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Posts tagged ‘desire’

The Slippery Slope Of Small Excess

Spirit shares I Ching wisdom.

The experience we now focus on is represented by
the sixty-first Hexagram – Sincerity, expressing
self-awareness. This is not simplicity.

Awareness of oneself can only develop in harmony
with awareness of others, and to expect everything
and nothing of everyone other than self, but,
to expect from self the best that we have; that
we are.

And so, it makes sense that Sincerity follows
Discipline. Self-discipline is a necessary
prerequisite to a satisfied mind.

But, why does Sincerity lead to Small Excess
(Hexagram 62)?

What is small excess?

Brown sugar on my porridge.

Why is it so?

It’s not a nutritional necessity.

Then why do you do it?

A teaspoon of brown sugar seems to give
my cereal a more appealing taste.

Yes.

Then, simple personal pleasures are acceptable
forms of small excess?

Yes, until they become more than just a simple
pleasure.

Wouldn’t simple pleasures be different things
to different people?

How is that possible?

If I am used to a simple lifestyle, then
a small excess of whatever would not greatly
change my simple life.

But if I already enjoyed …

Would you enjoy more?

Who wouldn’t?

I wouldn’t.

Why?

Enough is enough.

And more than enough is excess?

Yes.

But, many never seem to get enough.

Yes, and some never seem satisfied with
however much of whatever they get.

Perhaps it’s in human nature to always
want a little more than we have of
whatever we seem to need.

To have?

Or to do or be.

Yes, our energy moves our mind in
whatever direction our mind desires to go.

You slipped in the word, desire.

Yes.

Why?

Anything we desire for our own pleasure
is excess; small or large, or somewhere
in between.

Then, small excess is as a direction –
as in going down the wrong road?

Or as a slippery slope.

Just a teaspoon of sugar can do that?

Yes, quantity is only a variable of
the addiction.

Addiction?

Yes. Anything unnecessary to life
can become an addiction.

Pleasure?

Even pleasure.

I’ll accept the risk.

And also accept responsibility for
any and all consequences?

Yes.

Category:

applied philosophy to live by, cause and effect, higher education, Potential consequences, The Way of I Ching

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Wind Corresponds to Mind – I Ching 53

Spirit  shares His understanding of I Ching wisdom, as expressed by Hexagram 53 –  Gradual Progress.

“Wind is over Mountain; yang over yin. Yang 5, in its posiition of leadership, is supported by its complement; Yin 2, in a lower position of balance and dedicated support. Gradual Progress follows Mountain (52 and leads to Marrying a Young Woman (54) .

Wind moves over, around, under, or through whatever would block its way. It is in its nature to move, without regret, permission, or desire to accomplish anything other than to fulfill its nature to move.”

That may be normal behaviour for winds, but what about people?

What about them?

Surely we need to think about what we’re doing, why we’re doing it, and what we hope to accomplish by doing it?

Why?

How can we not use our mind?

Yes

…..

Category:

applied philosophy to live by, enlightenment, Inspirational reading

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I Ching 61 – Sincerity in the Centre

Today’s I Ching reading by Spirit

 

Wind over Lake

Sincerity follows Discipline

 

Spirit explains:

 

As wind moves water, discipline moves sincerity,

Directing our chosen lifestyle.

 

If we sincerely desire and intend to follow our path

With purpose, then discipline will be a welcome

Companion.

 

I hesitate to ask who …

 

Yes.

 

Category:

enlightenment, I Ching as a path to enlightenment, Inspirational reading, Understanding life's struggles

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I Ching 14 – Great Possession

Today’s I Ching reading by Spirit

Water over Heaven (water refers to emotion, while heaven

suggests creative energy).

 

Great Possession follows Association with Others.

 

Spirit explains:

 

Community is an integral part of Life’s purpose.. The need or

Desire to associate connects us to others. This serves basic

Survival needs, as well as providing emotional satisfaction.

 

Association with others is a great possession or it isn’t,

Depending upon whom we choose to associate with.

 

How can we know with whom to associate?

 

For what purpose?

 

A sense of community.

 

What kind of community?

 

A community of like-minded souls.

 

In the same way we learn anything, through experience.

 

That could take a lot of time and pain.

 

Yes. Some learn quicker than do others.

 

 

Category:

enlightenment, I Ching as a path to enlightenment, Inspirational reading, Understanding life's struggles

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I Ching 6 – Contention

Today’s I Ching – 6 – Contention

Heaven above, Water below.

Contention follows Waiting in the order of the Hexagrams.

Spirit Explains:

For those with purpose, waiting is not an option.

When what we desire seems almost

Within our grasp, then we will

Confront and overcome, whatever

We must, and are able to,

To achieve our goal, and

With such intent, almost

All things are possible.

 

What is the message for you,

Chela, He asks me.

 

Fight the good fight

With all my might?

 

Yes.

 

 

Category:

I Ching as a path to enlightenment, Inspirational reading, Understanding life's struggles

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