Dancing across the abyss 1.4

[yellowblue]

Something just clicked for me and I'd like to hear other opinions on 1.4

1.4 is about reaching the point of conception and goal... fertility.

This is about the journey, struggle to make life, "the" creation viable:

The sperm, the salmon, the seed pod in the wind ...

Deb

 

[candid]

Deb, WB says - 'Wavering flight over the depths. No blame.' I think your picture of a seed blown along by the wind is absolutely perfect! Thank you for that, never looked at it that way before.

 

[bradford_h]

Hi Deb
I like your understanding of this and the images.
But the images should explicitly carry the meaning of "Do or Die" and Rite of Passage, and if you succeed you will never be the same again. The transformation is one way and permanent. The Zhi Gua is Treading, and the Fan Yao is actually treading on the tail for real.
But although this is a "heavy" moment, a decision to launch yourself off of a cliff, one does not fly very well without lightening up. And the act of complete commitment itself goes a long way towards releasing some of the heavier baggage we tend to carry.
b

 

[yellowblue]

Thanks for your comments...

Brad,
This is very helpful-- yes, I can understand how complete commitment would provide the impetus to accomplish this. Very interesting.

Applies more to the sperm, salmon. i think the seed pod in the wind has to rely on external forces... more for me to chew on.

Deb

 

[bradford_h]

Hilary just wrote privately:

Um... re http://www.onlineclarity.co.uk/I_Ching_community/messages/48/1221.html - isn't the zhi gua of 1, line 4, hexagram 9? I think of it as having that fraught, 'not quite' feeling about it.

Nobody's sneaking anything past our leader today.
Si, the Zhi Gua of 1.4 is Taming Power of the Small.
Different interpretation: What tames? Doubts and fears? That wimpy old wind that could Never lift a dragon?
Good catch.
b

 

[cal val]

Brad...

Oh golly gee *twists finger in cheek*. Does that mean I'm starting to get it? Even a little bit? I just caught that as well.

That said, I have a question for you. Since 1.4 changes to 9 -- Taming Power of the Small, does the "Do or Die" implication still hold?

In addition I'd love to hear your thoughts (or anyone else's) on Nigel Richmond's interpretation of the line:

"Being in the world is not being of it. Being engrossed in outside activity uses experience to the full. It is harmonious to rmemeber who is experiencing."

Thanks for your insight. Let me add, as an aside. I'm extremely pleased you've been contributing more to the forum lately...*grin*

Love,

Val

 

[cal val]

Deb...

Were you asking a question that had anything to do with a time frame? There's a wonderful, very illuminating chapter in Steve Marshall's book, "The Mandate of Heaven," entitled "Clouds follow the dragon." If you have the book, he has great insight into the original meaning of hexagram 1. If you don't have the book, it's a must-get...*grin* His explanation of hexagram 1 makes hexagram 2 all the more understandable for me. Hexagram 1 is about the rain that the earth receives in hexagram 2.

As a secondary meaning, there's a time frame that follows the lines of hexagram 1 as well because of the position of the dragon constellation in the sky over the course of time. I believe line 1.4 would be about late May or early June if I'm understanding the transition correctly. Line 2 is Spring. Line 5 is Summer.

Love,

Val

 

[bradford_h]

Hi Val-
regarding
"That said, I have a question for you. Since 1.4 changes to 9 -- Taming Power of the Small, does the "Do or Die" implication still hold?"
As with your seed in the wind, spawning salmon and sperm on it's quest, I'd have to say yes, do or die still. But by slower death than a tiger bite. And the young dragon about to take his first flight. I was using my erroneous Zhi Gua to support a conclusion already arrived at, but doing so while high as a kite on Sudafed and cough syrup (I'm going to blame my 63 & 64 typoos on that too!). But I had it right in the book.

"Being in the world is not being of it. Being engrossed in outside activity uses experience to the full. It is harmonious to rmemeber who is experiencing."

Maybe that's part of the key to not sweating the small stuff (Gua 09)

b

 

[cal val]

Oh Brad...

I hope you feel better soon. Would you like me to email you some chicken soup? It's the cure that works best for me. Whether it has real healing properties or not (a medical science article I once read says it does), it's certainly comforting when I have the flu.

Gee, I feel fine, so what do I blame my typos on (rmemeber)??? Maybe I'll just ignore them like I do everyone else's (including yours) in that I'm much more focused on the content than the form.

Typos = the small stuff...*grin*

Thanks for that take on Nigel Richmond's very lyrical and thought provoking interpretation. And thanks again for Nigel Richmond. What a treat!

Love,

Val