Hex 20 Repeats for Career and Love

[malka]

Hello Friends,

I always find it interesting when a hexagram repeats itself. In this case, it was a repeat within a few days, but for very two different questions and life situations. Because I'm not totally confident of the meaning of hexagram 20 - Contemplation, and because of the repeat, I'd welcome hearing your feedback!

1. Last week, the day before starting a new job I asked:

Question
What do I need to know about starting my new job?

Answer
20, Contemplating
Changning line 4
12, Stagnation


2. A few days later, I asked about my "currently on hiatus" relationship (we are taking a break):

Question
What's the outlook for us in the next month or two?

Answer
20, Contemplating (Unchanging)

I welcome your thoughts!

[gene]

Hi Malka

My interpretation for your first question is this: the commentary says that such a person should be given an authoritative position. The fourth line is generally the line of the minister, someone who works closely with the king, or in modern terms with the boss. The line trusts and is trusted by the boss. Sounds like it will be a good position for you. Let us know.

As for your second question. I would have to give it some more thought, but #20 often throws the question back at us and says, think about the situation. What do you see in it? It is a case where an action has been started but not completed. The people, (person) is waiting for the action to be performed, in the meantime they are full of trust and expectation.

Gene

[gene]

Malka

One more thing on the first question. While usually, I only look at the relating hexagram as a whole, here, when I look at line 4 it says, "He who acts at the command of the highest is without blame." In other words, working well with the boss (of like mind) works well for you. I think you will do fine, will be curious to know.

Gene

[malka]

Gene,

Thank you for your responses. It is true that when I threw the coins for each question I was "full of trust and expectation." I would like both situations to work out well.

As for the job, my first week wasn't great. I didn't want to say too much about what has happened because I'm trying to keep an open mind and stay in the moment, and I'm curious to learn of other people's interpretation of my reading.

It turns out I'm vastly over-qualified for the actual scope of responsibility this job holds. Also, both my boss and subordinate have so far presented themselves with very weak boundaries, emotionally dishonest, and utterly burned-out. I'm disappointed. Privately both of these individuals have told me they are likely to leave the organization in the 6-12 months. My feelings at the moment are to not judge too quickly, and to see what evolves.

Just curious, any thoughts about the role of 12, Stagnation in my work situation?

[anita]

Malka,

Just wanted to say that at times one gets the same hexagram no matter what the situation. Perhaps that means we must pay attention to that particular aspect of ourselves in that particular period of time and that is more important than anything else.

To me your 20 changing to 12: Act only on the orders of the King. Don't try to lead when blocked. Subordinate yourself.

Best for your Quest

[martin]

Hi Malka,

Hex 20 seems natural when you are taking a break in a relationship.
You look back and digest what has happened between you two.
The "contemplation" of 20 doesn't involve much intellectual analysis. It's more like letting it sink in.
It indicates a relaxed, receptive and dreamlike state of consciousness in which vivid memories come and go. The past is relived.

20 changing to 12: 12 says that there is no power and no flow at the moment.
The batteries are empty and need recharging.
The only thing you can do is wait ... and contemplate (20), try to understand what is going on, again in the same relaxed state that I mentioned before.
I would take a beer, put my feet on the table and ... http://www.onlineclarity.co.uk/I_Ching_community/clipart/zzz.gif.

Martin

[willow]

LiSe calls # 20 The Heron, and suggests a quality of relaxed but very engaged contemplation. ?The heron sits immovable for hours ? and in a split second he grasps a fish.? With your new work, perhaps the key is alert patience, waiting for the time to be right ? as you say, keeping an open mind and staying in the moment. But what exactly are you fishing for, and are you fishing in stagnant waters?

You say you?ve already noticed a lot of weaknesses and dysfunctions in the boss and subordinate ? what more fitting image than #12: it?s a stagnation that?s caused by heaven and earth moving apart instead of together. LiSe, calls this one To Say No, and it seems that you?re already aware that will be part of developing your role (Boss and Sub have weak boundaries).

And the changing line, for LiSe emphasizes keeping the King alive: ?In order to guard abstract values, one has to be practical. To honor the king is a good thing, but to keep him alive comes first. A country may need a good king, but in the first place a living king.? If there is only burnout above and below you, your role needs to be to identify where the (now absent) passion resides.

Maybe your presence will renew the passions of others. Maybe they will move on; maybe they will stay burned out, complaining, but NEVER LEAVE, still giving that 6-12 months line 5 years from now (happens often!) In any case, it is your understanding of what ?keeping the king alive? means that will guide you in how to set your boundaries (say no), what the ?fish? you will try and catch are, and ultimately, whether you stay, or take wing to another pond.

Being vastly overqualified, there are a couple of ways you can engage a dysfunctional situation to increase your qualifications without going crazy and without upsetting others. One is to take the situation as a challenge to develop a new qualification ? that of patience and a capacity to adapt to the times.

Another is to ?lead by indirection? ? that is, by simply, unpretentiously, and without rancor or drama, repeatedly key in on accomplishing the simple, yet important things that need doing so that the core passion/mission of the organization can continue to manifest/evolve. My bet is that Boss and Sub have completely forgotten why they are there, or despair, amidst all the drama and churning waters, of ever being able to accomplish anything meaningful. You, the new Heron on the block, can lead by simply catching fish ? doing what needs to be done to get something, even a tiny thing, accomplished. Burnout victims have come to hate the details, and thus, they now always go hungry. Can you love the details there?

[malka]

Anita,

Yes, this is what concerns me! "Act only on the orders of the King" this is just what my boss is presenting! Subordinate myself? Ahrggggg!

My story: I am just back to the work world after surviving lay-offs in my field last year. My discernment around accepting a new position is minimal, as I quite simply needed the job! I didn't ask all the questions I normally would have. The answers wouldn't have mattered much as I would have accpeted despite them.

So, what I've been given is a boss who says he gives space to his staff, but in practice insists that every move goes through him. He so far wants me to implement his ideas, on his timeframe, in the manner he determines. Oh -- but my creativity is welcomed he says! Hehe Haha

My last position was a director-level. Now I repost to a manager-level. I should have known better. I have issues that I need to let go of, I do realize. I am far more experinced in the area of my work responsibility than he is, and he really is not in a position to mentor or supervise this work. He is anyway.

And his boundaries -- do I need to know he had a "fight" with his boss last week and almost quit? Do I need to know he received a promotion without a raise? Do I need to know about him being in Overeaters Annonymous but loosing his abstinance?

Thanks for listening to my frustrations.

[malka]

Thanks Martin,

Yes, I felt like I was taking a snooze at work today. I am prohibited from actually doing my work yet for another couple of weeks or more. (My controlling boss has made a schedule for me that literally indicates what I'm to do hour for hour for the first month!) I'm just observing. I would have observed without his directive, however I would have done it in my own style...not in his!

His method is more appropriate for entry level workers new to their work. I'm not new.

I am trying to listen for the lession in all this. For now, I think it includes learning to enter an organization slowly and methodically. Maybe I need these skills?

[malka]

Willow,

Thanks for helping out with Hex 20. I especially appreciate the images you offer in your first paragraph. Yes, I beleive I am fishing in stagnent waters. Darn. This isn't what I wanted.

Leading by indirection would certianly be new learning for me. Not the lesson I'm consiously looking for, but if it's found me then I need to pay attention, yes?

[malka]

P.S. Willow, do you have any thoughts about Hex 20 unchanging and the outlook for my relaitonship? You seem to have a far better handle on 20 than me. Besides, I'm too close to see clearly. Thanks.

[yellowblue]

Hi Malka,

I'm pretty new at this, but received 20.3 on my own reading and did some digging since I was close by.

From what I gather, per Wilhem's version of the I Ching, hexagram 20 has to do with seeing and understanding. If you can understand the situation you can see how it may work for you.

20.4 seems to indicate the new position you're in as it describes a guest. It also indicates that even though you are the "guest", new to the position that you do have the qualities and should have more of an authoritative position.

12.4 seems to indicate that even though you possess the requirements for an authoritive positition if you "set yourself up" per your own judgment you could make mistakes which could prove deterimental, but your boss probably sees the capability and supports you and there is no recourse to you because of this. Your boss will probably allow you to assume the responsibilities without any problem.

Deb

[lilian]

Hi Malka

Hex. 20 without changing lines seems to me an appropriate description of a relationship on hiatus: to see and be seen.

I've gotten this in situations, where each waits for the other to take the first step.

[anita]

Malka,

I think Lilian has hit the nail on the head in terms of youir relationship. Watching without acting. Why not take the initiative if you think it's needed?

Believe me, I can really understand your situation at work -- very similar to mine. Must grit my teeth and bear it. But as I bear more, it becomes less problematic. Besides, although I don't confront her, I have spoken to the higher ups about the her attitude problem and I think something's gotta give. Also we're getting a new higer up -- a woman who's respected and who's the only one in India to have won at Cannes - for her idea in direct mail advertising. Now, that's a boss I would gladly follow.

Best for your Quest

Anita

[malka]

Deb,

Thank you!! You do not sound like a beginner to me. "Seeing and understanding" is right on.

Yes, you are right that I am the guest at this job. One lesson I beleive I do have to learn is to be more in tune with the culture of the organization, especially in terms of the pace of change. I am a great innovator, and I work and think quicky. These are great skills for an entreprenure, or someone higher on the totem pole. But for being right in the middle of an organization...it can be a liability if not properly channelled. Moving too quickly would be like "setting myself up" as you say. This is a tendancy I need to watch.

Had a good talk with my boss today. I beleive you are also correct that my boss will probably allow me to assume the responsibilities. I'm unclear where you get this from the hexagram (!) but based on events today I beleive you are right on. I'll keep you informed!

Now, how can seeing and understanding my hiatus possibily work for me? I suppose I need to sit with this one and meditate.

Thanks....................

[malka]

Lilan and Anita,

To see and be seen, and watching without acting. Hmmm... At the moment this is what's happening, at least outwardly. In the outside world nothing is happening between us at all. But I sense in our inner worlds, (well, for sure in my own) there is much going on.

Why not act? Because I fear unintentionally pushing him further away. It wasn't good timing before. I don't want to be the initiator of more poor timing -- not trusting myself, I guess!

We'll see what happens.....

[yellowblue]

Malka,

Please do keep us informed http://www.onlineclarity.co.uk/I_Ching_community/clipart/happy.gif

This came from comparing Legge, LiSe and Wilhem translations.

Best of luck to you on both your career and relationship--

Deb

[malka]

Update: I was fired today. The job lasted a whole three weeks.

[malka]

So, I just asked:

Tell me about loosing this job.

Answer:

1, The Creative with lines 1 & 2 changing to 33, Retreat! Now what does this mean????

[martin]

Game Over!
Return to the One ...

http://www.onlineclarity.co.uk/I_Ching_community/clipart/biggrin.gif

Martin