Reduced Light follows Advance in the order of the hexagrams.
Fire over Earth follows Earth over Fire.
The sun appears to be above the Earth by day, and
Below the Earth by night.
A wisdom tradition tells us that to everything there is
A time and a season.
How does the reading apply to me?
Be patient.
Spirit tells me that, at a grass-roots level, compassion is as
Sophisticated a way as any to express genuine care.
Gentle words of love and caring serve a need, both to the
Giver and to the one receiving, but only when the words
Are supported by caring deeds can they at least seem
To be genuine expressions.
Compassion is a beautiful word that expresses a deep but
Simple emotion, genuine care for someone or something.
But, saying it is never enough. We need to support our
Caring words with caring actions.
I could still be pretending.
Yes.
Spirit tells me that I can only serve Life by serving myself, and
I can only serve myself by serving Life. It’s as simple as that.
How can I know when and if I am serving myself or Life?
It’s one and the same.
And if I’m helping a neighbour?
Your neighbour is Life.
But, there are some neighbours I would rather not serve at all.
What then?
Then you have a problem.
Today’s I Ching is 39 – Halting.
Water over Mountain.
Halting follows Disharmony.
Spirit explains: Disharmony expresses lack of general consensus,
Disagreement, perhaps even different world views, different
Goals or needs.
Whatever; a way forward has been halted, brought to a stand-still.
A mental road block can halt co-operation and progress as
Effectively as one made of stone.
Now what?
Yes.
Today’s I Ching is 39 – Halting
Water over Mountain.
Halting follows Disharmony.
Spirit explains: Disharmony expresses lack of general consensus,
Disagreement, perhaps even different world views, different
Goals or needs.
Whatever; a way forward has been halted, brought to a
Stand=still. A mental road block can halt co-operation and
Progress as effectively as one made of stone.
Now what?
Yes.
Spirit tells me that we each are as a double agent, but only one side is
Aware of this until we realize that everything we do, or choose not to do,
Influences those around us, as well as all life around us, and
Everything is Life.
Whatever we do, for whatever reason, in some way makes a difference.
How we each live our individual life tells a story. We each are a story, and
The story we tell, and are, dissolves into or integrates within
Ten thousand, more or less, other stories.
Even so, these seemingly countless numbers of individual and collective
Stories are only one small part of an ever-larger and ever-expanding
Story of Life.
Spirit tells me that my body and the personality, or character,
That I have, with help, developed over a lifetime is not real
In any real sense, but just a means to an end.
If that is so then how would I recognize the finish line,
Should I ever get there?
An end does not necessarily mean a finish line.
Then what?
A purpose.
What purpose?
Awareness.
Of what?
Purpose.
Spirit tells me that awareness is knowing instinctively that
Everyone and everything, at any given time, conceals
Meaning beyond what they would seem to reveal.
A certain imbalance of energy exchange reveals intent
To masquerade as other than what they would have us
Believe, if we were not aware enough to notice the deceit.
Teacher, why are you telling me this, now?
Now is a good time, if any is.
To be aware of potential danger even when no real danger
Seems evident, is not necessarily phobic. Trust your instinct.
Spirit tells me that, in Rumi’s Field, all differences
Fade away.
How did differences develop?
Does it really matter how, why, where, or when
We became separated?
It wouldn’t change the reality of our separation, but, if we
Focus on how to reconnect, then, there is hope for us all.
Spirit tells me that every relationship is a learning experience
In which each participant is both teaching and learning from
The relationship itself and from every participant, inclding
Oneself.
Deep or shallow? How far do we dare to go? To see deeply
Is to go deeply into the possible motives and intentions of
The other, or others, and to consider whether they are
Different from or similar to our own.
How far will each relationship take us if we allow, or invite it?
How will we change and how will the other, or others change?
And is it worth the effort, or risk?
All relationships either stimulate or drain our energy,
As well as affecting other resources, precious or otherwise.
Teacher, has our relationship been a learning experience for you?
Yes, it has taught me patience.
Simple Seeker Society 