The greater your love,
the greater your moral. If we are forced
to be virtuous according to a certain principle,
a certain regulation, certain laws or rules, then that
is not real virtue. It must come from the depths
of our heart; our own heart must
teach us the true moral.
“there is a wrong way and a right way”
To achieve
true power and true
greatness one must be in
harmony with what
is right.
False power and false greatness can be seen all around us in the world. Through egotistical and aggressive manipulations many people obtain a temporary position of influence. The I Ching teaches us a different way of acquiring and using power, one that leads to true greatness and enduring influence. The way of the Sage unites power with modesty, justice, gentleness, and equanimity.
The hexagram Ta Chuang indicates that you have increased your power now by purifying your thoughts and actions. Through contemplation of higher principles you have begun to open doors for yourself; through alignment with what is true and good you gain insight into situations and the power to resolve them in your favor. But it is important to remember that it is the Sage who is the source of your strength. If your ego takes over and wields the power that is at hand, the ensuing misfortune will be great.
The I Ching counsels us not to misuse our strength by judging, condemning, punishing, manipulating, or dismissing others. It advises reticence in speech and action: more often than not, the truly superior relies on stillness and nonaction, allowing inner truth to penetrate gently to the heart of difficulties. The I Ching also cautions us to wait patiently for the appropriate time for speech or action. Power can make us eager, but eagerness unbalances and leads us into trouble. By listening carefully and patiently to the Sage we know when to move ahead, when to wait, and when to retreat.
In the end, true greatness comes only to those in whom strength and proper principles are firmly united. If you follow the Sage and persevere steadfastly in what is correct, you will inherit the power of the great.
from The I Ching, or Book of Changes
Hexagram 34, Ta Chuang / The Power of the Great
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Arouse the mind without
placing it anywhere.
__________________________________
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.
Do not turn your back
when you are needed. The superior
person exercises his higher nature now,
saving not only himself but
others around him.
sixth changing line
Hexagram 39, Chien / Obstruction
The I Ching, or Book of Changes
ebooks & apps of the Tao the Ching, I Ching,
Hua hu Ching, and Art of War for
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.
At all times just remain free and uninvolved. Never make any displays of clever tricks — be like a stolid simpleton in a village of three families. Then the gods will have no road on which to offer you flowers, and demons and outsiders will not be able to spy on you.
Be undefinable, and do not reveal any conspicuous signs of your special attainment. It should be as if you are there among myriad precious goods locked up securely and deeply hidden in a treasure house. With your face smeared with mud and ashes, join in the work of the common laborers, neither speaking out nor thinking.
Live your whole life so that no one can figure you out, while your spirit and mind are at peace. Isn’t this what it is to be imbued with the Way without any contrived or forced actions, a genuinely unconcerned person?
Among the enlightened adepts, being able to speak the Truth has nothing to do with the tongue, and being able to talk about the Dharma is not a matter of words.
🪷