Welcome.
Welcome to this reading of Ixigram number 17 from the I Ching with messages and wisdom from the Da on the topic of following.
What are we following?
Are we following?
How are we following?
It starts by attuning with the breath,
Allowing the breath to bring us into presence and feel the body aligning with your breath.
Perhaps you feel the need to slow the breath down.
To even pace the inhales and exhales or maybe even to focus on the pause breath.
Just feel into your very personal needs right now and follow your breath.
And as we follow the breath authentically,
The body does naturally align as does the mind.
So notice the settling in the body,
Perhaps a calming in the mind,
Or whatever shift is taking place within you no matter how subtle.
Just have awareness with that and and gently let that focus go.
Trusting the breath now to maintain a rhythm that is in tune with your holistic system.
And as we prepare to receive the wisdom from the Da,
Set an intention to receive exactly what you need to.
Trusting your intuition,
Trusting your own wisdom.
For the I Ching,
Known as the Book of Changes,
Was created as a participatory experience.
This means that our presence is called for in a reading such as this.
And all we have to do while we're listening is notice within the responses that take place.
And the responses could be physical,
It could be reflections,
It could be aha moments,
It could be feelings that feel good and sometimes not so good.
Either way,
Trust that which you notice and let go of and do not concern yourself of that which perhaps may seem to pass you by or come the end of the reading.
You may feel like you can't recall everything and that's okay.
You will remember and retain that which is relevant for you right now.
So with that intention in place,
We're moving now into looking at this hexagram comprised of two trigrams with the images of lake below and thunder above.
So imagine that you are out in nature and you're watching this lake.
And above this lake,
Thunderclouds have built up and they're now starting to rumble and talk.
Sense what takes place within the lake.
What do you see?
And what takes place within you?
What do you feel?
What type of reactions are there?
Does it create an awe?
Does it make you feel like you want to go indoors?
And we want the first responses to come through because these are filled with jewels of wisdom from our intuition and from our subconscious.
And sometimes it's not the choices that we would make if we had to think about it for a while.
And be comfortable with that.
Let go of expectancies and just really continue to trust those first responses.
Now within these two trigrams,
In these two symbols,
We find further symbols.
And that of mountain and of wind.
So this rumbling of the thunder above the lake creates movement represented by wind.
And we often see this movement for top of the waters might ripple.
We don't always see the stillness.
And sometimes it's even challenging to feel into the stillness.
That said,
See if you can,
Within this experience that you have created for yourself,
Either mentally,
Through your senses or visually,
Through this mini movie of thunder rumbling above a lake,
Can you drop into the stillness that is there in the scene?
And for this,
We need to be really relaxed.
And part of this message reminds us that no matter how much rumbling and thundering there might be right before us,
There is always stillness within.
And this rumbling and thundering,
It catches our attention.
And in your life right now,
What has got your attention?
What are you following?
And it's also important to consider how are you following that?
What are the things which you have chosen to follow?
The following could be beliefs.
It could be the social media.
It could be a certain eating habit.
A certain way of living.
A certain group,
A certain person.
The list is endless.
And there may be many that you will find yourself following.
Different ones in different areas of life,
Perhaps.
And just notice the awareness that comes through as you consider all these different parts that have your attention.
And now consider how you are responding to them.
Are there any that are creating harsh reactions,
Judgments?
Are there some that feel out of alignment with your truth?
And which ones have you chosen consciously?
Which ones are still in alignment with you?
Which ones are nourishing you?
And are you nourishing those that you are following?
Now consider for yourself,
For this aspect often comes through when this particular hexagram arrives in one's life.
And that is,
Is there something that has been calling to me?
That I feel I need?
I'm drawn to follow.
And maybe it hasn't quite happened yet.
Or maybe there is a following taking place but it can be deepened now.
And if you are being followed in any area of your life,
Take a moment to reflect on your integrity in those situations.
For there are always times in life where one is the leader.
But more often than not,
We are requested to be guided.
So notice your response to being guided.
Is there a resistance?
Is that something easy for you?
Or is that your comfort zone?
And where and how can you bring balance to following versus leading?
As your awareness deepens and stretches out,
Perhaps quite far and wide,
Remain relaxed and light in the process of receiving.
And slowly allowing your attention to return to your breath.
And gently letting your awareness fade into the background,
Knowing that the seeds that have emerged will continue to grow and bring forth further wisdom for you.
It's also important to give the plant some space to breathe,
To move,
To push through the soil,
To grow,
To strengthen.
So every now and again,
Return to this awareness and perhaps see the next layer that comes through.
But likewise,
Knowing that time and space does its work as well.
In closing,
May we be called to remember moment to moment that while there is so much vying for our attention,
When we remain connected to stillness,
The stillness within,
And we remain connected to our truth,
Our essence,
This will always be the greatest guide.
In the words from the I Ching,
The wise man,
When it is getting dark,
Enters his house and rests.
As situations change,
So should you.
But stay true to yourself.
Being flexible and adaptable is more realistic and sensible than stubbornly trying to resist change.
Be guided by the powers of virtue and truth in the path you choose.
Stay true to yourself and you will succeed.
