Change Careers? 29.2.3 -> 39...TWICE!

[sammiemae]

Recently experienced a setback in my career (one that requires years of training and preparation), and someone I respect told me they thought I am not suited for the career. I started thinking that perhaps they are right, but it would be a huge change, and I don't know how to proceed.

I asked the I Ching: "Should I continue in my current career?" And received 29 (The Abysmal), lines 2 and 3 changing, moving to 39 (Obstruction).

Then I asked: "What kind of career should I pursue?" And again received 29.2.3 -> 39 !

I interpret this to mean that I should continue ("if you are sincere, you have success in your heart and whatever you do succeeds"), just like water flows uninterruptedly, but for now, there is nothing great that can be attained, so I must content myself with smaller steps...

Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[willowfox]

I asked the I Ching: "Should I continue in my current career?" And received 29.2 and 3 to 39

Line 29.2 says don't don't leave but don't get upset over what is happening, just go with it and nod yes because leaving prematurely could be disastrous. So, you should stay for the foreseeable future, at least until you find a solid alternative, so don't get upset, think of it as a challenge in which you will learn alot which will indeed help you down the road of life.

Then I asked: "What kind of career should I pursue?" And again received 29.2.3 -> 39 !

A career is that is both difficult and testing, challenging, where you can learn to be patient as well as industrious, a career that educates you.

 

[my_key]

There looks to be a huge emphasis on your staying aware of what is going on around you, but staying calm and collected. Be cute and work to gain an understanding of all the signs that you pick up on, and approach what you see with a high degree of flexibility.

Your second oracle appears to be a bit more subtle than giving a direct answer. It seems to me to be saying work with what you are going through at the moment and this will help you to see what it is that you want to pursue as a career, because at the moment everything is too mixed up for you. Be patient and it will become more clear for you what you do want.

Mike

 

[ginnie]

The text of hex 39 says that it is "advisable to see a great man." People read this, but quite frequently fail to do it. You need to go see someone and talk over your situation. You should do this as soon as you can.

You are in the kind of situation where you are going to have to go step by step to resolve the difficulties, and some sort of guidance or mentoring will be necessary to this.

The first step would be to try to figure out who would be the best person to discuss your career with. As you think of people you might speak with, you could ask the I Ching: "What if I speak with him?" or "What might I expect from speaking with her?" and so forth.

Best of luck to you.

 

[sunnygirl]

Don't expect others to have your best interests at heart.

If I had listened to everyone who TOLD me I wasn't suited to something, I'd be a homeless person living at a train station.

See the great man is right! The person who told you that you weren't suited isn't the great man.

Seek out another mentor in your field!

 

[ginnie]

If I had listened to everyone who TOLD me I wasn't suited to something, I'd be a homeless person living at a train station.

See the great man is right! Seek out another mentor in your field!

Sometimes the negative things people say seem to stick in the mind and won't go away. I still remember many of the negative things people have said about me and my career. But the fact of the matter is that I'm quite excellent at what I do. Nobody is 100% suited for any job, anyway. And if you actually do need to transition in your career for some real reason, that would be difficult to do alone. Best to seek the advice of someone who really understands your situation. Don't go by what people say.

 

[willowfox]

Your question was about whether to continue or not and the answer was yes, continue, and if there is any necessity to see a great man, then I would presume it would be your supervisor who else would know about your career in the company, but I see this as a growing and learning experience, something that will provide you with lots of experience for the years to come, something very necessary for your progress.

 

[sammiemae]

Wow, everyone, thank you so much for your responses; they mean a lot to me.

The person in question is twice my age and known for being quite insecure despite his position of authority, so you are quite right that taking him seriously would be a mistake. He is not my mentor and hence not the great man, thank goodness! There are several people who might be the great man, and I will indeed see them soon to get their thoughts.

I am now a bit more in compos mentis than when I first posted, and now feel: "Of course I will continue in my career!" What was I thinking? But you can see The Abysmal in the great danger of such destructive words.

Actually, the first words of Hexagram 29 commentary in Anthony's *Guide to the I Ching* say: "Danger, in the I Ching, refers to any emotion which leads to the thought of giving up, or to abandoning the steady, slow path of patient perseverance. Danger generally comes from restless discontent which leads to ambition and to a loss of our inner balance." That about sums it up, don't you think?

My great thanks to all of you.