You have noticed that everything an Indian does is in a circle, and that is because the Power of the World always works in circles, and everything tries to be round. In the old days, when we were strong and happy people, all our power came to us from the nation’s sacred hoop, and so long as the hoop was unbroken, the people flourished.
Black Elk
The reading of Hexagram 24 is Return, darkness has passed, friends come and go as you please. This is a time to renew plans and rest before you begin the cycle again. No heading out blindly, rather rest in meditation before beginning a new cycle of activity. Winter Solstice is the time of year associated with this reading, a time to rest and prepare for the coming Spring.
Sogyal Rinpoche ~ A simple practice of meditation
The basics of meditation are actually very simple. Anyone can meditate anywhere, any time. Sit in an upright, comfortable and relaxed position. Keep your mouth slightly open as if you were about to say “Ah”, and breathe through the mouth. Keep your eyes open. Allow your gaze to be relaxed and natural. Don’t focus your gaze too strongly or start a running commentary about what you see. Simply relax your mind. Let your mind be as-it-is: open, spacious, and calm, yet completely aware. Sit quietly: body still, speech silent, mind at peace. Neither block thoughts, emotions, and sensations, nor follow after them. Allow them to rise, but maintain a presence of mind, a center of awareness. When you remain in awareness, you see that your thoughts are not really you. They are passing clouds, not the sky-like mind they pass through. Gradually, you become free of thoughts. You discover the confidence of your true nature and come to rest in natural great peace. This teaching is an extract from a teaching Rinpoche gave in Melbourne in 2013.
Sogyal Rinpoche ~ A Guided Practice of Meditation
This is the seventh part of teaching from Sydney, 5 February 2017. The first part of this teaching can be watched at https://youtu.be/-cb34Uj0MLY The second part can be watched at https://youtu.be/DHX0xx6bVM8 The third part can be watched at https://youtu.be/mWaU-rpSQzw The fourth part can be watched at https://youtu.be/doP8F4fJGFw The fifth part can be watched at https://youtu.be/WP7vNlJgBUQ The sixth part can be watched at https://youtu.be/8GZ1C3zD-cA The eighth part can be watched at https://youtu.be/QxIslzLItPg