52

Living in the Present

‘You’re only here for a short visit. Don’t hurry. Don’t worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way.’

Walter C. Hagen

The most pressing issue for you right now is to find peace of mind. You have arrived at the limits of what you can do. Now you must stop and reflect. Nothing can be gained by worrying about your problems, aims, achievements or whatever else is currently preoccupying you. Anxiety is not a good basis from which to make decisions. Whereas a calm, centred approach enables you to connect with deeper levels of yourself. In that state of mind you will intuitively make the right choices. You will have a sense of the most appropriate action to take in any situation. So focus on being present in the here and now. Do not dwell in the past. Yesterday has gone and cannot be retrieved. Tomorrow has yet to come and worrying will not change it. All that matters is to be firmly anchored in today, responding to each situation as it arises.

An opportunity for personal growth

The ancient symbol belonging to this hexagram is that of the mountain, the very essence of stillness. The message is that to be truly still is to be solidly grounded in the present moment. We all have deep within us an inner ‘knower’ to which we can look for guidance. But everyday life is full of distractions which prevent us from being in touch with this natural wisdom. To gain access to it needs a relaxed and quiet mind. This has always been recognized as a most difficult state to achieve. Meditation and yoga are time-honoured methods, as are the martial arts. They help take your focus off the outside world so that you become centred inside yourself. But anything which helps you to experience inner stillness will, with regular practice, be beneficial. The calmer you become, the stronger and more self-reliant you will feel.

Further aspects of the situation

SIX AT THE BEGINNING

The situation is only just beginning to unfold. If you are at all doubtful about taking action at this time, do not do so. Before making any move, you need to be quite certain which direction you are going in. Provided that your motives are unselfish, all will be well.

SIX IN THE SECOND PLACE

You are moving in the wrong direction. Instead of making your own choices, you are complying with somebody else’s wishes. This unhappy state of affairs will not bring you success. You cannot stop somebody else moving down an obviously wrong path but you can choose not to follow them along it. Be true to yourself.

NINE IN THE THIRD PLACE

Don’t try and force anything to a conclusion before the time is ripe. You may be feeling frustrated by the apparent lack of progress. Acknowledge these feelings but do not allow your behaviour to be controlled by them. Action taken because you are restless will lead to trouble. It is in your best interests to calm down and relax.

SIX IN THE FOURTH PLACE

Do not be impulsive. It is essential to stay cool, calm and collected. Doubts and fears may arise. Do not act on them. Wait until your mind is peaceful before you make decisions. Meditation is a good antidote to negative thoughts, as is any activity which helps you to switch off.

SIX IN THE FIFTH PLACE

Choose your words carefully. Once spoken, you cannot take them back. Avoid thoughtless remarks. If you want what you say to be effective, be sure to engage your brain before opening your mouth. You will then have no reason to regret what you say.

NINE AT THE TOP

If you have emotional stability and peace of mind, nothing can throw you off balance. Your self-possession will attract good fortune and be of benefit to whatever you are involved in. Stay deeply centred within yourself.