remain unattached to results

lean slightly back

 

Do not argue with

what is; simply follow the

progress of truth.

 

Wisdom teaches us that in order to obtain a following — the aid and agreement of others — we must first ourselves practice following. This is done by steadfastly observing what is correct and putting it into practice; in other words, we follow the Sage. This hexagram comes to remind you to make it possible for others to be loyal and helpful to you by redevoting yourself to following inner truth.

It is essential now to quietly accept the way that things are. This does not necessarily mean that you endorse or celebrate current circumstances, just that you do not resist them. Acceptance is the most fundamental principle in the philosophy of the I Ching. To resist events is similar to resisting the turning of the earth – you only exhaust yourself in vain.

To resolve a difficult situation, follow the good within yourself. Whatever correction is necessary is made possible in this way. The use of force or cunning will only breed resentment and misfortune. Peace blooms quickest where proper principles are given expression.

Leading others is a delicate art, and our model in this is always the Sage. Proceed gently, with balance, staying unattached to results and free of egotistical pretensions. Lead the people by following the Sage, and good results will always be had.

 

The I Ching, or Book of Changes

Hexagram 17, Sui / Following

 

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abide in gentleness and be strong

arrive at the center

 

The

origin and mother

of everything in the world is tao.

Know the mother and you can know

the children. Having known the children,

return to their source and hold on to her.

Abiding by the mother, you are free

from danger, even when

your body

dies.

 

Don’t live

for your senses.

Close your mouth, close

all the body’s openings, reside

in the original unity. In this

way you can pass your

life in peace and

contentment.

 

Open

your mouth,

increase your activities,

start making distinctions between

things, and you’ll toil

forever without

hope.

 

See the subtle and be illuminated.

Abide in gentleness and be strong.

Use your light and return to insight.

 

Don’t

expose yourself

to trouble. This is

following

tao.

 

The Tao te Ching of Lao Tzu,

Chapter 52

 

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Hua hu Ching, and Art of War for

iPad, Phone, Kindle, Nook,

or Android

 

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fight to open every closed door

chet phillips

 

Gradually I began to understand

that it does not matter very much what problem,

whether big or small, is tormenting us; the only thing that

matters is that we be tormented, that we find a ground for being

tormented. In other words, that we exercise our minds in

order to keep certainty from turning us into idiots,

that we fight to open every closed door

we find in front of us.

 

Nikos Kazantzakis

 

the mirror of heaven and earth


 

The

non-action of the

wise person is not inaction.

It is not studied. It is not shaken by anything.

The sage is quiet because she is not moved, not because she

wills to be quiet. Her quietness is the mirror of heaven and earth,

the glass of everything. Emptiness, stillness, tranquility,

traceless, silence, non-action: this is the level of 

heaven and earth. This is the

perfect Tao.

 

Chuang Tzu

Chuang Tzu?

Zhuangzhi!

🪷

 

the one who fights with sorrow

chris hondros, friend and hero

 

In conflict

it is better to be receptive

than aggressive, better to retreat

a foot than advance an inch. This is called

moving ahead without advancing, capturing the enemy

without attacking him. There is no greater misfortune

than underestimating your opponent. To

underestimate your opponent is

to forsake your three

treasures. 

 

When opposing

forces are engaged in

conflict, the one who fights

with sorrow will

triumph. 

 

Tao te Ching of Lao Tzu

Chapter 69