BEAM 1.1/INTRODUCTION

ICHING WISDOM
Hexagram thrown for the collective "us" and interpreted by Nikki Lastreto.

Gathering Together Progress

Concerning 1999, this new year dawning that is only one year away from a whole new millennium... Now that's impressive. Should we fear it? Should we party our brains out until 1/1/00, or should we retreat to a reclusive life in the country? What path is the best to follow into the year 2000? Let the I Ching wisdom be our guide.

The first three lines are all the same, making a neat stack of 3 broken lines. Next I threw a radical straight line followed at last by a changing line. Before casting the last toss of the coins (which in my case are three silver One Rupee coins from India) I pondered the question even deeper. I asked what is the proper intention for both this closing year of the past millennium and the advent of the next?

Boom – the last toss is three tails, equaling the number six, which means a changing broken line. Now let's read closely the advice of these ancient sages and interpret it as each of us will...because ultimately we really are only our own guides.

Again the I Ching amazes me by offering us an ideal hexagram that relates to all of us and perfectly addresses our question. We are reminded that to create the positive future we all dream of, we must now gather in clans for collective strength. To fortify that strength, each of us individually must develop a true and purely good character that possesses the balance to both lead wisely and be a supportive part of our communities. “Only the collective moral force can unite the world.” (from the Richard Wilhelm translation of the I Ching.)

Then the I Ching slices through these lofty thoughts in its paternal way to hit us with reality: in large gatherings of people, for whatever cause, unexpected and sometimes unpleasant incidents are more prone to occur. Be aware, and let yourself anticipate misfortunes before they happen.

The two changing lines thrown at the top of the hexagram have special significance for our reading. The one thrown first, referred to as “nine in the fifth place,” reminds us that there may be some amongst our gatherings who don’t get the full picture yet. We are advised both to be compassionate with these people and set a good example as guides. Yet, as the teacher, it is often advised not to get too tight with your students.

The final changing line, six at the top, isn’t as ominous as it sounds. “Lamenting and sighing, floods of tears. No blame.” Perhaps this is to be interpreted as another reminder of the impermanence of every situation and a possible hint that some tough times may happen as this new year begins. The lesson is that together, as a unified upright and out of sight clan, we’ll turn the negative forces to positive, with no blame.

When we flop a couple of changing lines, hexagram Ts’ui becomes Chin, or Progress, representing the sun rising over the earth. A time of easy progress is predicted, provided wisdom and devotion to higher principles are consistently practiced.

But again we are warned of the flip side of the situation: Do not allow our egos to explode with pride when things do go right. Instead, stop and recall that it is our correct natures that create resulting successes and constantly try to carry on with only thoughts of goodness in your heart.

By continuing to create positive communities around us with a base of right livelihood and non-judgmental freedom, impostors will gradually join the true spirit and the wisdom of goodness will spread. This year called 1999 will not necessarily start off easily, but with a strong community of consciously committed people, and not allowing our egos to overtake us, we can greet the new millennium with an improved world. On the individual level, each of us had better consciously start to really get our acts together in our own unique styles (spiritually, socially responsibly, creatively, physically - however you best do your “real” work) to develop our own inner strength as well doing our part for the collective good.

BE AN AWARE PARTICIPANT OF THE PRESENT

“Only collective moral force can unite the world.”

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