There remains a symmetry among all living things that reaches out beyond our highest endeavor. In Buddhism, Mahayana says that there is an interdependence of all life that aspires to the salvation of all things not just those who follow a certain religious order or belief that does not demand renunciation of ordinary life. Although that when one assumes the way of virtue it comes later in life, suggesting that spiritual attainment comes to him who seeks God for himself first. That we then remain here in what is called samsara until all of us become enlightened.
What was to become Chan (or Zen) Buddhism that says that the universe itself is the scripture of Zen, for which religion is no more and no less than the apprehension of the infinite in every moment. How does this relate to what we’ve been discussing here as the I Ching, and to what would become known as Taoism? How is it we articulate for ourselves this crossing over from Heaven to Earth? In writing these sixty-four entries of the I Ching more than thirty years ago, I was being re- introduced to a path I was yet to travel, to re-learn anew, and was here to follow. The I Ching was soon to turn to Taoism and Confucius, and so much more.
It is how we articulate this crossing over that defines our relationship with all things found in nature. How it is we define terms internally first, to the critical moments in time through which things can be affected as or by our own movements harmonizing with the Way. Arriving at what would come to be called individual realization. The Way here to be defined as the indefinable Tao. Indefinable because each of us is left to define as the crossing over to articulate both the Way of Heaven and Earth in and as ourselves. For the Buddhist this was to be something called the bodhisattva vow.
To what Christian mystic Kierkegaard relayed that he only knew that “at the bottom of each breath there was a hollow space that needed to be filled”. (A mystic is trained to experience reality for themselves).
Number 60 of the I Ching
Being Eternally Thrifty
Simplify! Simplify! Simplify! Simply staying within the intended means of thriftiness that is part of your nature.
Keep to an even keel and use moderation in all your endeavors. Keep to limits predetermined and come to know a peace of mind that comes with a frugal lifestyle. Items of fancy felt to be necessary thereby pushing one beyond one’s means, means you will soon be indebted to powers beyond your control and be left forlorn and forever sorry.
Misguided good intentions without the proper sense of direction leads only to mistakes and painful losses that should and could have been avoided. Always wanting more than you can simply afford causes bitterness and envy of another’s good fortune. As if you were as ass, kicking and braying because he does not like his prescribed burden in life.
Be happy with constraints in every situation and know keeping to them leads to satisfaction beyond any material goods and wealth that are ultimately only temporary in nature. Not really in line with your true place in nature and the Tao and stay wholly within yourself. Living contentedly within your situation in life leads to harmony and security that lead to one truly counting one’s blessings.
Be known as being thrifty and be respected for getting the most out of each situation and have the grudgingly good thoughts of others with less patience and virtue. Seek frugality and moderation in all things and know what remains is all that should remain and be eternally pleased with the results. Free yourself from striving for things that may not come and concentrate on improving what is left.
An original composition and interpretation of the Chinese Classic the I Ching (60 FRUGALITY / Water over Lake). 3/27/94
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