Hexagram 44

[clarissa]

I find this one of the most confusing. For example, line 4...Wilhelm commentary differs quite a bit from Bradford's. Bradford seems to show someone wanting the "fish"...but having an empty creel because of their own actions (or inactions?)...unless I'm completely misunderstanding it.

[bradford_h]

if you're that much in need of the fish,
one way or another you need to master bait.

[bradford_h]

The overall image of the gua is the kind of premature or unwanted dissipation or distraction provided by a random sexual encounter. It's avoiding entropy, as the king does in the image by repeating his commands. For me it's the 8 of Swords in Tarot. Fish are used in the Yi as symbols of the feminine gender (the palace ladies united in support in 23, and perhaps even piglets and fishes for sons and daughters in 61).
44.4 is a case where the avoidance of distraction, not having enough to do do with such encounters, has itself become the distraction. The Zhi Gua, 57, often suggests these self-reflexive problems that cause us to rethink our strategies when we bounce off the world instead of penetrating it.
We awaken to our unfortunate state (qi xiong) born out of our distancing others (yuan min, 44.4x).

[void]

I've read that several times and I still don't get it Brad ? A while ago I asked about getting some money, I took it to mean there was none to be had - no fish - sure enough there was none - very depressing..but perhaps I missed the whole point if its about avoidance of distraction ??? Anyone got the patience to enlighten me ?

[bradford_h]

Hi
Maybe what you were doing at the time was more pressing and more important to you than taking the steps necessary to get the money. If that was the case, it may have been suggesting that if it was money you wanted maybe that was where you should have been putting your focus. But if you considered making money a distraction from your higher purposes, then it was not the money's fault for not coming to you. The fish can be anything desired, or any distraction.
The Yi uses metaphors that have to be applicable to just about anything. In this case the sexual image of being at the mercy of a strong woman just happens to be a very powerful one for the author's purposes. It's just awfully anti-climatic when you need to turn around and apply such a fun answer to a question about chariot repair or your next paycheck.

I see where Brad?s going with this, I think. It?s an interesting twist, and not so far removed from Wilhelm as one might think.

Wilhelm refers to the fish as an insignificant other which must be tolerated if they are to be helpful or useable at some more convenient time in the future.

I think what Brad?s saying here is that the money matter (in his example) was not as important as some higher, more dominating priority at the time. So when your car breaks down, you?re up the creek without a paddle. But that?s your own fault. You were seduced away from the essential to fulfill a lustful fantasy.

44 is a fascinating hexagram to me; more so as time goes on. LiSe and I have gone ?round and ?round on this one, and I?ve come to see the Gua in her light, as well as retaining my earlier view of it. The lustful fantasy may well become an essential element to birthing the king?s child.

Just for the heck of it, I was thinking of an example. It just happens to be one from my own history.

A man marries early, has kids and holds down a responsible job. Then one day an old buddy from his high school band days calls. Someone asked this old friend if he could put a backup band together for some singer with a recording contract; and now he?s calling to see if the responsibly married man is interested in the part.

If the man decides to follow this opportunity (maiden), he could a) find fortune, fame and satisfaction following his bliss b) piss off his wife, who then becomes very suspicious of his time away from her c) lose both his wife and his bliss. d) lose his wife and move in with the blonde background singer.

Which would be ?the right? choice:

The morally acceptable one, that would maintain his high standing with the family, church and job?

Taking a chance of pissing off his wife, and making it to rehearsals, hoping she?ll understand?

Or, leaving his wife for the woman who will support his creative endeavors?


What heirs would each choice make? Sometimes the indecent brings the most fulfillment. Sometimes not.

<blockquote><hr size=0><!-quote-!><font size=1>quote:</font>

Or, leaving his wife for the woman who will support his creative endeavors?<!-/quote-!><hr size=0></blockquote>

my gosh that is a very interesting set of questions. Is it morally acceptable not to follow your personal destiny if your destiny is calling?

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d) lose his wife and move in with the blonde background singer. <!-/quote-!><hr size=0></blockquote>
bruce springsteen did that. and they live happily ever after.

was this a choice you were asked to make, Bruce?

It does shine light on the whole right and wrong subject, Micheline. I think that's a lot of what 44 is about. On the surface, the choice seems obvious, especially where character is weighed, but the heart and soul of the individual needs tending, as well.

Not only did Springsteen do it, most all successful people in the arts and entertainment field do it. A supportive and broad minded mate is pretty much a prerequisite in that business.

I chose the middle path, b. She never got over her suspicions, not even 30 years later. I left my dream behind at the peak of attainting my biggest opportunity, moved my family and began a "legitimate" career in broadcasting. But at least I stuck it out until the boys were grown and independent.

Regrets? mmmm yes/no. Would I choose to do it differently? mmm yes/no. Life seems to be a compromise. Still, I do wonder...

There?s an underlying irony in this picture. My wife (then) intentionally went off the pill without telling me, and so I married her to bear a legitimate heir. The very 44 I succumbed to was the one that created the moral structure I would adhere to, in the name of what was right.