
The Image of Heaven Over Lake

My contained power of restraint
Is released and I tread
Into manner
And mode of expression.
Using a creative spirit
With joy and humor
I develop personality.
I accept my varying and
Unequal character traits
By giving them expression
In appropriate ways.
Moving with strength
While treading carefully
I handle unknown dangers
Allow my thinking to be led
By deeper intuitions.
I protect myself
While pleasing others
As I walk with the
Mask of a tiger.

Nine in the First Place
Tiger like
I move surely
on the path
… alone.

Nine in the Second Place
Looking straight ahead
I go deeper
Into my dark tiger-self
As my instincts show the way.

Six in the Third Place
I stumble
And do not see clearly
when I am swallowed
By my persona.
In the weakness of fear
My mask of aggression
Engulfs me.

Nine in the Fourth Place
I feel the strength
Of powerful animal instincts
Taking care not to confuse
Myself with the tiger.

Nine in the Fifth Place
I am aware of my wildness
And move with it.

Nine in the Last Place
Success in movement
Is like a hunt
Or a dance.
Power is in the process.
Quality of performance
Is the result of the care
In each step taken.
The tiger
The path
And I are one.
Tags: Hexagram 10, I Ching

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