We are reading hexagram 27 now of the I Ching,
Entitled Nourishment.
Welcome and let's take three slow settling breaths together.
Breathing slowly in and out,
Feeling the body grounding down.
Breathing in,
Breathing out.
Calming the nervous system,
Quietening the mind.
In and out.
Arriving in presence.
And let's set an intention to receive this wisdom in a way that is aligned with and for our highest good.
And let's also trust that our own personal interpretations will also be aligned for and with our highest good and for the greater good of all.
And if that all feels in alignment with you,
You can simply say yes.
Breathe in and then trust as you exhale.
As we turn to look at the symbology of this hexagram,
Standing back at a distance and looking at the overall image,
It depicts a mouth,
An open mouth with a yang line at the bottom and at the top representing the lips and in between four open yin lines.
And so all that is to do with the mouth is related with this message of nourishment that could be speaking out and it could also be receiving in,
Taking in the nourishment and chi of nutrition.
So when you find yourself drawn to this hexagram,
It is helpful to consider for oneself the nourishment that you are taking in or perhaps not taking in,
As well as to be mindful all that is said which is received as nourishment by others.
Looking now at the trigrams that we see in this hexagram,
Thunder is below mountain.
So there is a message through awareness but also perhaps through outside or external indicators and these external indicators could be the physical body but it could also be a situation,
Person that brings in a message.
These messages sometimes come directly but sometimes not.
We become aware of them over time and the messages would be once again relating to nourishment.
Is your body giving you signs?
Is a circumstance guiding you in a certain direction or away from a certain path that is not nourishing?
And now we can start to consider that nourishment on all levels,
Not only the physical nutrients but one's spiritual and emotional,
Mental,
Vibrational nutrients.
What are you surrounding yourself with?
How is it nourishing you?
What is your holistic body or parts of you asking for in terms of nourishment?
What do you just know will be so nurturing for you right now?
The thunder is sending through the messages and the mountain is calling for one to quietly deliberate what is worthy and what is ready to be moved on from.
The two nuclear trigrams are both the same and they are of earth and earth is a completely yin vibration.
It is open,
It is receptive,
It is welcoming but it is also yielding.
How does this all speak to nourishment in your life right now?
Is it more yielding that is called for or is it more openness to receiving?
The I Ching says of this hexagram,
Thunder within the mountain.
The wise man enjoins watchfulness over words and the temperate regulation of eating and drinking.
Being temperate and thoughtful in what you say and in the nourishment you take and your consideration for yourself and others will bring you to wisdom.
As you gently contemplate this information in terms of your life right now,
Notice with gentleness and kindness and you might like to ask of yourself,
Show me,
Guide me to the nourishment that is in alignment with my highest good.
Breathe into that exhale and trust that you are guided.
And finally as we look to what is known as the Impra line,
Line five,
It says don't take on too much,
Know your limitations and seek appropriate help.
Once again let's return to the breath.
Breathing slowly and gently in and out,
Connecting with the earth,
With the mountain and with the inner awareness of thunder.
Another slow breath in and out,
Bringing your awareness into the space that you are in,
Grounding your physical body and moving all this information that you have received into the subconscious where it can continue to process and unfold for you in a natural and harmonious way.
This hexagram number 27 is paired with hexagram 28 entitled Exceeding Greatness and so if you received much wisdom,
Guidance or perhaps there are some unanswered questions,
Please consider also listening to the partner.
And you can find this in the I Ching playlist at the bottom of my profile page here on Insight Timer.
