There were "old" features in your gua (hexagram). It means that you have two hexagrams. The first one — is something that the Book tells you at the moment, the second is something it warns you about. |
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  35. Prospering (jìn). ProgressAdvise
The path up the hill is always more difficult than the path that lies across the plain, but it leads to the top.
Inital text of I ChingThe Judgement
Progress. The powerful prince is honored with horses in large numbers. In a single day he is granted audience three times.
The Image
The sun rises over the earth: The image of Progress. Thus the superior man himself brightens his bright virtue.
- Progressing, but turned back. Perseverance brings good fortune. If one meets with no confidence, one should remain calm. No mistake.
- Progressing, but in sorrow. Perseverance brings good fortune. Then one obtains great happiness from one's ancestress.
- All are in accord. Remorse disappears.
- Progress like a hamster. Perseverance brings danger.
- Remorse disappears. Take not gain and loss to heart. Undertakings bring good fortune. Everything serves to further.
- Making progress with the horns is permissible only for the purpose of punishing one's own city. To be conscious of danger brings good fortune. No blame. Perseverance brings humiliation.
Prediction
Any moving forward is associated with the initial difficulties. Do not be afraid of apprehension - they are the result of uncertainty. You are already on the way - traffic is inevitable, as destiny, clarity is coming soon. Obey the laws. Fight the evils in themselves. Bring up the will to help in big business. Refer business to the benefit of others, be generous, 'What you gave is yours'. You will get help when you are in need.
The hexagram represents the sun rising over the earth. It is therefore the
symbol of rapid, easy progress, which at the same time means ever widening
expansion and clarity.
THE JUDGMENT
As an example of progress, this pictures a time when a powerful feudal lord
rallies the other lords around the sovereign and pledges fealty and peace. The
sovereign rewards him richly and invites him to a closer intimacy.
A twofold idea is set forth here. The actual effect of the progress emanates
from a man who is in a dependent position and whom the others regard as
their equal and are therefore willing to follow. This leader has enough clarity
of vision not to abuse his great influence but to use it rather for the benefit of
his ruler. His ruler in turn is free of all jealousy, showers presents on the
great man, and invites him continually to his court. An enlightened ruler
and an obedient servant--this is the condition on which great progress
depends.
THE IMAGE
The light of the sun rises over the earth is by nature clear. The higher the sun
rises, the more it emerges from the dark mists, spreading the pristine purity
of its rays over an ever widening area. The real nature of man is likewise
originally good, but it becomes clouded by contact with earthly things and
therefore needs purification before it can shine forth in its native clarity.
1
At a time when all elements are pressing for progress, we are still uncertain
whether in the course of advance we may not meet with a rebuff. Then the
thing to do is simply continue in what is right; in the end this will bring good
fortune. It may be that we meet with no confidence. In this case we ought not
to try to win confidence regardless of the situation, but should remain calm
and cheerful and refuse to be roused to anger. Thus we remain free of
mistakes.
2
Progress is halted; an individual is kept from getting in touch with the man
in authority with whom he has a connection. When this happens, he must
remain persevering, although he is grieved; then with a maternal gentleness
the man in question will bestow great happiness upon him. This happiness
comes to him-and is well deserved-because in this case mutual attraction does
not rest on selfish or partisan motives but on firm and correct principles.
3
A man strives onward, in association with others whose backing encourages
him. This dispels any cause for regret over the fact that he does not have
enough independence to triumph unaided over every hostile turn of fate.
4
In times of progress it is easy for strong men in the wrong places to amass
great possessions. But such conduct shuns the light. And since times of
progress are inevitably brought to the light, perseverance in such action
always leads to danger.
5
The situation described here is that of one who, finding himself in an
influential position in a time of progress, remains gentle and reserved. He
might reproach himself for lack of energy in making the most of the
propitiousness of the time and obtaining all possible advantage. However,
this regret passes away. He must not take either loss or gain to heart; they are
minor considerations. What matters much more is the fact that in this way
he has assured himself of opportunities for successful and beneficent
influence.
6
Making progress with lowered horns-i.e., acting on the offensive-is
permissible, in times like those referred to here, only in dealing with the
mistakes of one's own people. Even then we must bear in mind that
proceeding on the offensive may always be dangerous. In this way we avoid
the mistakes that otherwise threaten, and succeed in what we set out to do.
On the other hand, perseverance in such over energetic behavior, especially
toward persons with whom there is no close connection, will lead to
humiliation.
Barbara Hejslip interpretationSuccess already close. You not vainly counted on a recognition and respect, they by the right expect you. In the further you will be rewarded even more, than now. Safely and resolutely walk forward, rely on the happy star. Your desire will be executed not at once, but let it does not grieve you. You are waited with a meeting with the person which you very much for a long time did not see. Do not squander money, be little bit more economical; it very much will assist you with the future.
  18. Corrupting (gǔ). Work on the DecayedAdvise
Any person inherits not only knowledge but also delusion, not just wealth, but the debts from our ancestors. There comes time when you have to pay for them, because it is difficult to carry it further.
Inital text of I ChingThe Judgement
Work on What Has Been Spoiled has supreme success. It furthers one to cross the great water. Before the starting point, three days. After the starting point, three days.
The Image
The wind blows low on the mountain: The image of Decay. Thus the superior man stirs up the people and strengthens their spirit.
- Setting right what has been spoiled by the father. If there is a son, no blame rests upon the departed father. Danger. In the end good fortune.
- Setting right what has been spoiled by the mother. One must not be too persevering.
- Setting right what has been spoiled by the father. There will be little remorse. No great blame.
- Tolerating what has been spoiled by the father. In continuing one sees humiliation.
- Setting right what has been spoiled by the father. One meets with praise.
- He does not serve kings and princes, sets himself higher goals.
Prediction
Everything in the world is perishable. Every idea can be ruined, any undertaking can turn evil. There is danger of confusion and deception. There is business stagnation. Influence of the old mistakes, generic prejudice is great. Be able to distinguish tradition from the remnants of the past. Read the ancestors, but do not repeat their mistakes. Follow the higher purpose. Do not try to be obedient to the will of all seniors, regardless of age or rank. Have your own opinion and the will to resist stagnation, be honest with yourselves. Get rid of old mistakes – and you will find your way again.
The Chinese character ku represents a bowl in whose contents worms are
breeding. This means decay. IT is come about because the gentle indifference
in the lower trigram has come together with the rigid inertia of the upper,
and the result is stagnation. Since this implies guilt, the conditions embody a
demand for removal of the cause. Hence the meaning of the hexagram is not
simply "what has been spoiled" but "work on what has been spoiled".
THE JUDGMENT
What has been spoiled through man's fault can be made good again through
man's work. IT is not immutable fate, as in the time of STANDSTILL, that
has caused the state of corruption, but rather the abuse of human freedom.
Work toward improving conditions promises well, because it accords the
possibilities of the time. We must not recoil from work and danger-
symbolized by crossing of the great water-but must take hold energetically.
Success depends, however, on proper deliberation. This is expressed by the
lines, "Before the starting point, three days. After the starting point, three
days." We must first know the cause of corruption before we can do away
with them; hence it is necessary to be cautious during the time before the
start. Then we must see to it that the new way is safely entered upon, so that
a relapse may be avoided; therefore we must pay attention to the time after
the start. Decisiveness and energy must take the place of inertia and
indifference that have led to decay, in order that the ending may be followed
by a new beginning.
THE IMAGE
When the wind blow s slow on the mountain, it is thrown back and spoils
the vegetation. This contains a challenge to improvement. It is the same
with debasing attitudes and fashions; they corrupt human society. His
methods likewise must be derived from the two trigrams, but in such a way
that their effects unfold in orderly sequence. The superior must first remove
stagnation by stirring up public opinion, as the wind stirs up everything, and
must strengthen and tranquilize the character of the people, as the mountain
gives tranquillity and nourishment to all that grows in its vicinity.
1
Rigid adherence to tradition has resulted in decay. But the decay has not yet
penetrated deeply and so can still be easily remedied. It is as if a son were
compensated for the decay his father allowed to creep in. Then no blame
attaches to the father. However, one must not overlook the danger or take
the matter too lightly. Only if one is conscious of the danger connected with
every reform will everything go well in the end.
2
This refers to mistakes that as a result of weakness have brought about decay-
hence the symbol, "what has been spoiled by the mother. " In setting things
right in such a case, a certain gentle consideration is called for. In order not to
wound, one should not attempt to proceed too drastically.
3
This describes a man who proceeds a little too energetically in righting the
mistakes of the past. Now and then, as a result, minor discourse and
annoyances will surely develop. But too much energy is better than too little.
Therefore, although he may at times have slight cause for regret, he remains
free of any serious blame.
4
This shows the situation of someone too weak to take measures against decay
that has its roots in the past and is just beginning to manifest itself. It is
allowed to run its course. If this continues, humiliation will result.
5
An individual is confronted with corruption originating from neglect in
former times. He lacks the power to ward it off alone, but with able helpers
he can at least bring about a thorough reform, if he cannot create a new
beginning, and this also is praiseworthy.
6
Not every man has an obligation to mingle in the affairs of the world. There
are some who are developed to such a degree that they are justified in letting
the world go its own way and refusing to enter public life with a view to
reforming it. But this does not imply a right to remain idle or to sit back and
merely criticize. Such withdrawal is justified only when we strive to realize
in ourselves the higher aims of mankind. For although the sage remains
distant from the turmoil of daily life, he creates incomparable human values
for the future.
Barbara Hejslip interpretationYou need to analyze and estimate events especially carefully: you can become the participant of changes in another's private life. You should be a master of the situation. It becomes possible owing to your present condition. Can happen so, that you will lose the friend. From you shortly it is possible to wait for the most unexpected acts. You need to clear the relations with associates. They not by way of, and problems arising from this can interfere with execution of your desires.
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Richard Wilhelm's commentary