The Daily Yi_

         

From No. 39, Obstruction:

 

Line 2:

 

“The king’s servant is beset by obstruction upon obstruction,

But it is not his own fault.”

 

            This is the second of the four changing lines we received in connection with this hexagram.  It means that the obstructions you are running into are there “because you serve a larger cause, whether you realize it or not.” [R.L. Wing]

 

          The difficulties you face are not of your own making.  They are inherent in the process of trying to do something that benefits others besides yourself.   So don’t beat yourself up over the fact that you’re having problems proceeding down your path.

 

          Anthony and Moog see this line in a slightly different light:

 

“The line can also refer to a person who, through a misunderstanding of the term ‘duty,’ has put a spell on himself through thinking that he has a duty to an idea, an institution, or to another person.  The spell forces him into one difficult situation after another, all of which compromise his dignity and his integrity. His false sense of duty is creating the difficulties, which will get resolved when he frees himself from the self-image of the “dutiful person.”

 

          Give some thought to what is really the root cause of your obstructions – doing your “duty?”  Or your false sense of “duty?”   Either way, it’s not your fault.

 

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From No. 39, Obstruction:

Line 1:

“Going leads to obstructions,

Coming meets with praise.”

            This line is the first of four we received in connection with this hexagram.  Its message is simple: Now is not the time to push forward.  Doing so will only create more obstruction.

          You are not to give up; but you are advised to stop, observe, and wait for the right moment for action.

          Maybe one of the next three lines will give us advice on how to know when the right moment for action has “come” to us.

 

_The Daily Yi_

 

          Much as we might like to spend a day or two basking in yesterday’s reading, The Creative, with no changing lines . . .  the sun doesn’t stop at its zenith. It keeps moving, and so must we.

          So today I asked what direction this extended period of creative energy would take, and received No. 39, Obstruction, with four changing lines, Lines 1, 2, 4 and 6.

          This is another very interesting message, structurally.

No. 39 looks like this:

 

Sixth line        ____  ____

Fifth line         _________

Fourth line      ____  ____

Third line        _________

Second line     ____  ____

First line         ____  ____   

    Lines 1, 2, 4, and 6 are all yin lines.  When we change them to their opposites in order to get our future reading, we get  . . . .  all yang lines:  No. 1, The Creative!

          So the message here is:  Pay attention to today’s hexagram, and all the advice from the changing lines, and the period of Creative Energy will continue!

 No. 39, Obstruction:

 

“Obstruction. The southwest furthers.

The northeast does not further.

It furthers one to see the great man.

Perseverance beings good fortune.”

            In the I Ching system of metaphors, the southwest is the region of retreat, the northeast is the region of advance.  This is a message that right now, you have hit an obstruction, and it is best to back away.

          However, the retreat shouldn't be a complete turning away from the direction you were headed.  What is advised here is to pause, seek help, and then keep trying.

 

The Image contains some additional advice:

“Thus the superior man turns his attention to himself

And molds his character.”

       This points to the possibility that it is your own thinking or attitude that is the obstruction.  Or that a change in your attitude may be necessary in order for you to overcome an external obstacle.

          If the obstruction, and its solution, isn’t obvious to you, now would be a good time for some of that I Ching meditation we’ve been talking about. Open up, keep still, and let the Sage give you a hand.

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Copyright 2008.Susan Lee

           

The Daily Yi

 

            Drum roll, please:     We received hexagram No. 1, The Creative (or Creative Power, or The Cosmic Consciousness) with no changing lines.

           

No.1, The Creative:

“The Creative works sublime success,

Furthering through perseverance.”

The  Image:

 

“The movement of heaven is full of power.

Thus the superior man makes himself strong and untiring.”

                        “Without changing lines, Creative Power is a deeply significant omen.”  R.L. Wing

            Wilhelm says:  “When an individual draws this oracle, it means that success will come to him from the primal depths of the universe and that everything depends upon his seeking his happiness and that of others in one way only, that is, by perseverance in what is right.”

            This creative power is not merely the ability to conceive something new.  It is also the power to bring it into form; to make it real and solid.

            This hexagram is the trigram Heaven over the trigram Heaven – pure yang, from bottom to top. This doubling of the trigram is said to indicate both movement and duration added to the main concept of a supremely Creative force.

            It is noteworthy that we received No. 2, The Receptive - the pure yin hexagram -  yesterday as a future message.  Our polarity would appear to be in perfect balance!

            What could be more auspicious than a time of exceptional inspiration and energy that is expected to last?