Tui/The Joyous Lake

From the Richard Wilhelm translation of the I Ching, in the discussion for the hexagram for the joyous, lake,  I find - "truth and strength must dwell in the heart, while gentleness reveals itself in social intercourse...under certain conditions, intimidation without gentleness may achieve something momentarily, but not for all time."

Not long ago, my driving days were interrupted by an automobile accident. When I recovered enough to be out and about again, I replaced my sports car with a family sedan but found that my driver's arrogance was still there when I got behind the wheel. In spite of the physical trauma of the wreck, I was not meek; my road rage was still triggered by the recklessness of road warriors I encountered.

In Jiulong Baguazhang class recently, in our chi kung practice, we were introduced to circle walking while going through the palms. This activity prompted me to return to the I Ching to read through each of the hexagrams for the palms: lake, mountain, fire, water, thunder, wind, earth and heaven. One morning, as I drove to the campus where I teach, I found myself dwelling on the feeling of the lake, that inner strength with the placid calm on the surface where the autumn trees and sky could be reflected. On the parkway, drivers were up to their usual maddening antics and I was able to stay serene by recalling the physical sensation of the lake palm I had experienced in class. I was not intimidated and my road rage dissipated in that gentle lake serenity.

Dr. Selia Karsten
November 18, 2000

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