by Robert Wilkinson
From our old friend the venerable I Ching, a few words about discerning what is valuable or not, and the difference between the Higher Self and the ego. This ancient repository of Chinese wisdom written by Confucius is an amazing friend, having never given me bad advice in over 30 years. Not a bad track record. From Hexagram 27, Providing Nourishment: "If we wish to know what anyone is like, we have only to observe on whom he bestows his care and what sides of his own nature he cultivates and nourishes." Read on for some pearls of pure wisdom.
It goes on to quote the Book of Mencius, written by a Chinese Sage who lived between 389-305 BCE:
If we wish to know whether anyone is superior or not, we need only observe what part of his being he regards as especially important. The body has superior and inferior, important and unimportant parts. We must not injure important parts for the sake of the unimportant, nor must we injure the superior parts for the sake of the inferior. He who cultivates the inferior parts of his nature is an inferior man. He who cultivates the superior parts of his nature is a superior man.
I'll move from this to Hexagram 21, Biting Through, where we get a quote from the Master himself, Confucius.
The inferior man is not ashamed of unkindness and does not shrink from injustice. If no advantage beckons he makes no effort. If he is not intimidated he does not improve himself, but if he is made to behave correctly in small matters he is careful in large ones. This is fortunate for the inferior man.
If good does not accumulate, it is not enough to make a name for a man. If evil does not accumulate, it is not strong enough to destroy a man. Therefore the inferior man thinks to himself, "Goodness in small things has no value," and so neglects it. He thinks, "Small sins do no harm," and so does not give them up. Thus his sins accumulate until they can no longer be covered up, and his guilt becomes so great that it can no longer be wiped out.
I suppose I should close with a thought, given the astrology of the moment. If all is a gift from Spirit, the least we can do is take a generous attitude toward our experience and the abundant life that beckons each of us. Much human suffering is caused by our clutching at things that are freely given, and must be freely released at the right time in the right circumstances.
We collectively stand on the threshold of a great transformation, some of which will be difficult. However, each chain of fear we throw off enables us to experience the eternal lightness that we always are, and embrace the great unknown potential of our eternal Self rather than our old limited, fear-based personality. It's time to get ready for what's coming, and learn what we must learn to do what we must do in the future that's coming at us like a freight train at full throttle.
It is said in Buddhism there are three "refuges," or places where we may find limitless protection, solace, and connectedness with our Higher Self. It is said in the vernacular that they are "the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha." Roughly translated, these are "the Wisdom, the Way, and the Community." I have found Wisdom is inherently inclusive, and all roads lead us home to the One we all are together and separately. There is no true Wisdom that is exclusive from THE Wisdom. All are ONE in the vastness of human evolution.
The Way, or Dharma, is that which is our "true function," our way of perfect functioning to bring forth the miracle of our unique song in the time we have here on this impermanent Earth. The Community are those brothers and sisters who also strive for a greater Truth, Wisdom, and Light, who support us in our weakness, celebrate us in our strength, and bust us when we wander off on a tangent that is destructive to our sense of Oneness, Community, and non-separateness from all that is.
This weekend and in the future, take stock of your wisdom, your way to truth, and your brothers and sisters in the light. The future will depend on your knowing these, embracing these, and living these with all your heart. And smile, because there's nothing so serious here that it warrants us being in a non-loving state. We are greater beings than that which hassles us in the moment. We ARE Eternals, so relax, lighten up, and enjoy the ride.
(All quotes from "The I Ching, or Book of Changes," The Richard Wilhelm Translation rendered into English by Cary F. Baynes, Foreword by C.G. Jung, Bollingen Series XIX, Princeton University Press)
Comments