“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience.”
— Attributed to Teilhard de Chardin
This quote carries a profound meaning, and I would like to use it as a starting point to reflect on the Hexagram of Gathering Together from the I Ching, the ancient Chinese oracle known as the Book of Changes.
First, a little context: hexagrams are figures composed of horizontal lines. These lines can be solid, representing the Yang principle, or broken, representing the Yin principle. There are 64 hexagrams in total, each reflecting different states of being, processes of transformation, and situations we encounter throughout life, including spirituality, success, family, health, and our relationship with society.
The Hexagram of Gathering Together invites us to become aware of the spiritual dimension of life and the Divine Will. It reminds us that, as human beings, we are part of nature and that spirituality is the bond connecting us to the energy of Heaven.
This teaching encourages us to move away from negativity: arguments, abuses of power, and manipulation. A community guided by a noble leader can move toward peace, but this requires individual commitment: to meditate, to pray, to act with integrity, and to offer the very best of ourselves to others.
We often hear the phrase “raise your vibration,” but this does not mean withdrawing from the world to immerse ourselves in spiritual practices. It is not simply about fasting, meditating, praying, or remaining silent. Raising your vibration is also reflected in the way you relate to others, especially those who think differently from you.
If, after meditating, you go out into the world criticizing others; if you judge people for their beliefs, sexual orientation, or ideology; if you are unable to put yourself in someone else's shoes with empathy, then there is still a great deal of inner work to be done.
Our true spiritual nature reveals itself in the most challenging moments. Not when we are sitting peacefully, contemplating nature in a quiet place, but when we find ourselves in the midst of the storm and chaos.
The Hexagram of Gathering Together also encourages us to surround ourselves with people who uplift us, people who live with love, empathy, and a spirit of cooperation.
Embrace your life experiences with awareness, integrate them with love, and learn from them. Heal your wounds so that, when you look back, they no longer bring you pain. Only then can you share the very best of yourself with others: love, joy, a sense of humor, and respect.
And in doing so, you will inevitably receive those same qualities in return.
Wishing you a beautiful week.