Letting go of the past, this entry of the I Ching discusses the power of dispersing what has held us back in the past so that we can find greater awareness of the path we are here to take in the future. About remembering past events and how we sometimes just have to get out of the way and let them rush by with no harm done in the long run. Except for maybe as a reminder or wake-up call.
The story of Cedar Hill portrays an actual flooding event when I was working on a farm during summers when I was in high school back in 1969 and 70. Recalling memories as though they happened yesterday verses more than fifty years ago simply illustrates the power of our memories, their ultimate meaning, and how they can be triggered again today. The scattering of hay just waiting to be baled gone now due to the rising flood waters rising to the top of nearby trees. With the water asking about it getting higher in tree tops next time, emblematic of lofty goals and reaching out to the highest limb on the tree.
Then all receding back to normal as before the flood water with the only thing missing the scattered hay now left among the treetops or now traversing downstream and the shoes you had on that are now gone too. The imagery here showing the importance of letting go of things not necessary for the journey ahead and the need for new shoes.
Number 59 of the I Ching
Cedar Hill
Wading in the creek and sitting on a large rock watching the clouds to the south signal great thunder and lightning. Sky dark blue almost gray showing rain far away with hardly a drop where you now remain standing at attention.
Torrents of rain coming down. Forever moving to find higher ground. Clouds in the distance tell you water is everywhere into everything. Nothing ever sacred, nothing ever gained, nothing here just yet. Caught up in the anticipation of what may yet be coming this way.
A few minutes gone by with the small creek in the stream bed beginning to show life inching up. Suddenly you hear a roar and in horror you see a wall of water coming rapidly in your direction as you are momentarily powerless. Water higher than you are tall. Telling you to rush to safety or become one with it forever on its way downstream.
A mad dash to higher ground barely in time to save yourself from being at one with nature in a way that neither you nor nature ever intended. Water now up to the top of the bank from one side to another. Rushing, rushing, bringing everything in its path along for the ride at no expense except for the misplaced attention to be found in the final outcome. Water now out of its banks and into freshly cut fields of hay. Taking it with everything else forever away. Except for that caught in tree branches to be seen later as a reminder of how high it can reach and setting a goal for the next time when it will try for higher branches to be referred to.
Reminding future generations of the ultimate high-water mark. Simply to impress them with natures strength and sway in the final outcome. To simply remind them of a weariness necessary to survive.
Finally, the landscape becomes clear as the water is now back within its bank. Though still rushing for all its worth to remind everyone that it will always be in control. Whenever it wants to be. As if laughing its way downstream simply marking time and new heights until its next performance only it knows for sure will come.
Much later the stream is but a trickle as before. Except the large rock you sat on when all this began is nowhere to be seen. Looking down you see only bare feet and realize your shoes have gone along for the ride too.
An Original composition and interpretation of the Chinese Classic the I Ching (59 FLOWING / Wind over Water). 3/26/94
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