patience in the heart of chaos

recognizing yourself

 

A sage is subtle,

intuitive, penetrating, profound. 

His depths are mysterious and

unfathomable. 

 

The best one can do is

describe his appearance: the sage

is alert as a person crossing a winter stream; as

circumspect as a person with neighbors on all four sides; 

as respectful as a thoughtful guest; as yielding as

melting ice; as simple as uncarved wood; 

as open as a valley; as chaotic

as a muddy torrent. 

 

Why “chaotic

as a muddy torrent”? 

Because clarity is learned by

being patient  in the

heart of chaos. 

 

Tolerating

disarray, remaining at rest, 

gradually one learns to allow muddy water to

settle and proper responses to reveal themselves. 

Those who aspire to tao don’t long for fulfillment. 

They selflessly allow tao to use and deplete

them; they calmly allow tao to renew

and complete them. 

 

The Tao te Ching of Lao Tzu,

Chapter 15

 

 

These days, Obama spends

a lot of time talking with younger people.

With them, he is an elder refuting the notion that things

have never been worse. “I say, ‘No, you know what? Civil War—really bad.

Jim Crow—tough. You know, our parents, our grandparents, our great-grandparents

went through stuff that was profoundly tougher than what we’re going through,’ ”

the former President said. “And I say that not to pull rank on them but,

rather, to pull them out of any kind of hopelessness

about the situation.”

 

The New Yorker

 

the proper conduct of relationships

majeed badizadegan

 

In relationships,

desires lead to misfortune.

Behave with discipline

and balance.

 

Kuei Mei is concerned with the guidelines for the proper conduct of relationships, whether they be social, romantic, or work related. The image here is of thunder roiling the surface of a lake, and it suggests that relationships can be disturbing to our peace of mind unless they are established and governed under proper principles.

The nature of relationships is that they lead us into the desire state: we begin to desire another, desire recognition, desire retribution, desire a particular outcome in a given situation. All of these desires lead us away from the equanimity that we aim to maintain as students of the I Ching. This hexagram often comes as a sign that you are in danger of sacrificing your composure in an effort to affect a relationship.

When someone does not treat you as you would like, you are faced with a choice as to what to do. While it may be tempting to abandon the relationship in anger or act aggressively to produce a result, neither of these is consistent with proper principles.

You are counseled instead to return to inner independence, acceptance, modestly, and gentleness. The greatest influence is always had through inner discipline and balance; less subtle measures may produce more immediate results, but they are seldom lasting.

This hexagram also teaches us that rushing into a relationship, rushing to resolve a relationship, or rushing to escape a relationship are all akin to rushing on ice: each invites a panful fall. Seek to establish relationships slowly and on proper principles, to allow them to evolve naturally, and to resolve disputes with patience and reserve.

If your primary relationship — that with the Sage — is open and ongoing and devoted, then all other relationships will fall into place.

 

The I Ching, or Book of Changes

Hexagram 54, Kuei Mei / The Marrying Maiden

 

Wei wu Wei Ching 54  ☯️  returning to innocence

 

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an outpouring of benevolent energy

to the surfers who saved my life

 

If you are alert to the Creative, 

you will meet with good

fortune now.

 

This hexagram signals a time when the fundamental creative power of the universe is available to you. An unrestricted outpouring of benevolent energy from the heavens makes possible profound progress for those who are conscientiously following proper principles.

Frantic activity is not in order. Your responsibility instead is to be open and receptive to the Higher Power, allowing it to guide your actions. By allowing inferior thoughts and habits to pass away, you make room for an expansion of your superior qualities, which leads inevitably to good fortune.

In your conduct with others, embody tolerance, reticence, and gentleness. Strive to meet others halfway in every situation. To overextend yourself, or require that of another, is to create an undesirable imbalance.

Your attitude toward the Sage is most important. Alertness and receptiveness are paramount. To receive the powerful assistance of the Creative, remain humble, patient, accepting, and responsive. Careful attention to truth brings vast rewards at this time.
 

The I Ching, or Book of Changes

Hexagram 1, Ch’ien / The Creative

 

FOURTH LINE
A place of transition. There is
the possibility of progress in many directions.
Let go of preconceived notions about your proper path.
You succeed by allowing the Creative to guide you.

 

further guidance from

wei wu wei ching chapter 1 ☯️ the way to enlightenment

 

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Wei wu Wei Ching, Hua hu Ching, and

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pass freely into complete realization

aarto saari

 

No teacher

or master is in possession of

your enlightenment. Ultimately only

you can free yourself. Just shed your delusions

like a sweaty shirt and slip into the stream of

zen and tao, empty minded, quiet hearted,

at rest in the midst of everything

and at peace with all

that occurs.

 

Polish yourself

on your own over and over

until you disappear, and you’ll wake up

right where you are. You’ll see straight

through the snares of the world and

pass freely into complete

realization.

 

Wei wu Wei Ching, Chapter 27

Paperback / Kindle here

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☯️

 

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