It strikes me as a bit odd (not to mention ironic), that as we approach the sacred season of Christ’s mass, we so often hear about Dominion in the news. There was a time when that word was used to point to the Kingdom of Heaven, seat of the Father above as ruler of our world beneath.
Perversely, ancient emperors – in China or Rome, for example –held themselves high above others, believing, like gods, they could exercise dominion over the world.
Now when we hear the word Dominion, it’s the name of a foreign-made software intentionally designed to rig elections. Its use as part of a orchestrated effort to flip votes has triggered a Constitutional crisis. Voter fraud, unchecked, would be death of the American dream.
Dominion has been instrumental in bringing a country weakened by COVID shut-downs to the boiling point of civil war. This potential self-destruction serves the world-domination ends of dark-side rulers.
Is the name Dominion mere coincidence?
On the flip side, yogis, sages and saints, consistent with the perennial philosophy of wisdom traditions, have an opposite approach to power. Rather than seeking to control others, they focus on self-mastery. Eckart Tolle, for example, honors the Center of the Life Wheel as the true source of power. Lao Tze’s famous words sum up it up this way:
Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power.
Here’s the long version:
Easier said than done. Described throughout as 2020’s foremost challenge, self-mastery starts with the daunting task of cleaning out one’s inner swamp.
The task is much easier when you’re working with a complete and accurate paradigm that maps the levels of energy. Basic to all versions of yoga (union) is the picture of energy anatomy. True masters link the levels by controlling the breath (psyche). In this world view, the more the merrier. Your attainment compliments mine, making the whole world greater.
Here’s a picture worth a book of words:
We’re not taught to look to the Book of Change for answers to our deepest questions. That’s why I’ve been bringing the book to you. Through the end of 2020, bi-weekly posts have served to make what was once unfamiliar now familiar.
None of the four hexagrams in today’s readings are new to 2020. We’ve seen each of them before, some more than once. But the immediate context give them a whole new meaning.
Interestingly, the top and bottom lines of the original answer, GENTLENESS, flip. They trade places to create a new final outcome. The top solid line sinks to the bottom. The broken bottom line rises to the top. It looks like this:
GENTLENESS is the original answer to today’s question, “What should we be aware of NOW?” It reads:
As the wind moves clouds, shapes mountains and stirs the trees, so GENTLENESS has a powerful influence. Quiet, steady gradual actions win respect and cooperation. Find out what concerns the people you work with and speak in those terms. In this way, you can reach their minds. Avoid noisy conflict.
Gentleness is the way of self-mastery, polar opposite of political cleverness and military force. It is the way of enduring success.
* * *
Advice of bottom line reads: “Don’t act without clear purpose. Make a decision. Stick to it.” The element of wind in this case is a matter of breath control, not external weather. It is neither arbitrary nor impulsive. Whatever the outcome of political races, thoughtfulness and steady consistency wins the inner race that matters.
When advice is heeded, the changes to Frustration. This is the fourth time it has appeared, always in mid-stream, never in either the original or final position. It reads:
External factors you may not even be aware of will cause FRUSTRATION. New projects will not work out now. This cannot be avoided. Arguing will not influence those who could help. Your choice is either to wait patiently or to leave the situation. Pay attention to details. Avoid major commitments.
As of today, arguments through the legal system have, for unknown reasons, met with little response. Some are patiently waiting for their day in the court. Frustrated, Texas has other ideas and is ready to part ways with the Union.
* * *
Advice of top line reads: “Do not think so much that timely action is delayed.”
All people thirst to know the roots their ORIGIN. At one level, learning about family and cultural traditions fills this need. At another level, this quest is satisfied by seeking for deeper knowledge. The vitality of all races flows from a single source which never runs dry. Avoid narrow-mindedness.
Seeking deeper knowledge that leads to unity is the path of self-mastery. Forgetting our common origins, seeking to subordinate, exploit and eventually destroy fellow human beings is the path of separation and mutual self-destruction.
* * *
Were the warnings of both changing lines heeded, the composite final outcome is Patience. It advises us to hope that courage, light and truth will prevail, as General Flynn believes it will. Stay the course. Justice on all levels will prevail:
PATIENCE is the best friend of determination. Remain confident that everything will work out in due time and have the courage to wait. Think carefully now. Decide what you want and how to get it. Prepare so that when the time for action comes you will be ready. Avoid confusion.
Patience is not necessarily passive. This week is a time for mental action, preparing for the future ahead.
Collected posts will be published as The Lessons of 2020: Using the Wisdom of CHANGE to Build a Better Future. Look for it on amazon in January of 2021.
If you’d like a copy of the Common Sense Book of Change, or extras to give others, click here.
To order Two Sides of a Coin: Lao Tze’s Common Sense Way of Change, click here.
Okay, then. That’s all for now. Talk with you again soon. Take care, all.
Rethinking Survival 