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Posts tagged ‘need’

Withdrawal Isn’t Retreat

Spirit shares His understanding of the timeless wisdom
expressed within the I Ching Hexagram 33 – Withdrawal.

Heaven is above and Mountain is below. Both express
yang energy.

Withdrawal develops out of Constancy (32) in the order
of the hexagrams, and forms the foundation for
Great Power (34).

Withdrawal from battle is not necessarily to retreat.
A proven and respected martial arts strategy requires
knowing when to resist the temptation to advance when
such advance seems unwise, at this time. To withdraw,
re-group, and prepare to move forward when opportunity
presents itself, requires wisdom.

A need for time out?

Who is teaching whom?

You are, I hope.

And who seems to need time out?

You?

No.

Category:

A spirit teacher shares His I Ching Wisdom, applied philosophy to live by, enlightenment, higher education

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Life Is What It Is

Spirit shares I Ching wisdom.

Today’s experience along the way is expressed by
Hexagram 50 – The Cauldron. Fire is above Wind.

Wind would certainly agitate Fire. But, why is
the situation referred to as a cauldron?

The sixth or top line is yang, and is as a lid,
while the first, or bottom line is yin, and is
as a pair of legs that form the base of the body
of the pot.

So yang keeps a lid on yin?

Yes. Intellect must rule over emotion.

Another Universal Law?

Yes.

But, it doesn’t make sense.

In what way?

How could yang do anything without yin?

It cannot.

Then, why must intellect rule emotion?

Intellect rules emotion only in the sense
that …

It has more sense?

That, too.

So, if intellect rules and yet can do nothing
of value …

It can do nothing, period, without yin;
of value or otherwise.

So, we need both intellect and emotion?

Yes.

How do they relate to each other?

As husband and wife.

Or as man and woman?

That isn’t the same.

In what way is it not, if men are superior?

Men are not superior.

Then, please explain.

Husband and wife is a relationship between
two people.

Go on.

Are you ready?

I think so.

Then, here it is. Every team or group requires
a leader to direct it, if that team, group, society,
or married couple share a common goal. We each
contribute what we are best able to contribute,
depending upon our natural attributes, knowledge,
skills, and potentials.

And women are designed to keep the home fires burning?

Yes.

A lot of women, myself included, would call you
a male chauvinist.

Names do not change reality. Life is what it is.

Until it changes?

It never changes from being Life.

Category:

applied philosophy to live by, destiny, fate, I Ching as a path to enlightenment, male domination, Spirit shares I Ching wisdom, Understanding life's struggles

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We Need Help to Overcome

Spirit shares I Ching wisdom.

I Ching 13 – Association With Others follows
Obstruction and leads to Great Possession.

Obstruction suggests that something is blocking
our way.

Or someone?

It is never someone unless that someone is
our self, and it usually is.

We need help in overcoming whatever seems to
prevent us from following our spiritual path.

What if the community we now associate with
is itself the means of obstructing
our spiritual development.

Isolation is not the answer.

Isn’t meditation a form of isolation?

No.

How is it not?

Meditation is time out to reflect on
the situation and seek higher guidance
to develop awareness.

Develop awareness of what?

Of how to best contribute to our own
spiritual development without
unnecessarily obstructing the
development of others.

Looking at it from that perspective …

That is the only perspective.

Then, we could be obstructing those
who seem to be …

Yes.

Then how to overcome obstruction in a way
that leads to community?

Meditation.

And then?

Follow your heart.

And mind?

No, not in this instance.

Why?

Mind will overwhelm you with reasons
to stay.

To stay where?

Not where, what.

Then what?

Obstructed.

But, if obstruction is the problem …

Obstruction is a challenge. It doesn’t
exist in a material or physical form.
Not everyone would see the same
situation as an obstruction. We need
to change the way we see.

How?

By looking within for the answers
to life’s challenges.

What about community?

For that, too.

Category:

higher education, I Ching as a path to enlightenment, mystery schools, Spirit shares I Ching wisdom, Understanding life's struggles

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Receptivity to Inspiration Provides Opportunities

Spirit explains I Ching Hexagram 4 – Immaturity.

The journey of our life begins with creation;
individual and collective.

Creativity (hexagram 1) is an essential attribute
of our unique essence.

Receptivity (hexagram 2) to inspiration, both from
without and within, provides us with opportunities
to express our individual uniqueness.

Difficulty (hexagram 3) in the early stages of
our development is to be expected.

Immaturity (hexagram 4) never lasts forever.
Sooner or later we each progress in our
chosen direction.

Who chooses our direction, and to where?

Our chosen direction chooses itself.

How is that possible?

It is the only way possible.

Please explain.

Why did you not ask about the role of
so-called free will?

I have learned enough from you to accept
that free will is limited to available
options and that even then we my not be
aware of future choices each option
may require of us.

Yes.

So, please explain how our chosen direction
chooses itself.

The future is as the past in that it develops
from how we live here and now.

There always was a here and now?

Yes.

Then, the direction we think we are choosing,
if we do consider the choices we make, are
a direct result of how we got to where
we now are?

Yes.

Then, how can we begin to intentionally choose
where we want to go?

First, by intentionally choosing to be where
you now are.

What choice is there to make?

Accepting responsibility for how you arrived
where you are.

Then, what?

Determine to develop a more mature outlook
on life in general, and your own life,
in particular.

And, to let go of all that we know
holds us back?

Yes.

And those who seem to hold us back?

No, never.

Why?

Unhealthy relationships hold us back,
not unhealthy people. They need us
to accept them as they seem to be,
without pretending that we are where
they are or that they are where
we are, or need and intend to go.

How does one do that?

Release your hold on the past;
not the people in your past.

Then, we move on without necessarily
rejecting them?

Yes.

It doesn’t sound too easy.

Life isn’t meant to be too easy.

Category:

applied philosophy to live by, I Ching as a path to enlightenment, Spirit shares I Ching wisdom, Understanding life's struggles

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A third option

Spirit shares I Ching wisdom

Hexagram 7 – The Army

The Army follows Contention and is followed by Closeness.

When enough people are discontented about whatever
social conditions exist, then they develop closeness
with each other and protest, hoping to pressure the
authorities to listen to their concerns.

When this happens, and it does, then authorities
may feel threatened; perhaps not personally, but
their vested interests in power and wealth may
seem to be at risk.

To appease the protesting masses or to suppress them?
This is a traditional either-or simplistic solution
that never really works to solve the problems that
caused the discontent.

A third option is needed?

Yes.

But, what?

A willingness by both sides to compromise and try
to understand the causes of the situation that
developed into general discontent, and to develop
ways and means to develop harmony.

This sounds more like group therapy than a personal
message.

There is no difference.

So, then, what does it say to me, today?

Are you at peace with everyone in your life?

Only on the surface.

Yes.

What does “yes” mean?

It means, in this instance, that I agree you are
in serious need of …

Mediation?

No. Meditation.

Category:

A wide (33%) middle way., I Ching as a path to enlightenment, Spirit shares I Ching wisdom, Understanding life's struggles

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Sincerity follows Discipline because…

Today’s I Ching reading by Spirit

 

I Ching 61 – Sincerity follows Discipline in the order of the hexagrams.

 

Spirit explains:  Discipline comes before Sincerity for a reason.

Sincerity expresses awareness of one’s own acceptance of and

Commitment to the need for and purpose served by discipline in

Order to develop structure.

 

Structure?

 

Yes, structure of thought, emotion, and action, and the purpose

Direction, and meaning they give to our life.

 

What can the message for me be when I do all that, now?

 

Now is now.

 

What other time do I have?

 

Yes.

 

Category:

A wide (33%) middle way., enlightenment, I Ching as a path to enlightenment, Inspirational reading, Understanding life's struggles

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Spirit’s I Ching – 37 – People in the Home

People in the Home follows Damage to Illumination.

 

Spirit explains:

 

People in the home refers to family, whether related or chosen.

Damage to illumination is caused by something or someone

Blocking or restricting a source of light.

 

Is the message one of doom?

 

Not necessarily.

 

Okay, what is it, please?

 

You seem willing, if not eager to hear what you may already know.

You must, sooner or later choose, as we each must, between

Those who are close to you in one way, and those who are

With you on your path to greater illumination.

What is your choice?

 

As it has always been, I seem to need both.

 

Yes.

 

Category:

A wide (33%) middle way., enlightenment, I Ching as a path to enlightenment, Inspirational reading, Understanding life's struggles

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I Ching 11 – Tranquility

Today’s I Ching is Tranquility, an atmosphere of peace and

Contentment.

 

Tranquility follows Treading, which is movement. Now it is

Time for rest, but not a prolonged time of inactivity.

 

The I Ching teaches us that Life expands and moves.

 

Is there a personal message?

 

Yes.

 

What is it?

 

There is no need to hurry. We will arrive where we intend to,

When we intend to.

 

Where?

 

Wait and see.

 

Category:

A wide (33%) middle way., enlightenment, I Ching as a path to enlightenment, Inspirational reading, Understanding life's struggles

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Today’s I Ching – 13 – Association with Others

Association with Others follows Obstruction.

 

Spirit explains:

 

Obstructions, both within and without, are a necessary

Part of life experience..

 

Why?

 

Seemingly impossible difficulties encourage us to become

Aware that we need to co-operate, to associate with others

For mutually beneficial results. We each help ourselves by

Helping others to co-create a more harmonious future, together.

 

How can we cooperate with those who will not?

 

Then don’t.

 

But…

 

A river moves where it can. Rock blocks the river’s flow,

Obstructing its forward movement. The river cannot flow

Through the rock, but it must flow, if only upward and around.

 

The message?

 

If you were as a river, and we all are, then what is

Blocking your path and how do you plan to move

Around this obstruction?

 

The answer might be easy if Life provided only one

Obstruction at a time.

 

Life never promises easy.

 

And, no..

 

And what if I am…?

 

Yes.

 

That can never be.

 

Why?

 

I am the force that moves the river.

 

And I am the river?

 

Yes.

 

 

 

 

 

Category:

A wide (33%) middle way., 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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