Thank you for joining me in this contemplation of the extreme fire known as radiance,
Reflecting the hexagram 30 of the I Ching.
Before we start to connect the element of fire,
Its brightness,
Its brilliance,
I invite you to make space in your mind,
Perhaps even in your environment for the receiving of these Dao teachings that comes through the I Ching.
Create the space for yourself now that is most supportive,
Most comforting and let's settle in,
Ready to receive.
Can you relax your body just a little bit more?
Can you quieten your mind a little bit more too?
And can you soften your heart?
As your heart continues to soften,
You might feel an opening and you may already start to connect to the radiance that is referred to in this message we are about to receive.
And as we move into the position of receiving,
Let us do so in trust and in gratitude for all those who've come before us making this wisdom so accessible.
So let's breathe in trust,
Trusting that you will receive the information you need,
The guidance you need as well as your own internal wise response.
And the coupling of these two create your very unique message and transmission.
So now that our trust is set in place,
Let's quieten the mind and open the hand so that the palms are facing up in a position of receiving.
And let's start by welcoming in the sunlight,
The beautiful shining brilliance radiating around us,
Radiating within.
And feel this beauty,
This intelligence resting in the palms of your hands.
Notice what it feels like.
Notice what images come to mind.
And now share this brilliance,
This light,
This wisdom just through your intention.
Feel this light radiating.
Maybe it's to a certain person,
Maybe it's to a particular place,
An animal or plants.
Maybe it's above you,
Maybe it's below.
Just allow yourself to be guided.
And notice what that feels like,
The sharing of this brilliance,
Of this beauty,
Of this light.
And this is one of the teachings of this hexagram where the I Ching tells us,
Brightness is everywhere.
The wise man cultivates more and more his brilliant virtue and diffuses its brightness over the four quarters of the land.
Don't hoard your wisdom,
Use it for the benefit of all.
This hexagram shows the lower and upper trigram containing the element of fire.
And within these primary trigrams are two nuclear trigrams,
The lake and the wind.
And these speak to joy,
Connection,
Being flexible.
And so there is a strong emphasis on connection,
On community,
Communing with others.
We see this in the element of fire and also very much in the element of lake.
And of course,
This union is not just one way.
It's not just about you needing to give,
But also being able to receive.
The I Ching focuses a lot on taking advice when this hexagram shows up for you and it says,
Give careful thought to the advice from others,
From experienced others,
Before accepting or rejecting it.
Your collaboration with others will be successful if you follow these precepts and stay on a true path.
So what position are you in right now?
Are you in the position of needing to share with others,
To give others advice?
Or are you in the position of receiving?
Perhaps both.
And in the position of observer,
Just notice yourself in these different situations and what that conjures up for you.
Do you have certain reactions?
Is it a challenge?
Are you able to be humble while being in the position of taking advice?
Are you able to be graceful in the position of leading and sharing your wisdom?
Now this hexagram of fire can show up and often does after periods of experiencing much time of hardship,
Often repeated hardship,
Which can feel quite pressurising,
Overwhelming or even depressing.
And that refers to the depths of water.
And if you feel that you're still in those depths,
Perhaps only starting to slightly come out of the deep waters,
Then please do listen to Hexagram 30,
Entitled The Deep.
But also know that all things pass and all things change.
This is what the I Ching is supporting us through these times of change,
Knowing that at some time those deep waters do transform into the position of fire and that is a sign that the way has opened or is opening.
And so at such times,
In honour of what we have gone through,
It is important to acknowledge it and make an offering of such an acknowledgement.
Plant a tree or give a gift to somebody,
A meaningful gift,
Or pass on some wise words of wisdom that you know is important or needed.
All of these offerings confirm the brilliance and the beauty of the light that is within and around you and it is asked that we acknowledge this and respond to it.
For these type of actions,
Keep the heart open.
So let your own inner flame continue to warm your heart and to light your path sincerely and with humility.
By continuing to hold the light,
To shine the light,
So we assist not only ourselves but others to move in the direction of the light and we need continuous reminder of this.
So just as the depths of the water speaks about persistence that is needed in times of struggle,
So too we are called to be persistent in times of great change and joy and lightness and brightness.
So as you consider this message in relation to what is happening right now in your life,
Ask for your own inner guidance to light your way and to keep that flame burning so that you may always see the path.
In closing,
The fifth line of this hexagram is a yin line and it's known as the emperor line and its specific teaching says to us keep looking clearly towards your goal,
Remain humble and persevering,
Be heartened by the concern of others and spare some of your thoughts and concern for them.
Thank you for journeying through the radiance of fire together and if you would like to explore the I Ching and your own personal divination,
I invite you to join me in my course Divination with the I Ching.
Be well,
Be blessed and be bright.
