Hexagram 17 line 3

[etiram]

Hi:

I asked the I Ching the following question:

Will I eventually get a job offer from X company?

And the reply was hexagram 17, changing line 3, resulting in hexagram 49. I am confused and I do not know how to interpret the answer. This line suggests that a choice is being made ("If one clings to the strong man, One loses the little boy. Through following one finds what one seeks. It furthers to be persevering").
Am I the little boy, or the strong man?
Thanks so much for your input.
ET

 

[bradford_h]

You are both, but the line speaks to an inclination to choose the grownup. It's a choice.
This isn't always a good thing, just as line two isn't always inferior. It can mean things like ulcers, overtime and narrowing your life to what's at the end of the tunnel. Just know what you're getting into and choose carefully.

 

[martin]

Looks like the IC says: your focus is on what that company will do (offer you the job or not) but what about your choice?
Is this the right company or job for you? What are your reasons for this choice?

Makes sense?

 

[candid]

In line with Brad's comments, losing the boy isn't necessarily a good thing (health, vigor, enthusiasm). The key is balance, with oversight/responsibility going to the strong man.

 

[bradford_h]

Hi again Etiram-
I don't know where you're getting the word strong, but it isn't a good translation of Zhang4.
The word means mature, responsible, respectable, elder, a standard for others. It's also important in 07.0.

 

[bradford_h]

Back again-
I checked and saw that Strong was the Wilhelm version.
But that's still contradicted by every Chinese dictionary I have.
It underscores the importance of using three or so versions.

 

[etiram]

Hello Everyone:

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions. I have a question for Bradford and Candid, "loosing the little boy" is bad? My perception was that line 3 in hex 17 was positive, whereas line 2 was not as positive. I have a difficult time understanding either line when I get them. Can you help me with that?
The other thing is that all of you are right, I have to make the right choice for me. However, the question I asked was if I will get a job offer in company X? not if I should work in company X (provided there was an offer)?
So I do not understand why I have to interpret this as myself making the choice. I will really appreciate your help. And thanks to all for your interest.
ET

 

[bradford_h]

Etiram

Forget positive and negative with the Yijing.
That way of thinking will just steer you wrong.
If you see only one or the other, it means you only understand half of the text or less.


I should have paid better attention to your question, except I was mainly commenting on the text.
Do you have a lot of experience in this field?
Could they be looking for someone with much more?

 

[alan]

Hi Etiram,

The Yi answers by giving you an image that resonates with your situation, which can be confusing if you desire a yes or no type of response. As strange as it may seem, the Yi will not always provide a direct answer to your question. The questioner then has to take some time to reflect and determine if there is another way to understand the oracle. In this case the answer seems to focus more on you than on the potential for a job offer.

 

[martin]

Yes, it's like talking to a friend.
For example, you ask a friend "Do you believe in God?" and the friend answers "Why is your left eye twitching?"

In this case it's still possible - as Brad suggested - that you received a direct answer, i.e. that they will hire someone with more experience.
Probably not, because the IC has this 'habit' of bending questions back to the questioner, but you never know with these oracles ..

 

[candid]

Etiram,

While Wilhelm is still a favorite on mine, I recognize its limitations, and make adjustments when using it to interpret a reading. Wilhelm is big on the thumbs up or down of things; good or bad. According to its literal meaning, line 3 is good and line 2 is bad. For over 2 decades I followed the letter of Wilhelm?s law, before realizing that its punitive rendering falls short of actuality.

Brad?s offering on this comes from the authentic Chinese translation (literally). Mine is simply based on practical experience. Either way it is important to grow beyond this whole good/bad mentality, which Wilhelm proposes rather dogmatically, and begin to see things in light of the balancing of opposites.

I also agree with Martin and Alan here, regarding yes/no questions.

Considering 49, I believe your answer is revamping your approach to your question. Turning inward to discover your reference point; that which you will follow, and evaluating more closely exactly what it is that you want from the position you are seeking. Once that is clear, you will be led to that end. Hold to your ambitions (line 2) according to your abilities (line 3). It is the balance of these two which lead to your fulfillment

 

[etiram]

Hi Everyone:

I really appreciate all your help. I will meditate more on what IC is trying to tell me with line 3. Maybe I was given this line so I do think about this issue more profoundly.
I think I do have a fair amount of experience in the job I applied for, but there are always people that are better than you are, and this is just a fact of life.
Thanks to all.
ET

 

[jte]

FWIW, joining the chorus above - typically, you won't get a Y/N answer to a Y/N question from the Yi (with occasional exceptions). However, you *will* get an answer that helps prepare you for what will happen.

(See recent threads on the U.S. election for another good example of this.)

I begin to believe more and more that that's why so many folks don't "get" the Yi. It doesn't necessarily help them the quick, convenient way they want to be helped...

- Jeff