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Hexagrams 15 and 16

wanderer

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Hexagram 15 and 16 have to do with attitude toward success and failure. They have to do with the ups and downs of life. They have to do with credit and blame.

Hex 15 can be translated as Modesty, Humbleness, Humility, or even Moderation, depending on the context. Basically it is about the proper attitude toward the highs in life and the lows in life. We tend to want to take credit when things go right. In a way we even take credit for a sunny day. ?I must have done something right to deserve this? is a common expression of this. Likewise when things go bad, we might say ?What did I do to deserve this?? We even find solace in books titled ?When bad things happen to good people?.

The truth of the world is change and cycles. We really know this by looking at the cycles of each day, month, and year. We know this from life and death. Yet we insist on wanting exceptions. We want to believe that we can live in constant spring. We want to think that ?our team? can always win.

It used to be that everyone accepted economic cycles. Now it seems that the politicians want a constant boom. So they try to ?stimulate? the economy. We do similar things to the environment and crops and animal production. The short term effect may be positive, but the long term effect can not be good. We simply postpone the cycles so that in the long term the downturns will be far worse.

The correct attitude recommended is modesty or humility. We do not take undo credit when things go well, and we do not take undo blame when things do not go well. All things happen in their time. The full is diminished and the low is augmented. If we can trust in the laws of nature, we can let things happen as they will.

In our personal life this is true too. If we take our good fortune in stride, with modesty and benevolence, we find no resistance. If on the other hand we are prideful and boastful, we find conflict. Likewise when things go bad, we do not have to take undo blame or distribute it to those around us, but accept it as the natural part of all cycles.

Enthusiasm is the natural expression of the good. When we make progress in any way it is natural to feel joy. If this joy functions to inspire further progress and combine with others in celebration and co-operation, then it functions properly. If on the other hand it is designed to focus attention on the success of the self, then it only functions to make others wary and resentful.

The lure of gambling is rooted in this dilemma. Each gamble has a result either positive or negative. We feel joy when it is positive and pain when it is negative. We take credit when we win, and blame when we lose. Yet in most cases we have little to do with whether we win or lose. We simply pull the lever, play the hand, or pick the horse. After that we have nothing to do with the outcome. I do not wish to imply that there is no skill in gambling, because there is. Some people have an extra-ordinary talent for it. And in life, some people have extra-ordinary talents for various things which increase their chances for success. But in the end, all glory goes to God.

Few people like braggarts. Sure there are those that brag (Ali for one) who tend to back up their bragging with success. But far more often the high are made low, and the crowd cheers their downfall. When one starts reading one?s own press with belief, there is a likelihood of disaster. In sports they call it the curse of the ?Sports Illustrated? cover. This year it was the ?Ducks? of Oregon. Riding high after beating the number one team in the country, on the cover of the magazine, they proceeded to lose three straight games.

If we take our successes in stride, not putting undo emphasis on them, then whatever comes will work out. Others seeing this will encourage us. They will ?Delight? in our success. They will show ?Enthusiasm? for our work, they will join with us in our efforts.

If we promote ourselves, those who join us may come because of the promotion. If we are modest, people who join us will come because they admire our work. If we promote our Superior Self, then our lesser selves will bask in the glory. If we develop our Superior Self through modesty and good work, our lesser selves will silence themselves and follow.

In hex 15, six in the beginning advises us that if we are properly modest, even the most difficult undertakings are possible. If we are sufficiently modest, then even our lesser selves will not complain. This line is linked to hex 36,Darkening of the Light, which warns us not to awake enmity by inconsiderate behavior. Rather it is necessary to let many faults pass without comment, but not be duped.

Six in the second place tells us that if our internal attitude is correct (truly modest) that our outward expression will be correct also. In such times we can exert influence to the outside world. This line is linked with hex 46, Pushing Upward, which tells us to heap up small things in order to achieve something high and great. If we pay attention to our attitude, then the outward expression will take care of itself.

Nine in the third place tells of the proper attitude toward accomplishments. If we take credit for our success, then difficulties will arise. On the contrary if we remain modest, we will find the support necessary to fulfill our ends. This is linked to hex 2, The Receptive which tells of us the only correct attitude toward our Higher Power.

Six in the fourth place tells us that there are indeed limits on even modesty. Yet in this situation modesty, work on what needs to be done, is called for. This is linked to hex 62, Preponderance of the Small, which advises us to work on small things and leave the big things for a different time. It also advises us to limit our focus to each individual concern at a time, rather than becoming involved in too much at the same time.

Six in the fifth place makes the distinction between modesty and weak good nature that accepts unworthy behavior. Some times require decisive action to correct a situation. We do not need to ?execute? others or our lesser selves. That would be too harsh. But we do need to make our Higher Self clear. This line is linked with hex 39, Obstruction which says that we need to mold our character by turning our attention inward rather than dealing head on with an obstruction.

Six at the top talks of the difference between false modesty and real modesty. False modesty when faced with opposition takes offense and draws back. It is so easy to blame others for our own difficulties. If only.... But.... They just don?t understand.... etc.
True modesty actively engages the difficulty, not with force but with gentleness and calm. This is linked to hex 52, Keeping Still, which tells us that in spite of the inevitable clamoring of the lesser selves, if we can restrict ourselves to the matter at hand, the Higher Self will take control. All thinking that goes beyond the matter at hand only makes the heart sore.

In hex 16, six at the bottom refers to the type of enthusiasm that promotes egotistical embellishment. This type of boastful aggrandizement of the self cannot have the desired effect. Enthusiasm only is effective when it stems from the natural course of people joining together. This line is linked to hex 51, Influence (Wooing) which advises us to keep still within and joyful without to avoid excess. If we can do this than enthusiasm will naturally occur.

Six in the second place refers to acting in accordance with the situation. One knows one?s place and takes a correct position. One is not flattered and does not flatter either. One sees immediately the first signs of deterioration and does not get caught up in them. This line is linked with hex 40, Deliverance, in which we are advised to take advantage of the times and return to ordinary conditions. We are further advised to pardon mistakes and forgive misdeeds.

Six in the third place refers to the proper time to accelerate an enthusiasm toward our Higher Self. The time is now and should not be missed. This is linked with hex 62, Preponderence of the Small which warns us of getting carried away. We must keep the proper attitude and perspective on the situation. We can indeed make progress if we keep the correct attitude and pay attention to the situation. If we try to do too much we end up doing nothing.

Nine in the fourth place refers to a man, who through certainty and freedom of action attracts enthusiasm from those around him. When the time comes for action, it is right to act. By leaving doubts and fears, the action has willing reception of the lesser selves. This is linked to hex 2, The Receptive.

Six in the fifth place refers to a time when enthusiasm is obstructed. This is not necessarily always bad, as it may prevent us from losing ourselves in empty enthusiasm. This is linked with hex 45, Gathering Together, which tells us that only collective moral force can unite the world. This is not simply reverie, but a religious force.

Six at the top refers to a time of deluded enthusiasm. It may be that we have been carried away by false enthusiasm. This is unfortunate, but if we realize our error and correct it promptly we can eliminate lasting effects. This is linked with hex 35, Progress, which conveys that we make progress not just because conditions are good, but that we react the correct way to adversity.
 

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