Hex 20.1 > 42

[daytripper23]

Hello, I have some questions for the forum about hexagram 20.1

Youthful contemplation. For small people, no fault. For a noble man, distress.

To see without consequences is not of much value. Seeing can make consciousness, or understanding, or helping others, solving trouble, whatever. Seeing goes farther than the eyes.

How can I work with this change, when I am not even thinking about the situation correctly?

When I have some problem to work with, I will usually step back and think about it, and try to find a solution within a particular thought process. But apparently that won't work in this case?

In general, what is "childlike contemplation", and how does a person respond to this change? Also, how does this relate to hexagram 42?

Any thoughts (outside my own) would be very much appreciated.

 

[sooo]

Childlike contemplation isn't always bad thing, but it isn't thorough, deep or wide enough to increase your understanding or effect very much. The perspective is subjective and limited, lacking breadth. Sometimes childlike contemplation is all that's needed to move ahead and bring increase to your agenda, but it's unlikely to consider the increase to others or the future.

Bouncing back to 42, the means to increase is to do what increase does. This applies especially to your contemplation. It's favorable to pursue bigger, wider, deeper contemplation. Step it up a notch, so to speak.

 

[daytripper23]

Thanks for the response, and I agree with what you are saying.

Hexagram 20 is interesting because the consulting the I Ching is itself a contemplative act, and so the hexagram can be considered self reflexive.

Sometimes when I read the interpret the I ching, its easy to orient my interpretations towards a present sense of self. This orientation is opposed to either self growth (self-increase in the future) or increasing others in general.

Since the I ching is apparently modeled upon noble and authentic ways of being, it is sometimes a little easy to use an interpretation for self-aggrandizement. Just the same, it is easy to avoid the idea of one's own faults.

As long as there can be a romantic tale about a self, against them, the evil and unenlightened ones, a context which can be blanketed upon any situation, then a person can always assume a sort of romantic Quixotean narrative. I wouldn't say there is anything wrong with romanticism, but on the other hand, I know that it is sometimes easy to lead oneself to chase windmills...

Well, to clarify, my inquiry was about seeing a guru who has often inspired me in the past. This was about the guru, and her ability to inspire change within myself, and if I was ready to see her again.

First, I received 20.1456, and on further pressing about this, I received 20.1...

Then, today I asked if in general, over the last few years, the time I've spent away from the world to contemplate and seek this eccentric wisdom has been worth my time, because it has caused quite a bit of fallout, and even stagnation in my ordinary life, which is something I am currently trying to reinvigorate.

To this question, I recieved 42.136. I'm particularly curious about the 6th line...

Nine at the top means.
He brings increase to no one.
Indeed, someone even strikes him.
He does not keep his heart constantly steady.
Misfortune.

It seems to me like the 6th line could describe the negative implications of my previous question, 20.1 when a person does not bring the increase that is intended. Well, I hope I'm not tying to much together here...

Anyways, thanks again for the response sooo, and I'd appreciate any other thoughts.

 

[sooo]

Thanks for your thoughtful feedback, daytripper. :bows: It increased me.

42.6 I see as a law of returns, and in this stage there is danger of losing everything, including the support of people who got you there. Determination has become a thing unto itself, and that can't sustain a continued increase. It does the opposite, ultimately brings a downfall. Things want to cycle, nature wants a return on investment. Giving is part of receiving.

You express it well here, I thought.

Since the I ching is apparently modeled upon noble and authentic ways of being, it is sometimes a little easy to use an interpretation for self-aggrandizement. Just the same, it is easy to avoid the idea of one's own faults.

And a comment on this one..

Sometimes when I read the interpret the I ching, its easy to orient my interpretations towards a present sense of self. This orientation is opposed to either self growth (self-increase in the future) or increasing others in general.

I like your first statement, but am surprised by your view of it. Understanding your present self is to be to the benefit of everyone, including yourself. I don't see the statement as being opposed to self growth or to increasing others. I believe too that the Yi offers a view of ones present sense of self, within the context of the question. Not saying that's all it offers, but its a good perspective to contemplate from. I believe it's safe to say, giving is implied in increasing.