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Saturday, October 31, 2009
No. 60, Limitation:
"Limitation.
Success.
Galling limitation must not be persevered in."
"The most ancient and basic concern of mankind is that of regulating production and consumption within the dictates
of nature." [R.L. Wing] This is a time when you need to focus on living within your Limitations.
The idea, often propounded by self-help and motivational gurus, that
there are "no limits" is simply false. Everything has a limit. Ignoring these natural limits results in disaster.
But the Yi is warning you: Don't go overboard with this.
You should not be too strict with yourself, or with others.
Grounding your teenager for a month for a single curfew violation won't work - you'll exhaust yourself in a matter of days
trying to enforce it. Do you need to lose weight? Do Limit your calorie intake, but don't starve yourself.
Limitations that are too limiting are just self-defeating.
We'll look at the first of our two changing lines, Line 1, tomorrow.
Friday, October 30, 2009
No. 50, The Cauldron / The Ting / Cosmic Order:
"The
Cauldron. Supreme good fortune.
Success."
R.L.
Wing calls this hexagram Cosmic Order because it symbolizes a state of affairs where the needs of the individual
and the needs of the cosmos are in harmony. The Cauldron - or Ting - was a vessel used to make offerings
in ancient Chinese religious or cultural ceremonies.
The Yi is telling you that all the
necessary ingredients are "in the pot" for "supreme good fortune."
In other words, although you may still need to Tread carefully, if you follow the
advice in the main message and changing lines, the dangerous situation will change to one of harmony and fulfillment.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Treading / Conduct, Line 5:
"Resolute
conduct.
Perseverance with the awareness of danger."
Did you identify the tiger - the "wild, intractable person?" Do not directly challenge this
volatile individual, but do not let worry about the possibilities of what he might do stop you in your tracks.
Maintain your inner independence and resolve. It is important that you follow your own path past the tail of this
tiger. Do not concern yourself with what others think you should be doing.
Remain aware of the risks, but keep moving past the insecurity and instability.
We'll
look at the future of this situation tomorrow.
9:17 am edt
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
No. 10, Treading / Conduct, Line 3:
"A
one-eyed man is able to see,
A lame man is able to tread.
He treads on the tail of the tiger.
The tiger
bites the man.
Misfortune.
Thus does a warrior act on behalf of his great prince."
You can see the danger that lies in your path, but not with the proper perspective. Also,
you can move forward, but not from a position of strength.
Attempting to advance under
these circumstances may cause you to make a mistake. This will give the "wild, intractable" person you are
trying to Tread carefully around the opportunity to stop you.
The Yi seems
to think that's okay - getting bit by the tiger - if you are doing it on behalf of your "great prince." But - do
you really want to sacrifice your aims for someone else's?
Personally,
I think the better message to take from this line is: Don't try to make your move until you understand the situation clearly,
and have enough strength to move quickly beyond the danger.
Line 5 contains more specific
advice on how to proceed. We'll look at that tomorrow.
12:06 pm edt
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Treading / Conduct, Line 1*:
"Simple
conduct. Progress without blame."
You
could call this the KISS line: The Yi is saying "Keep It Simple, Stupid."
You are in the beginning stages of a situation that requires Treading
carefully. At this point, you are "still not bound by any obligations." [Wilhelm]
If you can remain content with your modest circumstances, and refrain
from trying to "get ahead" too fast, you will be able to make progress without arousing the opposition of the "wild,
intractable" person - the "tiger" whose bite you are trying to avoid.
What simple steps can you be taking now?
We'll look at Line 3 tomorrow.
.....................
*I was looking at the wrong hexagram
yesterday when I said we received Chaning Lines 2, 4 and 5. With this hexagram, we received 1, 3 and 5.
We're back on the path now. Susan Lee
Monday, October 26, 2009
No. 10, Treading
/ Conduct: "Treading. Treading upon the tail of the tiger. It does not bite the man. Success."
"Dignity" "Decorum" "Good manners" "A light touch" "Composed"
"Cautious" "Steadfastly innocent" "Conscientious" "Slow and patient"
These are all words I Ching translators have used to describe how you should act in the present
situation.
The tiger is most likely
"a wild, intractable person." [Wilhelm] Is it your boss? Your mother? A crazy coworker? Whoever
it is, it's someone you need to step lightly around.
Please note: You
cannot avoid contact with this person altogether. As Wing says, "The process of social readjustment is in the air. Some
are climbing. Some are falling. It's a natural occurrence."
Just don't step
on anyone's tail too hard on your way up.
Give some thought to who the "wild, intractable person" is in your life. (It may be all too painfully obvious.)
The Yi has lots more advice on how to handle them - we received three changing lines, Lines 2, 4 and 5. We'll
look at Line 2 tomorrow.
.............................
To receive The Daily Yi in your in-box
every day, send an email to susanlee@bookofchanges.org with "The Daily Yi" in the subject line.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
No. 7, The Army:
"The Army. The army needs perseverance
And a strong man. Good fortune without blame." "The Army is a guide
to proper conduct in the face of adversity." [Brian Browne Walker]
So - the
main message said that you will be undertaking a project in which you are Inexperienced. There is no shame
in being inexperienced, and asking questions, as long as you listen to, and heed, the answers you are given.
This future message advises you to be prepared for some opposition to this new direction you are taking. Be guided by the Yi's advice, as translated by James
Legg in 1854:
"The rules, it is said, are two-fold - first, that the war be
for a righteous end; and second, that the manner of conducting it, especially at the outset, be right."
In other words, be sure this new venture is something truly worthwhile, because you will need wide, and strong, support for
it to succeed. You can't go it alone on this one.
.......
To
receive The Daily Yi in your in-box every day, send an email to susanlee@bookofchanges.org with "The Daily Yi" in the subject line.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Youthful Folly / Inexperience,
Line 6:
"In
punishing folly
It does not further one
To commit transgressions.
The only thing that furthers
Is to prevent transgressions."
In your Inexperience, you may head down the wrong path. Can
you admit your missteps?
The Yi is telling you: You are being shown
the error of your ways. Pay attention, and make the necessary corrections.
"He who will not heed will be made to feel." [Wilhelm]
We'll see where the future goes tomorrow.
Friday, October 23, 2009
No. 4,
Youthful Folly / Inexperience:
"Youthful
Folly has success.
It is not I who seek the young fool.
The young fool seeks me.
At the
first oracle I inform him.
If he asks two or three times, it is importunity.
If he importunes,
I give him no information.
Perseverance furthers."
Do you find yourself in a situation that is new to you? "To put it bluntly, this hexagram signifies that at this moment
in your life, you need help." [Marshall]
There is no blame in seeking guidance
in an area that is new to you. You are not ignorant, nor stupid. You are only inexperienced.
To properly learn the lesson that is now presented to you, you must first seek out the right teacher: one who is wise and
balanced, not ego-driven and dictatorial.
Next, you must approach your learning with
modesty. Don't demand all the answers to life in six weeks or less. You can only learn one step at a time.
There is no Great Leap Forward here.
Next, trust and respect the answers you are given.
.
In sum, there are no stupid questions, but don't keep asking once you get the answer,
just because it's not what you want to hear.
We had one changing line, Line 6.
We'll look at it tomorrow.
9:59 am edt
Thursday, October 22, 2009
No. 33, Retreat:
"Retreat.
Success.
In what is small, perseverance furthers."
In Working on What Has Been Spoiled, your next, most successful step will be a Retreat.
The main message and changing lines described a situation that you inherited,
but need to break away from. You were advised not to do this too vigorously, but not to ignore or tolerate it, either.
With this future message, the Yi is telling you
that the best way out of this is to detach, and step away. Others who are enmeshed in this dysfunctional system, likely
your nearest and dearest, are not going to change.
"The only course open to you is to withdraw. This is not in anyway unworthy or cowardly, but shows that you genuinely
understand the situation." [Marshall]
9:30 am edt
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Work on What Has Been Spoiled / Decay / Repair, Line 5:
"Setting right what has been spoiled by the father.
One meets with praise."
You have identified what needs to be Repaired. The last line told you what will happen if you
continue to tolerate it: humiliation. This line says you will be praised if you set things straight.
I think we should be sending this line to the president and U.S. Senate.
Read Wilhelm's translation:
"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 is also praiseworthy."
Senators:
Be the "able helpers" you were elected to be, and pass real health care reform.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Work on What Has Been Spoiled / Decay / Repair, Line 4:
"Tolerating what has been spoiled by the father.
In continuing, one sees humiliation."
Have you identified "what has been spoiled" in your life - the attitude
or set of circumstances the Yi is telling you to Repair?
Wing suggests that "what has been spoiled by the father" is "a traditional and rigid structure that is affecting
your life." This could be any one of a thousand things - you have to go to the college your father went to, you
can't get a divorce because your church won't allow it, you can't quit your job or change fields because it's too risky, you
can't pursue a special interest because it will take too much time from what you "should" be doing.
This line says: You know that this situation needs to be changed, but you are
tolerating it out of inertia or lack of willpower. It may seem easier to just keep going the way things are, but be forewarned: Continuing
will end in your humiliation.
Tomorrow, in Line 5, the
Yi is going to tell us what will happen if, instead, we "set right" what has been spoiled by the father.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Work on What Has Been Spoiled, Line 2:
"Setting right what has been spoiled by the mother.
One must not be too
persevering."
"What has been spoiled"
is often an attitude or viewpoint that we have inherited from our families or cultures. We have accepted a set idea about
what we "should" do, when in fact, that way of life is not right for us at all.
Receiving this line indicates that this viewpoint may have been instilled in you with the very best of intentions, by those
who were convinced they were doing the right thing.
You need
to reject this attitude, but . . . you need to do it gently. Make this an internal change; go your
own way firmly, but not rebelliously. An "in your face" repudiation of family or cultural values is not advised.
Tomorrow we look at Line 4 for advice on what to do about
"what has been spoiled by the father."
Sunday, October 18, 2009
No. 18, Work on What Has Been Spoiled / Decay / Repair:
"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."
Receiving Decay
means that you are in a situation that has not merely stopped moving forward. It is now stagnant and starting
to, well, . . . rot.
You need to spend some significant time facing this situation squarely, accepting
it, and then deciding how to "work on what has been spoiled." That is the meaning of "Before
the starting point, three days; After the starting point, three days."
The
ultimate outlook, however, is good. Doing this necessary work will result in supreme
success - a long-term outcome that will make the work worthwhile.
The difficult first step
is identifying what situation the Yi is talking about. We received three changing lines with this hexagram, 2, 4, and
5, that give specific guidance on what this may be, and how to deal with it. We'll look at Line 2 tomorrow.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
No
29, Flowing Water:
“Flowing Water repeated.
If you are
sincere, you have success in your heart,
And whatever you do succeeds.”
Traditionally, this hexagram is called The Abysmal, because the two trigrams
that make up the hexagram symbolize rapidly flowing water at the bottom of a steep canyon, or Abyss. It
is also sometimes called Danger, because most translations put the emphasis on
the danger of such a situation.
But the actual words of The Judgment (above) are
about sincerity, and The Image says, “Water flows on uninterruptedly and reaches its goal, . . . Thus
the superior man walks in lasting virtue, and carries on the business of teaching. “ So I call it Flowing Water instead.
As the future of Conflict, the message is: There is danger in this
situation, but you can flow through it.
This hexagram ". . . is meant to teach us how to
conduct ourselves in trying situations. If we flow with them, and through them, staying true to what is best in ourselves,
we escape danger and reach a place of quiet refuge and good fortune beyond.” [Brian Browne Walker]
Bottom line: Go with the flow, keeping your focus on your higher purpose, and you will get past the Conflict.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Conflict, Line 6:
"Even if by chance
a leather belt is bestowed on one,
By the end of a morning
It will have been snatched away three times."
You are tempted to ignore the Yi's advice, because you feel
you can "win" this Conflict.
The Yi is warning
you: You may win the prize, but your trimuph will not last long.
It will only inspire continued attacks, "and the result is conflict without end." [Wilhelm]
Keeping that in mind, we'll look at the future of this Conflict tomorrow.
9:55 am edt
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Conflict, Line 4:
"One cannot engage
in conflict.
One turns back and submits to fate,
Changes one's attitude,
And finds peace in perseverance.
Good fortune."
With this line, the
Yi gives you the key to finding some "good fortune" in this Conflict: Change your attitude.
The main message said that you are not at fault in this
Conflict, but nevertheless, you can't win. Receiving this changing line indicates that you're having trouble accepting
that.
Have you identified the Conflict the
Yi is cautioning about? Do you find yourself saying, "That's not right!" and continuing the argument?
Changing Line 6 gives you a heads up on how that's going to work out. We'll look at
it tomorrow.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
No. 6, Conflict:
"Conflict. You are sincere
And
are being obstructed.
A cautious halt halfway brings good fortune.
Going through to the end brings misfortune.
It furthers one to see the great man.
It does not further one to cross the great water."
You are entering a time and a set of circumstances that bring you into
Conflict.
In this Conflict, you are not at fault. The Yi states that
clearly. However, you can only control your own actions. It is not within your power to get others to see
things your way.
Meet the other party to this Conflict
halfway, but no more. Pushing ahead in the desire to "win" brings nothing but misfortune.
If you can't let go of this, seek the counsel of someone wiser. Do not rush into a
new project - or a new relationship - as a way of distracting yourself. You need to successfully work your way
through this before you will be ready to move on.
We received two changing lines, Lines 4 and 6, that give specific advice on getting past
this obstacle. We'll look at Line 4 tomorrow.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
No. 25,
Innocence / The Unexpected:
"Innocence.
Supreme success.
Perseverance furthers.
If someone is not as he should be,
He has misfortune,
And it does not further him
To undertake anything."
When we change our correspondent's changing lines, Lines 5
and 6, from yin to yang, we receive the future message Innocence,
also known as The Unexpected. As the future of The Arousing / Shock,
it means that the changes will just keep on coming.
The important thing now is to unstructure your attitude,
so that you may meet The Unexpected with Innocence - no preconceived notions as to whether the change
is good or bad, right or wrong.
Letting this change happen without trying to direct
it, and without judging it, will bring supreme success. Failure to follow your inner guide, and be true to yourself,
will result in misfortune.
So - you're not out of the pinball machine just yet. Life has at least one more hit waiting
for you. Just go in the direction it sends you.
Monday, October 12, 2009
The Arousing / Shock,
Line 6:
“Shock brings ruin and terrified gazing around.
Going ahead brings misfortune.
If it has not yet touched one’s own body
But has reached one’s neighbor first,
There is no blame.
One’s comrades have something to talk about.”
This
shock may be like an earthquake – something that affects everyone.
This is
not the time to make any significant moves. “. . .[T]he right thing is to keep still until composure
and clarity are restored.” [Wilhelm].
As the dust settles, it will become apparent that you
have not been harmed, at least, not as much as those around you.
There is no blame for
you in this. Do not let the envious or angry talk of others dissuade you from doing what is right for you.
We’ll
look at the future of this reading tomorrow.
10:23 am edt
Sunday, October 11, 2009
The Arousing / Shock,
Line 5: “Shock goes hither and thither. Danger.
However, nothing at all is lost. Yet
there are things to be done.”
.
Shock may come to us in many forms – an accident, an illness,
loss of a job, a discovery of unfaithfulness, the death of a loved one.
Receiving Line 5 suggests that this time it will be a series of shocks, as if you were the ball in a pinball machine,
being tossed from one hard bump to another. This
line may point to a on-going argument, where nothing gets closer to being resolved – you and the other party just keep
flinging opposite points of view back and forth. [Anthony and Moog] This
can be dangerous. However, if you maintain your center, and don’t allow yourself to be dragged off
course, in the end, you will lose nothing.
But you are not out of the woods yet. Tomorrow
we look at Line 6, which has more specific advice on how to survive this time of Shock.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Today's Daily Yi is a hexagram thrown by a correspondent, with two changing
lines, 5 and 6.
No. 51,
The Arousing / Shock:
“Shock brings success.
Shock
comes --- oh, oh! Laughing words --- ha, ha! The shock terrifies for a hundred miles,
And he does
not let fall the sacrificial spoon and chalice."
Look out
- a big shock is coming.
You
receive this hexagram when you have experienced, or are about to experience, a very unsettling event, which will
shake your confidence in the way you have been living your life.
Indeed, the shock is sent to give you a wake up
call - to make you aware that the your ordinary responses to events, which you have been taking for granted
as correct, are not, in fact, what you should be doing.
"The severity of the Cosmic shock corresponds to the degree needed to wake
the person up." [Anthony/Moog] The key to a successful outcome of this situation is to hold on to your own
most important, highest values.
What's it going to take to wake you up? Do you understand the
lesson the shock is trying to teach you?
We'll look at Line 5 tomorrow for some specific guidance.
10:40 am edt
Friday, October 9, 2009
No.
21, Biting Through / Reform:
"Biting Through has success.
It is favorable to let justice be administered."
Receiving Reform as the future of The
Taming Power of the Great means a major, even radical Reform will be needed
for you to make the most of the energy that is available to you.
"There could not
be a more appropriate time to examine your character and determine the extent to which any delusions, rationalizations, or
habits have usurped control of your judgment." [R.L. Wing]
None
of us wants to look closely at our delusions and rationalizations - that's why we developed them in the first place.
But the Yi is stating, flat out, that you need to face up them, and Bite Through.
In what situation have
you been telling yourself, "Things will get better," when in your heart you know they probably will not?
Put your
increased energy to good use: Do what has to be done, and Bite Through to a better future.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
The Taming Power of the Great, Line 4:
"The headboard of a young bull.
Great good fortune."
Many early cultures fastened headboards across the foreheads of young bulls
to blunt their horns as they grow, making them less dangerous.
As
your great power begins to develop, restrain it, and direct it. The temptation to use unchecked power is too great.
Focusing your power in a well-rounded way is what will
bring the greatest success.
What kind of restraint is the Yi urging
you to apply?
We'll look at the future of The Taming Power of
the Great tomorrow.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
The Taming Power of the Great, Line 3:
"A
good horse that follows others.
Awareness of danger,
With perseverance, furthers.
Practice chariot driving
and armed defense daily.
It furthers one to have somewhere to go."
"The way opens; the hindrance has been cleared away." [Wilhelm]
Whatever is stopping you will eventually disappear. In this next stage, you will be able to progress, but: you must:
1. Remain aware of the dangers;
2. Actively work on the skills that will keep you moving forward;
and
3. Keep your defenses up.
What "dangers" await you in the situation
that concerns you most? What skills do you need to keep working on?
The Yi has one
more piece of advice on how to make the most of the great energy that was the promise of the main message. We'll look at Line
4 tomorrow.
9:27 am edt
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
The Taming Power of the Great / Potential Energy / Restraint,
Line 2:
"The axletrees are taken from the wagon."
You have great potential energy, but you can't move forward
right now.
At this early stage, there is some good reason
you can't make forward progress. You should not push.
Merely stop and wait until progress is possible. "In this way energy accumulates for a vigorous advance later on."
[Wilhelm]
This state of affairs will improve, as we will
see when we look at Line 3 tomorrow.
Monday, October 5, 2009
No. 26, The Taming Power of the Great / Potential Energy / Restraint:
"The Taming Power
of the Great. Perseverance furthers. Not eating at home brings good fortune. It furthers one to cross the great water."
Do
you have a new project you have been itching to try? A new direction you want to take? Now is the time to
start. A great storehouse of energy is available to you. That translates into power.
"Not eating at home brings good fortune" does not, unfortunately, mean that the
Yi is encouraging you to head for Applebees this evening. It means that now is the time to take your virtues out and share
them with others.
Ambitious or far-reaching
goals are favored now, as long as they are aligned with the common good. Just be sure you expend this storehouse of
energy and potential in a controlled and careful manner.
The Yi has quite a bit more
to say about how to use this power - changing lines 2, 3 and 4. We'll start with Line 2 tomorrow.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
No. 49, Revolution / Changing:
"Revolution.
On your own day
You are believed.
Supreme success.
Furthering through perseverance.
Remorse disappears."
What is this Revolutionary
Change?
The Yi suggests it will manifest in your most deeply-held beliefs
- your inner truth will shed any outer constraints and your true self will not only be accepted, but applauded.
Just as the butterfly emerges from its cocoon and the chick hatches from the egg, you will throw
off the old forms that have surrounded you, and perhaps protected you. They are no longer needed.
This is not to say that the process will be easy. You may have to peck on that shell hard and long to get out.
We received this message without changing lines. That indicates that this atmosphere favorable
to change will factor for a considerable time to come.
4:31 pm edt
Saturday, October 3, 2009
No. 38, Opposition / Contradiction:
"Opposition. In small matters, good
fortune."
When receiving Possession
in Great Measure, you will encounter Opposition from many directions.
Winning the lottery is the easiest example. Lottery winners are immediately
besieged by relatives, friends, and total strangers, each with a different idea of how that money should be spent.
The Yi cautions you to take only the sort of small steps that will not provoke
a strong response. Hold on to your Great Measure until you can figure out the best way to use it for the
common good, as advised in the changing line.
Or it may be that your contradictions are internal - you can't make up your
mind about what to do, or which direction to go. Let's say your Great Measure is just enough to quit your
job and go on a round the world tour, or keep working and buy a house. Take only small steps until your true desires
make themselves clear.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Possession in Great Measure, Line 3:
"A
prince offers it to the Son of Heaven.
A petty man cannot do this."
What should you do with your Possession in Great Measure?
The
Yi suggest that those of finer quality will put their assets to work for the benefit of the greater good.
This may not be easy. Others may feel they have a right to your good fortune.
We'll
get a sense of what this may mean when we look at the future reading tomorrow.
7:35 pm edt
Thursday, October 1, 2009
No. 14,
Possession in Great Measure:
"Possession in Great Measure.
Supreme success."
Possession in Great Measure and supreme success! This is a good one, isn't it?!
Wealth
alone is not "supreme success" in Eastern philosophies. "Supreme success" is being
able to realize your true self, pursue your true goals, and develop harmonious relationships. This
reading says you are entering a time is favorable for both.
The Image adds : "Thus the superior man curbs evil and furthers good,
and thereby obeys the benevolent will of heaven."
So -
good things will not just be plopped in your lap. You will have to behave appropriately.
What does that mean? We received Line 3, which may help us figure that out. We'll look
at that tomorrow.
9:27 pm edt
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