Whatever I do,
the responsibility is mine,
but like one who plants an orchard,
whatever comes of what I do,
the fruit, will be for
others.
I offer the actions
of this life to the God within,
and wherever I go, the
way is blessed.
Posts Tagged → practice
lessen the power of the ego
It is
a fact of life that
times of decrease come upon us:
our resources are limited, difficulty surrounds us,
and our egos generate angry and unhappy emotions. Nonetheless,
such times are good for us. If we respond to them by quieting
our egos and turning sincerely to the Higher Power
for help, we emerge from the period of
decrease stronger, healthier,
and wiser.
When
we discover that we
are unable to achieve our goals,
our egos become infuriated. We are tempted
to harden into anger and bitterness, to lash out, to
desperately and aggressively grab for control
over the situation. If we do this,
however, we only push our
own salvation further
away.
The I Ching
counsels a withdrawal
into stillness now. The image is that
of a spring reverting to the inside of the mountain
during a time of drought. By returning to its quiet center
during the time of decrease, it avoids evaporating and exhausting
itself in vain. You would be wise to follow this example. To try
to force progress by arguing, manipulating, or making
excuses will only bring your own downfall. Instead,
disengage from your inferior elements —
however passionately they seek
expression – and turn to the
Sage for guidance and
assistance.
The
hexagram Sun
issues a call to sacrifice
negative feelings, accept the
powerlessness of the ego against the
currents of life, and return to contemplation
of the principles of the Sage. In stillness and
meditation we enrich the higher parts
of ourselves and thus bring
an end to the time of
decrease.
from The I Ching, or Book of Changes
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the sea is king of the valleys
The sea is
king of the valleys
and streams because it
is willing to be beneath them.
One who wishes to guide people
should be humble in her speech
toward them. One who wishes
to lead people must learn
the art of following
them.
The sage
is above the people,
but they don’t feel her weight.
She stays ahead of the people,
and no harm comes to them. She has
the affection of the whole world.
Because she contends with
no one, no one can
contend with
her.
ebooks & apps of the Tao the Ching, I Ching,
Wei wu Wei Ching, Hua hu Ching, and
Art of War for iPad/Phone, Kindle,
You
can now buy
Tao te Ching as part of a
five-app bundle of Taoist classics
for iPhone or iPad for less than
the cost of one hardcover
book.
let feelings pass through
Feelings
are often born from
the matrix of conditions beyond
your control. Let them just
pass through, like a
cloud in the
sky.
the taming power of the small
You are temporarily restrained.
It is a time for taking small steps.
This hexagram signifies a time when darkness has temporarily enveloped the light. The Creative power is present in the background, however, and will come forward in time. Your responsibility in this moment is to accept restraints quietly and remain content with taking small steps.
The obstacles to success can only be removed now by gentle measures. Inside yourself, be focused and determined. On the outside, nonaction, adaptability, neutrality, and tolerance are the order of the day. Ambitious behavior is to be avoided; think of planting seeds rather than harvesting fruit.
Do not forget that the inferior elements within yourself, others, and the time itself may only be restrained now—not fully removed. Do not be tempted into any engagement which will serve to unbalance you. Instead, hold quietly to the center and take small steps until the Higher Power has tamed the obstacles in your way.
The I Ching, or Book of Changes
Hexagram 9, Hsiao Ch’u / The Taming Power of the Small
ebooks & apps of the Tao the Ching, I Ching,
Wei wu Wei Ching, Hua hu Ching, and
Art of War for iPad/Phone, Kindle,
You
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.