Getting Punched in Your Face is a Good Thing

23. Po — 35. Chin

In Taoist cosmology, life is subject to cycles and rhythms. We’ve all had our highs and lows from the microcosm to the macro. The 23rd hexagon, Po, represents a time when the inferior/dark/Yin energies are on the rise. To no fault of anyone, shit is about to hit the fan. The resulting hexagram, Chin, represents rapid, easy progress via purification. The situation the I Ching is describing, is basically knowing how to take a punch.

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We’ve all had our off days, and for all I know, today could be that day for you. You have a bunch of things go wrong, and to make matters worse, you get kicked when you’re down. A person of less maturity might act out, and worsen matters even further. Emotional outbursts are quite taxing on the mind and body. Overtime, the ability to not react and pick your battles become more and more refined. But until then, it’s best to learn how to weather a storm out.

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Have you ever been punched in your face? Or attacked verbally? If you live amongst a more peaceful community, I’m sure you’re not without moments of disharmony or other triggers like attacks of anxiety or even muscle spasms. We could even go as far as disruptions in health, like colds and headaches. Or even your legs falling asleep in meditation. Learning to relax and stay receptive to any attack, whether to your face or your health, is both good for your fight game and your immune system.

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The I Ching, in a raw sense, knows that there are times when one has to navigate being caught with your guard down. That in those moments, the most important thing is maintain your composure. In situations where you’ve found ways to avoid processing discomfort or pain, try sitting through it and let your awareness rest in the place your attention is being called to. It’s this slow grinding process, that a certain receptive resilience is learned. In boxing gyms, we call it “iron sharpening iron”. It’s in these moments, where all your spiritual, emotional and physical training truly counts. Are you gonna fold, and react wildly? Or are you going to recenter yourself back to your foundation and rise up with the ever changing tides of time?

Stay blessed always,

Lee