hex. 22 for life purpose question

[soft_helion]

I just found this community and I think it's awesome that something like this exists. I saw so many informative answers to other people's questions that I thought I would ask one of my own.

I'm in a position right now where I am feeling an intense need for some kind of direction in my life, all the while vacillating between various desires. so I asked the question, "what am I supposed to be doing here?"

I got hexagram 22 with no changing lines.

I have some ideas about what this means, but I would like to hear how others would interpret it. your thoughts would be deeply appreciated.

 

[Tohpol]

Hi SH,

I'll give it a go, though I'm no expert.

From my recent experience I always groaned when I got that hexagram, usually as a changing one. It talks about beauty, facades and accepting things as they are. Which usually meant I wasn't accepting things as they are and thus I wasn't accepted either.

I used to see things far too superfically. I got lost in beauty and sensuality while denying that such a dynamic was present. To my mind there's a tendency for narcissism in this hexagram if we fall into the negative aspect of its nature. In other words the inner life is the only real mediator between the world of form and the world of higher frequencies for want of a better word. We can enjoy the forms of nature and humanity's penchant for sensation - but don't let it trap you. (that said, it traps 99.9% of us most of the time but hey...)

There's also the idea that as most of us are wending our fragile way towards the vague glow of our souls. 22 suggests that we have to connect with the inner beauty and goodness that is within us and that can be let out to match the symbolism of the earthly beauty we can see before us such as a sunset, the curve of a lover's back the sound of rain on the roof etc. All these things are just sensations and effects however. The real beauty is much more inside hidden from our senses. Once we touch that even for a second there is no need for false appearences or to lose trust in life and people because we have the assurance that we are accepted at the deepest level by the creative Universe itself. Then we can really let our vitality out and radiate!(Doesn't mean it cares mind you - we have to make the effort to align ourselves with it. But we can't do that if we're getting high on the more entropic lures of which there are many. But then that's life - learning and moving up or down).

Understanding that possibility is the tricky part as we usually have to go through all the pain and transitory pleasure to experience sensuality as a form of entrapment in order to know the difference between what is real and lasting - timeless. We can then go beyond the facades and actually create something authentic. We understand those differences and how they all interconnect and relate to create the strength of the content which can be expressed through the veneer of beauty that masks an essential truth. Maybe then we can begin to apply the knowledge we have accumulated from seeing and accepting what is behind the form.

Quality rather than quantity is I think part of this hexagram too. The qualitative values of our lives tend to augument non-attachment as oppose to attachment and addiction of all kinds. Less is more. Simplicity and refining. I suppose too it can relate to being objective, seeing reality as it is rather than subjective and seeing reality as form only and being dazzled by the illusions. This is especially important in line 4 I think.

"vascillating between various desires" could be a good indicator for Hex 22. The direction in life will perhaps become clearer when we can differentiate between those opposites and accept ourselves and accept diversity - the One in manyness. Then we can begin to find our place. At least that's what I'm hoping too!

Hope this helped a bit.

topal

 

[willowfox]

"I asked the question, "what am I supposed to be doing here?"

I got hexagram 22 with no changing lines."

To learn that life can be beautiful if you open your eyes and mind. That beauty is only skin deep, what matters is what is on the inside, the outside is just a shell. Therefore, don't be selfish, have a simple outlook on life, don't fill your mind with rubbish, be sincere and genuine. So be beautiful on the inside and not worry about the outside.

 

[bradford]

22 is about various forms of nearsightedness. The eye or vision (trigram Li) is blocked by the mountain. The vision is essentially superficial or glamourized. When we get too totally distracted by what is immediate and at hand, we can't really count on our judgment to make good long range decisions. We can't count on the depth of our vision.
If you want to see the bigger picture of your life, your longer purpose, you will need to step back from the things that are occupying your immediate attention. Do exercises like imagining yourself old or ill and ask yourself what's really important in your life. Strip away all the superficial stuff that you can.

 

[soft_helion]

replies

looking over these replies, it seems to me that none of them is totally incompatible with the others. I'm still not sure I understand fully how 22 relates to illusions and blindness, but that interpretation seems to make sense in this situation. it seems like the oracle is saying to me, you're not seeing the situation clearly and you need to try to be content with the way things are.

I did another reading asking "what is it that I'm not seeing" and I got 2.3.5>39, which seems to say that I am not in the position to accomplish any dramatic changes at this time and need to be content with tending the seeds that have already been planted. that trying to change the direction of things at this time would be struggling against nature.

in any case, thanks for the replies.

 

[bradford]

I'm still not sure I understand fully how 22 relates to illusions and blindness, but that interpretation seems to make sense in this situation.

Nearsightedness isn't blindness. It just doesn't have the whole picture or the long view.
This is why the Da Xiang says

At the foot of the mountain is flame
Adornment
The noble young one, accordingly, clarifies numerous policies*
But does not presume to execute justice

That is, numerous policies as civil administration, as distinct from criminal law, or Gua 21, the Inverse of 22. You can work on the things that also don't have the deep and long range implications, that don't address the life and death questions. Unfortunately, the question is about your life's purpose. Again, it's suggesting that being enmeshed in your current affairs is not the optimum way to determine this unless you want your view of your purpose to be determined by short term and immediate objectives.

 

[willowfox]

"I did another reading asking "what is it that I'm not seeing" and I got 2.3.5>39"

Hex 2.3 you need to hide your abilities from others don't flaunt them in people's faces, do not seek praise or recognition, you need to grow mature gracefully.

Hex 2.5 says when you work for others always be discreet and reserved in your public affairs.

Hex 39 says that when you are faced with obstacles you try to tackle them in the wrong way, instead of charging ahead, you should step back and consider how to overcome them, to think real careful, so don't blame others or life for your problems, a change of attitude is required here. You need to be patient and seek help when needed, you will then learn something which will then lead to self development, and finally success in the way you approach and deal with your problems.