it is a dangerous hour

Darkness reappears unexpectedly.

Caution and reticence

are in order.

It is a dangerous hour. Through an eruption of our inferior nature darkness has interrupted the flow of light. The inferior can be quite seductive, and if we are not resolute in resisting it, the moment can be lost to misfortune.

In one’s self, this is a time to examine motives; those which are of questionable honor should be uprooted and discarded. Be wary of situations that engage your ego and tempt you into anger, self-righteousness, or desire. Actively employ your higher nature to test the correctness of tempting ideas and circumstances; that which seems to be suspicious almost certainly is.

In your conduct with others, practice modesty, independence, and patience with great discipline. Avoid anger or arrogance at all costs; withdraw whenever you cannot meet another in a balanced and independent way. Neither encourage another to forego his balance nor indulge him if he does so. Again, withdraw into stillness if the circumstances indicate the presence of inferior influences. Reticence and self-scrutiny are the order of the day.

The I Ching, or Book of Changes

Hexagram 44, Kou / Coming to Meet

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attained upon looking within

make an offering of stillness

The two things

in the world that are hardest

to do are crossing the ocean and going

into battle; yet people will do these things without

fearing their difficulties. When it comes to the Way, it has

the ease of being so easy that it is attained upon looking

within, not like the danger of crossing the ocean;

it has the security of the naturalness of

celestial design, not like the peril of

going into battle: yet people

rarely practice it —

why is that?

The Cultivator of Realization

taoist meditation

the practice of repaying wrongs

this is the pure buddha-land

Entering through practice

refers to the Four Practices — all other

practices are contained within these. What are

the Four Practices? First, the practice of repaying wrongs.

Second, the practice of going along with the causal

nexus. Third, the practice of not seeking

anything. Fourth, the practice of

according with the

Dharma.

What is the practice

of repaying wrongs? When receiving

suffering, a practitioner who cultivates the Path

should think to himself: “During countless ages past

I have abandoned the root and pursued the branches, flowing

into the various states of being, and giving rise to much rancor and

hatred — the transgression, the harm done, has been limitless.

Though I do not transgress now, this suffering is a disaster

left over from former lives — the results of evil deeds

have ripened. This suffering is not something

given by gods or humans.”

You should willingly

endure the suffering without anger

or complaint. The sutra says: “Encountering

suffering, one is not concerned. Why? Because one

is conscious of the basic root.” When this attitude toward

suffering is born, you are in accord with inner truth,

and even as you experience wrongs, you advance

on the Path. Thus it is called “the practice

of repaying wrongs.”

Records of the Teachers and Students of the Lanka

full text here

a challenge to improvement

it’s simple

A challenge to improvement:

that which has been spoiled through neglect

can be rejuvenated through effort.

Receiving this hexagram is a sign that there is a defect in the attitude of oneself, another, or one’s society that should be corrected. Your task now is to bring conscientious thought and action to an area where stagnation has set in. Perhaps you engage in continual doubt about the wisdom of behaving according to proper principles. Perhaps you indulge in greed, or vengeful thinking, or a harsh manner. In any case, the time has come to root out the decay.

The I Ching counsels us to work energetically at this task, but only after proper deliberation. We are advised to spend three full days in understanding the defect; another day in resolving sincerely to remove it; and then three more days watching carefully to insure that it does not return. This steady application of attention to the matter is the wind that carries away stagnation and brings new life in its place.

It is likely that the problem is an old one, and equally likely that no solution will be immediately evident. We are cautioned not to abandon the cause; only perseverance will reveal the great reward that is concealed within the problem.

Whether the fault lies in yourself, another, or your community, the requirement is the same. Watch closely while remaining quiet, innocent, and sincere. After you have clearly identified the problem, act unswervingly to eliminate it without abandoning gentleness and inner balance in the process. When this course is completed, good fortune will be met.

SIXTH CHANGING LINE

A withdrawal from

the affairs of the world is appropriate

if you use this time not to condemn, but to further

your own development. By improving

yourself you improve

the world.

from The I Ching, or Book of Changes

Hexagram 18, Ku / Decay (Work On What Has Been Spoiled)

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