7,1.2 - 24 (Fasting)

[he who tries to remember]

Dear friends,

I undertake fasting procedures in order to enhance the performance of the "vessel of my being" , so that I may grow and become better able to serve myself and others. And as some of you know, I'm in a field of service concerned with healing and wellbeing, personally and collectively.

I asked the Iching "what would come out of my dry fasting routine"

I understand this reading as being uncannily appropriate, particularly hexagram 24, considering we are nearing the winter solstice. But I'm wondering how one may perceive 7.1,2 in this instance...?

Your altruistic service is much appreciated!

 

[Trojina]

None of us are altruistic....we are all in it for kicks

What will come out of your fasting ?

You will feel hungry and return to eating again. I can't see any other outcome can you ?

 

[Trojina]

Okay less facetious answer

7.1 the reasons behind you doing this aren't so clear really.

BUT

7.2 you feel perhaps you will be better able to hear or understand your direction if your body is freed temporarily from the weight of earthiness. You feel you will hear better your 'orders' if you body is cleansed...

AND SO

enabling you to 24, Return to a more connected state of Being.

It isn't really clear what you mean when you say "what will come out of dry fasting routine" I mean not clear if you mean for yourself or for what you serve

 

[deusa]

Trojan, tour humor makes me laugh! Thanks!

 

[he who tries to remember]

None of us are altruistic....we are all in it for kicks

If we are wise we may understand that truly caring about yourself is naturally also caring about others, what most people call egotism is merely stupidity; the absence of wisdom.

The whole universe is a beautiful drama echoing in eternity (in it for the kicks...)

If we are wise we will automatically be altruistic (IMV).

Thank you for your answers... And I will try to clarify my questions in the future (I'm learning), I thought this was quite specific, as I see my personal betterment as benefiting all. The stronger and happier I become the greater service I am able to offer to myself and others.

Much love.

 

[pocossin]

What would come out of my dry fasting routine?
7.1.2 > 24

From this inner jihad, a greater degree of self conquest. The trigrams (water and earth (food)) are suggestive. In giving up food and water we lose some of the ponderousness that binds us to the material. Line 1 is about discipline, and surely dry fasting should not be carried too far. Line 2 is about honor. We achieve honor by completing difficult tasks. You return to ordinary life at a higher level. Since it's a routine I suppose you have done it many times before without ill effects, but in susceptible individuals fasting can precipitate kidney stones.

 

[he who tries to remember]

Thank you Pocossin

Yes, I have done so quite a number of times; dry fasting is usually done 1-3 days days (I Usually dry fast for about 36h).

I feel fine; it is even enjoyable from a spiritual perspective.

A surge of energy often ensures a few days following the procedure.

Sometimes I water fast instead, but dry fasting seems to be a stronger remedy. And may very well be more spiritual as you suggest; being without any of our normal bodily chains (eating, drinking, toilet, brushing teeth, etc.)... Although I love both heaven and earth, in times gone I enjoyed the limited worldly pleasures excessively, actually

And Poccosin what would you say about hexagram 24 in this connection?

Blessings.

 

[pocossin]

what would you say about hexagram 24 in this connection?

At the winter solstice the decline of yang qi reverses. The earth is reborn. I think you are experiences such a renewal through fasting.

 

[hilary]

I would second Pocossin: line 1 sounds a note of caution. Hexagram 7 is about a discipline that creates a working unity - and line 1 warns against an imposed discipline that goes against your natural strength. Ideally the fasting should lead to something more like line 2 - being more strongly, sensitively embodied, centred in your physical being, ready for use. A discipline that undermines that strength would not be good.

 

[he who tries to remember]

Thank you Hilary

If you have time, could you perhaps elaborate on the point below?

Ideally the fasting should lead to something more like line 2 - being more strongly, sensitively embodied, centred in your physical being, ready for use. A discipline that undermines that strength would not be good.

 

[hilary]

That was just what came to mind for me looking at line 2. I think the two lines are alternatives: line 1 is how this could go very badly wrong, and line 2 is what to aim for.

Line 2 is the one solid line with five open lines gathered around it. It seems to me like the sense of self within the body. The line suggests a general - not one who leaves his army behind and looks down on it from a nice, safe, distant hilltop, but one who leads from the centre:
'Positioned in the centre of the army.
Good fortune, no mistake.
The king issues a mandate three times.'
And because he is there at the centre, he is ready to serve; he can receive the mandate. (I also think it's important that this happens 'three times', ie repeatedly. The orders coming through can be changed - but provided you are there at the centre, not detached, you are always ready to respond.)

Hence what I wrote... the idea that if you are in your body like the general is in the centre of the army, then you can receive and respond to mandates and be of service. Whereas if you were detached from your body, not responsive, or - as at line 1 - imposing a discipline that went against its nature and its strength, then you'd be of no use to anyone.

 

[he who tries to remember]

Ahh, I see, thank you .

And interestingly, the art and science of detoxification and regeneration greatly concerns the ability to employ intuition and flexibility. And I feel, basically, that is what you are seeing within this reading?

Which means, for instance, if I feel my body requires water, I should not simply restrict the body by considering the fact that I had planned such and such, and that this goal is not yet fulfilled...Etc. I.E: Excessive detachment from a very physical process.

 

[hilary]

Yes, that's exactly what I was thinking.
:bows: