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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  36. Brightness Hiding (míng yí). Darkening of the LightAdvise
Moving along the unlit road, we can come to a precipice or get bogged down.
Inital text of I ChingThe Judgement
Darkening of the Light. In adversity it furthers one to be persevering.
The Image
The light has sunk into the earth: The image of Darkening of the Light. Thus does the superior man live with the great mass: He veils his light, yet still shines.
- Darkening of the light during flight. He lowers his wings. The superior man does not eat for three days on his wanderings. But he has somewhere to go. The host has occasion to gossip about him.
- Darkening of the light injures him in the left thigh. He gives aid with the strength of a horse. Good fortune.
- Darkening of the light during the hunt in the south. Their great leader is captured. One must not expect perseverance too soon.
- He penetrates the left side of the belly. One gets at the very heart of the darkening of the light, and leaves gate and courtyard.
- Darkening of the light as with Prince Chi. Perseverance furthers.
- Not light but darkness. First he climbed up to heaven, then he plunged into the depths of the earth.
Prediction
The sun has left the ground. The situation is difficult. Judgments and actions are wrong. It is important time to stop and retreat, otherwise a great trouble may happen. You need to find clarity, or a long stagnation will come in business. Refer inside yourself: perhaps the cause of difficulties is in the absence of a clear goal.
Here the sun has sunk under the earth and is therefore darkened. The name
of the hexagram means literally "wounding of the bright"; hence the
individual lines contain frequent references to wounding. The situation is
the exact opposite of that in the foregoing hexagram. In the latter a wise man
at the head of affairs has able helpers, and in company with them makes
progress; here a man of dark nature is in a position of authority and brings
harm to the wise and able man.
THE JUDGMENT
One must not unresistingly let himself be swept along by unfavorable
circumstances, nor permit his steadfastness to be shaken. He can avoid this by
maintaining his inner light, while remaining outwardly yielding and
tractable. With this attitude he can overcome even the greatest adversities.
In some situations indeed a man must hide his light, in order to make his
will prevail inspite of difficulties in his immediate environment.
Perseverance must dwell in inmost consciousness and should not be
discernible from without. Only thus is a man able to maintain his will in the
face of difficulties.
THE IMAGE
In a time of darkness it is essential to be cautious and reserved. One should
not needlessly awaken overwhelming enmity by inconsiderate behavior. In
such times one ought not to fall in with the practices of others; neither
should one drag them censoriously into the light. In social intercourse one
should not try to be all-knowing. One should let many things pass, without
being duped.
1
With grandiose resolve a man endeavors to soar above all obstacles, but thus
encounters a hostile fate. He retreats and evades the issue. The time is
difficult. Without rest, he must hurry along, with no permanent abiding
place. If he does not want to make compromises within himself, but insists
on remaining true to his principles, he suffers deprivation. Never the less he
has a fixed goal to strive for even though the people with whom he lives do
not understand him and speak ill of him.
2
Here the Lord of Light is in a subordinate place and is wounded by the Lord of
Darkness. But the injury is not fatal; it is only a hindrance. Rescue is still
possible. The wounded man gives no thought to himself; he thinks only of
saving the others who are also in danger. Therefore he tries with all his
strength to save all that can be saved. There is good fortune in thus acting
according to duty.
3
It seems as if chance were at work. While the strong, loyal man is striving
eagerly and in good faith to create order, he meets the ringleader of the
disorder, as if by accident, and seizes him. Thus victory is achieved. But in
abolishing abuses one must not be too hasty. This would turn out badly
because the abuses have been in existence so long.
4
We find ourselves close to the commander of darkness and so discover his
mot secret thoughts. In this way we realize that there is no longer any hope of
improvement, and thus we are enabled to leave the scene of disaster before
the storm breaks.
5
Prince Chi lived at the court of the evil tyrant Chou Hsin, who, although not
mentioned by name, furnished the historical example on which this whole
situation is based. Prince Chi was a relative of the tyrant and could not
withdraw from the court; therefore he concealed his true sentiments and
feigned insanity. Although he was held a slave, he did not allow external
misery to deflect him from his convictions.
This provides a teaching for those who cannot leave their posts in times of
darkness. In order to escape danger, they need invincible perseverance of
spirit and redoubled caution in their dealings with the world.
6
Here the climax of the darkening is reached. The dark power at first held so
high a place that it could wound all who were on the side of good and of the
light. But in the end it perishes of its own darkness, for evil must itself fall at
the very moment when it has wholly overcome the good, and thus
consumed the energy to which it owed its duration.
Barbara Hejslip interpretationThe situation will very soon change. Therefore not be unduly self-confident, though you now and are accompanied with success. It is not necessary to be started up in love adventures, try to operate it is considered and it is provident. You have got used to consider as the minion of fortune, therefore and your acts can be misinterpreted. But do not worry, in the near future all will be changed, becomes on the places. It is not necessary to despair; but now your desires will not be executed. Be more economical.
  14. Great Possessing (dà yǒu). Great PossessionAdvise
Material wealth is not more expensive than the treasures of the soul. Achieved is not limit. Wealth is given for the sake of doing good things. Possession itself makes no good.
Inital text of I ChingThe Judgement
Possession in Great Measure. Supreme success.
The Image
Fire in heaven above: The image of Possession in Great Measure. Thus the superior man curbs evil and furthers good, and thereby obeys the benevolent will of heaven.
- No relationship with what is harmful; There is no blame in this. If one remains conscious of difficulty, one remains without blame.
- A big wagon for loading. One may undertake something. No blame.
- A prince offers it to the Son of Heaven. A petty man cannot do this.
- He makes a difference between himself and his neighbor. No blame.
- He whose truth is accessible, yet dignified, has good fortune.
- He is blessed by heaven. Good fortune. Nothing that does not further.
Prediction
It's time to reap the fruits. The great is achieved with the help of like-minded people. Wild land is cultivated. Share the fruit with those who helped them grow - it's the natural order of things, no one can resist this. Do not make low bow and do not encroach on someone else’s, be generous. Beware of the temptation to become proud and desire to show your wealth to everybody. Be active in order to avoid stagnation in business, develop success, and make your wealth work for good.
The fire in heaven above shines far, and all things stand out in the light and
become manifest. The weak fifth line occupies the place of honor and all the
strong lines are in accord with it.
All things come to the man who is modest and kind in a high position.
THE JUDGMENT
The two trigrams indicate that strength and clarity unite. Possessions great
measure is determined by fate and accords with the time. How is it possible
that the weak line has power to hold the strong lines fast and to possess
them? It is done by virtue of unselfish modesty. The time is favorable--a
time of strength within, clarity and culture without. Power is expressing itself
in graceful and controlled way. This brings supreme success and wealth.
THE IMAGE
The sun in heaven above, shedding light over everything one earth, is the
image of possession on a grand scale. But a possession of this sort must be
administered properly. The sun brings both evil and good into the light of
day. Man must combat and curb the evil, and must favor and promote the
good. Only in this way does he fulfill the benevolent will of God, who desires
only good and not evil.
1
Great possession that is still in its beginnings and that has not yet been
challenged brings no blame, since there has been no opportunity to make
mistakes. Yet there are many difficulties to be overcome. It is only by
remaining conscious of theses difficulties that one can keep inwardly free of
possible arrogance and wastefulness, and thus in principle overcome all cause
for blame.
2
Great possession consists not only in the quantity of goods at one's disposal,
but first and foremost, in their mobility and utility, for then they can be used
in undertakings, and we remain free of embarrassment and mistakes. The big
wagon, which will carry a heavy load and in which one can journey farm
means that there are at hand able helpers who give their support t and are
equal to their task. One can load great responsibility upon such persons, and
this is necessary in important undertakings.
3
A magnanimous, liberal-minded man should not regard what he possesses as
his exclusive personal property , but should place it at the disposal of the ruler
or of the people at large. In so doing, he takes the right attitude toward his
possession, which as private property can never endure. A petty man is
incapable of this. He is harmed by great possessions, because instead of
sacrificing them, he would keep them for himself.
4
This characterizes the position of a man placed among rich and powerful
neighbors. It is a dangerous position. He must look neither to the right nor
to the left, and must shun envy and the temptation to vie with others. In this
way he remains free of mistakes.
5
The situation is very favorable. People are being won not by coercion but by
unaffected sincerity, so that they are attached to us in sincerity and truth.
However, benevolence alone is not sufficient at the time of POSSESSION IN
GREAT MEASURE. For insolence might begin to spread. Insolence must be
kept in bounds by dignity; then good fortune is assured.
6
In the fullness of possession and at the height of power, one remains modest
and gives honor to the sage who stands outside the affairs of the world. By
this means one puts oneself under the beneficent influence descending form
heaven, and all goes well. Confucius says of this line:
To bless means to help. Heaven helps the man who is devoted; men help the
man who is true. He who walks in truth and is devoted in his thinking, and
furthermore reveres the worthy, is blessed by heaven. He has good fortune,
and there is nothing that would not further.
Barbara Hejslip interpretationThe sun shines brightly. It means, that you feel yourselves absolutely free. It is possible to tell, that you are rich - and is material, and spiritually. For success in affairs it is necessary to concentrate the will and desires that during the given period is necessary. Also do not overlook an overall objective, remember it though now all develops quite favorably for you. Do not spray itself!
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Richard Wilhelm's commentary