Clarity,
Office 17622,
PO Box 6945,
London.
W1A 6US
United Kingdom
Phone/ Voicemail:
+44 (0)20 3287 3053 (UK)
+1 (561) 459-4758 (US).
I have this way of working with hex 1 when i get it as first hex drawn, which might be a bit naive so do let me know if you think this way is bonkers, but I read it as great action/power in the resultant hex, so if i get 1>33, I read it as retreat now, put all your energy into retreat? Does that seem like a sound way of interpreting?
Part of what makes it a perfect fit in your example is that trigram heaven retreats upward, while trigram mountain ain't movin'. I can get there via your action/power model. I like it.
'My idea is that every specific body strives to become master over all space and to extend its force (its will to power) and to thrust back all that resists its extension. But it continually encounters similar efforts on the part of other bodies and ends by coming to an arrangement ("union") with those of them that are sufficiently related to it: thus they then conspire together for power. And the process goes on.''
That's why a mare is used as an image for 2; she pulls and carries the weight of life upon her. The value of a bowl is in its emptiness, not to remain empty but to be utilized.
Btw, my endorsement does not include a not bonkers certificate. Sorry.
There is an element of receptivity in hexagram two. One must be sure however, of what it is to be receptive to, and what it is to be receptive. Just taking one aspect of a hexagram and trying to fit that aspect into any given situation will lead to shallow and incomplete readings. I strongly suggest that one lead ALL the commentary in books one and three of the W/B version in order to fully understand the meaning. I recommend Alfred Huang and Ni Hua-Ching as well.
I must make this clear however, it is best to read it not only in the context of the question asked, but in the context of an answer that applies to all situations at all times, and then contrast it to the commentary on hexagram one. Then read the meanings of both hexagrams as a unified whole. There is way too much emphasis in the western world on "literal" meanings and oversimplification.
In terms of hexagram 50 changing to two. In order for that to happen, four lines must change in hexagram 50. All of the yang lines must change. When four lines change, the meaning of the interaction of the lines become very important, more so than just the commentary on each individual line. Since all the changing lines are yang, they do not relate to each other very well, at least not in a general context. They may in the context of a specific question. Therefore, in this case I would recommend reading the judgment of hexagram fifty first, and seeing how that relates to the question overall.
When four lines change, the meaning of the interaction of the lines become very important, more so than just the commentary on each individual line.
A couple of important things about the commentary on the judgment. One, "All that is visible must grow beyond itself, extend into the realm of the invisible." Two, "The truly divine does not manifest itself apart from men..." We are being given hints here about how yin and yang work together to form a comprehensive whole. It is only when they cooperate and they do not compete that they become healthy and prosperous situations. Therefore yin must yield to "the will of heaven." (The higher powers - and here is why and how the I Ching becomes mystical, we must strive to understand it in its highest context, not just as we wish to acknowledge it.) In yielding it deprives itself of nothing. But in yielding it receives (receptive) the seed of yang (heavenly) energy. Only then does it become truly productive, and fruitful. Only when yin and yang combine PROPERLY can it be said, "Supreme good fortune. Success." This hexagram tells us that we are capable, if we act properly, of truly transforming our lives. (hexagram fifty is the hexagram of transformation.) The trigrams are of fire over wood. The burning of the wood transforms our food into something edible. It transforms our lives into something of great use, and puts us into a position where, as the image says, "consolidates his fate by making his position correct." The various lines would give examples of where we need to "consolidate our fate."
And here is the rub. None of us, and I mean none of us, have the proper receptivity to learn from the sage. We refuse, we absolutely refuse to let go of our pride, our defensiveness, and our rose colored glasses to really determine the message of the I Ching. None of us know it. None of us understand to any great degree the depth of teaching in the I Ching. We REFUSE to be receptive. In the western world we are so blinded by oureducation it is not even funny. It serves us well in getting better jobs and making our way in society, but beyond that it is nonsense. We cannot admit or even conceive of the fact that we know nothing. Therefore we cannot be receptive. And I submit to all of you that the understanding of the I Ching for each of us is minimal at best. That is why I see myself as a controversial figure here, because I try to get people to take the next step and they just will not do it. We are so blinded by pride.
There IS a mystical side to the I Ching, and without it it will not serve us well. It is a cool stream of water useful to nourish us, but we do not come to it except to "shoot fishes." As hexagram 63 line five in the commentary says, "Inner seriousness is lacking."
If we think we know the I Ching, we don't. If we think we understand life, we don't. We don't even come close. And we will not until we develop that "inner seriousness," and can come to the I Ching with fresh eyes, and instead of being the "one eyed man, (hexagram fifty four) we learn to see with both eyes, the spiritual and mystical as well as the phsyical.
And I submit to all of you that the understanding of the I Ching for each of us is minimal at best. That is why I see myself as a controversial figure here, because I try to get people to take the next step and they just will not do it. We are so blinded by pride.
Clarity,
Office 17622,
PO Box 6945,
London.
W1A 6US
United Kingdom
Phone/ Voicemail:
+44 (0)20 3287 3053 (UK)
+1 (561) 459-4758 (US).