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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  47. Confining (kùn). OppressionAdvise
Life - is itself a reason for joy, regardless of side it turns to you.
Inital text of I ChingThe Judgement
Oppression. Success. Perseverance. The great man brings about good fortune. No blame. When one has something to say, it is not believed.
The Image
There is no water in the lake: The image of Exhaustion. Thus the superior man stakes his life on following his will.
- One sits oppressed under a bare tree and strays into a gloomy valley. For three years one sees nothing.
- One is oppressed while at meat and drink. The man with the scarlet knee bands is just coming. It furthers one to offer sacrifice. To set forth brings misfortune. No blame.
- A man permits himself to be oppressed by stone, and leans on thorns and thistles. He enters his house and does not see his wife. Misfortune.
- He comes very quietly, oppressed in a golden carriage. Humiliation, but the end is reached.
- His nose and feet are cut off. Oppression at the hands of the man with the purple knee bands. Joy comes softly. It furthers one to make offerings and libations.
- He is oppressed by creeping vines. He moves uncertainly and says, "Movement brings remorse". If one feels remorse over this and makes a start, good fortune comes.
Prediction
There comes a time of decline. Your forces are exhausted, and now there is no desire to get down to business and move forward. Look for support in your soul. Beware of losing direction and spend energy on unnecessary worries and complaints, fear of losing freedom. Strive for solitude, focus on the inner life. Appreciate the time of enforced idleness - it is the best time to sort out internal problems, to find peace of mind and accumulate energy. There are rumors, idle gossip - do not worry, they are groundless. Pay attention to your health.
The lake is above, water below; the lake is empty, dried up. Exhaustion is
expressed in yet another way: at the top, a dark line is holding down two light
line; below, a light line is hemmed in between two dark ones. The upper
trigram belongs to the principle of darkness, the lower to the principle of
light. Thus everywhere superior men are oppressed and held in restraint by
inferior men.
THE JUDGMENT
Times of adversity are the reverse of times of success, but they can lead to
success if they; befall the right man. When a strong man meets with
adversity, he remains cheerful despite all danger, and this cheerfulness is the
source of later successes; it is that stability which is stronger than fate. He who
lets his spirit be broken by exhaustion certainly has no success. But if
adversity only bends a man, it creates in him a power to react that is bound in
time to manifest itself. No inferior man is capable of this. Only the great
man brings about goof fortune and remains blameless. It is true that for the
time being outward influence is denied him, because his words have no
effect. Therefore in times of adversity it is important to be strong within and
sparing of words.
THE IMAGE
When the water has flowed out below, the lake must dry up and become
exhausted. That is fate. This symbolizes an adverse fate in human life. In
such times there is nothing a man can do but acquiesce in his fate and remain
true to himself. This concerns the deepest stratum of his being, for this alone
is superior to all external fate.
1
When adversity befalls a man, it is important above all things for him to be
strong and to overcome the trouble inwardly. If he is weak, the trouble
overwhelms him. Instead of proceeding on his way, he remains sitting under
a bare tree and falls ever more deeply into gloom and melancholy. This
makes the situation only more and more hopeless. Such an attitude comes
from an inner delusion that he must by all means overcome.
2
This pictures a state of inner oppression. Externally, all is well, one has meat
and drink. But one is exhausted by the commonplaces of life, and there
seems to be no way of escape. Then help comes from a high place. A prince-
in ancient China princes wore scarlet knee bands- is in search of able helpers.
But there are still obstructions to be overcome. Therefore it is important to
meet these obstructions in the visible realm by offerings and prayer. To set
forth without being prepared would be disastrous, though not morally wrong.
Here a disagreeable situation must be overcome by patience of spirit.
3
This shows a man who is restless and indecisive in times of adversity. At
first he wants to push ahead, then he encounters obstructions that, it is true,
mean oppression only when recklessly dealt with. He butts his head against a
wall and in consequence feels himself oppressed by the wall. Then he leans
on things that have in themselves no stability and that are merely a hazard
for him who leans on them. Thereupon he turns back irresolutely and
retires into his house, only to find, as a fresh disappointment, that his wife is
not there. Confucius says about this line:
If a man permits himself to be oppressed by something that ought not to
oppress him, his name will certainly be disgraced. If he leans on things upon
which one cannot lean, his life will certainly be endangered. For him who is
in disgrace and danger, the hour of death draws near; how can he then still
see his wife?
4
A well-to-do man sees the need of the lower classes and would like very
much to be of help. But instead of proceeding with speed and energy where
their is need, he begins in a hesitant and measured way. Then he encounters
obstructions. Powerful and wealthy acquaintances draw him into their circle;
he has to do as they do and cannot withdraw from them. Hence he finds
himself in great embarrassment. But the trouble is transitory. The original
strength of his nature offsets the mistake he has made, and the goal is
reached.
5
An individual who has the good of mankind at heart is oppressed from
above and below (this is the meaning of the cutting off of nose an defeat). He
finds no help among the people whose duty it would be to aid in the work of
rescue (ministers wore purple knee bands). But little by little, things take a
turn for the better. Until that time, he should turn to God, firm in his inner
composure, and pray and offer sacrifice for the general well-being.
6
A man is oppressed by bonds that can easily be broken. The distress is
drawing to an end. But he is still irresolute; he is still influenced by the
previous condition and fears that he may have cause for regret if he makes a
move. But as soon as he grasps the situation, changes this mental attitude,
and makes a firm decision, he masters the oppression.
Barbara Hejslip interpretationNow for you time when it is not necessary to be accepted to something has come. This hexagram - one of four worst. It is necessary to wait some time, to put in order the ideas. Very probably, that the hand of the help to you will be stretched by the person whom you well know also which occupies high enough position; do not reject his advice. In fact now to you it is very poorly trusted in own forces. But circumstances will change for the better, and this period of bad luck will end.
  34. Great Invigorating (dà zhuàng). Great PowerAdvise
Efforts are not enough to move forward, you must select the correct direction and illuminate the way with intelligence.
Inital text of I ChingThe Judgement
The Power of the Great. Perseverance furthers.
The Image
Thunder in heaven above: The image of the Power of the Great. Thus the superior man does not tread upon paths that do not accord with established order.
- Power in the toes. Continuing brings misfortune. This is certainly true.
- Perseverance brings good fortune.
- The inferior man works through power. The superior man does not act thus. To continue is dangerous. A goat butts against a hedge and gets its horns entangled.
- Perseverance brings good fortune. Remorse disappears. The hedge opens; there is no entanglement. Power depends upon the axle of a big cart.
- Loses the goat with ease. No remorse.
- A goat butts against a hedge. It cannot go backward, it cannot go forward. Nothing serves to further. If one notes the difficulty, this brings good fortune.
Prediction
The potential is great; a lot of energy is accumulated. Learn how to properly send and distribute them. Excessive use of force and power is fraught with bad consequences, gradually increase your efforts. The use of force for other purposes - is dangerous. If you curb power - you will benefit. Before you start on the job, assess your capabilities - do not shoulder the burden unbearable. Rely not only on yourself, act together with others. To maintain relationships with like-minded be firm.
The great lines, that is, the light, strong lines, are powerful. Four light lines
have entered the hexagram from below and are about to ascend higher. The
upper trigram is Chên, the Arousing; the lower is ch'ien, the Creative.
Ch'ien is strong, Chên produces movement. The union of movement and
strength gives the meaning of THE POWER OF THE GREAT. The hexagram
is linked with the second month (March-April).
THE JUDGMENT
The hexagram points to a time when inner worth mounts with great force
and comes to power. But its strength has already passed beyond the median
line, hence there is danger that one may rely entirely on one's own power
and forget to ask what is right. There is danger too that, being intent on
movement, we may not wait for the right time. Therefore the added
statement that perseverance furthers. For that is truly great power which does
not degenerate into mere force but remains inwardly united with the
fundamental principles of right and of justice. When we understand this
point--namely, that greatness and justice must be indissolubly united--we
understand the true meaning of all that happens in heaven and on earth.
THE IMAGE
Thunder--electrical energy--mounts upward in the spring. The direction of
this movement is in harmony with that of the movement of heaven. It is
therefore a movement in accord with heaven, producing great power.
However, true greatness depends on being in harmony with what is right.
Therefore in times of great power the superior man avoids doing anything
that is not in harmony with the established order.
1
The toes are in the lowest place and are ready to advance. So likewise great
power in lowly station is inclined to effect advance by force. This, if carried
further, would certainly lead to misfortune, and therefore by way of advice a
warning is added.
2
The premise here is that the gates to success are beginning to open.
Resistance gives way and we forge ahead. This is the point at which, only too
easily, we become the prey of exuberant self-confidence. This is why the
oracle says that perseverance (i.e., perseverance in inner equilibrium, without
excessive use of power) brings good fortune.
3
Making a boast of power leads to entanglements, just as a goat entangles its
horns when it butts against a hedge. Whereas an inferior man revels in
power when he comes into possession of it, the superior man never makes
this mistake. He is conscious at all times of the danger of pushing ahead
regardless of circumstances, and therefore renounces in good time the empty
display of force.
4
If a man goes on quietly and perseveringly working at the removal of
resistances, success comes in the end. The obstructions give way and all
occasion for remorse arising from excessive use of power disappears.
Such a man's power does not show externally, yet it can move heavy loads,
like a big cart whose real strength lies in its axle. The less that power is
applied outwardly, the greater its effect.
5
The goat is noted for hardness outwardly and weakness within. Now the
situation is such that everything is easy; there is no more resistance. One can
give up a belligerent, stubborn way of acting and will not have to regret it.
6
If we venture too far we come to a deadlock, unable either to advance or to
retreat and whatever we do merely serves to complicate thing further. Such
obstinacy leads to insuperable difficulties. But if, realizing the situation, we
compose ourselves and decide not to continue, everything will right itself in
time.
Barbara Hejslip interpretationYou too actively aspire to be beaten out forward; it is not necessary, it only harms to you. Think of associates you people. Remember, that it is impossible to construct the well-being on failures of others. It is not necessary anybody and anything to sacrifice to own ambition. Behave more modestly, more tactfully, and your desire will be executed. Try to find here "golden mean".
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Richard Wilhelm's commentary