Very very difficult family problem

[avatorotava]

There is a significant hereditary conflict within my family (consisting of myself, my brother, and my mother) since my father passed away.

My brother and mother have allied against me, and I am being completely exploited, both economically and emotionally.

After five years of intense fighting, where rationality seems to have disappeared, I have come to the conclusion that the only weapon I have left to resolve this ongoing saga is to go on a hunger strike, specifically in my mother's house.

I consulted the I Ching to determine if this was a good idea. The response I received was "40.4 to 7," which made me believe it was a favorable decision.

Today, after five days of a total hunger strike (consuming only water) with no results whatsoever (indicating that my mother hasn't budged an inch in neglecting my requests), and feeling extremely exhausted, I sought guidance once again.

Today's response was quite different: "49.1 to 60."

I am now completely bewildered. What should I make of this? I am in desperate need of help.

 

[Hans_K]

This is obviously a terrible situation, but as I interpret the answer, a hunger strike is not the solution.

The response I received was "40.4 to 7," which made me believe it was a favorable decision.

Personally, I would not have seen this as a good decision/idea. There are all kinds of hints in the Judgment and Image text that this might not be the best idea in this situation.
Judgment: "...The southwest is beneficial." Southwest refers to trigram Earth in the King Wen trigram sequence and is about acceptance and food, among other things.
Image: "...Thus the superior person forgives misdeeds and pardons mistakes."
The line 4 text talks about "...deliver yourself from your big toe." Your question is about whether something is a good idea or not. I would see this text as saying you have to let go of the idea.

Today's response was quite different: "49.1 to 60."

- H49.1 has as its related hexagram H31. Is H60 a typo?
- Did you ask the same question here?

Perhaps a solution-oriented question could give more insight into what to do in this situation.
Lots of strength and courage.

As always, take what resonates and leave the rest.

 

[avatorotava]

Yes, there is a typo.
The second answer was 29.1 to 60.
And the second question was: "Should I continue the hunger strike after five consecutive days?"

 

[Trojina]

Of course not. Don't need Yi to say hunger strike is not helpful.

Can you make plans to leave at all ?

 

[Hans_K]

And the second question was: "Should I continue the hunger strike after five consecutive days?"

I think the text of H29.1 does make it very clear that you should not go any further: "Entering the abyss, one falls into a pit."
Even though this is a terrible situation, please don't make it worse by risking your health.
Are there people who can help or support you?

 

[avatorotava]

let me add a note of irony to this tragedy, this below is what chat GPT AI told me, after I have asked to revise my post into a better english form, it's kind of unbelievable really:
"Please note that it's important to consider seeking professional advice or mediation to address family conflicts rather than solely relying on a hunger strike or divination methods."
I think we are really doomed

 

[Trojina]

Well no one whether diviner, decent human, nor AI it seems, is going to be able to say 'oh yes good idea keep hunger striking' it just wouldn't be ethical.

 

[avatorotava]

Anyway, I am sorry I have raised some personal worries and I really appreciate and welcome your concern, don't worry, I have no intention to reach the last pole, I do see the 29.1 as extremely clear and I will follow the advice.
What I was very puzzled by is the fact that I took the first answer (40.4 to 7) as extremely positive somehow... "Release. Harvest in the southwest"

 

[avatorotava]

Of course not. Don't need Yi to say hunger strike is not helpful.

Can you make plans to leave at all ?

Thank you for your concern Trojina, much appreciated

 

[Hans_K]

What I was very puzzled by is the fact that I took the first answer (40.4 to 7) as extremely positive somehow... "Release. Harvest in the southwest"

Somehow understandable, but you have to know what the southwest means. As mentioned earlier the southwest is trigram Earth. What is remarkable in this situation is that Earth is both associated with accepting and food.

 

[SuperNatural]

Hexagram 40, "Deliverance," represents a time of release and liberation from a difficult situation. It is important to note, however, that the method of deliverance suggested here is through the support of others, rather than an individual act such as a hunger strike.

Line 4 advises respecting traditional values and seeking guidance from wise mentors. This implies that you may benefit from seeking the counsel of someone who is more impartial to your family situation and can provide you with a different perspective.

Hexagram 7 suggests that a situation has become so difficult that it is best to seek outside help. This hexagram can be interpreted as a call to action, but it does not necessarily indicate that a hunger strike is the best course of action. It may be more beneficial to seek the professional help of a mediator, counselor or therapist to guide you and your family towards a resolution.

Overall, the I Ching is suggesting that it is possible to find liberation from your current situation, but it is not advisable to resort to an individual act such as a hunger strike. Instead, you may benefit from seeking outside guidance and support to help resolve the conflicts within your family.

 

[SuperNatural]

Hexagram 49, "Revolution," represents a time of radical change and upheaval. The changing line in the first position suggests that this change must come from within and not be forced upon you by external circumstances. This implies that you should not only focus on external factors such as the actions of your mother, but also on your own intentions and actions.

Hexagram 60, "Limitation," represents a time of restriction and obstacles. It suggests that the results you are seeking may not be achieved through force or direct confrontation, but instead through a more strategic and patient approach.

Taken together, these hexagrams suggest that a radical change may be necessary, but it should come from within and be handled strategically rather than through force or direct confrontation. It may be time to reconsider your approach and seek a more effective way to achieve your goals. This could include seeking outside help or advice, or finding a way to communicate with your mother in a more constructive and compassionate way.

 

[Liselle]

As Hans says, this is a bad situation; very sorry you have to deal with it.

What I was very puzzled by is the fact that I took the first answer (40.4 to 7) as extremely positive somehow... "Release. Harvest in the southwest"

Another translation (Hilary's) says
"Releasing the thumbs also.
Partners arrive, hence truth and confidence."

It can be "big toe" or "thumb," apparently.

I can see why you might think Yi was going along with it, if you thought the hunger strike was the partner. But "releasing" or "delivering from" comes first, so it seems to me it was suggesting release yourself from the idea, and then partners will arrive with truth and confidence.

Couple more questions:
- What was your first question?
- What translation did you read? What version of 40.4 did you see?

 

[avatorotava]

Couple more questions:
- What was your first question?
- What translation did you read? What version of 40.4 did you see?

Hallo Liselle, thanks for your input
The first question was simple "Should I go on an hunger strike to solve the problem?"
It sounds quite silly and immature, but you can't imagine how blocked and stagnant the situation is.
The second question, after 5 days of fasting and little result s far, was "Should I continue the fast?"

I am reading an Italian translation of the Wilhem version

 

[avatorotava]

Hexagram 49, "Revolution,"

I am sorry, my mistake, there was a typo as I posted above, it was 29.1 to 60 - not 49