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Sunday, January 31, 2010
No. 53, Development / Gradual Progress:
"Development. The maiden
Is given in marriage.
Good fortune.
Perseverance furthers."
Are you frustrated with your current situation?
Impatient?
"While we desire rapid progress - we want to change someone's mind today,
achieve all our goals immediately - sooner or later we must come to understand that the only lasting progress is
gradual progress. This message comes to urge you to accept this fact and adjust your attitude and actions accordingly."
[Brian Browne Walker]
The Image explains:
"On the mountain, a tree:
The image of Development.
Thus the superior man abides in dignity
and virtue,
In order to improve the mores."
True
advancement and growth will only happen slowly, at a steady, measured pace. You will have to remain strong within to influence
those around you, and development of your inner strength needs to come first.
Grow
- but grow slow, like a tree.
Can a wild goose land in a tree? (Hint:
It has webbed feet) The Yi's answer to that is our only changing line, Line 4. We'll find out the answer tomorrow.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
No. 24, Return / The Turning Point:
"Return. Success.
Going out and coming in without error.
Friends come without blame.
To and fro goes the way.
On the seventh day comes return.
It furthers
one to have somewhere to go."
Things will soon start to get lighter and brighter.
The I Ching - the Book of Changes - is your guide to the natural changes
that are part of the cycle of life. This hexagram symbolizes the winter solstice, The Turning Point, when light
begins its slow and steady increase.
"The old will be discarded and the new introduced." [Wilhelm] This includes relationships. The Yi says:
Don't feel guilty about discarding the "old" and welcoming the "new." It is merely a part of
the natural progression of things.
This new situation still has to develop, slowly, over a long period of time. Remain
Receptive to what is coming your way.
Friday, January 29, 2010
The Receptive, Line 1:
"When
there is hoarfrost underfoot,
Solid ice is not far off."
Examine your relationships: If things have been a little cold lately in some area, "solid ice" is
not far off.
However, this line is meant to give you a "heads
up." Being more Receptive to the other person's point of view can save the situation.
The Yi advises: Make adjustments while you can, before the situation solidifies.
Tomorrow
we'll look at the future of The Receptive.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
No. 2, The Receptive:
"The Receptive brings about sublime success.
Furthering through the perseverance of a mare.
If the superior
man undertakes something and tries to lead,
He goes astray;
But if he follows, he finds guidance.
It is favorable
to find friends in the west and south,
To forgo friends in the east and north.
Quiet perseverance brings good fortune."
Now is the time
for you to seek a supportive role. Trying to lead will take you in the wrong direction. Being Receptive
instead brings "sublime success."
"The east symbolizes the place where a man
receives orders from his master, and the north where he reports on what he has done." [Wilhelm] The
Yi says: Don't go there. You need to be Receptive, but not an unthinking follower.
Is there a situation where you are just itching to take over and straighten things out? Take a deep breath, and
see if there isn't some other, more Receptive way you can approach it.
There was only one changing line with this hexagram. We'll look at Line 1 tomorrow.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
No.
7, The Army / Collective Force:
"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 - there is
some adversity awaiting you as you Push Upward. 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 your efforts are for something truly worthwhile, then pursue your goal in an honest and honorable
way.
We received this hexagram,
also as a future message, just last Tuesday. This is the Yi reminding you: You may have to be militant and
use some force in moving forward. There is no blame in this.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Pushing Upward, Line 3:
“One pushes
upward into an empty city."
Here's an opportunity to exercise your intuition. What does this line mean - to you?
The main message, Pushing Upward, said this was a favorable
time, and that conscientious effort would be rewarded with "supreme success."
Some commentators say Line 3 means that you will reach a place where there are no obstructions to your progress.
Others say it means that there is no real reward for you in reaching the goal you're Pushing Upward for.
Which is it? There is no other text to guide us. All the other changing lines to this message indicate a
set of circumstances, and either "good fortune" or "no blame." This line is silent.
Apply this line to your own set of circumstances. Does your intuition tell you which
is most likely?
We'll look at where this situation is trending tomorrow.
Monday, January 25, 2010
No. 46, Pushing Upward:
"Pushing upward
has supreme success.
One must see the great man.
Fear not.
Departure toward the south
Brings good fortune."
A very auspicious message: Success is assured if one
exerts the appropriate effort.
This is an organic movement upward, like a tree growing.
But supreme success won't just be dropped in your lap; you will have to put some energy behind it, and push.
You may have to take this to someone in authority, but don't be afraid of that. Setting the activity
in motion (the departure toward the south) almost guarantees good fortune.
Anthony and Moog say the
person "[r]eceiving this hexagram is counsel[ed] to make a decision between two paths. . . .the path of his unique
destiny that he alone can trod by following his inner truth, or the one laid out . . .that has been trodden by others."
What two paths do you need to choose between?
Tomorrow we'll look at Changing Line 3, which may help you choose the right path.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
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."
Have you received a Shock in recent days? Did you respond to this Shock with dismay and
denial? This is natural, but keep in mind: the first thing the Yi tells us about this Shock
is that it brings success.
"The proper response to shocking or disturbing events
is to quiet your ego's demand for an immediate solution, open your mind, and accept that what is happening has come to teach
you a specific and necessary lesson." [Walker]
We received this hexagram without changing lines. That means that this state of affairs
won't be over with just one Shock. As with an earthquake, the shocks will continue,
in varying degrees of severity.
If, however,
you maintain your focus on higher things - a "profound inner seriousness" - "all terrors glance off harmlessly."
[Wilhelm] In other words, don't panic and grab for the easiest and quickest solution. You'll come through this
okay.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
No. 12, Stagnation / Standstill:
"Standstill. Evil people do not further
The perseverance of the superior
man.
The great departs; the small approaches."
What goes up, must come down. And what Progresses (our main message) will come to a Standstill.
This will probably be the result of influences that are beyond your control. As Brian Browne Walker says,
"It is an inescapable fact of life that inferior influences sometimes prevail."
Be alert for the signs that the atmosphere
of Progress is changing - that "the great" is departing and "the small" is approaching - and
adjust your efforts accordingly. Don't waste energy fighting the tide.
The Image advises,
"Thus the superior man falls back upon his inner worth in order to escape the difficulties." Focus
on a purely personal interest, or perhaps a spiritual practice. This will be a time to "hide [your]
worth and withdraw into seclusion." [Wilhelm]
Friday, January 22, 2010
Progress, Line 5:
"Remorse disappears.
Take not gain and loss to heart.
Undertakings bring good fortune.
Everything serves to further."
Are you on top of the world when things are going in
your favor, then sad or depressed when they're not?
The Yi advises you
not to focus so much on the inevitable highs and lows of the journey of life. Regret will disappear when you accept that "sometimes
you get the elevator, and sometimes you get the shaft." You are not in control of everything.
What's important is that now is a favorable time to pursue your goals. Don't get slowed down
by "the thrill of victory" and the "agony of defeat."
Was that famous philosopher MC Hammer (The Funky Headhunter) the originator of the phrase "It's All Good?"
Wikipedia says so. But I think the I Ching was there first with "Everything serves to further."
This advice will stand us in good stead when
we look at the future, tomorrow.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
No. 35, Progress:
"Progress. The powerful prince
Is
honored with horses in large numbers.
In a single day he is granted audience three times."
Progress is a combination of the elements of Li, fire or
light, over Earth: the image of the sun rising over the earth, with ever-increasing
light.
This indicates a time of relatively easy progress. "[G]ranted audience three times" means that people
will be listening to what you have to say. If you are creative, people will view your work or read your words with sincere
interest.
Progress may be on the outer, or inner, plane. “For the
individual person, progress always proceeds in the direction of fulfilling his destiny,
which is to give expression to his uniqueness.” [Anthony and Moog]
What steps can you take to fulfill your destiny and give expression to your uniqueness?
The Yi has some advice for us in Changing Line 5, tomorrow.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
No. 64, Before Completion:
“Before Completion. Success.
But if the little fox, after
nearly completing the crossing,
Gets his tail in the water.
There is nothing that would further."
We received this hexagram with no changing lines. The message? Don't
hesitate too long before taking the final steps to "the other shore."
Like the little
fox crossing an ice-covered river, you need to move carefully. But you do need to keep moving.
". . . it could suggest that you are not prepared to see clearly what must be done and take the final steps into
the future. This may be a fear of the emptiness that sometimes comes after achieving a goal, or, on a more primal level, a
fear of death. . . . All aspects of life and human affairs must come to an end and begin anew. The awareness and
acceptance of this is the richness of the human experience. . . Do not become suspended in a meaningless midbreath."
[Wing]
This is, after all, the Book of Changes.
9:13 am est
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
No.
7, The Army / Collective Force:
"The Army. The army
needs perseverance
And
a strong man. Good fortune without
blame."
This future message advises
you to be prepared for the need for widespread support for the new direction you will be taking. You will no
longer be Subordinate, but you will not be able to go it alone, either.
The Image:
"In the middle of
the earth is water: The image of The Army. Thus the superior man increases his masses By
generosity toward the people."
You will need
"this energy of mass support." [Wing] Your goals must be higher goals; goals that will benefit
your entire society. Not
confident of your ability to mobilize this Army? Remember, this is a future message. Take all the time necessary
to build this reservoir of support.
Monday, January 18, 2010
The Marrying Maiden / Subordinate, Line
4:
“The
marrying maiden draws out the allotted time.
A late marriage comes in due course."
It may seem as though life is passing you by. The Yi says:
Don't opt for Mr. "Right Now" - Mr. Right is coming.
The main message advised
accepting a subordinate position for the time being. Line 1 said you could make some progress in this position, but
only in small steps.
Have you identified what situation in your life the Yi is talking about? It is not necessarily a romantic relationship.
It could involve a job you feel stuck in, a college, or course of study, or a place to live that doesn't quite feel right.
Let your intuition guide you.
How long will this take? The Yi doesn't speak in weeks or months, but with Line 4, it
tells you that the wait will probably be longer than the culturally accepted "alloted time."
Hold on.
When the right situation comes, it will come with Force.
We'll look at that tomorrow.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
The Marrying Maiden / Subordinate, Line 1:
"The marrying maiden as a concubine.
A lame man who is able to tread.
Undertakings bring good fortune."
At the beginning of this situation (Line 1), you will remain in a subordinate
position. You are hampered by some disability - probably this low spot in the pecking order.
But
. . . you can still make progress. As long as you understand and accept the constraints of the time, the "undertakings
bring misfortune" of the main message will progress into "undertakings" that "bring good fortune."
As yesterday's main message said, view this as "transitory." Don't lose sight of "the
light of the eternity of the end" - reaching your own goals.
How long will this state of affairs last?
That's a question we always ask, but the Yi seldom addresses. Line 4 is the rare exception, and we'll look at that tomorrow.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
No. 54, The Marrying Maiden / Subordinate:
"The Marrying Maiden.
Undertakings
bring misfortune.
Nothing that would further."
Is there an area in your life where you are taking a back
seat - a Subordinate position - and are itching to break out and take control? The Yi advises that now is not the time to make your move.
Your situation now is like that of a concubine in ancient China.
You are in some way a "junior wife," subject to the direction and control of a husband and the "senior wife." It is likely that you got into this position because you needed the
security.
The Image give some advice on what to do:
"Thus the superior man understands the transitory in the light of the eternity of the end."
In other words, whatever this situation
is - a relationship or a job, for example - it won't last forever. (In fact, it will change dramatically, as we will see when
we get to the future message.) Do what is required of you in the present, but inwardly, focus on your own long-term
goals. As Wing says, "Do only what you were hired to do; do it well and nothing more."
The Yi sent along two changing lines with
specific advice on how to get through this time; Lines 1 and 4. We'll look at Line 1 tomorrow.
Friday, January 15, 2010
No. 52, Keeping Still / Mountain:
"Keeping Still. Keeping his back still
So that he no longer feels his body.
He goes into his courtyard
And does not see his people.
No blame."
After the time of Splitting Apart is over, you may be well advised to just
. . .Keep Still.
The
Image explains further:
"Mountains standing close together:
The Image of Keeping Still.
Thus the superior man does not permit his thoughts
To go beyond his situation."
That's the key to Keeping Still: Let go of worrying about
what has happened, or what may happen..
What you need now is inner
peace. The Yi advises meditation - "keeping his back straight so that he no longer feels his body." Wilhelm
says, "Possibly the words of the text embody directions for the practice of yoga."
I love Wilhelm's explanation of The Image:
"The
heart thinks constantly. This cannot be changed, but the movements of the heart - that is, a man's thoughts - should restrict
themselves to the immediate situation. All thinking that goes beyond this only makes the heart sore."
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Splitting Apart, Line 3:
"He
splits with them. No blame."
Have you
identified what you need to Split from?
Line
3 points to a group to which you are tied by societal conventions - like family, or school - or by voluntary association
- like a workplace or political party - that at present is a negative, inferior influence. Wilhelm calls it "an
evil environment."
As the main message indicated, this inferior influence is on
the rise, and there is nothing you can do to stop it.
The
one and only thing you can do is: Separate yourself from it.
It is likely that you are reluctant to do this. A sense of belonging is
important to humans. It's right after physical safety on Maslow's hierarchy of needs. We find separation from others
painful, even when the association itself is hurting us.
The Yi is saying,
"You need to do this for your own good."
We'll look at what the next step should be in the future message tomorrow.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
No. 23, Splitting Apart:
"Splitting apart. It does not further
one
To go anywhere."
Yesterday's message was "an eternal spring in regard to the object of your inquiry." Today,
it's back to Splitting Apart, the message from the day before yesterday.
This
is the Yi saying, as Han Solo solo said to Luke Skywalker, "Don't get cocky, kid!" The long-term outlook is
auspicious- an eternal spring. But . . . you will still have to deal with the separation from some
life circumstance or relationship.
Remember:
This is a change that is beyond your control. It is not a situation that you can - or should - hold together. In
fact, the timing of this combination of hexagrams suggests that Splitting Apart may be necessary for
you to make full use of the "eternal spring."
"For
it is a question not of man's doing, but of time conditions. . . It is impossible to counteract these conditions of the
time. Hence it is not cowardice but wisdom to submit and avoid action." [Wilhelm] (And we'll hear more about
that in the future message.)
We received one changing line, Line 3, which points
directly at the situation from which you must Split. We'll look at that tomorrow.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
No. 19, Approach / Growth:
"Approach has supreme
success.
Perseverance furthers.
When the eighth month comes,
There will be misfortune."
We received this hexagram only a few
days ago, on Jan. 4. And this time, it came without changing lines, indicating "an eternal spring
in regard to the object of your inquiry. This is indeed auspicious . . ." [Wing]
What did you decide to Approach?
The Yi is telling you that the Splitting Apart of the last message is not a dead end. It is merely part of
the natural way - the Growth process - of all things.
The
time of "joyous, hopeful progress" and beneficial influences will continue.
Monday, January 11, 2010
No. 23, Splitting Apart:
"Splitting apart. It does not further
one
To go anywhere."
You were advised in the main message, Work on What Has Been Spoiled, to spend considerable time evaluating where
you are, and how you got there. This realistic appraisal will help you in the coming time of Splitting
Apart.
You will be separating from some life circumstance
or relationship. This is a change that is beyond your control. It is not a situation that you can - or should
- hold together, and this will not be a time to begin a new endeavor.
"For it is a question not of man's doing, but of time conditions, which, according to the laws of heaven, show an alternation
of increase and decrease, fullness and emptiness. It is impossible to counteract these conditions of the time. Hence it is
not cowardice but wisdom to submit and avoid action." [Wilhelm]
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Work On What Has Been Spoiled / Decay, Line 3:
"Setting right what has been spoiled by the father.
There will be a little remorse.
No great
blame."
"What has been spoiled by
the father" refers to rules for living that have been installed in you by authority figures. They may not
be actual rules. They may be traditions, or even just expectations.
The main message said you need to identify these false ideas and beliefs that are "spoiling" your life, and
get rid of them. Line 3 says that once you figure out what you need to do, your actions may cause some regret.
It is difficult to separate yourself from the ties
that have been controlling you without causing some distress. Remember - when you quit the rat race, the other rats
don't like it.
Don't let this deter you. There is no blame in this for you.
We'll look at the future of this situation tomorrow.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Work on What Has Been Spoiled / Decay, Line 2:
"Setting
right what has been spoiled by the mother.
One must not be too persevering."
"What has been spoiled by the mother" refers to ideas, beliefs and attitudes that you have unquestioningly
adopted because they were instilled in you from a very young age. The problem is, they do not reflect reality, and living
your life by them is hurting you.
"Guilt" is a common example. "My Mother
is the Travel Agent for Guilt Trips" was a popular slogan button in the 70's, and the concept still rings as true today
as it apparently did 3,000+ years ago when the I Ching was committed to paper.
Do you
feel guilty about things you "should" have done, constantly feeling you "should have done more" when,
in fact, the situation was not in your control, or was the responsibility of someone else?
Recognizing and correcting this type of faulty thinking is not an easy process. The Yi cautions against being too harsh. Once
you recognize where it came from, don't "fault" the source. That only sets you up for further mental struggle.
Focus instead on disengaging, so you can move forward, unencumbered.
Tomorrow we see how to work on "what has been spoiled by the father."
10:05 am est
Friday, January 8, 2010
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."
Have
you already made - and broken - your New Year's resolutions? Most of us have.
This hexagram arrives to tell you that it's not just that you need
to lose weight or get more exercise or stop smoking. There is a fundamental, traditional viewpoint or attitude that
you have accepted and adopted that is, unfortunately, just not true.
Ideally, you would spend three full days analyzing the problem, one day resolving to repair the damage, and three days watching
carefully to see that the attitudes or behaviors that caused the problem do not return.
This will
be hard to do, except on a week-long meditation retreat. But the use of "days" is just a metaphor for setting
aside a significant amount of time where your focus is on looking at how you got to this point, what you need to do to change
direction, and then resolving to keep moving in the new direction.
The changing lines help
us understand what kind of change is needed. We received Lines 2 and 3, which we'll look at in the coming days.
For now, as your first step, look at the "shoulds" that are causing you the most
distress. What are you telling yourself that you "should" be doing, but your mind automatically rebels?
This is likely the source of the problem.
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.
Tomorrow we look at "setting right what has been spoiled
by the mother."
Thursday, January 7, 2010
No. 29, Flowing Water / Danger / The Abysmal:
"Flowing Water repeated.
If you are sincere, you have success
in your heart,
And whatever you do succeeds."
This future message tells you how to deal with the obstacles that may appear in your path: flow over and around them.
The words of The Image explain::
"Water
flows on uninterruptedly and reaches its goal.
The image of Flowing Water repeated.
Thus the superior man walks
in lasting virtue
And carries on the business of teaching."
Traditionally, this hexagram is called The Abysmal, meaning an abyss, with a fast-flowing, rocky stream at the bottom.
Most interpretations put all the emphasis on the Danger inherent in such a situation.
But if we read the words of The Judgment and The Image themselves, the message is quite different:
You can (and will) survive the difficulties that lie ahead. Brian Browne Walker sums it up nicely:
"This image 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."
All you need to do, for now, is to identify what situation
in your life you are being advised to "flow" through. Then, when the future does arrive, you will be prepared to
act appropriately.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Approach / Growth, Line 5:
"Wise approach.
This is right for a great prince.
Good fortune."
You cannot act alone, as we learned in Line 1, but neither can you act propelled solely by your own ego.
Success requires that you choose the right people to help you, and then let them
proceed as they see fit.
Wisdom also requires that you be
realistic and balanced. Growth must follow natural laws to be sustainable. Don't push for too much, too soon.
This is true leadership. This Approach will secure your good fortune.
We'll look at the Future of this reading tomorrow.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Approach / Growth, Line 1:
"Joint approach.
Perseverance brings good fortune."
The time
of Approach and Growth is a good time for new ventures. At the beginning, you will want and need
the support of others.
You may wish to join a group that already
has a set agenda. Don't let yourself "be carried away by the current of the time . . ." [Wilhelm] Be
sure this group is headed in the right direction.
Your more important
alliance will be with the greater good.
Evaluate
your current associations. Will they take you where you want to go?
Line 5 provides further advice tomorrow.
Monday, January 4, 2010
No. 19, Approach / Growth:
"Approach
has supreme success.
Perseverance furthers.
When the eighth month comes,
There will be misfortune."
Another very timely hexagram.
"This hexagram is linked with . . . January-February, when, after the winter solstice, the light power begins to
ascend again." [Wilhelm]
This can be a time of "joyous, hopeful progress."
Wing calls this one Promotion because it is a time when you can make relatively easy advancement.
What are you
going to Approach, now that the way is being cleared?
The Yi, of course,
includes a word of caution: Although it is now "spring," don't forget, the seasons always change. Fall and
winter are inevitable.
Use this time of Growth wisely. It will carry you
through times of less opportunity.
We
received two changing lines, Lines 1 and 5, which explain how to make the most of this Approach of beneficial
influences. We'll look at Line 1 tomorrow.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
No. 40, Deliverance:
"Deliverance. The southwest furthers. If there is no longer anything where one
has to go, Return brings good fortune. If
there is still something where one has to go, Hastening brings good fortune."
Deliverance
from a long-standing difficulty is beginning. (Not a bad way to start a New Year!)
Received as a future message to The Well, this means
that an obstacle that was preventing you from drawing on all your resources is being removed.
What's been stopping you? As the way clears, get back to your path as quickly as
possible.
If there are still some things that
need to be accomplished, tackle them now.
Deliverance combines
the elements of Thunder over Water, or Rain.
The Image is a thunderstorm that clears the air.
So be forewarned - there will be some fireworks before the tension that has built up in this situation is released.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
The Well, Line 5:
"In the well
there is a clear, cold spring
From which one can drink."
This line says: Everything you need is there, in The Well. Knowledge, ability, clarity of mind
- it's all available to you.
However - this clear, life-sustaining
spring will do you no good unless you drink from it.
Potential is
just that: potential. You can take some time to do your inner work [Line 4], but the situation will reach
a point where you must put these resources to work.
Drink deeply.
We look at the future of this message tomorrow.
10:01 am est
Friday, January 1, 2010
The Well, Line 4:
"The well is being
lined. No blame."
Sometimes the message
we receive from the Yi is so timely, it's almost spooky. This is one of those times.
On New Year's Day, the traditional time for New Year's resolutions, we receive The Well, Line 4:
" 'The well is being lined. No blame.' In life also there are times when a man must put himself in order.
During such a time he can do nothing for others, but his work is nonetheless valuable, because by enhancing his powers and
abilities through inner development, he can accomplish more later on." [Wilhelm]
You have within you all that is necessary for the success you desire [Line 3]. However, you need some time to work on
your inner self, and get your priorities straight. There is no blame in this. [Line 4]
Give yourself the time and attention you need. You can share your clarity with others later.
We look at Line 5 tomorrow.
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