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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  57. Ground (xùn). The GentleAdvise
Let small things develop. Humble pride - be soft and flexible. Advice of a great person does not degrade, but exalts. Mercenariness disciplines.
Inital text of I ChingThe Judgement
The Gentle. Success through what is small. It furthers one to have somewhere to go. It furthers one to see the great man.
The Image
Winds following one upon the other: The image of the Gently Penetrating. Thus the superior man spreads his commands abroad and carries out his undertakings.
- In advancing and in retreating, the perseverance of a warrior furthers.
- Penetration under the bed. Priests and magicians are used in great number. Good fortune. No blame.
- Repeated penetration. Humiliation.
- Remorse vanishes. During the hunt three kinds of game are caught.
- Perseverance brings good fortune. Remorse vanishes. Nothing that does not further. No beginning, but an end. Before the change, three days. After the change, three days. Good fortune.
- Penetration under the bed. He loses his property and his ax. Perseverance brings misfortune.
Prediction
Life offers you a new environment in which you may appear an inexperienced person. Errors are possible: misconceptions about the intentions, wrong judgments and estimates, the failure of plans. It is necessary to grasp the essence of change, to develop a clear plan and step by step, 'grope'. Get ready for that you will find only small having lost a lot. It is useful to seek help from a more sophisticated man. What is important is the ability to obey, the ability to comply, give up ambitions, as well as clarity of intentions. Hypocrisy, pretence and arrogance are unacceptable. It is dangerous to muddle on, 'at your own risk', show inappropriate at this time determination and stubbornness. There may be conflicts with friends, quarrels with your beloved, family problems.
Sun is one of the eight doubled trigrams. It is the eldest daughter and
symbolizes wind or wood; it has for its attribute gentleness, which
nonetheless penetrates like the wind or like growing wood with its roots.
The dark principle, in itself rigid and immovable, is dissolved by the
penetrating light principle, to which it subordinates itself in gentleness. In
nature, it is the wind that disperses the gathered clouds, leaving the sky clear
and serene. In human life it is penetrating clarity of judgment that thwarts
all dark hidden motives. In the life of the community it is the powerful
influence of a great personality that uncovers and breaks up those intrigues
which shun the light of day.
THE JUDGMENT
Penetration produces gradual and inconspicuous effects. It should be effected
not by an act of violation but by influence that never lapses. Results of this
kind are less striking to the eye than those won by surprise attack, but they are
more enduring and more complete. If one would produce such effects, one
must have a clearly defined goal, for only when the penetrating influence
works always in the same direction can the object be attained. Small strength
can achieve its purpose only by subordinating itself to an eminent man who
is capable of creating order.
THE IMAGE
The penetrating quality of the wind depends upon its ceaselessness. This is
what makes it so powerful; time is its instrument. In the same way the
ruler's thought should penetrate the soul of the people. This too requires a
lasting influence brought about by enlightenment and command. Only when
the command has been assimilated by the people is action in accordance with
it possible. Action without preparation of the ground only frightens and
repels.
1
In born gentleness is often carried to the point of indecisiveness. One does
not feel strong enough to advance resolutely. A thousand doubts crop up; one
is, however, not minded to withdraw but drifts indecisively to and fro. In
such a situation, a military decisiveness is the proper thing, so that one
resolutely does what order demands. Resolute discipline is far better than
irresolute license.
2
At times one has to deal with hidden enemies, intangible influences that
slink into dark corners and from this hiding affect people by suggestion. In
instances like this, it is necessary to trace these things back to the most secret
recesses, in order to determine the nature of the influences to be dealt with.
This is the task of the priests; removing the influences is the task of the
magicians. The very anonymity of such plotting requires an especially
vigorous and indefatigable effort, but this is well worth while. For when such
elusive influences are brought into the light and branded, they lose their
power over people.
3
Penetrating reflection must not be pushed too far, lest it cripple the power of
decision. After a matter has been thoroughly pondered, it is essential to form
a decision and to act. Repeated deliberation brings fresh doubts and scruples,
and thereby humiliation, because one shows oneself unable to act.
4
When a responsible position and accumulated experience lead one to
combine innate modesty with energetic action, great success is assured. The
three kinds of animals referred to served for offerings to the gods, for feasting
guests, and for everyday consumption. When the catch answered all three
purposes, the hunt was considered especially successful.
5
In the situation described in Ku, WORK ON WHAT HAS BEEN SPOILED
(18), an entirely new point of departure must be set up, whereas here it is only
a question of reforms. The beginning has not been good, but the moment has
been reached when a new direction can be taken. Change and improvement
are called for. Such steps must be undertaken with steadfastness, that is, with
a firm and correct attitude of mind; then they will succeed, and remorse will
disappear. But it must be remembered that such improvements require
careful consideration. Before a change is made, it must be pondered over
again and again. After the change is made, it is necessary to note carefully for
some time after how the improvements bear the test of actuality. Such
careful work is accompanied by good fortune.
6
A man's understanding is sufficiently penetrating. He follows up injurious
influences into the most secret corners. But he no longer has the strength to
combat them decisively. In this case any attempt to penetrate into the
personal domain of darkness would only bring harm.
Barbara Hejslip interpretationAt present to you not so - that simply to understand a state of affairs and it is reasonable to estimate it. But you too exaggerate, representing events. Try to follow on that way which to you will be specified by the person well knowing you; and it will be the best exit. In five months your destiny will change for the better. To eliminate obstacles in a way of performance of your desires the woman will help. At all do not allow to persuade now itself on such actions as which consider erroneous and unnecessary.
  41. Diminishing (sǔn). DecreaseAdvise
Do not mourn the losses; look at them as a holy sacrifice. But do not sacrifice beyond measure. Too big gift is a product of pride.
Inital text of I ChingThe Judgement
Decrease combined with sincerity brings about supreme good fortune without blame. One may be persevering in this. It furthers one to undertake something. How is this to be carried out? One may use two small bowls for the sacrifice.
The Image
At the foot of the mountain, the lake: The image of Decrease. Thus the superior man controls his anger and restrains his instincts.
- Going quickly when one's tasks are finished is without blame. But one must reflect on how much one may decrease others.
- Perseverance furthers. To undertake something brings misfortune. Without decreasing oneself, one is able to bring increase to others.
- When three people journey together, their number decreases by one. When one man journeys alone, he finds a companion.
- If a man decreases his faults, it makes the other hasten to come and rejoice. No blame.
- Someone does indeed increase him. Ten pairs of tortoises cannot oppose it. Supreme good fortune.
- If one is increased without depriving others, there is no blame. Perseverance brings good fortune. It furthers one to undertake something. One obtains servants but no longer has a separate home.
Prediction
Much depends on you. Inner freedom is great - self-restraint is necessary, otherwise chaos will prevail, exhaustion. The inner truth is the basis of everything. You can act, but quickly and prudently. Success is in small matters, it is not the time for great things. Work moderately; do not spend a lot of energy. If you start a great thing – you have no enough energy and everything will turn into losses. Do not sacrifice a lot - just a small sacrifice made with pure thoughts.
This hexagram represents a decrease of the lower trigram in favor of the
upper, because the third line, originally strong, has moved up to the top, and
the top line, originally weak, has replaced it. What is below is decreased to
the benefit of what is above. This is out-and-out decrease. If the foundations
of a building are decreased in strength and the upper walls are strengthened,
the whole structure loves its stability. Likewise, a decrease in the prosperity of
the people in favor of the government is out-and-out decrease. And the
entire theme of the hexagram is directed to showing how this shift of wealth
can take place without causing the sources of wealth can take place without
causing the sources of wealth in the nation and its lower classes to fail.
THE JUDGMENT
Decrease does not under all circumstances mean something bad. Increase
and decrease come in their own time. What matters here is to understand
the time and not to try to cover up poverty with empty pretense. If a time of
scanty resources brings out an inner truth, one must not feel ashamed of
simplicity. For simplicity is then the very thing needed to provide inner
strength for further undertakings. Indeed, there need by no concern if the
outward beauty of the civilization, even the elaboration of religious forms,
should have to suffer because of simplicity. One must draw on the strength
of the inner attitude to compensate for what is lacking in externals; then the
power of the content makes up for the simplicity of form. There is no need
of presenting false appearances to God. Even with slender means, the
sentiment of the heart can be expressed.
THE IMAGE
The lake at the foot of the mountain evaporates. In this way it decreases to
the benefit of the mountain, which is enriched by its moisture. The
mountain stands as the symbol of stubborn strength that can harden into
anger. The lake is the symbol of unchecked gaiety that can develop into
passionate drives at the expense of the life forces. Therefore decrease is
necessary; anger must be decreased by keeping still, the instincts must be
curbed by restriction. By this decrease of the lower powers of the psyche, the
higher aspects of the soul are enriched/
1
It is unselfish and good when a man, after completing his own urgent tasks,
uses his strength in the service of others, and without bragging or making
much of it, helps quickly where help is needed. But the man in a superior
position who is thus aided must weigh carefully how much he can accept
without doing the helpful servant or friend real harm. Only where such
delicacy of feeling exists can one give oneself unconditionally and without
hesitation.
2
A high-minded self-awareness and a consistent seriousness with no forfeit of
dignity are necessary if a man wants to be of service to others. He who throw
himself away in order to do the bidding of a superior diminishes his own
position without thereby giving lasting benefit to the other. This is wrong.
To render true service of lasting value to another, one must serve him
without relinquishing oneself.
3
When there are three people together, jealousy arises. One of them will have
to go. Avery close bond is possible only between two people. But when one
man is lonely, he is certain to find a companion who complements him.
4
A man's faults often prevent even well-disposed people from coming closer
to him. His faults are sometimes reinforced by the environment in which he
lives. But if in humility he can bring himself to the point of giving them up,
he frees his well-disposed friends from an inner pressure and causes them to
approach the more quickly, and there is mutual joy.
5
If someone is marked out by fate for good fortune, it comes without fail. All
oracles-as for instance those that are read from the shells of tortoises-are
bound to concur in giving him favorable signs. He need fear nothing,
because his luck is ordained from on high.
6
There are people who dispense blessings to the whole world. Every increase
in power that comes to them benefits the whole of mankind and therefore
does not bring decrease to others. Through perseverance and zealous work a
man wins success and finds helpers as they are needed. But what he
accomplishes is not a limited private advantage; it is a public good and
available to everyone.
Barbara Hejslip interpretationBe generous to people; in fact that you today give them, tomorrow the destiny will return to you with percent{interests}. Perhaps, now it seems to you, that you are unduly prodigal; do not think of this, do not fall up to commercialism, and you will generously rewarded. Time favours to considering of plans and intellectual activity. The majority of your desires will be executed, and you will collect much more, than sowed.
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Richard Wilhelm's commentary