A classical question

[cris]

Ok, so we undoubtedly reached adulthood a while back, yet our life companion has not shown up yet. I usually wonder whether in my case he’s hiding on the other side of the world (Amazonia? Tasmania?) just to make sure we don’t run the risk of bumping into each other! Surely there’s something to do about it? Time to consult the IC…

So following again this website’s suggestions I asked:
“How do I need to change in order to attract my soulmate?”
The answer was 15.6 > 52.

Modesty… hmm… how evocative.

The Judgement
Modesty creates success.
The superior man carries things through.

The Image
Within the earth, a mountain:
The image of Modesty.
Thus the superior man reduces that which is too much,
And augments that which is too little.
He weighs things and makes them equal.

To me the hexagram appears to speak of the ability to see oneself objectively, and to work on one’s own weaknesses (the too much’s and the too little’s). Moderation maybe, other than modesty? Rings a bell… I have often been described as “extreme”, so I guess the Yi is saying I should try to avoid my black and white views and become better balanced. This would be perfectly confirmed by 52, Keeping Still – finding my “centre”, inner silence and peace of mind.

In a less intimate interpretation, the Yi might be talking about any imbalance in my life – for instance work’s importance as opposed to family and personal interests. I wonder whether it could be even referring to physical appearance?... (“He weighs things…”).

Six at the top means:
Modesty that comes to expression.
It is favorable to set armies marching
To chastise one's own city and one's country.

This line suggests that modesty and strength need not be opposite, and conquests can be made without being aggressive – a good reminder for a single working woman. It also seems to invite me to start my “campaign” from the home front – a confirmation of the above.

LySe offers another angle to Hex. 15: “Give and Take”, team-words, cooperation.

Substituting ‘words’ (part 1 of the character) for ‘bird’ gives Jian1, a mythical bird with one wing and one eye. Two of them could fly: the perfect cooperation.
Who has the gift of qian can fly to higher places than he would ever be able to reach on his own.

which to me sounds like the perfect omen for finding my soulmate.

These are just my modest two cents Any other input would be very helpful!

 

[willowfox]

Line 15.6 suggests a need to change your attitude, its all about self disciple and all that entails. Therefore, if you are weak willed, then you need to toughen up, and if you are arrogant, then you need to learn to be ordinary.

Hex 52 is about keeping still, therefore you need to stop being the mountain, and start getting into some real action because if you don't go out and meet the people then you will find it hard to meet "Mr.Yes please, give me more". Therefore you need to take of all the restraints that are currently holding you back.

 

[cris]

Cheers WF

Hex. 15 and changing line 6 were pretty clear (I'm amazed at how poignant and often litteral the Yi can be). Great insight on Hex. 52!

By the way, my idea of a soulmate sounds more like Mr. "Darling, would you like some more"

 

[cris]

Anyone else cares to feed my inspiration?

 

[ginnie]

Yes. "Modestly crows the cock." I agree with WF. You've probably been sitting alone and maybe even meditating quite a bit. Well, stillness of body and mind is wonderful but not if it leaves you all alone in this world.

Sounds like the I Ching is telling you to go out and talk with people, which will of necessity involve speaking about yourself.

You may even be the shy type of person? But Yi is telling you very gently that it's okay to 'crow' about yourself. In fact, it is necessary because this is a very noisy world and we have to speak up in order to be heard.

(Or am I just projecting my own issues onto your thread?)

 

[cris]

Interestingly enough, Ginnie, my first interpretation of line 15.6 had istinctively been: stop being too modest. Put your armies in motion; start showing yourself a bit more. Then I was sort of sidetracked by the different translations, which all offer an interesting angle.

You might be projecting - we do it all the time - but are spot on.

 

[meng]

Then I was sort of sidetracked by the different translations, which all offer an interesting angle.

Welcome to the club of interesting angles.

Oh, I also agree with Wf's interpretation.

 

[meng]

I wrote an ordeal on 15, and then decided it would be un-15-like to post it. Basically saying to look at 15 as authentic. Nothing wrong with dreaming and calling them dreams, but if you want to fulfill them, you have to actually do what it takes to avail yourself, and that could require sacrificing, to make the dream come true.

 

[cris]

It would be interesting to read that ordeal, Meng. It could be further enlightening.

 

[peter2610]

Hi Cris,

Hex 15, Modesty, is as much about 'acceptance' as anything else. Acceptance of our place and role in life, about not knowing all the answers and yet having faith in our path and the universal process as it unfolds. This is the way 'The superior man carries things through.'
Developing this attitude of quiet resolution and acceptance is not easy. Our egos clamour for factual certainty, confirmation, justification, and control. Relinquishing these comforting 'certainties' by refining the self and handing 'control' over to the universal process is, for any of us, a huge undertaking; it is the core process in Daoism and other spiritual paths.
15.6, Top Yin - 'Modesty that comes to expression' - This means making modesty an actual reality in our attitude and behaviour towards our path and the universal process. It has nothing to do, in this instance, with social relationships.
'It is favourable to set armies marching to chastise one's own city and country' - this is not, in my opinion, urging you to do anything whatsoever externally. It is urging you to discipline the need for certainty caused by doubting the universal process - the opposite of vigorous action. The only action being urged here is an internal one.
The Zhi Gua, Hex 52, in this context, represents keeping still inwardly - it is summed up by Carol Anthony as - 'Keep one's inner thoughts quiet, and relinquish the childish heart.'
This reading is telling you nothing more, and nothing less, than to modestly persevere with your path and accept the universal process. There is nothing whatsoever wrong with your question, this answer is simply describing the correct approach and urging you to give time and space for your path to unfold. Allow the karma to work.

If you have a number of relationship questions, might I recommend Carol Anthony's - 'A Guide to the I Ching.' She employs female intuitive wisdom in relationships with, at times, stunning penetration and accuracy but, more importantly, she also fully understands the importance of self-control in order to allow the universal process to unfold. Her approach will also help you to start interpreting the I Ching in a non-literal way. This recommendation is just a suggestion; it in no way detracts from the excellent advice available on this forum.

Finally, if I might conclude by emphasizing the importance of understanding the context of one's answer - in this case Hex 15, Modesty - before unlocking the meaning of the line-texts. Generally speaking, and this isn't easy for any of us, if you can get the context right, then the meaning of the line text will usually 'fall' into place. If the meaning of the line text has to be stretched or wildly imagined, it usually means we've got the context wrong; we haven't fully grasped where the I Ching is coming from.

Hope this helps.
Peter

 

[cris]

Hello Peter!

Sorry for my late response. I was in fact expecting your insight on this reading, after your reference to the importance of modesty in the Yi in another thread.

Acceptance - I had not seen Hex. 15 in this light, and it's a very interesting perspective, which as well resonates inside me. Acceptance of my life, acceptance of whatever the universe has in store for me, but first of all, as a prerequisite, acceptance of myself. I will be showing my age here, but remember that song by the Smiths?

Every day you must say
So, how do I feel about my life?
Anything is hard to find
When you will not open your eyes
When will you accept yourself?

By chance, I happened to find the following contribution by Trojan in another thread, pointing exactly in the same direction:

BTW 15 is not particularly about being humble, that is just our association with the word 'modesty' its just about being authentic, real, being who you are. So in some ways its the opposite of being humble for if someone is presenting no false image to themselves or others but being simply who they are they will neither over estimate nor underestimate themselves...15 can come as a reminder to simply do what needs to be done without worrying about how things look or over complicating things

If this is the message the I Ching is giving me, it's a great one, as this is a path I've been on for a while, with even more self-determination in the past few months. I find no contradiction between my question and this answer, as acceptance IS change, per se. It's only when you finally approach self-reconciliation that you find the motivation to improve yourself, and develop the trust that you can - achieve your goals, be happy, etc. This has been my experience so far.

Thanks for the suggestion about Carol Anthony's book, I'll certainly look for it. Understanding the IC is by no means an easy task; I do have quite a few translations to consult, however I still struggle to grasp all the different messages the Yi brings - as said in another thread, all absolutely valuable despite sometimes seemingly conflicting. This applies to this reading too, where all interpretations shared here give very useful indication of possible change. Thanks again to all! :bows:

Have a great week!
Cris