SteveTanham – writing, mysticism, photography, poetry, friends

Category: I Ching

November 9, 2023 + #Silenti, Consciousness, esoteric psychology, I Ching, Inquiry techniques, meditation, Mindfulness, Photography, Silent Eye School

Shells from an Inner Sea (3 of 3): the inner flow

by Steve Tanham

When we find that the process of inner inquiry described in the last two posts actually works, and we see that ‘finding out’ things about our inner lives is both simple and replicable, we might wonder why and how this mysterious technique works so well? What mechanism makes this seeming conversation with our experience and its storehouse of memory so powerful? Hang on tight, … Read More Shells from an Inner Sea (3 of 3): the inner flow

November 2, 2023 + #Silenti, Consciousness, esoteric psychology, I Ching, Inquiry techniques, meditation, Mindfulness, Photography, Silent Eye School

Shells from an Inner Sea (2) A fresh look at the ‘now’

by Steve Tanham

We are urged by spiritual writers to ‘live in the now’. We might reasonably ask how we might live anywhen else, but that would go against the spirit of such good advice. Some clarity might be needed, though. As far as a reasonable self-inquiry goes, we – our composite consciousness – lives pressed up against signals from our senses that are very much of … Read More Shells from an Inner Sea (2) A fresh look at the ‘now’

June 18, 2020 + #Silenti, Consciousness, esoteric psychology, I Ching

Staying Dead

by Steve Tanham

Following my exploration of the I Ching in the recent series of posts (list below), I’ve begun to examine its guidance from the perspective of what I know to be true after a lifetime’s immersion in the mystical arts. One of the authors I have come to trust is Brian Browne Walker. Brian is the author of several contemporary translations of the I Ching, … Read More Staying Dead

June 4, 2020 + Consciousness, esoteric psychology, I Ching, Oracles, Silent Eye School, Spirituality

Divination – Art or Science? (3) : The Blind Archer

by Steve Tanham

The archer stands before our target. His skill is deadly; he never misses, but there’s a catch: he’s also blind… and he never speaks, except with his arrows. No-one knows how he does what he does, but if you ask him a question, he will fire his arrow at the target. The place where the arrow lands is his answer to your question… The … Read More Divination – Art or Science? (3) : The Blind Archer

May 28, 2020 + Consciousness, esoteric psychology, I Ching, Oracles, Silent Eye School, Spirituality

Divination – Art or Science? (2) : An Old Flame

by Steve Tanham

The man, still distinguished though his hair and moustache were now silver, sat before the fire. Once more, he was alone in his home by the lake. Before him, the old kettle, as black with age as he was white, rattled on the small iron grate beneath it. The flames from the burning wood flickered up around its sides and the noise from within … Read More Divination – Art or Science? (2) : An Old Flame

May 14, 2020 + Consciousness, esoteric psychology, I Ching, Oracles, Silent Eye School, Spirituality

The Old One and the Gatekeeper (3): non-action

by Steve Tanham

37 The Dao abides in non-action but there is nothing it does not do.When the leaders abide,The myriad of things transform by itself;Transformed yet desire to act,I lead the community by not naming the simplicity of things;Without naming the simplicity of things, thus lead to no desire;Without desire, with tranquility,The world correct by itself. ——- The above is chapter 37 of Lao Tzu’s Book … Read More The Old One and the Gatekeeper (3): non-action

May 7, 2020 + Consciousness, esoteric psychology, I Ching, Oracles, Silent Eye School, Spirituality

The Old One and the Gatekeeper (2)

by Steve Tanham

The story of the Old One and the Gatekeeper told in Part One may be just that – a story. Or it may be the truth, turned into legend. Classical Chinese history places Lao Tzu as a 6th century BC contemporary of Confucius, and there are reliable records of their meetings. They were said to have great respect for each other’s work. But, beyond … Read More The Old One and the Gatekeeper (2)

April 30, 2020 + Consciousness, esoteric psychology, I Ching, Oracles, Silent Eye School, Spirituality

The Old One and the Gatekeeper

by Steve Tanham

The Old One crested the rise in the road and turned to look back at the land he had loved. If all went to plan, it would be the last time he saw his home. The breeze that should have been summer-warm was cold and frigid, yet carried the warm stink of corruption. He could no longer breathe its air. He had to leave; … Read More The Old One and the Gatekeeper