Hi Everyone,

I am trying something new in my life. I went and bought a mini journal. I decided it would be a sort of conversation with myself and the Yi and also some lists and just ideas to get me on the right path. I also decided that relationship questions are not allowed in the book . I have received Hexagram 18 enough times now over "soul mate" questions to know better. I need a lot of work. Although things are not that bad for me, I want to figure things out with my career, health and also my location on planet earth.

So anyways the Journal has begun! And I will probably be asking for your help now and again!! Many an angle = A good thing.

My first entry was about Quitting Smoking (tsk tsk to me). It is my weak link for sure and something out of character for me to do. It has taken hold of me, or I let it rather. I have quit before and then I went to Vegas...... I thought what happened stayed, but it followed me back.

I compiled a list of things to help me when I quit. The list is what I call "Defensive Quitting". I have Mantras, Mudras, sounds for Chakras on there. I also have activities, specific breathing exercises... the list is about 15 items long.

I need arsenal and to be mentally prepared!

I wanted to add to the list a reading to help. I asked the Yi-
"Please give me an image to ponder during my transition from smoking to not smoking, that will aid in mental strength.
44.2.4 > 53

The Yi does not dissapoint! It correlates perfectly in my mind.
44 - A picture of a seemingly harmless yin(dark) energy entering from below. If it is not stopped it can grow. 44 is about not letting that 'evil' in and not being tempted by it's surfacy harmlessness. That is the cigarette's nature to harm slowly and seem fine to do "just that one time".

.2 - I took this as to not let my friends who are smokers discourage me or influence my quitting. At first I took line 2 as to maybe distance myself from those specific friends.

.4- But this line would suggest that I shouldn't do that. I should just be strong in what I am doing and know that just because they smoke, that doesn't need to infuence me.

53 - It isn't going to be easy and happen over night. I am going to probably "go thru some things" and it won't be pretty. However, this hexagram seems to be saying that if I slowly and persistently have faith in my development, I will eventually be a non smoker.

Please tell me any thoughts that you might like to share about my reading. Especially the lines... I might be missing something.

I think you have done a good job interpreting this. It does seem pretty clear, but you asked for an image to focus on, and haven't mentioned anything about the imagery of the hexagrams. 44 is wind under heaven, a powerful woman, and both lines mention fish... 53 is wind over mountain, and mentions a waterwheel. I wonder if the Yi is suggesting a mandala. I get that feeling with the waterwheel... You could even make your own. Here is a picture of one the Tibetan monks made, and a link to the pic's page with some info about mandalas...



http://www.ahomeaway.org/holistic-rehab/mandala/

You're in good company. Members of Clarity who were heavy smokers and have stopped: elias, mazaru, ginnie, trojan, bradford, re5go.

http://www.onlineclarity.co.uk/friends/showthread.php?t=11476
29.4.6. -> 6 How to give up smoking?

"Please give me an image to ponder, during my transition from smoking to not smoking, that will aid in mental strength."

44 image - The wind (spirit/your will/personal power/influence) blowing under heaven.

44.2
Smoking is not attractive, and is a very bad example for others.

44.4
Smoking depletes you, costs a lot (money, health, good companionship - a wallet with no fish in it.)

> 53
It's going to take a while to take root so be patient, don't have a hasty mindset. Keep tranquility within and go day by day, keep at it and you'll get there.

Dancing White Ferret as well... Used to smoke like a pack a day, and have slipped up a few times, but have generally stayed smoke free. It can be a 44 thing for some people, but you just have to keep on top of it, and don't kid yourself with "I'll just have one" or "I'll just smoke on vacation." I've been there. Always ends up being at least a few weeks of smoking, and have to go through the discomfort all over again. Best wishes, AQ.

Please give me an image to ponder during my transition from smoking to not smoking, that will aid in mental strength.
44.2.4 > 53

Picture yourself as a mountaineer in clear, bright air -- woman (44),mountain (53: lower trigram), clear, bright air (53: upper trigram).

Makes total sense here too.... Clean mountain air, makes breathing smoke sound very unappealing.

I am adding mandala work to the list and also the visualization of the mountaineer in clear bright air. My intent was definitely to have a visual/image to hold in my mind.
Very awesome ideas.

I was originally thinking about visualizing the tree at the top of the mountain and correlating it with bronchial tubes.

Actually a long long time ago, back when I had AOL, I formulated an idea and just recently Blogged about it on Blogger. This idea that always sticks with me, is here if you would like to read. http://cadencematters.blogspot.com/2011/06/random-thoughts-about-old-in-and-out.html

I am going to add the blog to the things to keep mentally in mind.

More suggestions welcomed!

Oh DWF, I have some sand from a Tibetian mandala I watched them create and destroy and then they passed out the sand. I used to wear it in a little glass jar on a necklace. It is still in the jar, but has been sitting unworn for quite some time. I might bring it back out!

I might get an Etch -A- Sketch too and sit out on the porch and do that instead of smoke ...