the kongdan foundation

Four of my friends came by today. 

Did they leave feeling better than they did when they came?

Did I say things to enlighten their spirits?  

Did I acknowledge their pain and frustration?                                                                                                                          Ancient wise men calling out to the universe / Chengdu Wuhan Temple 

Did I impart a sense of well-being, compassion, and true concern? 

Living the Tao leads one to safe refuge in knowing the way and helping others to find theirs.

Four of my friends came by today. 1/28/94 

When conflict arises, compassion prevails. 

There will be no conflict coming from me today.

Ill feelings are but a shadow of the past to be discarded. To find peace one must leave behind anger and conflict. Fear and dislike of another leads back to weakness within oneself. 

Blue Mountains Dujiangyan Waterworks 

Discover your center and find yourself. Learn to face conflict without being judgmental. 

Where there is conflict find peace. Where there is judgment learn not to commit to a false reality.

To find wisdom know the way. In learning detachment lead the way. As with the Tao, when conflict arises compassion always prevails.

There will be no conflict coming from me today. 1/31/94 

Succumbing to hysteria

Speaking softly and smoothly where others must crane their neck to listen is best.

Always speak calmly knowing that that fear and reality are the same to find. Ever conscious that hysteria leads to dread of the unknown.

Hold the attention of all those involved. Varying one’s voice relieves tension that may assist in finding the solution.

Speaking of the Way Huangshen Old City

Be brief, simply uncomplicated. Finding your rhythm brings forth changes overcoming all setbacks. Sincerity must provide the rhyme and reason of any true voice before it is heard. Much is expected of those who know dragons.

Beware of treachery or bringing attention to oneself by shouting, I am here!

The noise overshadowing what is not said so nothing important is heard. Instead of finding your rhythm in the Tao and being heard for miles and miles forever. Continually refining your actions always knowing simply what is needed.

Internal rhythm, the chi, reverberating throughout the elements, the earth and sky, waking dragons to their delight.

Stay calm and listen to the one you can hardly hear. He speaks softly as he knows the way of virtue.

An original composition and interpretation of the Chinese Classic the I Ching (12 OBSTRUCTION / Heaven over Earth). 2/10/94

I wrote the above entries in 1994 more than thirty years ago in a book entitled “An American Journey through the I Ching and Beyond” that was published in China in 2004. The book is here on my website under the title “The I Ching/Voices of the Dragon”.