My gift to the world?: 33.2->44

[elizabeth]

Some philosophical meanderings, and another poster's thread prompted me to ask the Yi what my own gift/talent to the world is. Not sure why I hadn't thought of this question before but if answered it solves (would help solve) alot of see-sawing I've been doing lately about my career, my single status and my location in a foreign land. I am following a path by listening only to my Inner Self but lately it has thrown me some curve balls, and doubts have begun to creep in.

The Yi answered 33.2 -> 44, and I have trouble understanding what that means. It seems to be giving me qualities (for whatever reason, I was expecting something more concrete). From what I can gather, line 2 there:

He holds him fast with yellow oxhide.
No one can tear him loose.

...means something along the following lines:
Make a good relationship unshakable; hold on to your idea (what idea?); bonds are present and will get stronger/tighter with time (bonds to what or whom?); No need to retreat bc internally you are strong. Withdraw from all things that are not compatible with your hopes for life. Making a real life is not only making it – the largest part is escaping from losing it.

That's all fine and dandy but I can't see how it relates to my question. I already *have* retreated with things not compatible with my hopes, by moving to another hemisphere and giving up all creature comforts. But my DAILY purpose is what I wanted to find out about from the Yi.

I was also hoping for a hint of "prince charming and two children" or something more direct and/or mundane like that. Ahem.

For reference, the Image of 44: Under heaven, wind:
The image of Coming to Meet.
Thus does the prince act when disseminating his commands
And proclaiming them to the four quarters of heaven.

The Judgement of 44 *freaks me out* quite frankly,

"Coming to Meet. The maiden is powerful.
One should not marry such a maiden."

Does that imply my future is not one that includes marriage?

 

[Trojina]

The Judgement of 44 *freaks me out* quite frankly,

"Coming to Meet. The maiden is powerful.
One should not marry such a maiden."

Does that imply my future is not one that includes marriage?

I have difficulty with your questions as they include many assumptions like there is a definable gift you have to give to the world and a line of the Yi will describe it.

Hmm well opinions will vary on that and perhaps others can see a gift in 33.2, but to me its like you are trying to put yourself in an explainable box, to kind of label yourself and I don't think we can be defined like that. But anyway maybe others will help you there.

But no, receiving 44 as a relating hexagram does not indicate you will not get married, 44 can mean many things, have a read of some of the threads about it.

 

[Tohpol]

The Yi answered 33.2 -> 44, and I have trouble understanding what that means.

Well, the Yi might be addressing the energy behind the question: i.e. it seems to say to retreat from this line of questioning as there are too many negative aspects being attached to a possibly erroneous idea, (anticipating, assuming, expecting).

Maybe you could try to ask something like: I'd like to find out how best I can fulfil my potential. Please comment.

Worth a go.

Topal

 

[elizabeth]

Wow, VERY good points Trojan. Duh, why had I not thought of that? I want to say I wasn't trying to label myself but that might not be true. I do want to know if there is something about my role on this earth i'm not seeing though. I've been good lately about "following the beat of my own drummer" but i often wonder if it isn't just displacing something I should be doing that I'm not. If that makes sense.

I'll look up the threads on 44. In any case I'm glad if that hexagram does not mean marriage or no marriage...

Topal, I'll ask that question -- thanks for the recommendation. Will report back shortly.

 

[elizabeth]

Okay "I'd like to find out how I can best fulfill my potential, please comment."
Answer: Hex 14.6 Possession in Great measure -> Hex. 34 The Power of the Great.

For reference, the details. Hex 14.
Judgement: Possession in Great Measure.
Supreme success.

Image: Fire in heaven above:
The image of Possession in Great Measure.
Thus the superior man curbs evil and furthers good,
And thereby obeys the benevolent will of heaven.

Line 6= He is blessed by heaven.
Good fortune.
Nothing that does not further.

and Hex. 34, The Power of the Great.
Judgement: Perseverance furthers.
Image: Thunder in heaven above:
The image of The Power of the Great.
Thus the superior man does not tread upon paths
That do not accord with established order.

+++
For 14, i read "perseverance for recognition has succeeded." and line 6 means that one has the protection of heaven itself. How this relates to me fulfilling my potential, i'm not sure.

What would the progression signify here, from 14 to 34? What I am now versus what I will be? (ie 14 is present time??) Or does 14 to 34 signify my entire life from birth to death and the path I"ll take? (?)

I found rosada's interpretation of 14 generally speaking: "Power is expressing itself in a graceful and controlled way. This brings supreme success and wealth." However, I am dirt poor and have eschewed material possessions in order to pursue my passion. (so far) Does this mean I will continue doing so, or should (?)

 

[elizabeth]

An addendum. I found Hilary's interpretation of Hex 14 in newsletter #26, where she wrote, "The ideogram for 'possession' shows a hand holding out a piece of meat - not to keep it, but to offer it. So perhaps to 'possess' something is really to offer or share it? Possession isn't stasis, but a flow of exchange. [...] After all, Great Possession is part of a pair with People in Harmony (Hexagram 13) - from co-operation and fellowship in a higher cause comes a sense of identity and confidence. What might have begun with some quite careful negotiations (to judge from the Image of Hexagram 13) grows into the self-sustaining, ever-expanding cycle of generosity."

Is the Yi saying continue to give, through your pursuits, and you will receive? And that's how I fulfill myself? (seems a rather generic answer to me...) Incidentally, in researching 33, another poster asking about life meaning/fulfillment got the same answer. Maybe its the Yi's stock response for anyone with this sort of question? Kind of like "fulfill yourself by being the best you can be in all you do." (???????????) I must be asking the wrong question...

 

[Tohpol]

An addendum. I found Hilary's interpretation of Hex 14 in newsletter #26, where she wrote, "The ideogram for 'possession' shows a hand holding out a piece of meat - not to keep it, but to offer it. So perhaps to 'possess' something is really to offer or share it? Possession isn't stasis, but a flow of exchange. [...] After all, Great Possession is part of a pair with People in Harmony (Hexagram 13) - from co-operation and fellowship in a higher cause comes a sense of identity and confidence. What might have begun with some quite careful negotiations (to judge from the Image of Hexagram 13) grows into the self-sustaining, ever-expanding cycle of generosity."

Is the Yi saying continue to give, through your pursuits, and you will receive? And that's how I fulfill myself? (seems a rather generic answer to me...) Incidentally, in researching 33, another poster asking about life meaning/fulfillment got the same answer. Maybe its the Yi's stock response for anyone with this sort of question? Kind of like "fulfill yourself by being the best you can be in all you do." (???????????) I must be asking the wrong question...

I think what 14 is saying and what the Yi is saying is that the best way to enrich yourself is to share with others by cultivating presence, modesty, and an unassuming attitude. This will naturally place you where you need to be. The innate talents that we possess - whatever they may be - can be utilised in ways that allow exchange. It's not just about what we want or need but how we can give of ourselves - without anticipation or seeking a reward but just because we can, and then as a law of the Universe, receive it back in subtle and sometimes "in-your-face" ways.

Had 14 a few times recently mostly concerned with how our own needs and desires - whether emotional material or spiritual - can quickly eclipse the whole point of possessing this "gold" that I think everyone has within them, in different ways. It can so easily turn in on itself and become the overiding factor in how we ride this fluid reality.

I suppose the trick is, to first tap into it, know it, use it and disperse those qualities. Not easy, but very possible and then everything fits into place....Until the next grand or miniscule cycle

Topal

 

[elizabeth]

Thanks Topal.

Maybe I need to ask another question because I was hoping this would give me a hint about my direction and (geographical) location -- but it hasn't, because obviously the above things can be done anywhere on the globe. A bit perturbed at the Yi's "generic" answer this time 'round...mostly because I have been doing that, listening to myself, pursuing dreams to detriment of lots of creature comforts and financial security, giving without getting in return (except for the satisfaction of tiny baby steps)... so the Yi is telling me "keep doing what you're doing" (as I interpret this) which...well i guess that's a good thing but it does provide less direction than I'd hoped for... *sigh*.

 

[Trojina]

I think mostly we have no idea of how we serve or don't serve the world, or fulfil our role or direction because we only see from our perspective we can't know how we have affected situations and so on. At any stage we might think 'this is my direction I am following my path' only to look back years later and see actually the really important stuff happening in our life was something we didn't even pay much attention to at the time.

It may be reassuring to have conscious knowledge of 'i'm doing what I'm meant to' but how does anyone really know and why do they need to know ?

I think 14.6 says you have 'it' already, you are going in your direction and if you do something different you will still be following your direction because you and your direction are not seperate - Maybe if you want Yi to be more specific you have to ask more concrete questions. How to fulfil your potential is a very holistic question - you will fulfill your potential by becoming all that you are as we all will, hence the generic answer. But if it said something like 'you will fulfill your potential by being a mother' (not that it can ) wouldn't that be very limiting for the limitless soul you possess as 14.6 tells you.


So if you want to know about how doing job x will be for your growth, or how being married will fulfill you etc i think you have to ask about these specific things. I don't think 14.6 is telling you to go on in the way you have been if you don't want to - its just saying you fulfill yourself by becoming the self you are - but if you want to try different ways of living etc ask about that specifically and it should be less frustrating.

On a more mundane level the Yi can't say 'go and be a chemist in France', you have to ask 'what if I go and be a chemist in France'. I say this cos it sounds like you expect the Yi to show you specific roles and locations which it can't without the question first if you see my point.

 

[magictortoise]

Seems to me you have a gift for knowing how to call off the dogs. Knowing when to throw in the towel. That can be very valuable in careers that require diplomacy. As with all gifts we are responsible for their nurturance and growth. So I would think at one point in your life you had difficulty with retreating.

I cherish gifts of these sorts and wish I had received that answer, but the answers of Yi are tailored to the nature of the questioner. I asked a similar question once: What is my genius? I received hexagram 13, Fellowship With Men. Knowing this has helped me to stand firm in the world at times when I wanted to turn away from it.

Speaking of firmness, the moving line in your answer seems to suggest a knack for holding firm, the strong steady mast in a storm?

Great question. Thanks for posting.

Ken

 

[elizabeth]

Trojan, thanks again. I blame myself then, can't expect the "be a chemist in France" response if I'm not asking appropriate questions! I will follow up with some more specific ones. At least I know (should have already known by now in fact!) what to expect with a generic question

MagicTortoise/Ken - I dont know about the knack for throwing in the towel. Historically -- as you noted -- I have *not* given up as soon as I should have, have remained in bad situations (bad for me that is). I have incredible staying power in times of... well, in a storm, as you put it. I went through two or three very big/specific situations where I "stayed too long". I hope (!) that now I'm past that and have a better sense for when to jump ship. In fact, on some level, that relates to my initial question -- how can we know if it's time to change something that seems to be working? "seems to be" is an interpretive illusion in some cases...

Thanks everyone for your comments.

 

[my_key]

Hi Elizabeth
Great questions.. great thread.
It prompted me to look round a few translations for an interpretation of your Q and A. The following has come from LiSe's site.

My gift to the world?: 33.2->44

33 - Withdraw from all things that are not compatible with your hopes for life. Making a real life is not only making it – the largest part is escaping from losing it.

33.2 - Hold on to your true self and to what you see as important. Then you will in all circumstances have the right reaction. Because it will not be formed by the circumstances but by your inner core. There is no law of being consistent towards the world, but to yourself there is.

What 44 represents is that which is powerfully attractive to the ego.

Sometimes the gifts have to be learnt before they can be used.

Okay "I'd like to find out how I can best fulfill my potential, please comment

Answer: Hex 14.6 Possession in Great measure -> Hex. 34 The Power of the Great.

14 -If you live what you ARE then you achieve great things. Live the truth of what you are, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Then all your forces will be in balance, never overdone, never lacking.

14.6 - Spiritual talents decide your value - not worldly accomplishments. They cause intangible blessing, spiritual blessing. Man's real rank in life is according to his spirit.


34 God made man from clay. He blew life into him. But man prefers to be a stone, so he bakes himself into a brick, strong and invulnerable. Rigid and square, a foundation that supports the building of mankind. God never had a building in His mind, just life. If man stays the life he essentially is, his strength will be alive too, never rigid but able to cope with every challenge.

Powerful words indeed !

Love and Hugs

Mike

 

[elizabeth]

Mike, thank you so much for this interpretation! It makes perfect sense and certainly strikes a chord with me! The answer about the path ahead is clear (to me now) based on the Yi's answer... What you wrote about escaping from losing your real life (Path) is key -- it's a VERY delicate balance that can shift without you realizing it unless you keep listening to your Self and work on doing that above the noise of the rest of the world.

Thanks for your comments