21.1.6 to 16+

[shiftingfox]

I did a reading yesterday asking about a person I work with and whether or not he is someone who I should pursue a friendship with. The result was 21.1.6 leading to 16. This seems a little contradictory to me, so I was wondering if anyone might be able to assist me jn interpreting this. Thank you!

 

[Tim K]

Should I pursue a friendship with x ? 21.1.6(Biting through) -> 16 (Enthusiasm)

Looking at transitional hexagram we see 21.1 -> 35.6(Progress) -> 16.
Internal hexagram is 39 (Obstacles).

Line 1 says you are anxious to make progress, but your inner being is holding you back, you must bite through some internal issues first. Richmond writes that your intuitive feelings are blocked, and you are just following (social) rules, but this period will pass.

21.6: Again, you should restrain yourself, it's not the time yet, the enthusiasm, new options(35.6) will come later.

 

[shiftingfox]

Thank you! I really like this interpretation. It actually seems to address some of the more in-depth issues I am dealing with regarding this potential friendship. For instance, my boyfriend has deeply rooted trust issues with other men. I don't blame him, but I am a woman who gets along easily with others and have no desire to limit my friendships to the company of other women. I think the i ching may be referring to this in general as well as to the specific situation I asked about. By this translation, it seems that this is not the time to make progress with that issue, but that it will not always be something which restrains me.

 

[Tim K]

You are welcome,

I just can't resist the image that pops into my head when you speak of your boyfriend

He shouldn't behave in that way, nobody should, I think he is just masking the real issue - the fear of losing you, and fear is just a lack of faith.

Maybe you don't give him enough assurance that you love only him? that he has nothing to worry about?

If your boyfriend is the main problem here, then 21.6 warns you about him binding you more and more, and for now it just a small incovenience 21.1;
And 35.6, Wilhelm:
Making progress with the horns is permissible only for the purpose of punishing one's own city.
To be conscious of danger brings good fortune. No blame.
Perseverance brings humiliation.


So if you want more freedom you should talk about this with your close ones.

If only all people would drop their egos ... the world would become a paradise

 

[sooo]

Humans without egos are called zombies. Humans without egos would also sacrifice their brain's entire frontal lobe. The object is not to be egoless but to develop a healthy ego. A healthy ego makes for a healthy individual, as well as healthier families and communities.

"The Greek philosopher Aristotle proposed that every virtue follows a Golden Mean between extremes. In this case, a healthy ego — or sense of self — falls between the vices of pride and shame, between thinking too highly of oneself and thinking too lowly of oneself. Healthy self-esteem reveals itself in strong character traits such as modesty, generosity and responsibility — all of which our society can do with a great deal more of."