Month: December 2009

Can Spiritual Practice conquer illness?

Original hexagram is Thunder over Mountain; 62
The Expansion is Lake over Heaven; 43
The Kernel is Heaven over Heaven; 1 BY WAY OF Lake over Wind; 28

Our spiritual practice provides us with the nourishment that we need in order to grow, emotionally, mentally and some would even argue physically.  And, of course spiritually.  It is medicine for the soul, and food for the body.  We are not separate from the world, rather we are connected to it and we are better served when we meditate with it. What is important to realize is that the world cannot offer us anything, really.  If we want to seek the truth as Lord Buddha did, then we have to be in the world, but not of the world. Where we run into problems is believing in what we are experiencing to be real and buying into the emotion we may be experiencing. What causes illness? Many say unhappiness.

When we can put our spiritual practice into our daily lives, and live it as a philosophy; a way of life, then we begin to experience a breakthrough.  As if those frozen lakes that reside within us begin to break apart, and allow the sunshine to penetrate the depths of our existence.  In these moments, our faults and emotions no longer have power over us, rather we have power over them~ and progress occurs.

The question is more like, what can happen as a result of my spiritual practice? Strength, vitality, creative action, and an awakening of power that can lead to enlightenment~ a development of higher nature.  We gain clarity and direction, confidence and courage.  In the end, a sublime success.

If illness is caused by unfortunate circumstance, whatever that might be, then it would seem appropriate to cultivate whenever possible the things that promote and foster fortunate circumstances.  What does that mean?  Engage in virtuous activity, allow your intentions to be set on helping and serving the common good, and be careful as to not exhaust yourself in worldly things.  The text indicates that now is a time for change, and extraordinary measures are needed.  These only come by way of our spiritual practices.  It is a time to take action with gentleness~ continuous, but gentle penetration to the meaning of the situation.

In the end, the world can not offer you anything, only what you have accomplished in your spiritual practices.  Have a wonderful Wednesday, and enjoy your prayers.

To learn more about the I Ching, visit our I Ching page!

Do we have to be like our parents?

A question from the field; do we have to be like our parents?

Original hexagram is Lake over Mountain; 31
The Expansion is Heaven over Mountain; 33
The Kernel is Heaven over Heaven; 1 BY WAY OF Heaven over Wind; 44

The interesting thing about our relationships with our parents is that it’s, well, karma.  There is an attraction between us and our parents, and it’s really nothing more than karmic consequences coming to fruition. The I Ching refers to it as the laws of nature, “…powers that attract each other, so they unite.”  While we are growing up, ideally our parents look after us and take care of us. Most of the time we are receptive to their giving but pretty soon we enter a stage where we don’t really want to follow their advice, be like them, and want to branch out and be different people.  If it has been a difficult relationship, we may want to be completely different from them, and actually work at not having any similarities.

Whether we get along with our parents or not, we do venture off and find our way.  This is our own karma ripening and as each potential is exhausted it moves us in one direction or the other.  We may find ourselves distant from our parents for some time  as we travel our path seeking our own desires and journeys.  During this period of time, ideally, we grow and develop, learning to appreciate our parents for what they were able to give us.  Being able to forgive the misgivings, and having compassion for our parents is a sign of progress and inner strength.

Ultimately, our relationship with our parents can be instrumental in our development along our spiritual journey.  Forgiving our parents, and loving them unconditionally, regardless of their development, can and will bring us ease and peace~this is the power of compassion.  We can set the example for our parents, living our lives as virtuous and kind people will have a positive impact on them and our relationship with them. Another important note is that by developing ourselves we become stronger with our discernment and attractions; letting go of what no longer serves us and allowing what does to rise.

Have a wonderful Tuesday.  Think of your parents and make heartfelt prayers of gratitude.  May all beings see the benefit of kindness.

Making the most of Monday?

Original hexagram is Mountain over Lake; 41
The Expansion is within the original hexagram
The Kernel is Earth over Earth; 2 BY WAY OF Earth over Thunder; 24

Keep it simple!  It’s important to understand that having less is not always a bad thing, rather sometimes it’s better for one to have less in their life and practice cultivating simplicity.  Today is not a time to start a lot of new things, however it is a good time for one to undertake one thing that brings them a sense of inner peace; completing that lingering project sitting in the “in” box or catching up on filing.  Today is a time to keep it simple and scheduling some quiet time.  This allows time for the inner growth to happen. Wealth will come in time if there is sincerity behind what one is doing, and to some extent a level of sacrifice.

One can have cooperative relationships with other people, and all living creatures, thus learning how to coexist with all of nature; achieving a deeper level of understanding of the relationships between the laws of nature and the laws of people; moving away from old habitual tendencies and cultivating new, more beneficial ones. Of course this does not happen over night, there is a period of realizing that there are turning points in one’s life.  In the more difficult times and situations, it’s best step back, get a breath of fresh air, and then start again with a newer outlook.

Be careful of blaming others, schedule in quiet time and practice simplicity.  The benefits will be inner growth development.  Do your best, be kind, and have a wonderful Monday.

To learn more about the I Ching, visit our I Ching page!

A message from Jetsunma:
To live in such sickness that you have hysterical love for one person

And having nothing but rage, judgment, and hatred for everyone else?

There is no love at all! Just sickness, narcissism, an unbalanced mind.

To rage at the success and happiness of others while cursing their name? This is not what the Buddha taught.

To taunt, harm and rant wishing for another’s downfall while salivating to pick up what shreds and crumbs that may be left?  This is demonic activity.  This will result in a lower rebirth.

To claim to have power, realization, virtue, intelligence, compassion while living a life that caused harm and no benefit? This is heinous, as Lord Buddha taught.

To have lived a life of violence, cruelty, dishonesty, lies, an ugly, tawdry life and then claim you are a high spiritual being is, if not so terribly tragic,  a dark and evil joke.

No one is laughing. We stand back and watch this monstrous activity as children, horrified and yet watching, unable to turn away from something so ugly.

To soil the Holy Dharma so thoroughly, to act as if there is no cause and result, to claim spiritual authority when one has lived a life without kindness or ethics is the result of having broken one’s Samaya uncountable times.

This is why the Buddha taught us to abandon Samaya breakers. And to embrace the pure BUDDHA, DHARMA and SANGHA with all our hearts and minds.

Abandon demons and their unholy darkness.  Do not follow  thieves and liars down to the lower realms.
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