We The People

Reading drawn for the coming week: January 24-30, 2021

Interpretation from:

56: (Lu- The Traveler)

Fire over Mountain, or Fire on the Mountain-

Line 1: A faulty beginning, due to over emphasis on detail and perfection; reminder to be aware of first steps, but don't make them based upon past triggers or norms that may not serve.

Becomes

30- Li (Clinging Fire)

Fire Doubled

Line 1: The old adage, "First impressions are lasting ones becomes another old adage, "Be yourself." Be the light arising from a darker, less clear world. "It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for something you are not." Andre Gide

My take on this reading (questions arising):

I don’t generally like to get political with qigong practice, though as a citizen of the United States, I very much take my role in our democracy and my responsibilities as a citizen seriously and see few reasons why anyone would be wholly exempt from them. The reason I don’t talk politics in my classes is because in a qigong class, we are not learning politics, we are learning how to cultivate ourselves to be the best version of ourselves no matter what the political environment . But this reading inspires me to talk about the values that (I hope would) unite my country and that since our founding, were considered unifying, as well as sacred. These provide both the light and the map for our individual paths and all souls’ journeys; our nation among other nations.

We stand at the gate of a new way of expressing who we are in the world as a country. This is literally the beginning of a new administration of our government, one chosen by a decisive majority of the citizens who voted in record numbers. This past election has the potential to change a status quo established by a forty yearlong campaign of the appearance of two-party choices, with one party’s agenda being given near total dominance in the public sphere. Before, we, on two "main" sides, had an ideal of ourselves as a nation which was quite honestly, similar, only differing in the reasons why we thought the US was “great”. In short, the national image is our home, the "shining city on the hill", another way to see Fire on the Mountain. We think we made this house, but honestly, we are guests in this house hosted by the virtues we hold dear, as are all other nations, peoples, and cultures in their values/countries. The foundation and framework of this home are put into order by these virtues. We are what we say we are only when our actions show it. It would be helpful for us to remember what our own values are:

“We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” Preamble, Constitution of the United States of America

Perfect union was not assumed when this document was crafted- key words to form one- we establish and maintain Justice, insure peace (Tranquility), provide security of defense (note the small d from the original text), general Welfare, and as for Liberty and Posterity, the framers understood them to be Blessings, that come from enacting these honored virtues. These are the true measure of what we consider to be rights. So: Justice, Tranquility, Welfare, Liberty and Posterity are our values to defend.

One thing about being part of a country that is in a position of world power is the danger of hubris inside hegemony (false fire on a mountain exaggerated in size). This has been for us an unquestioned dominance as a right of power, instead of a byproduct of it that should be constantly evaluated for it impact. So many bad journeys can unfold if we are not cognizant of the steps we take from the beginning. Another problem with that is that these days, we have not seen ourselves as on a journey toward “a more perfect union” that is constantly in formation. We thought we were already there, despite much evidence to the contrary, which has been obstinately ignored by those who stand to benefit from this ignorance, and we do at time deride, devalue most dissent- we love independence, but will often shun those who make it uncomfortable for us or who show us what the real cost of it is. Many could not accept that we as a nation are not yet perfect. The evidence was stuffed under the rug so as not to tarnish the image of who we thought we were. Yet, over the last year, we have seen ourselves squarely in the mirror; these things have started coming out of the woodwork-into the light- as was shown in the reading last week- one cannot hide from God/Dao/Source or from a powerful truth known in the heart. How do we come closer to being who we say we are? We have this opportunity now- to rise from the ashes, so to speak.

Questions: How do we let go of pretending to be and just start being honest, striving in good faith? A good step is to pay attention to what the light shows us is true and start picking up the pieces, putting them back together in a better pattern.

On a more personal level:

What a blessing it is to see clearly how you get in your own way when you allow what triggers you to keep you from starting a project or from starting over. So, you’ve gone down in flames before; you’ve made mistakes, but it could be dawning on you- one of the reasons why is that you have been afraid to deeply commit to your own values may well be because of fear of being outcast, misunderstood, or of being isolated/alone. You might have to go it alone for a little while; your current mission may be to buck traditions or at least challenge the ones that are not serving you well. You may not be popular for holding your ground. This will more than likely cause some conflict. Go your own way and let others go theirs- provided they are not doing harm and it's truly your place to enlighten; this is the skill of social intelligence. Have the humility of someone given a place to stay out of the generosity of another. If you are sincere, people will recognize it, especially if you are sure, but not arrogant or hypocritical; discerning, but not judgmental, whether they agree with you or not.

See the next section for more detail from other Yijing sources for deeper discussion and consideration

See more on these websites, which I considered in interpreting this reading (Notes from those):

Taoist I Ching: esoteric readings of the Book of Changes, normally without considering the lines: “Understanding the symbol, forget the words — the idea is clear of itself. If you understand the meaning of the hexagram symbols, the pivot of heaven is in your hand, the axis of earth depends on your mind. Wherever you go, everywhere is the Tao — there is no need to cling to the hexagram symbols, for you spontaneously accord with them.”

Liu Yiming, commentary on “Understanding Reality”.

56: The Traveler: "Travel is developmental when small; if travel is correct, it leads to good fortune." The description seems to describe the art of discernment between being wholly still when conditions require it and moving (travelling) outward when it is time to do so. “In general, travel as a path means just passing through once — you should not remain attached to the realm you pass through. If you are concerned with externals, you forget the inward; by pursuing ramifications you abandon the root. When illumination is called for, then be aware; but while aware, remain calm. When stillness is called for, be still; but while still, remain aware. When illumination and stability, awareness, and stillness, are unified, how can there be failure to develop and prosper?” He mentions the lines and the journey they outline but points out that the only line that deals with going outward is line 5, which is not the line that has changed in this reading. To me, this indicates a time of reckoning with inner states that determine whether or not we are doing what we need to do.

30: Fire: “Fire is beneficial for correctness and development. Raising a cow brings good fortune.”

Taoist: “This fire embraces the female within it; the hexagram symbolizes the presence of yin within yang. Illumination is the energy of open awareness in the palace of fire (the heart); it is the spirit of humans, the master of mind. When the mind is open it is aware; the original spirit is in charge of affairs, and illumination is managed properly.” The “unruly mind” wanders [too much fire element scatters and clutters the mind/heart]. We unify our own minds when we can control the fire element by seeing ourselves and our roles with the illumination of clarity, which requires stillness. He says, “raising a cow” means to cultivate, nurture receptivity.

I Ching: Mothering Change: Stephen Karcher's site, part of his project/book: "In the Family Way" which explores the I Ching from history, myth, language and the family associations represented in the Book of Changes.

56: LU: Sojourner:

Sojourning through the small. Make an offering and you will succeed. Advantageous trial.

About sticking to your principles, even when you are a stranger in a strange land- but also developing social intelligence so that you do not become a disrespectful, ungrateful guest.

Lines:

This change is about destroying your journey before it starts by focusing on too many details; also- don’t cling to the past or any of the sadness or hurt it has caused or continues to cause. Transforming to 30:1: which is about tending to the first steps- start your new journey but pay attention to the beginning phases; understand the triggers and pitfalls of past failed sojourns and avoid a false start. Don’t be impulsive but do look outside of norms- that is, outside the box of your own norms- this energy is like being a stranger in another’s land, a guest in someone else’s home. Know when you are welcome and when it is time to go- don’t fail to be grateful for this generosity; try to understand the rules of the road, the house. Even when you have to move on.

30: LI: Radiance/Visionary: “Make an offering and you will succeed (offer yourself, start something, go ahead).Accumulate the female cattle. Wise words. The Way is open.” Accumulate, cultivate what will offer more resources in the future- receptive, fertile, not aggressive, indifferent or sterile- unresponsive; Reflecting on patterns and spreading awareness; seeing clearly and rising up (like the proverbial phoenix, rising from the flames) to try again.

Yijing: Oracle of the Moon: LiSe's intepretation, site introduced last week

56: Lu: Itinerant Troops: Fire on the mountain (in the distance, hence the connection to travel) Further, she translates the saying: “The noble one is clear minded and cautious in imposing punishment and does not protract lawsuits.” [human rules depend on human institutions/ cultures and are endlessly changeable; the voice of God/Dao/ Source is universal and always the same; it is also like that light you can see in the distance, the “shining city on the hill” vibe; still, do not judge people by their cultural beliefs, try to understand what you can and when there is no agreement, simply take your leave- continue on your journey without condemning or judging, because you can’t really know what the Divine is voicing to or through them. We are all trying to avoid getting into a war; it feels dangerous to expose yourself in a hostile environment, but sometimes, it’s necessary and the noble thing to do. Just don’t impose some smug superiority into the situation. Have the hesitance of someone who does not yet know whether the light on yonder mountain is a beacon for truth or signals the presence of an invading army. Surviving in hostile territory- social intelligence; caution; this is the beginning of the journey (line 1), so not a good time to make yourself too comfortable arrogant presumptions, accusations or exact punishments.

Lines:

Line 1: LiSe: “The traveler is trivial and petty, chopping up his position and seizing calamities.” In part, this is about the old adage, “First impressions are lasting ones.” Exercising care, lest people misunderstand you from start to finish, no matter what you do. Transforming to 30:1- “Treading is staggering. Respect it. Without fault.” “It is not necessary to be perfect. Everybody recognizes a serious attempt and an honest effort. It is better to show a clumsy truth than a fake show.” Here, the old adage becomes an addendum: “Be yourself.”

30: LiSe: Li- Catching the Bird of Brightness: “The great image says: Brightness doubled brings the Bright Bird. The great man illumines the four regions by his continuous brightness.” The Bright Bird might be Zhu Xue, the totem animal of the South in Chinese symbology: the red bird, illuminating, or it could be a timing thing: the South is associated with the summer months when the fire element holds sway.

May these words and ideas give you benefit during the course of the week unfolding!