Calmness
in quietude is not
real calm; when you can be calm
in the midst of activity, this is the true
state of nature. Happiness in comfort is
not real happiness; when you can be
happy in the midst of hardship,
then you see the true
potential of the
mind.
Enlightenment
comes only when you accept
everything that is — without resistance,
without quarrel, in complete stillness. This is
the only, the simplest, the necessary
ground of being for complete
realization.
The opportunity
to dwell in quiet acceptance
exists in every moment — sitting, bathing,
cleaning, cooking, working, wherever.
When that moment passes,
it is present in the next.
Just embrace
it.
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Surrounded by obstructions,
one must first retreat, then
seek the direction of
the Sage.
There is an old saying which fits this hexagram: “You are caught between a rock and a hard place.” In other words, you are surrounded by obstructions. As much as you may want to blame others for the difficulty, in all likelihood the true obstruction is in your own thinking. What is called for now is a retreat into self-examination and self-correction.
Emotions of desire, fear, or anger may tempt you to take action now, but do not be seduced. The presence of these strong feelings is proof that your are off balance and need to steady yourself. As long as you try to forcibly achieve results—rather than carefully following higher truth step by step—you will be obstructed from making personal progress.
Whenever we indulge in judgements about others, we obstruct our own peace of mind and progress. We should choose instead to see the best in others, allow them to come and go as they will, and turn our energies inward, toward self-improvement.
Often the faults in our own thinking are revealed only with the aid of others. You would be wise now to seek the advice of a qualified counselor or truth-minded friend. Retreat, self-examination, and self-correction will remove the obstructions that block your path now.
The I Ching, or Book of Changes
Hexagram 39, Chien / Obstruction
Want
to study with
an enlightened teacher?
Just stop giving rise to thoughts
and divisions and distinctions. When
self and other, good and bad, right
and wrong are replaced with
emptiness, you are your
own master.
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when times of great difficulty visit
The Ultimate Way
is without difficulty; just
avoid picking and
choosing.
When you stop your
compulsive mind, to reach the point
where not a single thing is born, you pass
through to freedom, no longer falling
into feelings and not dwelling
on concepts, transcending
all completely.
Then Zen is obvious everywhere
in the world, with the totality of everything everywhere
turning into its great function. Everything comes from your
own heart. This is what one ancient called bringing
out the family treasure.
