How Can I Stop Being So Depressed? 64.2 > 35

[perennial_seeker]

Hello to anyone who might be reading,

Two years of dabbling and consulting the Oracle has left me greatly enriched. I have some answers to questions that I feel have turned out to be very prescient and quite subjectively meaningful.

However, I can count those instances on one hand. When looking at my notes of past consultations, I'm afraid that I am still at a loss to interpret most of them, and even less confident about interpreting those of others. I do enjoy reading what everyone has to say here though, and often find myself turning to this forum to compare notes with anyone who might have had the same result.

Context

Without going into my entire life story, I'm a 33 year old man who had to move back in with my parents after my girlfriend broke-up with me. I was then fired from my job, and am also currently attending to various other personal issues. I know what I want to change in my life (like my career, my financial situation, and my housing circumstances, among other things) but I am unsure about where I should be focusing my attention.

• Should I try to find another job in my previous field of work?
• Should I completely change tracks?
• Should I focus all of my attention on finding any old job that will at least pay minimum wage for now (implying some sort of focus on some other area of life, like friendship/spirituality/health/etc.)?
• Should I pursue other forms of divination?
• Should I seek stability and raise a family, or should I remain single for now?
• Is there a better path available to take, or are certain desired opportunities now closed to me, implying that it would be better for me to accept the things I cannot change?

All of these questions were informing my ultimate concern:

Question

What should I do to stop feeling so depressed about my life (to stop feeling so bad in general)?

Result

64.2 > 35

Explanation

Wilhelm (with my own emphasis):

​

64. 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.​

​

The conditions are difficult. The task is great and full of responsibility. It is ​

nothing less than that of leading the world out of confusion back to order. ​

But it is a task that promises success, because there is a goal that can unite the ​

forces now tending in different directions. At first, however, one must move ​

warily, like an old fox walking over ice. The caution of a fox walking over ice ​

is proverbial in China. His ears are constantly alert to the cracking of the ice, ​

as he carefully and circumspectly searches out the safest spots. A young fox ​

who as yet has not acquired this caution goes ahead boldly, and it may happen ​

that he falls in and gets his tail wet when he is almost across the water. Then ​

of course his effort has been all in vain. Accordingly, in times "before ​

completion," deliberation and caution are the prerequisites of success.​

​

Nine in the second place means:​

He brakes his wheels.​

Perseverance brings good fortune.​

​

Here again the time to act has not yet come. But the patience needed is not ​

that of idle waiting without thought of the morrow. Kept up indefinitely, ​

this would not lead to any success. Instead, an individual must develop in ​

himself the strength that will enable him to go forward. He must have a ​

vehicle, as it were, to effect the crossing. But he must for the time being use ​

the brakes. Patience in the highest sense means putting brakes on strength. ​

Therefore he must not fall asleep and lose sight of the goal. If he remains ​

strong and steadfast in his resolve, all goes well in the end.​

35. PROGRESS. The powerful prince​

Is honored with horses in large numbers.​

In a single day he is granted audience three times.​

​

As an example of progress, this pictures a time when a powerful feudal lord ​

rallies the other lords around the sovereign and pledges fealty and peace. The ​

sovereign rewards him richly and invites him to a closer intimacy.​

​

A twofold idea is set forth here. The actual effect of the progress emanates ​

from a man who is in a dependent position and whom the others regard as ​

their equal and are therefore willing to follow. This leader has enough clarity ​

of vision not to abuse his great influence but to use it rather for the benefit of ​

his ruler. His ruler in turn is free of all jealousy, showers presents on the ​

great man, and invites him continually to his court. An enlightened ruler ​

and an obedient servant— this is the condition on which great progress ​

depends.​

Interpretation

Working backwards, hexagram 35 (Progress) is understandably encouraging (I think) - but it seems to me that it's assuming that things end up going well.

Everything seems to hinge on my understanding of 64.2: it seems that both a negative and a positive spin could be applied to this line with equal enthusiasm. The "wheels" of my life have very literally come to a full stop, and the message seems to be "cease and desist any forward momentum."

John Blofeld's translation (which I have recently come to like quite a bit) very explicitly says that the message of 64.2 is more along the lines of "success will come only if you stop now and wait to go later, so for now you should "hit the brakes" and do nothing:



Note (6)



It's difficult to see how my current bout of depression is a "recent success in preventing myself from being dragged into a wrong course" if I'm being honest.

But that's quite the potential contradiction for the same line isn't it? "Keep going" or "stop for now." I'm at a loss for which interpretation to give the edge. Has anyone here had some experience in giving weight to one of these two possible interpretations?

Keep going? or Stop for now?

Many thanks for any interest you might show in my predicament here,

perennial_seeker

 

[my_key]

Question

What should I do to stop feeling so depressed about my life (to stop feeling so bad in general)?

Result

64.2 > 35

Hi perennial seeker
Your post shows that you have already gained good insight from your interpretation, with your main stumbling point being changing line 2.

64 <> 35
'Not Yet Fulfilling' through 'Proceeding Forward'

To stop feeling so depressed Yi indicates that your future becomes filled with a greater sense of worth, while holding higher personal values and a more positive disposition (35).

64 advocates that you can best achieve becoming the new you by seeing more clearly the nature of things that come into your mind and your life and to to take time to observe each in a way that keeps them in proportion and in so doing to achieve better balance.

64.2 - Speaks to the place in you where inner reorganisation is still ongoing. When you have completed following your current intent you will be able to walk in the world in new ways. Focus on gradually breaking the cycle ('braking the wheel') that inhabits your inner landscape. Don't see this as doing nothing. Balance is best achieved through persistent small natural movements rather than the extremes of impetuous knee-jerk reactions or total passivity. When you have turned down the volume of the old tunes enough, you will be better positioned to hear the new music and be able to dance to that.

.... or you might not fully resonate with this interpretation at this time.

Good Luck