To art or not to art... Hex. 12

[lilian]

Despite an overload of work for my upcoming exhibition at the end of August, I would like to attend an art seminar. Things like that can give a charge of energy - or take too much valuable time off the necessary tasks. That's why I asked the Yi Jing for advice and got Hex. 12, with lines 3, 4, and 5 moving, relating to 52.

With unmoving lines, I would have understood the message, NO! But the lines seem to contradict.

Line 3: You are not strong enough, you will regret it
Line 4: If you plan well, you can make up for some of the time otherwise
Line 5: Your doubts: What if it should fail? go away

Do I understand this right? Usually to me, hexagram 12 means failed communication. Is the Yi telling me No! it didn't understand the question - I would know the answer anyway?
Or do I have to sit and meditate with my dilemma - as the 52 suggests?
Or is it answering some other issues at all?

I appreciate any opinion from you
Lilian

 

[candid]

Lilian, I don't read your answer as a no at all. I read it as a way to move beyond the standstill, or as you said, a way to receive a charge of energy. Line 5 especially suggests that the seminar can add additional strength and sureness to your already acquired artistic skills.

52 also refers to a stabilizing influence, however it may also be suggesting to take things a step at a time and to approach this matter calmly, possibly not expect too much from it.

 

[frandoch]

Hi Lilian,

I agree with Candid - this is not a no. The stagnation of Hex 12 is passing, through Lines 3,4 and 5, and I usually give less emphasis to the lower lines when there are more than one.

I feel it's all about motivation. If your motives for this change are above reproach, then go ahead. And Line 5 leads very nicely into Hex 52, but with a caution. Your doubts about this are picked up by Hex 52, where it suggests that you should quieten your emotions and your mind chatter, so that you can think clearly. You need inner clam and peace of mind. For this, you need to focus on accepting 'What Is' and stop resisting the Present Moment. Then your actions will be in accordance with the flow. Perhaps some quiet periods of meditation would be of value. They always are, but especially when we are facing decisions.

But the overall message, to me, is go for it.

 

[martin]

If I got 12 to 52 in a similar situation I would interpret it as something like "stop, reconsider, perhaps it's better if you don't go to that seminar".
Yes, indeed, the message seems to be quite clear.

But what about those changing lines?
The line commentaries have helped me to understand the meaning of the hexagrams as a whole, but nowadays, when I talk with the I Ching, I don't pay much attention to the changing lines that I get.
I have too often seen that they merely confuse the issue.
I don't neglect them completely, though, because they sometimes hit the nail on the head (is that English? Anyway, I guess you know what I mean

).
But I give then less weight, especially if they seem to contradict the meaning of the hexagrams.

I this case, they are perhaps referring to a future development. I don't know, is it possible to postpone the seminar?

Martin

 

[martin]

Interesting ...
I didn't see Frandoch's post until after I posted mine.
We disagree! The same for Candid.
I sometimes think there are as many Yi's as there are diviners ...

Martin

 

[cal val]

LiLian...

Is there a possibility there's not much for you to learn from this art seminar in question, and, consequently, your time would be better spent focusing on your upcoming exhibition (how exciting...*grin*).

With your apt interpretation of line 4, I hear the Yi saying it's doable if you budget your time, but overall, I'm hearing the Yi say...why bother?

I'm hearing something else with line 5...What if it should fail? Is that possibly some anxiety about the upcoming exhibit? With your art, you're putting your essence out there for all to see when you exhibit it...for me, that's a rather scary thought.

I'm with Martin on this one. I approach the Yi intuitively and flexibly.

Sometimes the answer just smacks me in the face with the titles. This one did. I hear nothing of any value will be communicated in the art seminar...so keep still.

Sometimes the answer lies in one telling line in the judgment or image, and sometimes in one or more of the changing lines. Sometimes one or more changing lines are further insight into why the titles are so appropriate. Some lines make no sense and, in fact, are contradictory. If they're contradictory, then I know the Yi wants me to pass on them. Sometimes the primary hexagram is the present situation and the secondary is what it will turn into if I follow the course prescribed by the lines. Sometimes both hexagrams are relating different aspects of the same situation...etc.

If I can't seem to quickly grasp which it is, then I come here to this community for insight. Usually something someone says here will ring the the little bell of awareness for me.

Good luck on your exhibit! I'm very excited for you! Do you have any of your work on the internet? I'd love to see it.

Cheerio the noo,

Val

 

[lilian]

Hi

You are so incredible! Thank you very much! Each of you gave me a piece of a puzzle, and now the picture is (almost) complete - or at least it makes a lot of sense.

---to take things a step at a time and to
approach this matter calmly, possibly not expect too much
from it. (Candid)

---it's all about motivation.
--- you need to focus on accepting 'What Is' and
stop resisting the Present Moment. (Michael)

---stop, reconsider
--- they are perhaps referring to a future
development. (Martin)

---not much for you to learn
from this art seminar in question, and, consequently, your
time would be better spent focusing on your upcoming
exhibition (Val)

I pondered over this the whole evening and night, and had many insights, not only about this art seminar, but about all of my artistic activities.

My upcoming exhibition is with my machine-knitted art-to-wear. I have three "open doors" in a row, and I need to create enough objects to show and sell. And even with a machine, it is very time-consuming. It is really 1% inspiration and 99% transpiration. ;-) So therefore, the anxiety.

Now the art seminar is about painting and drawing. I have done this a big part of my life, being driven, almost obsessive. A few years back, it has receded... Of course, I long back to the "flow" it gave me, the satisfaction.
But I also know, that no art seminar can give me back that "feu sacrée", it has to come from inside. (So maybe the concern: "What if it should fail?") My head (kien) wants it back, but my guts (kun) are elsewhere = hex 12.

So now I interpret the lines as follows:

Line 3: I felt ashamed not to use my drawing/painting skills
Line 4: At the present moment, my "higher calling" is in what I do now = creating knitwear. I will be drawing/painting when the time comes (again)... and only then a seminar will be fruitful.
Line 5: "He ties it to the cluster of mulberry shoots" - another of those "smile moments" with the Yi Jing - I work mostly with silk. I guess it's telling me: stick with your silk. (LiSe told me a few years ago, my name Li Lian means "bright silk scarf" in chinese!)

Hex 52 fits in nicely: Peace of mind. Now I don't have the feeling I will miss something in not attending the seminar.

And Val, sorry, I don't have a website (yet). My things don't sell visually. When women try them on, they buy them. Because they alter the feel of "body space". They are pure, minimalistic and ample designs - hard to describe, I know.

Again, 1000 thanks to all of you - you helped me a great deal! You also gave me answers to questions I didn't ask!
Thanks
Lilian

 

[heylise]

A bit late, but maybe still of use:
52 is not only peace of mind, but also "do-it-yourself"

LiSe

 

[cal val]

Oh LiLian...

I think I love you!

Now that you tell me what you do, I am even more anxious to see your work. I'm sending you an email about all we have in common rather than bore these nice forum readers with my...'stuff.' They can always look on my website gallery and "about me" page if they want to see an inkling...links to which are in my profile.

I can tell from the words you use (body space) that you are a designer/artist who approaches your work for purely existential reasons and completely understands the relationship between line/textile/space...so I have a strong sense that your work is beautiful...minimalist is beautiful. It says confidence.

I feel strong talent oozing from your post and, consequently, don't feel a strong need to wish you luck on your exhibit. But heck...even the most talented of us could use a little luck so...GOOD LUCK!

It's great that you know your strongest medium and can follow it with conviction. You have the rest of your life to study painting and drawing and very possibly enjoy a good deal of success in that direction as well. There will be more seminars and classes galore to come. An artist is an artist is an artist and can do well in more than one medium.

Cheerio the noo,

Val

 

[lilian]

Thanks, LiSe, for the "do-it-yourself" - it is not too late.

And Val, thanks for your overwhelming compliments. I hope now, it didn't sound like I was fishing for them...

Thanks again for the insights
Lilian

 

[malka]

Lilian, not sure if you're wanting any further comments at this point?

I have a new book, "I Ching for a New Age: The Book of Answers for Chainging Times" by Robert G. Benson. He writes about each line, and since I'm trying to learn lines, I bought this book. Here's a little of what he has to say:

12, Being Blocked
His progess is blocked by someone much stronger than he is, and so he should not try to overcome the blockage.

12.3 He is in such a completely blocked situation that all he can do is comply. He endures this with deep unhappieness and perhaps even some shame.

12.4 He attempts to overcome the blockage by seeking assistance, and he succeeds and gains benefits with their help.

12.5 He is blocked, and the blockage can only be overcome by the favor of someone powerful. In this situation, he must endure while he waits for relief.

52, Holding Back
He is holding back by being passive and inconspicuous, and by doing this escapes harm.

I'm not really able to interprete, but I hope this additional translation offers something of value.

 

[lilian]

Thanks Malka, I appreciate another angle to look at it. Anything thought-provoking helps - and this is...

 

[malka]

Lilian, I do hope you'll let us know how it turns out.

In peace,
Malka