20.6 > 8 - What's working well?

[1eleven]

All too often, we use questions focused on what's bothering us, what's wrong, problems with problems, etc.

I'd like to bring to light "What's working well?"

20.6 > 8

 

[ginnie]

Well, you observe your own life . . .

It seems to me that the very process of asking a question implies that there is some problem, some restlessness.

 

[corvinnclaedh]

This almost seems like a jest from Yi. Hex 20, Observation, line 6, the nobleman contemplates his own life, no mistake. Its throwing the ball back into your court and asking you to figure out what is working well. Hex 8, seeking union. Why did you ask this in the first place? What were you hoping to achieve? It seems like, due to the inspiration of your question, you're hoping to bring more positivity in using Yi, and what you asked is a secondary concern. To that, it seems Yi is saying, "you are able to see what is going well in your life on your own. In time, others who utilize the Oracle as you prefer may appear."

 

[sooo]

I have a slightly different take on line 6. I know most versions say he contemplates his life, whereas line 5 says he contemplates my life. His is said to the more objective, as though viewing a stranger's life. I've always felt that line is saying, he contemplates life. Not only his or someone else's but life itself. And no contemplation of life is complete without contemplating its twin, to contemplate death. The shaman and the warrior live between these worlds. To the shaman, death is a friend and teacher, always by his side. To the warrior, he is already dead, so he has nothing to lose, making him fearless.

 

[1eleven]

Spot on, Bruce. Thank you. More later...