Can someone help me interpret my reading? hexagram 39 > 63

[Hambro]

Hey guys, I'm new to the I ching and I would really appreciate it if somebody could help me interpret this reading!
I have depersonalization disorder and really want to recover from it badly, so I asked the I ching ''Wat is the best course of action for me to recover from my depersonalization?''
Some backup info that might be important: I am currently doing a ''therapy'' which could potentially cure me in the long run but is also causing me alot of stress and is currently preventing me from recovering.
In my head I was considering quitting this therapy and maybe trying something new that will not cause me stress, but I did not mention this in my question to the I ching.

I got hexagram 39: obstruction/temporary obstacles changing into 63: after completion.
Line 1 (the bottom line) was a changing line.
I believe if line 1 is a changing yin line it generally means you are taking a passive stance and if you want to start anew, you should just do so.
The changing line in the hexagram also says that now is not the right time to attempt recovery, and that I should wait or retreat.
However I am not sure if it means I should either wait with quitting my therapy (so continueing it), or retreat from the therapy and try to recover without it.
The fact that line 1 is a changing yin line makes me think I should retreat, stop the therapy and start freshly and try a new approach.
I guess a positive is it changing into hexagram 63, which seems to be a positive outcome or am I wrong about that?

I wasn't sure what the I ching meant so I asked again: ''I'm not sure if I should continue with the therapy or stop the therapy, what is the right move here?''
I got hexagram 41: decrease/debilitation changing into hexagram 24: returning/the turning point.
With the second and last (top) line being changing lines.
I guess this is the I ching telling me to ''decrease'' the therapy?
However I don't really understand the changing lines.
The last changing line tells me to *not* do debilitation. So to not decrease?
If I'm not mistaken you should also read the changing lines in your second (transformed) hexagram right?
Well in hexagram 24 the second changing line seems to tell me I will be succesful, however the last changing line seems to contradict this and says I lost my window of opportunity for the returning. It also says another opportunity won't present itself for another ten years??? This is extremely frightening, I hope the ten years is a figure of speech and not to take literally?
Out of fear of losing this window of opportunity I have quit the therapy, but I'm not certain if it was the right choice

Sorry for the long post but can someone please help me make sense of this?

 

[Hans_K]

Hi Hambro,

In my head I was considering quitting this therapy and maybe trying something new that will not cause me stress, but I did not mention this in my question to the I ching.

I think it is important to understand that the I Ching does not literally "listen" to a question.
Like any oracle, the I Ching gives an insight into a situation. The question is meant for the person consulting the oracle so that there is a framework within which the answer can be interpreted.
So just because you did not mention something in your question does not mean that the I Ching does not answer it or take it into account in its answer.

The changing line in the hexagram also says that now is not the right time to attempt recovery, and that I should wait or retreat.

I would not relate it to your recovery but to putting energy into finding another solution to the situation. Your question is about the best course of action, the advice as I see it is to retreat from that, seeking the best course of action.
The text of the 1st line says:

Going forward means obstruction;
Coming back means praise.

The text shows that seeking means obstruction.
H63 is about balance, after completion, in other words stopping the search gives balance.

This moving yin line causes trigram Mountain to turn into Fire. This is about gaining clarity by letting go of plans and ideas one is holding on to.

I'm not sure if I should continue with the therapy or stop the therapy, what is the right move here?''

H41.2.6 <> H24
Return through Decrease
H41 Decrease. Decrease of what?
Decrease in putting energy into finding another solution?

The text of the Image of H41 talks about restraining desires. H24 is about returning (to the Way) and in the text of the Image there is no activity at all.
H41.2

Perseverance furthers.
To undertake something brings misfortune
...

It seems to me that the bottom line speaks for itself, doesn't it.

H41.6

If one is increased without depriving others, there is no blame.
Perseverance brings good fortune.
It furthers one to undertake something.

This seems to contradict the text of the 2nd line, but if you think of a hexagram as a process that starts in the 1st line and ends in the 6th, then here you see the result of the advice of line 2.
Through this top line, trigram Mountain changes to Earth. Resistance (Mountain) is completely released (decreased) and one is open to growth (Earth).

I have depersonalization disorder and really want to recover from it badly

I understand your desire to recover from this, but do you think it's wise to leave decisions about this recovery, and how, to an oracle you don't yet fully understand?
Your mental health is a very important thing and it would be a terrible shame if you make the wrong decision based on an oracle text you haven't fully understood.
My interpretation would be to stop looking for another solution and continue with the therapy you are currently taking, but interpretations may follow that give different advice, and then what?
Personally, I think it would be better for you to discuss your doubts with your therapist and not submit them to an oracle.

This would be my interpretation. As always, take what resonates and leave the rest

 

[rosada]

What is the best course of action to recover from depersonalization?
39.1 Going on leads to difficulties. Coming back, praise.
I see this line as advising that therapy does take time and trying to force yourself to go faster leads to difficulties. Also it seems to say you need not struggle through life alone. To recover from depersonalization surround yourself with people - therapists? - who “praise” you, who recognize your worth.
63. After Completion.
Have a clear image of your goal. What would being recovered look like? Let your vision draw you to it.

Decrease or continue - which is the right move?
41.2.6 > 24
41. Decreasing and 24. Returning to your own home or path, read to me as mirrors of your question, that is the hexagrams mirror rhat you are wondering about decreasing the therapy and returning to doing your own thing, but I’m not clear that therefore this means this is necessarily the right thing to do. It seems to only say you could but 24 sure sounds lonely and depersonalized to me. Maybe a caution not to stay alone but to find a new therapy if you do decide to quit this one.

I wonder if this answer to your second question depends on how well this current therapy fits with the advice given in the first answer. Do the people you are working with now make you feel supported as 39.1 recommends, and have they given you a clear image of what you can reasonably expect After Completion of the therapy? Whatever you decide to do that seems to be what’s crucial.

 

[Hambro]

Hi Hambro,

I think it is important to understand that the I Ching does not literally "listen" to a question.
Like any oracle, the I Ching gives an insight into a situation. The question is meant for the person consulting the oracle so that there is a framework within which the answer can be interpreted.
So just because you did not mention something in your question does not mean that the I Ching does not answer it or take it into account in its answer.


I would not relate it to your recovery but to putting energy into finding another solution to the situation. Your question is about the best course of action, the advice as I see it is to retreat from that, seeking the best course of action.
The text of the 1st line says:

The text shows that seeking means obstruction.
H63 is about balance, after completion, in other words stopping the search gives balance.

This moving yin line causes trigram Mountain to turn into Fire. This is about gaining clarity by letting go of plans and ideas one is holding on to.


H41.2.6 <> H24
Return through Decrease
H41 Decrease. Decrease of what?
Decrease in putting energy into finding another solution?

The text of the Image of H41 talks about restraining desires. H24 is about returning (to the Way) and in the text of the Image there is no activity at all.
H41.2

It seems to me that the bottom line speaks for itself, doesn't it.

H41.6

This seems to contradict the text of the 2nd line, but if you think of a hexagram as a process that starts in the 1st line and ends in the 6th, then here you see the result of the advice of line 2.
Through this top line, trigram Mountain changes to Earth. Resistance (Mountain) is completely released (decreased) and one is open to growth (Earth).



I understand your desire to recover from this, but do you think it's wise to leave decisions about this recovery, and how, to an oracle you don't yet fully understand?
Your mental health is a very important thing and it would be a terrible shame if you make the wrong decision based on an oracle text you haven't fully understood.
My interpretation would be to stop looking for another solution and continue with the therapy you are currently taking, but interpretations may follow that give different advice, and then what?
Personally, I think it would be better for you to discuss your doubts with your therapist and not submit them to an oracle.

This would be my interpretation. As always, take what resonates and leave the rest

Thanks for your reply!
I think you might be right, maybe I shouldn't have consulted the oracle about such an important matter without understanding the oracle first.

I've considered your interpretation but I also have my own hypothesis.
I think maybe the I ching, with my second question, decided to answer me what happens both when I decide to decrease the therapy, and what happens when I don't decrease.
So changing line 2 seems to say I should decrease (Gains and prosperity achieved from the current matter), and changing line 2 in the transformed hexagram (hexagram 24) shows that that brings succes (rest and repose: a good omen).
Then changing line 6 in hexagram 41 says I should *not* decrease (no debilitation. flow of affluene increasing), and changing line 6 in hexagram 24 says that that brings misfortune (lost in return, there will not be another favorable chance of attack for ten years).
I think maybe this is the I chings way of saying what will happen if I decrease, and what will happen if I don't decrease.
Do you think I might be right in this or does the I ching not work this way?

 

[Hambro]

What is the best course of action to recover from depersonalization?
39.1 Going on leads to difficulties. Coming back, praise.
I see this line as advising that therapy does take time and trying to force yourself to go faster leads to difficulties. Also it seems to say you need not struggle through life alone. To recover from depersonalization surround yourself with people - therapists? - who “praise” you, who recognize your worth.
63. After Completion.
Have a clear image of your goal. What would being recovered look like? Let your vision draw you to it.

Decrease or continue - which is the right move?
41.2.6 > 24
41. Decreasing and 24. Returning to your own home or path, read to me as mirrors of your question, that is the hexagrams mirror rhat you are wondering about decreasing the therapy and returning to doing your own thing, but I’m not clear that therefore this means this is necessarily the right thing to do. It seems to only say you could but 24 sure sounds lonely and depersonalized to me. Maybe a caution not to stay alone but to find a new therapy if you do decide to quit this one.

I wonder if this answer to your second question depends on how well this current therapy fits with the advice given in the first answer. Do the people you are working with now make you feel supported as 39.1 recommends, and have they given you a clear image of what you can reasonably expect After Completion of the therapy? Whatever you decide to do that seems to be what’s crucial.

Thank you for your reply.
In hindsight maybe I shouldn't have consulted the I ching about this before becoming more adept at consulting the oracle, it might have made making a decisision harder.
For now I think I will stop the therapy and see if I can recover without it, but I might get cold feet and jump back on it lol.

 

[my_key]

Hi Hambro
Depersonalisation disorder carries the sense of both wide-spread and deep wounding. It can manifest in many ways but all carry an underlying common theme of living in a dream world or viewing life from outside your body. I can fully appreciate how disturbing this must be for you and why you want to recover from this so badly.

I asked the I ching ''Wat is the best course of action for me to recover from my depersonalization?''

39: 1<> 63

'Limping' through 'Already Crossing'

The setting of your question and the response is one that is best seen as one where you are already making the crossing to recovery. 63 carries an image of setting things right and advocates that maximum clarity is brought to the image when proper consideration is given to what might prevent a successful crossing and taking appropriate actions to fend these things off.(63)

Yes, right now you are limping through your treatment and the difficulties this is presenting to you. Here Yi advocates that you take actions to reverse your personality to build your power and virtue in order to increase resolve and resilience (39).

My interpretation does not see anything about passivity or not attempting recover, stooping the treatment or anything like that. It is more aligned with changing the attitude that you are bringing. If you can bear with it the difficulties they will recede and the treatment will become easier for you (39.1) Maybe pare back on it a bit if you need to but it's a mistake to think it's got to stop.

Recovering from anything like depersonalisation disorder will never be without some stress whatever treatment you undertake. Remember that 39 is being given deep and warming guidance from 64 ' Not Yet Crossing' where it is considered that even though you may be wetting your tail, do all you can to keep things in perspective and then nothing can be considered unfavourable.

I wasn't sure what the I ching meant so I asked again: ''I'm not sure if I should continue with the therapy or stop the therapy, what is the right move here?''
I got hexagram 41: decrease/debilitation changing into hexagram 24: returning/the turning point.

41 <> 24
'Diminishing' through 'Returning'

The special thing about 41 is that it is the pattern of decrease that is signalling to you and only you can decide what it is you decide. What it is that is worthy of diminishing your involvement with. 41 advocates that that your best outcome lies in maintaining focus on diminishing your compulsive, un reflected emotions that have come to rule the roost with their wild imaginings.

The good news lies in 24 Returning. There is a warm comfort blanket that is being wrapped around you, by this hexagram, after what has been a truly difficult time for you. Whatever you have decided to diminish, and whether that is right or wrong matters not one jot. 24 always lays out in front of you opportunities to retrace your path should you wish to do so.

41.2 - Allows for a nourishing of the ways you walk the in world. It encourages and has created a greater connection between you, your humanity and your compassion for your self. For now, let what has been shown to you seep deeply into your being. There is no advantage in rushing this or beating yourself up about your decision making in an uncompassionate way.

41.6 - Understand that this is but the first step in acquiring a new resolve and purpose. Things are on the up - next step after 41.6 is 42 Increase. Good things are on the way and when the time is right you will instinctively know, through your newly acquired, more steadfast connections, which direction you need to take to harvest the fruit of these difficult times.

... of course, there may well be other interpretations that you better connect with.

Good Luck

 

[Hans_K]

I've considered your interpretation but I also have my own hypothesis.
I think maybe the I ching, with my second question, decided to answer me what happens both when I decide to decrease the therapy, and what happens when I don't decrease.
So changing line 2 seems to say I should decrease (Gains and prosperity achieved from the current matter), and changing line 2 in the transformed hexagram (hexagram 24) shows that that brings succes (rest and repose: a good omen).
Then changing line 6 in hexagram 41 says I should *not* decrease (no debilitation. flow of affluene increasing), and changing line 6 in hexagram 24 says that that brings misfortune (lost in return, there will not be another favorable chance of attack for ten years).
I think maybe this is the I chings way of saying what will happen if I decrease, and what will happen if I don't decrease.
Do you think I might be right in this or does the I ching not work this way?

In my opinion, an answer from the I Ching does not work that way. It gives a clear understanding of a situation and not multiple options in one answer.
You better ask 2 questions then:
1) what is the effect when I do X
2) what is the effect when I do Y

Especially when you are just starting to work with the I Ching, I would not read the corresponding lines in the related hexagram. That only makes things more unclear. See H24 only as the related hexagram.