A Question about Vocation

[wizardbuff]

The question of my vocation in life is one I've struggled with for years. I often feel as though I'm not directing my efforts correctly, as though I'm off the path I "should" be on. This, without knowing exactly where the true path is to be found. I have my dreams, but am perpetually unsure of whether my current job and life circumstances need to be changed for me to eventually achieve them.

The question I asked was: "What is my true vocation? The thing that I am sent here to do?"

My reading was hexagram 25 (without entanglement) to 17 (following).

The reading seems to be suggesting that I divest myself from speculations about the future and simply focus on what presents itself to me in the current moment. This, followed by the idea that there are gentle forces "nudging" me in the right direction, if I would only notice and follow them.

I am definitely guilty of wanting to "do" something to solve a perceived "problem", even when there is nothing to be done. So this reading seems very perceptive. It seems to be giving me the answer that my true purpose is simply to be present in my current life, without always trying to change things, and to remain open to synchronicities and "go with the flow" of my life.

Have any of you received this reading? Does it seem that my interpretation is valid? Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

Best,
wizardbuff

 

[Lovely]

I have NOT received that reading and after looking through my edition of the iChing I definitely agree with your interpretation. I think the iChing is telling you to trust your own intuition, your question is too ambitious, the answer needs to and will come from you. As you probably have seen in the Tips forum, the iChing does NOT tell the future. It also doesn't tell us if someone is wrong or right for us. It tells us about situations that happen here and now,why they happened, what the most harmonious approach is, their downsides, their upsides, etc. You, as a person, will grow and chance. You as a person know your past, your interests, etc. It's not a situation, it's an insecurity of which the answer is already within you, if not still forming, most likely constantly shaping.

There's a reason why different careers and vocations aren't listed as possible iChing answers. (As far as I know, but then again, apparently some lines or hexes represent certain months.)

I myself am not very experienced with the iChing and I always wonder about all of my answers. Feel free to overlook my answer when more experienced / knowledgeable users post.

Good luck finding your purpose!

 

[wizardbuff]

I should add that my first hexagram was actually 25.6 to 17. Only one changing line.

 

[Lovely]

Hee hee, my edition says the following on 6th line

"If you are sincere in your efforts, but still no progress is made, simply return to acceptance. To attempt to force events is to abandon your innocence."

And of course, my edition is all about innocence and warns that to abandon innocence brings misfortune.

 

[wizardbuff]

Thank you, Lovely,

That does help to clarify the reading. Sometimes acceptance and surrender are the hardest things to do! I'm so used to trying to effect change through action. I appreciate your thoughtful responses.

 

[Lovely]

"Both of us must suffer from the same unending ache."

I am the exact same way, WizardBuff.

I'll keep checking this thread in case more people share some insight as I could have easily gotten the exact same response (I suspect I deserve it in a LOT of questions I've wanted to ask) and I can learn a lot from this hex too.