
Why do you
so earnestly seek the
truth in distant places?
Look for delusion and truth
in the bottom of your
own hearts.
Ryōkan

Why do you
so earnestly seek the
truth in distant places?
Look for delusion and truth
in the bottom of your
own hearts.
Ryōkan

The wise heathen
have no knowledge; they just
keep their mind continually set on the Way.
There are no big shot Buddhas in nature,
and ten thousand sutras are distilled
in a single song.

In the
very center of each
of us there dwells an innocent
and divine spirit. If we allow ourselves to
be guided by it in every situation, we can never
go wrong. Wu Wang comes to remind us that
we must actively disengage our egos
before we can obtain the vast
rewards that come from
living in a state of
innocence.
The nature
of the ego is that when
we exercise it, it takes us out
of the present. When we engage in
ambitions, anxieties, or anticipations,
our ego is skipping ahead, and we miss the
guidance of the Creative in the present moment.
When we engage in anger, judgment, and condemnation —
whether toward ourselves or others — our ego is looking
backward, and we cannot see the Sage’s clear solution
to the present situation. In either case, the result is
misfortune. Only by stilling the ego and accepting
life in its entirety can we become innocent.
In this state we are receptive to the
help of the Higher Power and
can meet with good fortune
wherever we go.
You are
advised now to stop
looking forward and backward,
to abandon your ambitions, to disengage
from judgments and critical thinking. If a thought,
attitude, or action is not in accord with the principles of
acceptance, equanimity, humility, and gentleness,
do not indulge in it. The I Ching encourages you
to actively practice innocence. Because
the ego is strong, you must make a
conscious and conscientious
effort to be innocent.
If you
willfully unstructure
your attitude, open your heart
to the Deity, and allow yourself to be
guided by that which is innocent
and pure, you will meet with
success in the coming
time.
The I Ching, or Book of Changes
Hexagram 25, Wu Wang / Innocence (The Unexpected)
ebooks & apps of the Tao the Ching, I Ching,
Hua hu Ching, and Art of War for
You
can now buy
Tao te Ching as part of a
five-app bundle of Taoist classics
for iPhone or iPad for less than
the cost of one hardcover
book.


There is an obstacle
to the expression of truth.
allows the Sage to
moderate.
Unity has been broken by one who is not being true to proper principles. This may be another, or an element in one’s own personality, or both. In any case, serious misfortune may result if the appropriate response is not made. The I Ching is very clear about what our proper action is when confronted with an obstacle of this nature: withdrawal into contemplation and a turning over of the matter to the Higher Power for resolution.
This is a time when aggressive action or intervention can only compound the misfortune. Use your strength to clearly separate yourself from incorrectness and realign yourself with the Sage. It is always our responsibility to acknowledge where something has gone wrong, but never our right to punish. The administration of justice is the sole province of the Deity.
The I Ching teaches us to forgive but not to forget. This does not mean one who reveals himself as inferior today should be regarded as such tomorrow. It means that we are wise to pay conscientious attention to the waxing and waning of truth in oneself and others. When truth predominates, we can progress. When it is eclipsed, we are obligated to withdraw and surrender the matter to the Sage.
The I Ching, or Book of Changes
Hexagram 21, Shih Ho / Biting Through
ebooks & apps of the Tao the Ching, I Ching,
Wei wu Wei Ching, Hua hu Ching, and
Art of War for iPad/Phone, Kindle,
You
can now buy
the I Ching as part of a
five-app bundle of Taoist classics
for iPhone or iPad for less than
the cost of one hardcover
book.
