"It gains in power as it runs long," or, as the I Ching says...

[temporaryreality]

Full title (too lengthy for the text box) of this post is

"it gains in power as it runs long," or, as the I Ching says in Hexagram 26, 大畜 (da chu), Great Accumulates.

Thanks to syfen; for drawing my attention again to Leland's quoting of a Latin idiom - it turns out to be mindblowingly relevant on a personal level. 

Attempting brevity, here's the gist of the message I'm being handed this week:

Perseverance hasn't been my strong suit but fully recognizing the limitations of my flighty non-commital ways, I'm working to change that. Hence my study of self-discipline as quasi-prerequisite for starting JMG's DMH. I'm at a point where an engine overhaul seems indicated, rather than just tinkering with superficial gussy-ups, so a religious/spiritual tradition with its attendant tools for self-development (etc.) is the direction I'm headed.

I have a (beginner-level) working relationship with the I Ching and so about 6-7 months ago I naturally inquired into how it would take my learning of a new divination system attached to work in another tradition (Druidry) and if, essentially, I had permission. The answer was "yes, but..." with a series of steps in a process to get to a point of readiness.

I worked my way through the steps until reaching a point that indicated I should revisit the question and check on timing.

So, four days ago, I was given Hexagram 26, which, in the translation I use*, is called Great Accumulates.

Its key points are: "concentrate, focus on one idea; accumulate energy, support, nourish; bring everything together; great effort and great achievement. Advantageous to step into the Great Stream."

It didn't hit me until I read syfen's comment - but Great Accumulates really sums up what Leland is saying and what I haven't given myself an opportunity to learn yet: a consistent practice or sustained effort builds on or with "de" (德) or inherent power/virtue. Starting small is natural but so is allowing something to grow/accumulate to its full potential.

The text continues, "The hexagram figure shows creative force accumulating within...If you let yourself be led you can realise your hidden potential. Put your purpose in order and use it as an accumulating point. It is the right time to act. Assimilate the records of what your many predecessors have done and go on from there... Renew your power, your virtue and your connection to the Way every day. Have a firm overriding purpose. Honour what has moral and intellectual power. Stabilise what endures and correct your focus..."

I couldn't be more convinced that my initial fear, that working with Leland's book was yet more evidence of dabbling on my part, was misplaced. I see the lessons in The Mystic Will as being part of the "records of what your many predecessors have done," and will use the admonishment to "renew your power, your virtue and your connection to the Way every day" as my starting point for strengthening will and as I gain in perseverance.**

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*Karcher, Stephen. Total I Ching in conjunction with his larger I Ching translation with a concordance - seriously folks, his work is brilliant and fecund and gets deep into the mythic imagery that is lost to later Confucian-derived translations.

**If I can do it with flossing, I can do it with a daily ritual practice!

Comments

every drop

[syfen]

Another piece that might help, that has certainly helped me, is noticing the mundane things that I'm already doing that are actually a great act of will power. Everyday habits like eating right, getting to work on time, even bathing, and etc...are all really acts of will that have become habit over time. These habits are prior acts of will that have added up to get me where I am - the point where I can consciously contemplate profound changes in my selfdom and then enact those changes. The slow change from the will reactive, to the will active.

Atkinson quotes soon!

[dfr1973]

I'll have some Atkinson quotes for you soon - I just hit the motherlode in _A Series of Lessons in Raja Yoga_. Although this is not yoga, there ARE some very good Western occult philosophy lessons in this. It will need its own post.

Re: Atkinson quotes soon!

[temporaryreality]

Trailing along here... a little behind, not ignoring you :)