Hello everyone,

I wonder if someone wouldn't mind helping me formulate a question for the iChing. I have a certain issue facing me and I'm not 100% sure how to act on it. So I want to ask the Yi for advice but forming the question here is key, as the issue is somewhat complex.

I have a current job that pays me very little but allows me tons of free time. My free time is important as I'm living in a foreign country and pursuing a dream here in that free time (the dream is freelance writing in a certain specialisation. In order to write, I go to different locations and observe things for more than a few hours at a time.). This very flexible job allows me to work from home, or in the office, and involves very little actual work/time. I don't however have money for certain necessities such as dental care or medical insurance, or new clothes. (I do have savings but have managed to break even without going into debt or into savings yet).

Now, I have a job offer facing me that will double my salary and make me financially comfortable. In theory, they say, it allows flexible hours. I could leave an hour early here or there. But my freelancing has involved more than just a few hours a day for weeks at a time.
I know that until April I will have freelance opportunities that will take up 2 full (8 hr day) weeks, and I will be out of my office for those times.

My question is, if i take the new job will it push me further from my dream which is to get a fulltime job related to the freelancing (not writing necessarily but something in that area of specialisation). The new job is good in that, when i'm not freelancing I go crazy out of my mind when I'm alone and not busy. It is possible that during the summer the freelancing will die down considerably as there are changes in the area I write about that may mean i have less to write about. In other words, it might be ideal to take this job after April or May, or even as late as September. But it is hard to guess the future. If I take the new job, and cannot get away from work enough hours, I will feel awful. If i dont take it, and the freelancing dies down...I'll also feel it was a mistake. If i knew for sure what the freelance opportunities would be after, say, about April, then I could more easily make this decision for myself.

The job offer hasn't been officially extended yet but it is looking as if it will be soon. And I need to decide ahead of time what i will do if offered it (because i'm the queen of indecision and wont be granted a month to make a decision!).

If i take the new job and it doesnt work out, various other issues come into play and getting my old job back isnt, most likely, an option.

Could I ask the Yi "what will happen if i take the new job"? Or is there another way to form the question? Better to ask "what will bring me closer to my dream?" (will the Yi know what my dream is?)

Hi Elizabeth

Some ideas, in case them could be useful

1.- You can ask one single question or you can stablish a "wisdom dialogue" with Yi Jing. I always recomend the second choise when the issue is serious for the people.

2.- In the first choise, there are some posibilities of questions:
a) Should I accept the offert about job x?

b) Which job would be better for me: x (new job) or y (actual job)? (in this case, please note the day and the month when you ask the question)

c) What consecuences would bring accepting job x for my happiness? (because, i understand the question is not economical consecuences, but about gratification with your job)

3.- If you chose the second option; I suggest the following questions in this order (every time, the new question and answer should be made taking in mind the previous answers):

a) General Diagnosis of my Life

b) General Diagnosis of my Labor Time

c) Diagnosis of my concrete situation in my actual job

d) What would be my concrete situation if I accept job x?

e) How should I resolve the tension between "job that gives me enough money for my necesities" and "job that satisface my dreams"?

Best wishes

Jesed, thanks so much for your post. I like your suggestions, they are helpful. That brings up the issue of interpreting my answer but I suppose I will deal with that after I ask the question.

I think i will ask 2c now, and see the response I get. I may post again for help with interpretation. Thank you!!!

Uh oh. Correct me if I'm wrong but this isn't looking positive, is it?

The response to the question was:

Hex47, changing line 5, and then Hex40 Deliverance, unchanging.

Hex47: Oppression/Exhaustion
Judgement:
Oppression. Success. Perseverance.
The great man brings about good fortune.
No blame.
When one has something to say,
It is not believed.

Image: There is no water in the lake:
The image of Exhaustion.
Thus the superior man stakes his life
On following his will.

Line 5: His nose and feet are cut off.
Oppression at the hands of the man with the purple knee bands.
Joy comes softly.
It furthers one to make offerings and libations.

Hex40 Deliverance
Judgement:
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.

The Image
Thunder and rain set in:
The image of Deliverance.
Thus the superior man pardons mistakes
And forgives misdeeds.

Hi Elizabeth

First, to avoid misunderstandings, i want to say: the next comment is not against you, neither is a "scolding" nor a "disqualification". It is only the explanation of the technique.

When choising the dialogue, the point is take a step back from the concrete situation/worries/feelings to see better; take a higher vision.

That is why, one start with the most general picture: the general dignosis of one's life; and then one is going from general to concrete. Some times, the more comprehensive picture helps to set in order more concrete situations/answers.

That is why, this technique implies follow the questions"in this order (every time, the new question and answer should be made taking in mind the previous answers)"

Well, that said, now look to your answer:

a) "Exhaustion " is what you feel right now in the job. Not only because of the economical situation, I guess. The Judgment said: "When one has something to say, it is not believed" (could it be that you feel your papers are not well received?)... and Wilhelm's comment about line 5 said: "He/She finds no help among the people whose duty it would be to aid in the work"
b) Now, some times one should leave the obstacles (like in hex 33), but the recomendation of 47 is not like that. Wilhelm's comment about image: "This symbolizes an adverse fate in human life. In such times there is nothing a man can do but acquiesce in his fate and remain true to himself. This concerns the deepest stratum of his being, for this alone is superior to all external fate"? (sounds like is better for you to accept those situations that make you feel exhaust, in order to keep follow your dreams)
c) The line is pointing not only to the exhaustation and the lack of help. Also point to the end of this situation: help is coming (of course, is not absolutely clear if help come IN THE ACTUAL JOB, of if the new job could be the help you need )
d) The tendential hex points that this situation is advancing to a deliverence. (Of course, is not clear if deliverence is "you free yourself of sorrow in the actual job" or "you leave the actual job for a new one")


If I should take the answer isolated, i would say: keep yourself in this job; whatever makes you feel exhaust about it, remain faitfull to your dreams; help is coming.

Now.. I would recommend again.. follow the exercise completely and with order. With the rest of the answers, the image will be even more clear.

(Well, at least make the question 2d, to confront it with this answer)

Best wishes

Hi Elizabeth-

Perhaps it would help to look at the image of 47.5 more closely. Do you suppose his nose and feet really are cut off? And why are ministers fussing over him? And what more can he sacrifice?

If he's not playing the victim here, he is at least being altogether too passive and helpless, going with the flow like a dead fish, or as if he had been handicapped. You have to understand here that the ministers are His, that he is in fact royalty, or at least nobility, who has abdicated his powers to this passive state. The two Chinese words used here for sacrifices are tricky, but the way I read it is that his sacrifice itself is what needs to be sacrificed.

I might take this response as a warning that the new job would leave you too comfortable, considering what you really want to do with your life. It might cost you your edge.

Thank you Jesed and Bradford for the help.

Bradford, I see your point about the noseless/feetless man. You suggest that his sacrifice should be sacrificed. My sacrifice is my financial security in order to pursue my dream. My assumption is that I can't have both. and I'm not willing to go back to being financially stable, unhappy and not doing what i want. My question is, if i take the new job, can I balance the two (the Yi suggests no, i wont be able to). Or, will I regret declining the new job down the line. I dont know what will happen with my writing as there will be significant changes in the area that I write about this fall which could help or hinder my writing significantly.

Your last comment makes the most sense. I hadnt thought of that happening, as I currently have a fairly cushy life (tons of free time!) just not enough cash.

Jesed-- again thank you. I dont feel exhausted at all in my current job. I dont have the resources I need, and the people I work with (in the rare event there is stuff to do) annoy me quite a lot, but it's worth it for the time I have to pursue this dream. It is possible in the future, however, that more work will come my way -- in which case taking the "new" job offer would make more sense. (If i'm putting in more hours, might as well get the higher salary). But again, I have no idea what will happen in the future so my decision in any case is a gamble.


Jesed, I started the other route, and first did a general diagnosis of my life. Yi gave me 64 changing line 6, Before Completion, and then 40 Deliverance unchanging.

Hex64: Before Completion

The Judgement
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 Image
Fire over water:
The image of the condition before transition.
Thus the superior man is careful
In the differentiation of things,
So that each finds its place.

line 6: There is drinking of wine
In genuine confidence. No blame.
But if one wets his head,
He loses it, in truth.

40 Deliverance (as listed in prior post).

General diagnosis of my labor time in my office job now:
62 Preponderance of the Small (changing lines 3 and 4) ---> hex 2 Receptive, unchanging.

Hex62: Preponderance of the Small. Success.
Perseverance furthers.
Small things may be done; great things should not be done.
The flying bird brings the message:
It is not well to strive upward,
It is well to remain below.
Great good fortune.

The Image
Thunder on the mountain:
The image of Preponderance of the Small.
Thus in his conduct the superior man gives preponderance to reverence.
In bereavement he gives preponderance to grief.
In his expenditures he gives preponderance to thrift.


line3: If one is not extremely careful,
Somebody may come up from behind and strike him.
Misfortune.

line4/Change in the fourth place means:
No blame. He meets him without passing by.
Going brings danger. One must be on guard.
Do not act. Be constantly persevering.

Hex2 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 forego friends in the east and north.
Quiet perseverance brings good fortune.


+++
For 62, do you also think it means that "great things (new high paying jobs) should not be undertaken" and sticking with the small job i have now is the way to go? Or is it just showing me what i have now is a small job (which i already knew)?

For 2, Receptive...take the new job, be receptive to it? Or the current job allows me to be more receptive to writing ideas, etc, as i have the time/mental space to do so??

Diagnosis of my concrete situation in my actual job:
Hex32 Duration, ch lines 3 and 6.
Duration. Success. No blame.
Perseverance furthers.
It furthers one to have somewhere to go.

The Image
Thunder and wind: the image of Duration.
Thus the superior man stands firm
And does not change his direction.

L3: He who does not give duration to his character
Meets with disgrace.
Persistent humiliation.
L6: Restlessness as an enduring condition brings misfortune.

Hex64 Before Completion (unchanging)
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 Image
Fire over water:
The image of the condition before transition.
Thus the superior man is careful
In the differentiation of things,
So that each finds its place.

Diagnosis of my concrete situation in my actual job:
Hex32 Duration, ch lines 3 and 6.
Duration. Success. No blame.
Perseverance furthers.
It furthers one to have somewhere to go.

The Image
Thunder and wind: the image of Duration.
Thus the superior man stands firm
And does not change his direction.

L3: He who does not give duration to his character
Meets with disgrace.
Persistent humiliation.
L6: Restlessness as an enduring condition brings misfortune.

Hex64 Before Completion (unchanging)
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 Image
Fire over water:
The image of the condition before transition.
Thus the superior man is careful
In the differentiation of things,
So that each finds its place.

My concrete situation if i accept the new job:

hex 63 Chi After Completion, changing line 1.

63. Chi Chi / After Completion
above K'an The Abysmal, Water
below Li The Clinging, Flame


The Judgement
After Completion. Success in small matters.
Perseverance furthers.
At the beginning good fortune,
At the end disorder.

The Image
Water over fire: the image of the condition
In After Completion.
Thus the superior man
Takes thoughts of misfortune
And arms himself against it in advance.

L1 = He brakes his wheels.
He gets his tail in the water.
No blame.

39 Obstruction Unchanging

39. Chien / Obstruction

above K'an The Abysmal, Water


below K?n Keeping Still, Mountain


The Judgement
Obstruction. The southwest furthers.
The northeast does not further.
It furthers one to see the great man.
Perseverance brings good fortune.

The Image
Water on the mountain:
The image of Obstruction.
Thus the superior man turns his attention to himself
And molds his character.

+++
WOuld this obstruction suggest...bad idea to take the new job then?

Hi Elizabeth

Just a few ideas, in case the comment could be useful

1. The general diagnosis points that your life in general is in a transitional time. A large cicle is ending, but the new one is not starting yet. Caution, reflection is needed. When one is before completation, one can think that already have achieve a balance after a large struggle. But the point is, this balance is temporal, not the arriving point. A next step is still needed. leave the past in the past to get into the new age. But Line 3 advices against a premature undertaking; is not time to act yet .

2.- The general diagnosis of the labor time points, in accordance with the previous answer, that related with labor is not time to a higher place or responsabilities. Is better to "give preponderance to thrift" (image of 62). The lines advice you that is not time to take risk, but to be caution

3.- About diagnosis of your situation in the actual job, I keep the original answer Hex47, changing line 5. At the light of the previous answers, reinforces the idea I already told you: "keep yourself in this job; whatever makes you feel exhaust about it (less money, lack of help), remain faitfull to your dreams; help is coming."

4.- About concrete situation if you accept the new job: complete a transition to the new job leads to chaos (judgement), better to stop that intention (line 1)

Now, I believe a most complete picture had been showed.
A concrete conclusion: keep in where you are.

Best wishes

Jesed: thank you! It is helpful to hear this broken down as you have done. Despite the attractions of more money it makes sense that now isnt the time to take the job, as strange as that seems to me (to not take something that is offerred, especially when it concerns financial stability). It makes me wonder what this transition time means and if that means something more will be coming. Because as i see and feel the situation, if i dont take the job, the status quo will just continue. i cant imagine that something else might happen (??)

Again, big appreciation for your help and interpretations!

Elizabeth

I have a similar dilemma with my job. Your question and Jesed's tuition in how to structure the questioning has been of great help to me, as a relative new comer to Yi Ching.

One general question I have(for anyone out there): How deep do you need to to go with the analysis to get a feel of the way that is being shown to you?
Shouldn't the answer be intuitive and teh more you dissect the divination the farther you get away from this.

Hi Elizabeth

Just in case the comment could be useful

The first answer, the one that talks about transition, is the most general.. is something like describing where your are in the path of the entire life.

So, even in the labor situation remains still (the status quo will just continue) you can experiment transition in others aspects of your life.. aspects more deeper to your Self development.

Even more, it is possible that take no risk in labor, keep the status quo about labor, is the condition that allows you to concentrate yourself in deeper aspects of your life that need a transition.

Best wishes

My_Key - I'm glad if my post was helpful to you too. I am fairly new to Yi as well, but I dabbled in it the first time a few months ago and learned that posing questions correctly is key, otherwise you may waste your time. As I'm still a newbie I wont attempt to answer your question except to say that usually hyperanalysis (not necessarily related to Yi but in general) can in fact lead you in circles and you can rationalize or find reasoning for just about anything under the sun...

Jesed - Interesting to think that transition is where i am in my overall path. I thought this was "it", the final destination (or no where to go but down from here) !!

Also, what you wrote about taking no risks is what i've been doing. Rather, financially i'm taking a huge risk, but otherwise, i've constructed my life to allow for this dream pursuit. I have a job to pay basic expenses that allows me to pursue this dream career. That career depends 1) on outside opportunities and 2) of what I make of them, of how ambitious and focused I can stay. I could in theory stop doing this all tomorrow, no one would say anything or prevent me from doing so, but that's not where my heart is guiding me.

So you're right in that, SINCE i dont have to focus much on my current labor/job, i can put the focus into my "art" so to speak. A new job would rearrange that focus, maybe temporarily or maybe permanently, leaving me with little (or no?) time to pursue the dream... yikes.

Hi Elizabeth

Just reinforcing some ideas:

You wrote: "I thought this was "it", the final destination (or no where to go but down from here) !! "

I wrote before: "When one is before completation, one can think that already have achieve a balance after a large struggle. But the point is, this balance is temporal, not the arriving point. A next step is still needed. "

Of course, the line advice: is not time to act yet.

Keep searching interiorly.. as Wilhelm's comment of the image of 64 points: "If we wish to achieve an effect, we must first investigate the nature of the forces in question and ascertain their proper place. If we can bring these forces to bear in the right place, they will have the desired effect and completion will be achieved. But in order to handle external forces properly, we must above all arrive at the correct standpoint ourselves, for only from this vantage can we work correctly"

Best wishes

Hi Elizabeth
Paralysis by analysis is not a good way to go in any situation. I'd agree with you totally on teh circles viewpoint. After many years of being analytical - I now find it a constriction. As a consequence I've kept most of my readings at a top level and let my gut feel take over from there. Intuition and following your heart have a huge part to play all aspects in ones life. What was your first reaction when you read the text?
Maybe if I had Jesed's insight I'd be offering different advice here.
Peace and light.
My_key

Hi My_key

Many times, there are situations that seems to be contradictory, but not necesarly.

One needs intuition to understand Yi's answers? of course
One needs correct analysis to understand Yi's answers? of course
One can be lost by unpropper analysis? of course
One can be lost by unpropper intuition? of course

So, how can one know if try just one question or the dialogue? Only by own's experience.

Try the dialogue once... if it works for you.. then it works for you??? if it gets you lost, return to just one question.

In any case, one must follow one's own path.




Best wishes

ps

What i had learn, both by traditional teachings and by my own experience, is this:
the "dialogue", if it is done with order, gave clearest pictures for most of the people.

Hi Jesed

You are of course correct.There is a proper balance between intuition and analysis in all situations.
Your suggested structure in the question sequence (dialogue) seems a natural way to go and is one that will home in on the best answer. It is so simple that I was amazed that it had not dawned on me before. It will bring more balance and a focus to the consultations of the Yi. Seeing how Elizabeth used it wass very instructional.

Thanks to you both.

Is there a way to consider that perhaps even if your freelancing options narrow by taking the job, your long term life path will turn out better, with what you love coming in a new way?

In order for intuition to work effectively it requires a foundation to start from and return to. This is true whether someone is training to be an effective Yi interpreter, athlete, entrepreneur, psychologist, theologian, artist or craftsman. The basics are the springboard from which creative thinking expands upon.