Pushing Upward, Gently: A Long Walk with I-Ching

Find balance in progress, trusting patience and persistence over urgent performance.

A quiet morning with tea and the I Ching becomes a lesson in Xíng—Pushing Upward: progress that grows like a tree, bending around obstacles instead of colliding with them. Drawing on Brian Walker’s reading and the changing lines, the essay explores humility, goodwill, moral alignment, and steady focus on the task at hand, offering a modern practice guide for advancing without ego, urgency, or force—only proportion, patience, and clean intention.

Becoming an Embracer of Life

Living inside structured systems has steadied me and sharpened my focus. Expectation, however, slips in quietly, subtly stiffening the swing of preparation and demanding returns. This morning, in Wing Chun, an uneven edge in the pavement tested my balance, softening my strike—a reminder of the quiet shifts within us.

What Keeps Working Rarely Looks Perfect (Laozi, Passage 45)

I found strength in simplicity today. Laozi’s wisdom on using what works rather than striving for perfection guided my meditation, revealing the beauty in quiet consistency.