness. Maintaining your devotion to higher things insures success in the coming time.

from The I Ching, or Book of Changes

Hexagram 31 Influence (Wooing)

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meet difficulty with gentleness

jr-art

Through

openness and gentleness

the correct solution is

reached.

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 be 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)

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