Welcome.
We are contemplating Hexagram 33's message from the I Ching which can be entitled Withdrawal or Retirement.
Let's take a few moments to prepare so that you receive this wisdom with an open heart and that you also receive your own inner guidance,
In attunement with your life right now.
So let your body settle and your breath soften,
Creating spaciousness within and around.
And now let's repeat together our intention to trust.
I trust the wisdom I'm receiving both externally and internally,
Are aligned with my highest good and for the greater good of all.
Breathe into that and you can simply affirm as you exhale I trust.
Breathing in again and this time as you exhale release expectations.
Keeping the body relaxed,
A heart open and the mind calm.
As we now take a moment to consider the description of withdrawing or retreating.
When you hear this what comes to mind?
Within this I Ching teaching withdrawal is not about fear.
It really is talking about timing.
The timing of knowing when to step back so that wisdom can emerge.
And if we look in nature we see this taking place in so many ways.
The ocean's tide pulls back before it returns.
Winter withdraws light so that roots may deepen.
And animals retreat to dens for self-preservation.
So there is a wisdom that is reminding us that we do not always need to advance.
Some moments really do call for distance or not engaging.
Perhaps for preserving energy.
So where in your life are you being invited now to perhaps stop pushing or reduce your effort?
Or pause for a while putting your energy and focus into an area that's been taking a lot from you.
Breathe into your awareness and then exhale into spaciousness.
Now withdrawing can take great courage and sometimes even strength to step away from perhaps what others are telling us we should move towards or endure or fix.
And we are guided here to connect with the mountain within.
The mountain carries the energy of inner alignment.
And the mountain remains still,
Watchful and moving by what is passing around,
Above,
Beneath.
Because it knows its essence.
It knows its worth.
And it is comfortable in that presence.
And this hexagram shows the mountain beneath heaven.
Heaven is indicating much activity.
So even while all such activity may be alluring or perhaps making one feel compelled to move in that direction or stay in the midst of a certain known activity.
Be that a relationship,
A circumstance,
Even perhaps a belief or thought pattern.
You may have been taught that persistence is virtuous or that pushing through is a sign of character.
Here we are gently guided to remember when to step back.
And to step back or pause,
Not as a reaction.
So to release emotional connection to the reason why.
But to withdraw gracefully.
So take a moment to feel into the difference between avoiding or reacting and retreating versus clear conscious withdrawal.
Another very important part of the message from hexagram 33 is that the withdrawing is from something that is lesser,
Not superior.
In other words,
The withdrawing is from that which is pulling one away from one's dignity.
Perhaps a situation that distorts your values or drains your life force.
And this reminds us that not everything requires our participation all the time.
And we are also reassured in this message that stepping back does not mean never returning.
It's a pause and waiting for the right moment.
Sometimes this means waiting for something particular to transform.
Or it may mean waiting for you to catch your breath or gather yourself or realign with your integrity.
So there is dignity here.
There is self-respect and self-care at a deep level that will translate into the same for the related situation as well as others directly or indirectly connected.
Take a moment to pause here.
Breathe slowly and notice what your body responded to.
When did your body relax?
Which of these messages caused an easing in the body even if it was just slight?
Because the body knows when something is needed and when we connect with a supporting energy even if it is just in words or intention even before the action.
The body indicates through the nervous system settling and the muscles easing.
Now imagine yourself stepping back just one step.
And perhaps you might feel necessary to step back another step.
And as you step back feel into the spaciousness.
And perhaps now your perspective is already transforming.
So this is a gentle graceful movement.
There's no running or pushing away.
There is simple wisdom.
Wisdom that allows you to see from this perspective what is truly yours.
And from this place clear conscious decisions can be made.
And even though in some respects it might look or feel as if this experience is non-active,
It is indeed profoundly active.
This action is aligned with the Tao which allows life to reorganize without interference.
Gently bringing your awareness to your breath,
To your body.
And as your inner awareness settles take these words from the I Ching to heart.
One retains one's dignity and balance by withdrawing into inner contemplation.
