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pone

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hi, first post here. i've been hauling my wilhelm translation around with me for more than 20 years, but sometimes (usually) i feel that the more i consult, the less i understand. i think that the fact that i've been staring at the words since i was a teen makes it difficult to see them at all anymore. i've tried a couple other sources, but...

anyway. i'm glad of this board. in the past few days i've been doing searches for discussions of various hexagrams. but now i'd like to ask the participants directly.

the subject is work-related. i am self-employed and have recently attempted to bump myself up in terms of the jobs i take and the rates i charge. i did this at the beginning of the year in response to 2 things;

i was getting burned out and wanted to fostor my own energy level and positive attitude by excersizing more control over the jobs i take.

the work was flowing. i didn't feel like i was jumping the gun, but that this was a natural progression.

it was going quite well for a while. but as is the nature of the freelance life, there are dry spells. it's been very slow at a time of year when it's usually very busy. much of this has to do with the fact that i've taken myself off the roster for a lot of the jobs i used to do. in any event, i feel that i need to either be more proactive, or change things significantly. somehow.

i asked what i should do about the lack of work and got 54.5. i've never liked seeing 54. it always comes at difficult times, and i never understand it. i understand that in this case line 5 could be saying that i must not be too haughty in my view of myself in this situation. but i don't know if it's indicating that i should bide my time and let work come to me (the emporor doesn't wait for suiters to approach), or that i should go out looking for all those jobs that i'd been turning down.

any thoughts? don't be shy, i really need to shake up my crusty old way of reading here.

thanks. :)
 

pargenton

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54 in job question

Hello Pone,
In my understanding 54 in a job question means you are in a secondary position, i.e. you must realize you are not the boss and not in control of the situation, even if you are a freelance.

Usually I prefer Balkin's commentary since he gives very practical hints, I quote for line 5:

.. this is a time to cooperate, subordinate yourself, and stay out of the spotlight. Overcome any pride and vanity you may have... Do not be competitive or aggressive, and do not try to take the lead or draw attention to yourself.

Seems to me Yi is addressing something about how you behave in job question (too much competition) and hints towards a cooperative style of work.

Peace
Bashir
 

pone

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thank you Bashir, that certainly seems like a salient point.

i'll have a look for Balkin as well.

i'm getting a lot of "wait and get your head straight" from both the book and the cards. there is a suggestion of a positive turn of events, but being an impatient person i feel like i should be doing something... else. in a follow up question i got 28.1. 28 suggests to me - get your ass in gear. but the first line suggests i'm not really prepared.
 
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willowfox

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Hex 54.5 says to take a back seat for the the moment as this is no time to be pressing ahead, do not compete with anyone, just think carefully how you can make your business better.

Hex 58 is about talking with others in how to successfully achieve your goals. Get their help and support.
 
J

jimnammack

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The Wilhelm text says about Hexagram 54 that you make progress in one thing, but that something else needs to be sacrificed. Or, that you make progress in one area but not another. In other words, you are basically on the right track, but you will need to make some adjustments. In The Image, it suggests that you do in fact figure out how to handle your situation, that you do get a feel for what adjustments need to be made.

Moving line 5 speaks to this very thing, making some kind of change. But the change you make is in going from what you had previously thought to be best, to something you had previously thought to be second best. For example, Henry Ford made his millions by selling his cars as cheaply as he possibly could. Maybe you would make more money if you charged less. But, I am only guessing here to give you an example.

Hexagram 58, of course, tells you that the new adjustment you make works out extremely well for you. It seems to be saying that you make your customers very happy.

Jim
 

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