pushing upward steadily but gently

wise trees

Activity grounded in truth

brings good fortune.

It is

a time when

great progress can be made

through effort of will. However, it is essential

that all your activity be characterized by humility,

conscientiousness, and adaptability. Progress

as a tree does, bending around obstacles

rather than confronting them,

pushing upward steadily

but gently.

There

is nothing to be feared

from others now. Be neither subservient

nor forceful with those you encounter; simply meet

everyone with tolerance and gentle goodwill.

Those who look for the good

in others find it

there.

If fears

or doubts intrude,

remain quietly focused on

the activity at hand. Cultivate inner

independence and trust the leadership of

the Sage. The time is ripe for progress

if you put forth an effort that is

innocent, sincere, and

balanced.

The I Ching, or Book of Changes

Hexagram 46, Sheng / Pushing Upward

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the point where buddha is actualized

isaac levitan

We just sit in the midst

of this contradiction where, although

we aim, we can never perceive hitting the mark.

We just sit in the midst of this contradiction that is

absolutely ridiculous when we think about it with our small mind.

In our zazen, it is precisely at the point where our small, foolish self

remains unsatisfied, or completely bewildered, that immeasurable

natural life beyond the thoughts of that self functions.

It is precisely at the point where we become

completely lost that life operates and

the power of Buddha is

actualized.

Kosho Uchiyama

discarding the use of false power

barbara kruger: knowledge is power

By discarding the

use of false power, one

gains a view of the path

to true power.

from The I Ching, or Book of Changes

Hexagram 22, Pi / Grace

🪷

wwwc: to still the mind

to further what is good and true

purified

To lead others toward the

good, one must purify

one’s own character.

The I Ching teaches that the world cannot move toward harmony and well-being unless human beings act in unison to further what is good and true. Our power as individuals is multiplied when we gather together as families, groups, and communities with common goals. It is our collective strength that makes positive change possible in the world. However, the tremendous power of human collectives must be directed by a qualified leader. The hexagram Ts’ui encourages you to develop your character into that of a leader.

Before a person may gather others together to achieve good, he must first gather together within himself proper principles. A leader who is not balanced and collected within himself will always be suspected by his followers, and in the hour when he needs them most, they will hesitate. Therefore the first task of the potential leader is to accumulate in his own character all that is good and true and correct.

In a very real sense the progress of the world depends upon your thoughts as an individual now. Concentrate, then, on examining and correcting your thoughts, attitudes, and actions. Improve yourself into the kind of person you yourself would follow wholeheartedly and without hesitation. Learn to accept the natural progress that occurs when you act in harmony with proper principles, and seek no progress at the expense of those principles. Train yourself to avoid misfortunes by anticipating them in advance.

By purifying your character in this way and clinging steadfastly to higher things, you lead yourself and others toward well-being and good fortune.

The I Ching, or Book of Changes

Hexagram 45 / Ts’ui (Gathering Together)