Two paths (34.1.4.6 > 18)

[fun_horse]

I’ve been struggling with a life decision that entails choosing between two paths.

One path is what you could call a more traditional path; what I think most people in my situation would be doing. But this is also a path that I have been on for a while. Repeatedly it has fallen through for various reasons. I have a tendency to force myself to overcome difficult situations as a manner of proving something to myself, but lately I’ve been feeling like the extent to which this path has time and time again failed should be seen as a sign to step back and re-evaluate my goals and priorities.

In that light, I’ve been developing an alternate plan. Path one has always been merely a means to an end: the “traditional” way one would prepare themselves to the goal I have in mind. So I’ve been thinking: why not just jump at the goal? Skip to the thing I actually want and figure the rest out as I go and how it comes up?

To this I got 34 changing to 57. A lot of it resonated— especially the changing like about not having either the space to retreat or attack. I am in a sense out on a limb. At the moment I think the I Ching is telling me to stay the course, be patient and things will pan out.

Curious to hear what you all think about this reading.

 

[fun_horse]

Oftentimes, I have to really grapple with a reading and try to tease out its meaning. That's usually when I post on this forum.

A new piece of information spontaneously appeared for me today. I wasn't even searching for it, but a page refreshed when I opened my laptop for the day and I saw that I was eligible for a transfer within my company that would make the second path I alluded to above much easier to embark on. I felt like this cast the situation in some new light, and so I asked the I Ching much more directly: what would happen if I initiated this transfer I'm eligible for and began my second path?

To which I received an unchanging 23, which, after you've used the I Ching a while is a very strange hexagram to receive. So much yin and then, bam, one yang right on top. My translation even refers to this hexagram as "dealing with a situation of critical danger."

Can't say that I've ever received a more succinct "no".

 

[redoleander]

This is 34.1.4.5.6 correct? 34 > 57? I think it’s usually helpful to write the changing lines (also good for clarity because very often there are mistakes in either the lines or resulting, easy to do).

34.1.4.5.6 > 57 followed by 23 UC doesn’t seem like a very strong endorsement.

34.1 Often just means stop. I think it’s one of those where you feel something very strong so might not understand at the time why to stop. But the recommendation is there. To slow down a lot, at least.

34.4 Sounds as though you make some progress

34.5 Lose things through carelessness or just fate

34.6 Find yourself in a corner and need to start again or restrategize.

34 > 57 Aggressive approach turning to subtle and gradual, maybe?

This idea of going directly to what you most want to do makes sense to me yet perhaps this answer is telling you there’s more to think through. The new plan may not be in the form it needs to be, yet. 23 UC implies it may not be the time to formulate the plan either. I think since it’s your own situation which you know well, you might know other things to ask to really get your arms around how to do this well, since it seems important to you.

 

[fun_horse]

Sorry about the changing lines, I wrote the original post on transit from my phone so I missed some key details.

The changing lines should be 43.1.4.6, meaning that actually the original progressed hexagram should be 18!

To me, a dead clear reading. Legge says “In order to justify the auspice of progress and success, the duty of the figure is to rectify this and restore conditions to health.” Old attitudes that once motivated me on Path 1 have fallen by the wayside; my state of mind has been ‘why bother with this, it just keeps falling apart.’ But here, it seems that it will benefit to cross this great stream.