Mental Health state

[tange4]

Gosh was I hurt when I got Hex 4 (Youthful Folly) as it called me an ignoramus! and changed to Hex 7 The Army, no changing lines in either one.
My Q was. What can I do to save my sanity? I have ben beleaguered by health problems and mental woes almost to the breaking point. so I am bewildered why it called me an ignoramus. Mental problems are not easy to come out of and I am taking Dr's appointed medicine and it isn't working any more. any thoughts dear people? Thank.

 

[Trojina]

It isn't necessarily calling you an ignoramus, it can also show simply that you don't know what to do or that you are in a learning experience. For myself I find it's often saying that I have to find the answer for myself....have to go through the process of not knowing and learning. Sometimes it is saying there is no precedent, no previous experience to fall back on or look to....so it can be a time of discovery. This is not the same as Yi simply calling you stupid. There are times hex 4 does indicate plain folly, I've known that too, but not always. I doubt very much with the question you asked here that Yi answers simply 'you are an ignoramus'. Yi's answers are always leading you to greater growth, even when sometimes seemingly harsh.

BUT Tange if you are saying hexagram 4 changes to hexagram 7 then there must be moving lines. The moving lines in the first hexagram change it into the 2nd. If hex 4 changes to hex 7 then you must have 4.6 moving,that is line 6 of hex 4.

Line 6 advises not to be so hard on yourself that you don't know what to do....it's okay to not know. You are hurting yourself by being too self critical, by thinking it's your fault or someone's fault perhaps...that kind of thinking. I think you may need to be more accepting of yourself. In this situation you need to think of yourself as a young person (even if you are old) who doesn't know what to do. If you don't know what to do don't curse yourself but be open to find new ways of learning about what is happening to you. Explore. Whatever is happening to you has happened to countless others and this makes me think of hexagram 7. Hex 7 can refer to organisations, groups of people with a central purpose. Are there any support groups of any kind near you that you could make enquiries about ?

So to recap so far

1. Don't blame yourself, it's okay to not know what to do here. You are a learner in this situation not an ignoramus.

2. Reach out and Explore and keep an open mind about what might help you.

3. See if there are groups existing nearby that can help guide and support you. Ask for help, admit to others you are lost.

4. Just keep on exploring and looking and not beating yourself up and you will make progress eventually

5. oh and you already are exploring by posting here and exploring the I Ching so if you can do this then you can explore in other ways too

 

[Trojina]

Oh and by the way if you have only read hexagram 4 as being an ignoramus then you probably need better books for interpretation. Some Yi books are not at all helpful.

Here is a link to Hilarys book which is more helpful and clear Hilary's book It also has simple instructions on how to cast a hexagram

 

[tange4]

Whew!

Trojan I thank you very much for all of your replies as I needed some consolation and you provided
that for me by your answers. Now I don't feel so stupid after all and I am going to be less harsh on myself.
I think the Hexes might be saying that I need to stop and smell the roses so to speak for one thing besides getting into group therapy. Since I have just had my knee replaced (and in a lot of pain and bewildered about what's going on even though the Dr. says I am fine) I am going to look for a group of people who are happy having had a knee replacement done. I'm sure there are many, just as sure there are many who aren't but I don't want to get near those folks if I can help it . I want to start out young thinking as was mentioned even though I am 63 and start with a clean slate as much as possible.
Have yourself a fabulously happy, healthy day and thank you.:bows: