It’s a new day with new opportunities, new energy, new possibilities. Shift out of the old and into the new with intent, fully aware that it is time for change. It is time to take a leap, to send the self in a new, more positive direction. Take responsibility for the self, within and without. For indeed, only you are responsible for you, for how you think and act, and how you treat others. Make an assessment of the self and decide the best course of action. For even as you see that the world should change so do you know you should too. It’s time to make things better. Even just a small shift in attitude will begin the journey of change that you so need and desire. Step one: begin!
When change comes rushing at you without forewarning, go inward and ask the self how you got in alignment with such change. How did you meet it? How did you prepare for it? For the truth is, no event is unplanned, for everything is always a possibility. What you decide to do next is also a possibility, another choice. Who has not had to make hard choices in life? Sometimes a path is chosen, other times a path is thrown down in front of you, but always you have a choice, even if it is only what attitude to take. Let your heart be the deciding factor, for your heart knows more than you do.
The gushing river, hammered with thunderous rain, topples the restraining power of its dikes, flooding the lands it borders. We gasp at the breakthrough of this violent release.
As the I Ching points out, in the hexagram of Breakthrough (#43), this release is the consequence of a long period of accumulated tension, such as in that of a cloudburst that results from an extended accumulation of condensation in a cloud that can no longer bear the weight of the water it holds.
That tension was released, on the one side, by those who felt it their patriotic duty to storm the Capital. From the other side, the release took the form of vindication: yes, they had indeed been living under the tyranny of a despot. Those tense energies have climaxed simultaneously, as we approach the end of one era and the dawn of a new. We are now in the time of Segue.
As Bob Monroe wrote in his book, Far Journeys:
“…’segue‘ is defined as a proper interlude of musical melodies and harmonies that moves from the conclusion of one composition to the introduction of another. ‘Proper’ infers a transition that smoothly loses that previous theme or mood and sets the stage for what is to come.” (p. 63)
How now will we compose our segue?
The I Ching states that the facts must be announced truthfully. There is danger, but it does not favor one to take up arms. Nonetheless, the I Ching states: “Even if only one inferior man is occupying a ruling position in a city, he is able to oppress superior men.”
That kind of power must be checked.
On an individual level we are guided to address any passion still lurking in the heart that would obscure reason. Passion and reason cannot coexist, therefore the true fight is to unseat the passion so that good might prevail. If we allow ourselves to indulge in the fires of rage, from any side, we risk devolving a peaceful segue into total conflagration.
There is no compromise with evil; it must be openly discredited. This includes an objective assessment of our own passions and shortcomings. Nonetheless, it is not wise to fight evil with proactive aggression, as this would only enflame its impulse and likely infect the good with evil, as it regresses into rageful reaction.
Perhaps the best segue the I Ching can offer, from the time of Breakthrough, is to shift the composition to one of making energetic progress in the good. The flames of evil require the kindling of negativity to continue to burn. A positive, loving attitude that embraces the opportunity for energetic progress in the good can unify a nation, and a world, that the common good may finally prevail.
Stay upon your new path by reminding yourself how old habits make your feel, how they inhibit, deter, and interfere with your physical, mental, and spiritual growth. Remind yourself often that you are doing things differently now. Have compassion for yourself. In the most positive of terms guide yourself forward, changing your attitude about yourself and your circumstances in every thought you think, in every word you speak, and in every action you take. You are doing life differently now. What could be more positive than that!
You never know what may happen or how life will reveal itself to you each day, but you can set your intentions for a heart centered experience no matter what happens. To discover that you are not in control is a big lesson, but to discover the power of intent is equally big. Use your power of intent not to control your life or to produce a desired outcome but to guide you on your path of heart, so that your heart remains steady, your mind clear, and your physical self calm as you take your journey through life. You’re already on the journey, so you might as well learn to go with the flow. It’s really the only way to proceed without judgment or regret, to fully embrace and enjoy every minute of the journey that you are on with a humble and open heart. Go with the flow.
