Pri-chi-i-ching

[dobro p]

Geez Bruce - I had Jehovah's Witnesses at my door today. Snap.

Hey, let's be nice to Willow. I mean, it won't hurt, right?

 

[mudpie]

Funny you should say this bruce..because the other night, I was reflecting on my life and it suddenly seemed to me that I might have lost what seems like compassion. Then I got morbid and started asking myself if my soul has been swallowed up by trivial concerns, all the doggedness of day to day living..blah blah

AHHH, BUt after a good night's sleep, I no longer felt the need to flog myself. What I felt in my morning peaceful state of mind was something like the hex 4 you drew. When the aspiring young fool presents him/herself, a door opens through which compassion and generousity flow most naturally.

What has changed for me is not my level of compassion so much as my trust in the fact that all people are livng what they need, and attracting their own level of knowingness. when the student is ready, a teacher appears......(and sometimes we find ourselves in either role).

In me, The need to be a zealot, however, has totally disappeared. replaced by simply loving what I love, and loving what I want to learn . what one loves is something one cant help but share. It informs you. You can teach without words.
too much verbal sharing of one's own "knowledge" can shut down someone else's learning. The Yi itself teaches sparingly, tersely and succinctly. It is the student who must do the learning

There is a big difference between the innocent young fool who is open to learning and the one who may be grasping at a teacher the way he might just as easily be grasping at a drink or drug becase they want someone or something to make them better, tell then good things . there is no fertile ground there. that line about not casting your pearls before swine is very wise advise.

In general, I think we teach best unconsciously, unaware of how what has informed us is radiating outward to touch others. Pure happiness is the greatest teacher of all. On my chakra chart, it shows the 4th chakra divided into higher and lower realms. under the influence of the lower heart chakra, we find zealousness and the notion of predetermined mission with counterpart of "victim" who needs saving, self-denial, mixed in with ego, drama, and insecurity

The higher ream of the heart is the absolute freedom center; no need to change anyone; humor, joy, ability to be silent, aliveness, sincere praise. no teaching here, just love, everyone is welcome to partake -or not

so I would say it not "getting older" but perhaps getting wiser, more secure, protecting your core. 41.2 Aloof is not a bad word, aloof is the loving state of a soul who has no investment in changing someone, teaching them anything in particular. Aloof is a state of benign trust in the other's process... not separation, but a higher form of love. I knew a most decidely aloof woman of great wisdom, did not suffer small talk, hated the phone and trivial complaints. But she told me once that she has gladly stayed up all night with persons in genuine need, listening closely and offering what was needed from her caldron. 61.2 When the connection is sincere, the cup is there to be shared

 

[bruce_g]

First, a belated thanks to Rosada for her early and candid response. Nice to know I’m not the only one who asks such questions of themselves.

Thanks, Listener for sharing your own experience with these things. I hear what you’re saying about aloof. No, there’s no inherent negative meaning in the word. It means “offshore”, hard to access. Maybe because I’m by nature easy to access and willing to engage that I attach to the word something more akin to “being above others” rather than being “offshore”, a superior and elevated position rather than a parallel existence.

More knowledge doesn’t equal more worth. In fact, I can’t even reason one person being worth more than another. I can reason someone being more interesting, more open, more intelligent, more learned, more experienced, more loving, but even those things don’t determine the worth of a person - other than on a subjective "how does this benefit me" basis.

But if I take the word aloof in a more literal sense, being distant is someone’s right. One person mores to the marina docks, the other anchors offshore. If someone wants to reach them, they go them. If not, they leave the aloof one alone. I guess I like the mobility of going back and forth, alone and also alongside others. There’s no obligation to respond or react to someone each and every time. I like the freedom to choose between aloofness and connectivity. But as with yourself, I do sometimes become concerned that aloofness doesn’t replace compassion.

 

[lindsay]

Well Bruce, I can't help thinking about this from a slightly different angle. Let's imagine for one moment we all become missionaries for the Yi. I'll go first.

OK, here I am on a quiet street in a middle-class suburb outside a large city. All the houses look pretty much alike. Very nice. I walk up to the front door of the nearest one. Knock, knock, knock!

The door opens. An older woman looks at me through a two-inch crack. A (big) dog is growling somewhere inside.

"Hello! I'm Lindsay. I'd like to tell you about the good news of the I Ching!"

Then what?

If you are even thinking about being a missionary for the Yi, you must have a message. But ... what's our message? What's the big selling point of the Yi? Why do we want to get people to use it?

She says, "Right! What's this "Eee jeeng" you're talking about?"

"Well, it's a 3,000 year-old Chinese book that nobody really understands - I mean, the translation is pretty up much in the air, even among experts - but I'm pretty sure it can change your life ..."

Slam! goes the door.

"Well, it's a way to sort of, kinda tell the future - or maybe not - but I'm positive it will have a powerful transformative impact on your ..."

Slam!

"Well, it's a book that helps you understand yourself - of course, you have to understand the book first (not many do! and they never agree with each other) - and it only helps if you are the reflective, philosophical type anyway, with a real talent for metaphorical interpretation ..."

Slam!

Bruce, how do keep them from slamming the door? My nose hurts.

Lindsay

 

[bruce_g]

Well, if I was your missionary leader (Sales Manager?) I’d say, Lindsay, if you can’t sell the steak then go for the hamburger. If they don’t want that, go for coffee with pie. If they still won’t bite, offer them a free reading. And if that doesn’t work, switch pitch to a time share in Miami, a bridge in Brooklyn, or a date with Chris Lofting.

But you’re right, there is no message, much less a closer. I watched one of those reality TV shows awhile back, where they swap the wife and mother of two households. It paired a fundamentalist Christian wife with a Taoist husband. She kept asking him “What do you believe?” and he kept answering “Duh, well, it’s like… it’s like… it’s just was is.” Obviously she didn’t buy it. However, after spending the allotted time in that household, her extreme fundamentalist ways toned way down, and I think she was more at peace with her Christianity.

Oh, also, he stopped being such a bump on a log and started having fun with his family.

 

[rosada]

It's been my experience that what ever I send out in an email or post on a website, it's like doing !0,000 affirmations. I mean, whatever I was writing about seems to manefest. Sure enough, Dad called last night and started chatting about his theories about Attila The Hun and the Holy Roman Empire. Seems Attila was planning to attack, but when he reached the borders, Rome sent out the Pope to speak with him and the two men met in a tent. No one knows what was said, but after the meeting Attila agreed not to attack. What did the Pope say to hold off almost certain slaughter in Italy? Dad is fascinated by this mystery, especially in view of the problems in the world today. The stradigy might prove useful to our diplomats in Washington and Iraq. I should have said to Dad, "Now that would be a perfect question to ask the I Ching!" I didn't, but that's okay, I suspect there will be another similar opportunity and next time I shall be ready to receive it. Anyway, point is, perhaps by watching for an opening such as this, where a person brings up a mild problem or question that is not too serious, we will find we can introduce our Friend.

 

[hilary]

I'm pretty sure Bruce could write you a good script that'd keep the door open, Lindsay. (Also pretty sure he wouldn't be interested, though, so you'll just have to adapt the Jehovah's Witnesses' material. ) The dog's simpler: carry chicken.

I find people are most likely to take to the oracle when it agrees with them. They're advising me one way, I'm pulling the other way, and then it turns out Yi's take is in line with theirs. Um, isn't there something in sales technique about starting with something they'll want to say 'yes' to?

 

[bruce_g]

Um, isn't there something in sales technique about starting with something they'll want to say 'yes' to?

Yes, it's called: building yes momentum through "tie-down questions". Appropriate name, don't you agree?

 

[Trojina]

I think "Do you want to know what your future holds ?" is a surefire winner for an initial yes at least, particularly with lovesick young women. Not only will you be in the door, you will have your feet up with a nice cup of tea and the dog muzzled.

 

[bruce_g]

I think "Do you want to know what your future holds ?" is a surefire winner for an initial yes at least, particularly with lovesick young women. Not only will you be in the door, you will have your feet up with a nice cup of tea and the dog muzzled.

Consider yourself the new Marketing Coordinator & Creative Copywriter for Mission with a Vision Ministries! You get 2.5% of gross profit, a company pen, plus a one year supply of yarrow stalks.

 

[Sparhawk]

or a date with Chris Lofting.

Well, I've seen a picture of Chris and he isn't my type of date. On the other hand, I'd love to buy the guy a few Foster's and chat for a while. He'll do all the talking, of course...

L

 

[Sparhawk]

Geez Bruce - I had Jehovah's Witnesses at my door today. Snap.

You have those in Singapore?? And they are free from canings? Wow! That government is growing softer...

L

 

[lindsay]

Well, Hilary, I’m sure Bruce could sell Korans to the Knesset, talk the bark off trees, charm birds out of their feathers. No doubt he’s a veritable Orpheus of salesmanship. And I’m also certain Bruce is not interested in a serious discussion of sales technique with the likes of me. Thank God.

But wait a minute – wasn’t it Bruce who brought up this whole I Ching missionary thing? Wasn’t it Bruce who was lamenting the group’s waning enthusiasm for “preaching” the Yi? Wasn’t it Bruce who wanted to know if people still felt a sense of “mission” about the Yi?

Isn’t it relevant to ask the question, “Preaching what, exactly?” What articles of faith are we supposed to be witnessing among the heathen? What sort of mission are we talking about? What great gift are we offering people?

By the way, I got through the door. I offered to clean the lady’s carpet. With the new, improved IChing-o-matic. While I was scrubbing on my hands and knees, I asked, “Don’t you ever have questions on your mind you just can’t seem to find answers to?” When she said “yes”, I immediately pulled out my yarrow wands and started to commit sortilege. She screamed and called the police. Then she called her dog, Shredder … I think I’ll give up making cold calls.

Lindsay

 

[hilary]

Congratulations on getting through the door and on your expert use of (*clicks back button to see what they're called*) the tie-down question. Please bear in mind I did advise carrying chicken, and can accept no responsibility for the consequences if you forgot it.

And yes, it's a very good question, and one that I of all people should have an answer to straight away. I suppose the gist is that the oracle works. (And 'works' needs defining, I know.) That by itself implies some startlingly good things about the world - but they can be left implicit.

 

[bruce_g]

Needs analysis:

• Problems
• Priorities
• Opportunities

And remember, your prospect is only interested in one thing:

What's in it for me?
Sell the Benefits! Benefits! Benefits!

Now, Go get 'em, people!

 

[bruce_g]

I have good news!

I've returned from some important meetings with business attorneys, and a meeting with the President of some secret high level bank, named Lou Menotti. Our official name hence will be Yi Cha Ching!

Pens are forthcoming, and I had to settle on kabob skewers for yarrows.

 

[Trojina]

Car ? Uniform ?

 

[bruce_g]

No cars. Carts! Have to stay in good shape!

Yes, yes, hats will be provided. (working class ingrates...)

 

[hilary]

Stop distracting me! I'm trying to rewrite my home page, and this is serious business!

I'm supposed to describe in a few phrases who I help, and with what. Should be a doddle. OK, what's the single overarching problem that brings people to the Yijing? Best answer wins a complete set of authentic bamboo kabob skewers.

 

[hilary]

Car ?

22.1

 

[bruce_g]

I'm supposed to describe in a few phrases who I help, and with what. Should be a doddle. OK, what's the single overarching problem that brings people to the Yijing? Best answer wins a complete set of authentic bamboo kabob skewers.

1. Need
2. Want
3. Not necessarily in that order

Seriously, consider the "problem, priority and opportunity" matrix. If each is identified, you (or I) as a reader/interpreter know where to focus, where their real target is (40.6). Active listening and identifying their p.p.o.is a prerequisite (for me) to being able to help someone interpret a reading.

 

[Trojina]

cart indeed ! My Wilhelm and Karcher are way too heavy to push round the streets.

 

[bruce_g]

cart indeed ! My Wilhelm and Karcher are way too heavy to push round the streets.

View attachment 251

 

[Sparhawk]

I want mine with ketchup and mustard, and a Pepsi, please....

L

 

[Trojina]

 

[lightofreason]

1. Need
2. Want
3. Not necessarily in that order

Seriously, consider the "problem, priority and opportunity" matrix. If each is identified, you (or I) as a reader/interpreter know where to focus, where their real target is (40.6). Active listening and identifying their p.p.o.is a prerequisite (for me) to being able to help someone interpret a reading.

Lacan's triad was:

(1) needs
(2) demands
(3) desires

Thus people come to the IC to satisfy these three where the three represent aspects of social dynamics and so cover the excess of or lack of one, two, or all of the three.

Behind all of the three is emotion - be it primate level (basic emotions) or secondary level (emotions derived in tandem with, dependent upon, one's sense of self)

Chris.

 

[bruce_g]

Lacan's triad was:

(1) needs
(2) demands
(3) desires

Thus people come to the IC to satisfy these three where the three represent aspects of social dynamics and so cover the excess of or lack of one, two, or all of the three.

Behind all of the three is emotion - be it primate level (basic emotions) or secondary level (emotions derived in tandem with, dependent upon, one's sense of self)

Chris.

Interesting, Chris. Demands makes sense, sho nuff.

What you've said gives me the impression of ballasting a ship.

 

[RindaR]

Yeahbut(t) what need? what demand? what desire?

My guess is a need, desire, demand for something that will provide a sense of security. Oh. ...that's just another way to be non-specific....

hmmmm.....

Who was it said there was a God-shaped hole in each of us, and we spend our lives trying to fill it with various things/activities?

Yi is not God for me, yet Yi can sometimes help me see who I need to be in order to make that hole smaller.

Rinda

 

[hilary]

Mmm - yes. Good one. Feeling more complete, or more confident - or (I think) just more here. Maybe the 'security' part follows from that?