The central benefit of zen,
in the context of ordinary ups and downs
of life, is not in the context of preventing the minus
and promoting the plus, but in directing people
to the fundamental reality that is not
under the sway of ups
and downs.
Posts Tagged → realization
yield, accept, nourish
Bear
with things as
the earth bears with us: by
yielding, by accepting,
by nourishing.
K’un the Receptive is the complement to Qián the Creative: the dark which is illuminated by light, the earth which receives the blessings of heaven, the vessel into which nourishment flows. This is a time to follow rather than lead, to assist rather than initiate, to listen rather than talk. Redevote yourself to the cultivation of modesty, receptivity, and gentleness now, and let go of concerns about the conduct of others or the progress of your worldly ambitions.
The wisdom of cultivating receptivity cannot be overstated; receptivity is the rich earth without which the Creative cannot take root in our lives. This fundamental hexagram serves as a strong encouragement to you to concentrate on your capacities to nourish, to support, to accept, to work without desiring recognition, to follow the guidance of the Sage.
You can benefit greatly in a period like this from time spent in solitude; in quietness we have an opportunity to focus on purification of our hearts and minds. It is a good time to ask oneself, “Am I sincerely pursuing the good for its own sake, or do I have a hidden agenda?” If so, detach from it and return to the path of independence and balance. Through humility and openness we become receptive to the assistance of the Higher Power.
from The I Ching, or Book of Changes
Hexagram 2, K’un / The Receptive
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good approaches the superior person
The
hexagram Lin
signals the approach of
powerful beneficial influences.
Just as the winter solstice heralds the
return of spring, the appearance of this hexagram
marks a similar movement toward light and
growth. Progress and success are
assured now to those who
persevere on the path
of truth.
To
maximize
the opportunity implicit
in this moment, it is important to
cultivate a proper attitude. It is easy, during
good times, to relax our inner discipline and fall back
into incorrect thoughts and actions. Allowing one’s ego to take
over in a moment of success is a sure means of ending the
progress that has begun. The growth that is at hand
was made possible by conscientious behavior,
and continuing carefully along that path
is our only means of coming
into full possession
of it.
A
steadfast
modesty and acceptance,
whether external conditions are good
or bad, is the mark of the superior person.
In yourself, maintain balance, equanimity, and
humility in times of accomplishment. With
others, remain patient, tolerant, and
gentle. Clinging to those principles
assures you of a time of joy
and prosperity.
The I Ching, or Book of Changes
🪷 things a good man would do 🪷
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the universe is a harmonious oneness
Forget
about understanding and
harmonizing and making all things one.
The universe is already a harmonious
oneness; just realize
that.
If you
scramble about in
search of inner peace,
you will lose your
inner peace.
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tao is the treasure of the world
you will often be thought crazy
Tao is the hidden
secret source of all life.
Good men recognize that tao provides
for them and therefore they esteem it.
Bad men don’t recognize this,
but the tao doesn’t stop
providing for
them.
Beautiful words
win some men honors;
good deeds buy others acclaim.
But the tao values everyone,
not just those who excel.
What’s the sense
in discarding
anyone?
Thus, on the day
a new king is crowned
or powerful ministers installed,
while others rush forward with gifts
and praises, just be still
and offer tao.
Why
have sages
prized tao for so long?
Because with tao, he who
seeks finds, and he who has
flaws is forgiven. This is
why it is the treasure
of the world.
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book.