To buy or not to buy? 31.5 > 62

[trilby]

Hello everyone

Like so many novices here, I am uncertain of how to interpret a response and would very much appreciate comments from wiser, more experienced heads than mine.

I asked: What will be the effect on my business if I buy, practice, and apply a $400 self-study course?

The sales copy is so persuasively written that it could sell a torch to a person with his hair on fire, so I'm not sure whether to interpret the answer to mean that I'm just being cleverly courted and have fallen under the spell of this wooing, but that the overall outlook is for a small success in the end. (I note that Bradford's interpretation of 31.5 is "purpose is trivial" -- not exactly a call to action.)

Wilhelm seems more encouraging, and Karcher seems to say go for it in a big way.

62, though, seems to be caution against spending the money -- or is it just saying that the return on my investment will be "exceedingly small"?

On the other hand, the hexagrams both seem to say the effort would be worth while, though, so I am unsure how to proceed.

There is a 30-day free trial period, full refund guaranteed, so I suppose it's worth a shot in either case.

Any observations would be gladly received!

Thanks to all.

Trilby

[dobro]

31's about things that exert an influence on us. In your case, it's the attraction of the course. The thing about 31 is that although the main hex is positive/auspicious/encouraging, the individual lines are much less so. However, 31.5 is pretty neutral, I think. It talks about 'no regret', so if you want to take the course, go for it - you won't regret it. My take on the first line of 31.5 is merely that it's a fairly higher-level influence at work here.

[void]

Hello Trilby FWIW my take on this is that its pretty much of little consequence (for your business) whether you take the course or not. And if you do pay for the course and apply it as planned it won't make a huge difference to your business, although perhaps it may help with small refinements/details. I'm taking 62 here as meaning no great change will come about as a result of the course...

Actually if the course were about some minor 'housekeeping' part of business er like ordering paperclips, lol, admin efficiency etc it might be quite a good answer - er but your're certainly not setting the world on fire with 62

Sounds like your skeptisism about it may be justified - but if you get a 30 day free trial I guess theres no reason not to give it a try.

[void]

BTW I think interpretations differ pretty widely on 31,5. The Sorrells say 'Do not let others push you around' and 'stand your ground'. Wilhelm sees it as an influence thats not very strong or something that you are not going to be strongly affected by, and Karcher as Dobro says sees it as a very 'deep connection' something important.

[peace]

I don't know how this interpretation relates, and it sounds different from the others, yet it may ring true to you:

31.5
One at this place tends to give up the one at 2nd and approaches the one at the top.(referring to the other lines)

This is to seek what lies close at hand and turn one?s back on what is far away.
The message is that when one makes a decision, one should not be nearsighted.
The influence is good and sound at the root.

I agree with Void - it doesn't sound earthshattering either way - and it won't hurt you. You may pick up a few picayune details you can use at some point.

Rosalie

[trilby]

Thank you all for your thoughtful responses.

Dobro, I certainly am attracted; the copywriter wove a very compelling spell, and it's exerting a real pull, but I agree that the overall message seems neutral at best, especially along with 62.

Void, it's not quite "paperclips" http://www.onlineclarity.co.uk/I_Ching_community/clipart/biggrin.gif. Supposedly if I follow the precepts, business will improve to the tune of megabucks, and of course if a pitch sounds too good to be true...you know the rest. On the other hand, there could be some kernels of wisdom to be gleaned.

Peace, as you say, although it might not rock my world, there might be some value -- especially if there's no risk involved.

After sleeping on it, I'm not as eager to whip out my plastic as I was yesterday but may still consider the 30-day free trial.

Thank you all, though, for your input. It does help to know I'm not entirely off base on my interpretation.

I'll let you know what I decide, and if I take the plunge, how it goes.

Trilby