16,2

[peter2610]

Hex 16,2

Wilhelm: Firm as a rock. Not a whole day.
Perseverance brings good fortune

This is a line which I used to “get by with” for quite a long time without having complete 100% confidence in my interpretation but a while ago I made some notes which I would now like to offer in a post.

The simplest setting for this line is one where there is an existing direction which one is already pursuing when a new alternative direction (or thought or possibility) emerges on which one receives 16,2. Second yin stands at the foot of the nuclear trigram Ken - Mountain, to which the sentence “Firm as a rock” refers. The meaning of this is twofold, firstly it is indicating that any attempt with the “new” direction will be limited or blocked, secondly it is urging that one limits/controls one’s inclination to adopt this new direction - and that successfully overcoming this inclination should take no more than a day. Perseverance is urged in the sense that one should maintain one’s present direction, it is NOT urging one to persevere with any new direction.

The line-resultant for 16,2 is Hex 40, Deliverance - deliverance from danger, tension, obstruction. By remaining firm and persevering with our existing direction we deliver ourselves from potential danger, obstruction in the new direction.

The Parallel Nuclear Progression to 16,2 - 40 is (39,1-63) - 1st yin: Going leads to obstructions, Coming meets with praise.

I think that one possible source of confusion in the line-text has been the somewhat succinct, juxtaposed presentation of its elements. I hope that this post might serve to help unite these elements into a meaningful whole.

 

[Tim K]

I find that [3rd line] commentary by Wilhelm [and Confucius] helps to explain the meaning of the 2nd:

16.3 → 62 (Small Details), Wilhelm:
Firm as a rock, what need of a whole day?
The judgment can be known.
The superior man knows what is hidden and what is evident.
He knows weakness, he knows strength as well.
Hence the myriads look up to him.
...

While others are chasing some new ideas or top-chart songs, or new product that just hit the market or whatever, the sage is sitting under the tree doing some wood carving, or maybe writing, or just watching others run after the newest trend. Because he knows that it's all temporary and useless to him.
His source of enthusiasm is inside. He is (as 2nd line is always) passively accepting the situation, letting the new inspiration go past him, unaffected.

--edit on 24.04.2016, commentary belongs to Confucius, 2nd line.

 

[peter2610]

Thanks Ashteroid,

I've just re-read the section on "Transitional Hexagrams" in Bradford's book but I am still not certain as to how you derived the above passage. Having said that, however, it is an accurate description of the process that I am relating. Your own commentary "passively accepting the situation; letting the new inspiration go past him unaffected" fits in with my own interpretation exactly.

PS: Could you possibly place some identification in brackets at the end of each of your lines to identify which Gua, Tuan or line-text you are using.Thanks.

 

[Tim K]

The text in brown is taken directly from Wilhelm's commentary, by Confucius.
Ooh there was a slight error, the commentary belongs to the 2nd line, my bad.
While I was converting the text from html I missed the separator.

Confucius says about this line:
To know the seeds, that is divine indeed. In his association with those above
him, the superior man does not flatter. In his association with those beneath
him, he is not arrogant. For he knows the seeds. The seeds are the first
imperceptible beginning of movement, the first trace of good fortune (or
misfortune) that shows itself. The superior man perceives the seeds and
immediately takes actin. He does not wait even a whole day. In the Book of
Changes it is said: "Firm as a rock. Not a whole day. Perseverance brings good fortune."
Firm as a rock, what need of a whole day? The judgment can be known.
The superior man knows what is hidden and what is evident. He knows weakness, he knows strength as well. Hence the myriads look up to him.