Posts Tagged → practice

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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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 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

 

do not even do this non-doing

on this date a buddha was born

 

A monk asked Chao Chou,

“Does a dog also have the Buddha nature, or not?”

Chao Chou replied, ‘Mu.’ This Mu is not the Mu of yes or no;

it is not the Mu of true nonexistence. Ultimately what is it?

To reach that place from where Chao Chou said Mu

one must straightaway lay down

the entire body.

 

Do not do anything

(good or bad) and do not even do this

not-doing; then straightaway one reaches that place

where there is no concern for external affairs, that vast

and peaceful place where there are absolutely

no obstructing thoughts.

 

There, all thoughts

of the past are extinguished,

all thoughts of the future do not arise,

and all present thoughts

are void.

 

Taego Pou