proper nourishment for self and others

Give proper nourishment

to yourself and

others.

The image of this hexagram is that of an open mouth. It comes to remind us that the nourishment of our bodies and spirits is important and merits our conscientious attention.

The I Ching teaches us that if we wish to gauge someone’s character, we should notice what he nourishes in himself and in others. Those who cultivate inferior behaviors and relationships are inferior people; those who cultivate superior qualities in themselves and others are superior people. This is a test that we should apply to ourselves as well as to others.

What you put into your body is obviously important. Because it determines your fundamental physical well-being, it is wise to be moderate and thoughtful about the food you eat. What you put into your mind is even more significant, and regulating it is a more subtle art. This hexagram gives us three-part advice on that subject.

The first counsel is that we should not feed our minds on desire. When we forego our equanimity and begin to desire something or someone, a host of other inferior influences comes into play: we become ambitious about obtaining the object of our desire; we become fearful that we will not; if we do achieve it our ego is gratified and strengthened and it soon issues another demand for us to meet. A self-reinforcing cycle of negativity is thus created. Therefore it is wise to hold yourself free from desire.

The second counsel is that we begin and continue in a regular practice of meditation. Sitting quietly with our eyes closed for even as little as ten or fifteen minutes a day begins to “clear the waste” out of our hearts and minds, making room for the nourishment of peace and wisdom to enter in. To sit in meditation is tune your ear to the voice of the Sage, and it is the most powerful way of gaining his assistance.

The final counsel is that we observe tranquility in speech, thoughts, and actions. By cultivating calm and equanimity in all that you say, think, and do, you nourish your superior self and that of those around you. One who follows these three counsels now will meet with good fortune.

The I Ching, or Book of Changes

Hexagram 27 / Providing Nourishment

oneness with tao is freedom from harm

tinyao yang

Work toward

emptiness and openness.

Cultivate stillness. Breathe harmony.

Become tranquility. As the ten thousand

things rise and fall, rise and fall,

just witness their return

to the root.

Everything

that flourishes dissolves

again into the source. To dissolve

back into the source is to find peace.

To find peace is to recover your true nature.

To recover your true nature is to know

the constancy of tao. To know

the constancy of tao

is insight.

Insight opens

your mind. An open

mind leads to an open heart.

Open heartedness leads to justice.

Justice is an expression of

divinity. Divinity is

oneness with

tao.

Oneness

with tao is freedom

from harm, indescribable

pleasure, eternal

life.

The Tao te Ching of Lao Tzu,

Chapter 16

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you are the buddha now

here is what a buddha is

Do you find

your spiritual practice

pitiful and wanting? If buddha

were before you, would you

be ashamed, afraid,

shy, small?

Wake up!

The truth too large

for words is that the buddha

is closer to you than that:

you are the buddha

now.

This entire world is

just for you. All the teaching in this

world is only for you. Accept this without

further thought of whether you are good or bad

and be responsible to it. This is the spirit you

must bring to everything that you do.

Be the buddha now.

Wei wu Wei Ching, Chapter 4

i ching / hexagram 4 ☯️ mêng / youthful folly

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gradual progress is lasting progress

at home anywhere in the universe

Those who persevere make continual progress.

The image of this hexagram is that of a tree growing high on a mountain top. If this tree grows too fast, without first properly rooting itself, it becomes susceptible to being torn up and destroyed by the winds. If, however, it establishes a proper foundation and is content to grow gradually, it will enjoy a long life and a lofty view.

Human beings are no different. While we often desire rapid progress – we want to change someone’s mind today, obtain an apology now, achieve all our goals immediately – sooner or later we must come to understand that the only lasting progress is gradual progress. Chien comes to urge you to accept that fact and base your thoughts, attitudes, and actions upon it.

When we have allowed ourselves to be pulled off balance by another or by some event, the ego tempts us to believe that we can influence the situation through forceful behavior. This is incorrect; the actions of the ego inevitably complicate our difficulties. The greatest influence possible always comes through the patient and steady refinement of one’s inner self. If you will devote yourself to the path of the Sage, with every step along that path you will be strengthened, and progress will come automatically. It will be gradual, but it will last.

Be patient, modest, and accepting now. Life often demands that we wait longer than we might like for some change, and the only true comfort available during these times is the knowledge that we are steadfastly developing ourselves into superior people. In time, every honor comes to those who are persevering and correct.

The I Ching, or Book of Changes

Hexagram 53, Chien / Development (Gradual Progress)

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