the first step on the road

Love is to see

what is good and beautiful in

everything. It is to learn from everything,

to see the gifts of God and the generosity

of God in everything. It is to

be thankful for all of

God’s bounties.

This is the first step

on the road to the love of God.

This is just a seed of love. In time,

the seed will grow and become a tree

and bear fruit. Then, whoever tastes of

that fruit will know what real love is.

It will be difficult for those who

have tasted to tell of it to

those who have not.

Sheikh Muzaffer

Reality

and the buddha dharma

are one and the

same.

Yuanwu

a change in attitude delivers you

concentrate on the way

A change in attitude

delivers you from

difficulties.

The hexagram Hsieh signals the beginning of a deliverance from danger, tensions, and difficulty. The I Ching instructs you here on both the cause of deliverance and how you must act in order to fully benefit from it.

Deliverance is always caused by a change in our attitude. The Higher Power uses conflicts and obstacles to teach us lessons that we refuse to learn in an easier way, but they only darken our doorstep until we have acknowledged the lesson. So long as we ignore or resist difficulty it remains our constant companion; as soon as we accept its presence as a sign that some self-correction is needed, our deliverance begins. Truly, the only way to dispel trouble and regain peace of mind is to change our attitude.

The I Ching also teaches us that we have several responsibilities once our deliverance begins. The first is to forgive the misdeeds of others. The image of the hexagram is that of a powerful rainstorm washing away what is unclean. This, then, is a time to clean every slate and begin anew, meeting others halfway with gentleness and patience.

Next, we are advised to restore our inner balance and see that it is maintained. Deliverance offers us a return to equanimity, and we must avail ourselves of the opportunity conscientiously.

Finally, we are counseled not to try to force progress, even though the time is beneficial. If we have truly changed our attitude, we have become detached, innocent, modest, and accepting. In this state we allow progress to unfold naturally according to the will of the Sage.

The I Ching, or Book of Changes

Hexagram 40, Hsieh / Deliverance

ebooks & apps of the Tao the Ching, I Ching,

Hua hu Ching, Wei wu Wei Ching ,

Art of War for iPad, Phone,

Kindle, Nook, or

Android

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.

🐢

a garden rich in delight

every time we smile

An unspectacular life

may be a garden rich in delight,

in queer paths, perfumed herbs, and

marble cloisters. “I live a life of no major

accomplishments,” said the oldest man

alive. High living is ephemeral, quick

to change; the light soon dims

among tower peaks.

Loy Ching-Yuen

the book of the heart

a power greater than any other

careful, fellas

Inside,

the strength of

simplicity and self-knowledge.

Outside, the beauty of

acceptance and

gentleness.

This hexagram encourages you to cultivate a quality of grace in your relationships and in your general way of being. In this way you gain a power greater than any other to open a way through obstructions in your dealings with others. Good fortune is yours if you concentrate on bringing more grace to your thoughts and actions now.

It is human nature to want to use forceful ways to try to get what we want from others and from life. Our egos encourage us to act aggressively, to speak boldly, to intimidate others, to “buffalo” our way through difficult situations. This false power can be momentarily satisfying to our ego, and temporary victories can be won in this way, but genuine power and lasting progress come from a different kind of strength altogether.

They come from inner strength, which is characterized by a steadfast devotion to the principles of humility, simplicity, equanimity, and acceptance. By gradually letting go of the vain, bullying energy of the ego and accepting the quiet guidance of the Higher Power, one acquires the substance that makes ongoing good fortune a possibility.

This is a time to relinquish self-important maneuvering. Instead, return to stillness and contemplate the inherent wisdom of the principles of the Sage. By practicing quiet strength within and gentle acceptance without, you acquire a grace that dissolves all barriers to progress.