37 to 36 again (calling Dobro)

[Trojina]

Hi I'm struggling with this one. I have thrown 37 lines 5 and 6 changing to 36 several times with relation to more or less the same question over a period of time. I looked in the hex index and see Dobro was asking about the same configuration in April 05, I think the thread was just called 37 to 36. Interesting but looking for more insights on it. My problem is same as Dobros then. Its hard for me to square the positivity of 37,5,6 with 36. Well I've read the thread and see there doesn't have to be this stress on positive/negative in readings but I'm still floundering. For me this a relationship question, asking of someones feelings for me. Generally I don't ask about others feelings but this is a bit of a messy situation from my perspective.

Dobro if your're around can you recall how you feel your 37 to 36 situation played out, if you understand its meaning more with hindsight ? ( If you would rather not say I understand) Or any other thoughts would be appreciated.

I get the sense that things are only looking fine on the surface and am puzzled wondering if theres a cloud coming.

 

[autumn]

I don't want to break in on Dobro's answer, which I am very curious to hear, but there's something from 37.5 particularly that is missing from Wilhelm's translation. It is about being in a correct position- not necessarily about affection. Loyalty, maybe. The establishment of an ideal for the "family". 37 itself is less familial than our own constructions of family tend to be. More about belonging together and coming together for the common purpose of survival. Maybe a smaller unit than what is represented by the tribe of 13 (?) And line 6 is about an internalized sense of authority.

Ultimately, I think the meanings of the specific lines will apply to details of the question. Perhaps they describing actual behavior, or perhaps they are advising ideal behavior.

Your question, though, is similar to the question I had on 22.6 (36). How can such a beautiful line lead to wounded brightness? I think 36 has a wider range of meaning. I think it's sometimes describing hidden potential, or directing you to hide something, or just pointing to the inner light not ready to be released.

 

[dobro p]

Hi Trojan

Sorry, but I don't remember the particular issue in connection with my April 05 post. But I'm happy to work with 37>36 with my present understanding.

You said: "I get the sense that things are only looking fine on the surface and am puzzled wondering if theres a cloud coming."

Yeah, I understand how you might feel a sense of foreboding when you draw 36 as relating hexagram, but the interesting thing for me about 36 is how sometimes it seems to translate as 'Light Hiding' and sometimes as 'Light Wounding'. These days, I think it seems to be more 'Light Hiding' in the sense of staying out of the limelight, hiding your light rather than displaying it, keeping your real thoughts and feelings out of harm's way. If that's the case, the 37.5.6>36 would mean something like: "Participating in and contributing to the inner group, through a completely fortunate set of circumstances, becomes one in which you do well to keep your truth hidden."

In other words, the Yi's saying that the issue is one of participation in an inner group, which you would do well to keep a secret. A parallel: think of the very early Christians in the time of the Roman Empire. A less dramatic example: many Sufi groups conduct their studies and exercises privately, and don't talk about it in public. But it doesn't have to be a spiritual group - it might be something as mundane as an elite group of people in a company who are working together on a policy or product that they don't talk about with the other employees for now. Another mundane example: it might be two people who decide to get married but who don't want to tell people about it; or two people who decide to have a baby, but don't tell people that's what they're trying to do. So you see, it can very easily be a matter of 'things are fine on the surface, and fine deeper down too; but keep your head down').

Hope this helps.

 

[mudpie]

I agree with autumn, I don't thnk 36 has a "bad/negative" connotation.....in fact the situation described in the yi is one of hidden strength for the one being misunderstood or invalidated. Line 6 of 37 is one that kind of corresponds to 36, as I see it. It is about being self-reliant and sincere, integrity and inner strength.

If your question was about "someone's feelings for you" - (that's a switch for you, trojan!) then I would say this person is well disposed towrds you. all is well. How does it relate to family, this situation? YOu might need to answer that question....is this person a part of your family or maybe there are family issues shrouding this question? 36 could be pointing towrds a feeling of invalidation, it could be the background of the situation for you. BUt I still see it as a positive reading. A "no worry" kind of thing, all is well. Sorrells say of 37.5 : you have nothing to hide and nothing to fear. JMHO

 

[Trojina]

Hi Autumn, yes I actually took the 37,5 and 6 to mean hes well disposed to me but in an impersonal, dutiful way, still a good way within the confines of the roles we play towards one another, but that I could not really expect more intimacy. I saw 37,5 and 6 as such kind of 'upfront' lines, and these described his outer behavior to me pretty well, that as i asked about his feelings i just couldn't see what there was then need to hide. As you say though theres alot more to 36 than this kind of negative 'hidden motives' aspect I tend to latch onto. I like the idea of inner potential of 36. Thanks.

Hi Dobro, yeah I like this "Things are fine on the surface but fine deeper down too, just keep your head down". Mmm, as I asked about his feelings not mine (which I always say here is a very bad idea indeed, lol) I guess its him who keeps his head down ? Or more like he has alot more to give that he hides for now, nurturing potential.

Listener yup I broke my rule not to ask about others feelings, but with this one I was so shocked to get the same answer, same moving lines over a period of time I have to say I think the Yi is trying to tell me something even if it is about other peoples feelings. I'm glad you still see it as a positive reading, I want to, thanks.

 

[bruce_g]

Hi Trojan,

It sounds to me like this guy feels genuinely protective and caring toward you, but that he’s keeping his more personal feelings toward you close to his vest at this time. But I guess that's why you asked Yi, isn't it? He won't come out with it! Maybe more than that, he himself doesn't know how he personally feels toward you. Maybe his feelings are hidden to himself (36). Meanwhile, until he does know more, he's being a stand up kind of guy.

 

[dobro p]

Mmm, as I asked about his feelings not mine (which I always say here is a very bad idea indeed, lol) I guess its him who keeps his head down ?

Well, I wasn't sure what your question was. But now that I know, I'd refer you to Bruce's answer, cuz I think he pretty much got it.

 

[Trojina]

Thanks guys