Energetic Progress
Reflections on the I Ching.
Happy Sunday Everyone! Adam here.
Today I’m feeling bookish, so let’s dive into some quotes I’ve been thinking on as of late from the text of all texts: The I Ching or what’s also known as the Book of Changes.
The version I possess, is the Richard Wilhelm translation, which has an introduction from one of my favorite thinkers: Carl Jung. Here’s a link to the specific copy I possess.
The I Ching is a book that has had an influence on life in China for the last 3,000 years. It is historically a book that was one of the first human efforts to figure out our place within the universe.
BEGINNINGS.
Pg. 120: "It is precisely at the beginning that serious concentration is important, because the beginning holds the seed of all that is to follow.
When you start something whether a book, an activity, a conversation, a hangout, your day… do you act with a mindful intention? To realize fully that this is the tone-setter?
It reminds me of DJING. The toughest choice for a DJ is deciding what the first song they will play is. It sets the rhythm, the pace, and the energy level with which you will base the rest of your set upon.
Start your day on a sloppy note? Convinced yourself that you woke up on the wrong side of the bed? Well no wonder the day isn’t going well!
Tomorrow, I want you to sell yourself on the idea that you woke up on the right side of the bed. To conduct your first activity with the utmost intention that today will be excellent no matter what.
Because it is percisely at the beginning where the tone is set. Start off on a positive note, and see the magic that will unfold from this. Witness the flowers of the day that soon emerge.
The beginning holds the seed of all that is to follow.
ENERGETIC PROGRESS.
Pg. 167: "The best way to fight evil is to make energetic progress in the good."
What’s a more optimal way to bring about the realities we hope to inhabit, aside from optimism and fighting towards the good?
The best way to transform the world for the better, is to strive continually for that. To be able to look at yourself in the mirror, and say I fought the good fight today.
Energetic progress can be applied to many domains: whether on an indiviudal level, group level, and/or societal level. My belief is it starts on an individual level, because if you don’t believe personally you are making energetic progress towards the good in yourself… it’s going to be hard to bring about a positive change in the world around you.
Make energetic progress inwards, realize energetic progress outwards.
Make energetic progresss outwards, realize energetic progress inwards.
The world becomes a much more wavy, yet fully encompassing and special place to live, once you find a way to make progress everyday. Especailly if you do so energetically.
Start a revolution in the energies with which you conduct yourself. Position yourself towards the good, and watch the world unfold with a far more positive nature.
Read the I Ching, it’ll give you a lot to think about.
Make energetic progress towards the good.
Cheers to lifelong learning,
Adam Bartley