I really love this introductory post about the Toltec I Ching. I’ve never heard of the concept of Inspired Action before, and appreciate your explanation of it. I particularly like the fact that it addresses a rather weak element of Jungian psychology. As an introvert, Jung spent so much time on his own inner work and on sharing his insights with his clients, students and peers that except for his writing, he didn’t direct much inspired action into the larger world.

For example. the fact that he never spoke out against the Nazis turns off a lot of people today who will not read him because of this neglect. Certainly his inspired action in his inner life, immediate circle, and writing has been of enormous benefit to the world nonetheless, and his wisdom and courage in addressing the shadow of organized religion has had an extremely positive influence in that arena as well. Moreover, not everyone is called to use their prominence to influence government and politics. Nonetheless, your basic message that we are all part of a living whole and your emphasis on the necessity for promoting harmony with all people, all nature, all spirit adds the very necessary component of inspired action in the social arena in a way that is crucial to our world if we are to have any hope of creating the Golden Age of Humanity.

I also love your definitions of soul, spirit and nature. Very clear. Very helpful.

Thank you, friend, for your inspired action in this remarkable book.

Sincerely,
Jeanie

As we’ve learned, these symbols represent a concrete set of practices and not a group of abstract concepts. What we are trying to balance here are the “other” modes of perception by which the spirit warrior participates in the world—the other tools she or he uses to express spirit to Spirit. Our spear and shield and fire-making kit and medicine pouch, if you will.

What it looks like in practice is, as always, the exercise of strict self-awareness, gained through rigorous questioning:

Is Intelligence based just on my opinions or profound wisdom?

Is Memory based solely on my experiences or listening to spirit?

Is Will Power based merely on what I want or an intention of goodwill toward all?

Is the Shadow based just on fear and self-defeating thoughts or a constructive awareness of my mortality that spurs me to make the most of this lifetime?

By observing ourselves and keeping these “other senses” clear, we gain a greater sensitivity to the world and all in it—and we are empowered to participate in the on-going Creation with Inspired Actions.

It seems to me that the spirit warrior, as a microcosm of Creation, finds his or her way into that loftiest of places, the 13th Sky, by using the “inner compass” you remind us of here: Wisdom in the East, Memory in the North, Intention in the South, and the Shadow in the West. By being aware of all four of these “senses” and how they influence our perceptions and actions, we can bring them into a harmonious balance that embodies the Masculine and Feminine Creative Forces in a lifetime of spontaneous and timely creative acts.

Each of our Inspired Actions, as you point out, embodies its own balance of the Feminine and Masculine Creative Forces that enters into the world of change and, like a billiard ball on the universal table of billiard balls, begins ricocheting among all the other actions everywhere, influencing each it touches!

The ancients gave us such amazing tools with their teachings. And we are fortunate to have them as practical guides for today’s challenging times.