earning bread in public office??

[solun]

Hi there,

I have a question about hexagram 26

I received this in relation to a situation I have with some neighbors. 26/3,5 -> 61

What does this mean ? (parts in red, in context)

THE TAMING POWER OF THE GREAT.
Perseverance furthers.
Not eating at home brings good fortune. It furthers one to cross the great water.

To hold firmly to great creative powers and store them up, as set forth in this
hexagram, there is need of a strong, clear-headed man who is honored by the
ruler. The trigram Ch'ein points to strong creative power; Kên indicates
firmness and truth. Both point to light and clarity and to the daily renewal of
character. Only through such daily self-renewal can a man continue at the
height of his powers. Force of habit helps to keep order in quiet times; but in
periods when there is a great storing up of energy, everything depends on the
power of the personality. However, since the worthy are honored, as in the
case of the strong personality entrusted with leadership by the ruler, it is an
advantage not to eat at home but rather to earn one's bread by entering upon
public office. Such a man is in harmony with heaven; therefore even great
and difficult undertakings, such as crossing the great water, succeed. ~ Wilhelm/Rabelais

Not very clear about this and can't find what I am looking for.
Anyone have any good experience with this in a reading, or know something about the meaning generally?

It is a neighbor (couple) I am trying to distance myself from gradually and not necessarily altogether, but it has been difficult as I have worked for them and they have continued to seek me out. I am basically avoiding them and I am sure it is becoming clearer to them. I had hoped it would have been more gradual. And now it feels uncomfortable. I don't want to be on bad terms with them, but there just needs to be some lines drawn here ... it's difficult.
Thanks

 

[willowfox]

26.3,5 -> 61

Look at the lines as to what to do, line 26.3, it says that the problem with your neighbours is still there, so you must be determined in your attitude to distance yourself from them and you also need to prepare for any unforeseen calls or questions from them. While line 26.5 suggests that you need to placate these people if you want them to be distance but still on a friendly level.

Hex 61 is about dealing with such stubborn people, so you need to becareful but sincere, don't let them see that you are fed up with them, try to be honest and straightforward, tell them that you are extremely busy or whatever.

Therefore not eating at home calls you to be absolutely determined to see this thing through, and to see to your own needs first and foremost.

 

[solun]

Thanks. I have gotten the 'earning bread in public office/not eating at home' reading before and had no idea what it meant.

I feel very sad in one way because we were friendly at one time. And I intend to remain with a friendly/polite attitude. But her husband is too familiar at times and has NO common sense. Come to think of it, she's lacking at times too. They both have a lot more money than I do and enjoy that notion. He's a horrible gossip (everyone around here knows this) and I am somewhat reserved in my nature. I was really not comfortable with some of his remarks and behaviour.
I don't want to be a snob, and I don't feel that I am. I just knew that they would not react well, and it is a difficult thing for me to do. We live closeby to one another and they are always nearby. So, I don't even know if I can wave or what at this point. I don't want to snub them altogether, but it's almost as if I am forced to in that they seem to be reacting not well. I hope it's just in my imagination, apprehension. I can see that I will have to say little, and be very polite.

Thanks for the encouragement willowfox.

And I am still open to additional meaning/interpretation of the phrases ...

 

[solun]

Update:

The couple have contacted me regarding the work I used to do for them - petcare- by asking for their house keys back. I hadn't been answering their calls. The last time I spoke with them it was to him curtly and briefly and I said that they could have their keys back whenever they wanted (hinting, of course). So this comes as no surprise and I am relieved mostly, but encouraged generally and to remain detached emotionally. I would have encouraged them to contact a professional sitting service, but they have relied on another neighbor, whcih is fine, but probably not so convenient for the other neighbor.
In addition to the dorky husband, I also had issues with who I would, or may have come in contact with, in the course of caring for their pets. One of them ( a cat) has health issues and they use a vet that I wouldn't take an animal to for a walk. really. that bad.
When I discussed this with them, they just glossed over it. It's a real big issue with me. If something were to transpire with the animal, I couldn't in good conscience take it to that vet. I already see that some of the problems are due to the vet's mishandling.
So you can see how this gets complicated.


So, I consulted the Yi again and found 28/1 to 43.
Hilary has a good write up on 28/1 in her May blog entry.

Wow. The yi is really being consistent here with it's advise. amazing.
I just hope I can be strong enough to maintain. But I believe in the wisdom of it, so I will persevere.

61 Inner Truth and 43 Breakthrough for resulting hexagrams and 1 The Creative for the nuclear in the last reading. seems auspicious. I just hope I don't do anything wrong. I would prefer to just go about my business undaunted. But they are right there. It's awkward. I would love to move and have wanted to for a long time for many reasons but can't just now, maybe not for a long while still.

I realize that all my problems won't disappear by moving away. But it's fun to think about. And it would help with some of them. It would indeed. No, I have to stay here and see these kinds of things through, finish them so to speak. To make myself stronger, more sure of myself.

I have some trouble with this part of 43 Breakthrough though. It's seems a little alarming, not sure what it means or how to apply it. (in the red especially)

THE JUDGMENT

BREAK-THROUGH. One must resolutely make the matter known
At the court of the king.
It must be announced truthfully. Danger.
It is necessary to notify one's own city.
It does not further to resort to arms.
It furthers one to undertake something.
Even if only one inferior man is occupying a ruling position in a city, he is able to oppress superior men. Even a single passion still lurking in the heart has power to obscure reason. Passion and reason cannot exist side by side- therefore fight without quarter is necessary if the good is to prevail.
In a resolute struggle of the good against evil, there are, however, definite rules that must not be disregarded, if it is to succeed. First, resolution must be based on a union of strength and friendliness. Second, a compromise with evil is not possible; evil must under all circumstances be openly discredited. Nor must our own passions and shortcomings be glossed over. Third, the struggle must not be carried on directly by force. If evil is branded, it thinks of weapons, and if we do it the favor of fighting against it blow for blow, we lose in the end because thus we ourselves get entangled in hatred and passion.
Therefore it is important to begin at home, to be on guard in our own persons against the faults we have branded. In this way, finding no opponent, the sharp edges of the weapons of evil becomes dulled. For the same reasons we should not combat our own faults directly. As long as we wrestle with them, they continue victorious. Finally, the best way to fight evil is to make energetic progress in the good.

~ Wilhelm/Rabelais

Thanks !