What can I do to be Happier?

[sarararahh]

I asked the I Ching 'what can I do to be happier?'

The response was hex 14.4.6

14 is great wealth, and I imagine it is not referring to financial wealth, and I am not particularly materialistic. Line 4 indicates I should avoid getting caught up in competition with others or being codependent on their 'unenlightened expectations'. I do think about myself compared to others far more than I should, which I've been trying my best to be aware of, as it drains me considerably, and I also take time to be by myself a lot so I can be in tune with who I feel I am as opposed to all the different impressions I get coming in from other people.

Line 6 interests me, a blessing from heaven, are there any interpretations as to how this line could relate to my question? With these two changing lines 14 turns to 11, "Harmony". Both hexagrams seem to clearly relate to my question, and I am curious if someone can help me better understand what the I Ching may be saying.

 

[anemos]

great answer and I really like your interpretation that I wish not to 'touch" it

and I also take time to be by myself a lot so I can be in tune with who I feel I am as opposed to all the different impressions I get coming in from other people.

THE blessing !!! THE happiness !!!

 

[bradford]

From the Sun did I learn this, when it goeth down, the exuberant one: gold doth it then pour into the sea, out of inexhaustible riches, so that even the poorest fisherman roweth even with golden oars! For this did I once see, and did not tire of weeping in beholding it.
Nietzsche

I think it's all in the gratitude

 

[pocossin]

What can I do to be Happier?
14.4.6 > 11

Hexagram 14 suggests commerce. What about beginning with a yard sale or flea market and maybe work your way up to a shop? Persons who sell enjoy the social activity and have the satisfaction of satisfying real needs. Money may not buy happiness, but we are happier when making it than when losing it. A relative got into business by embroidering messages and designs on sailors' underwear in Hawaii in the '30's. She expanded to a newsstand, and then started trading books. Before she left Hawaii in the '40's, she was running the largest bookstore in Hawaii and was on a first-name basis with the best and the brightest who passed through.

 

[ginnie]

I asked the I Ching 'what can I do to be happier?'

Hex 14 has to do with the bounty we already possess. I suggest that the way to be happier is to say this to yourself each morning: "I intend to be a happy person today."

Because happy is something we decide to be.

 

[ginnie]

I asked the I Ching 'what can I do to be happier?'

Hex 14 has to do with the bounty we already possess. I suggest that the way to be happier is to say this to yourself each morning: "I intend to be a happy person today."

Because happy is something we decide to be.

 

[iams girl]

Line 6 interests me, a blessing from heaven, are there any interpretations as to how this line could relate to my question? With these two changing lines 14 turns to 11, "Harmony". Both hexagrams seem to clearly relate to my question, and I am curious if someone can help me better understand what the I Ching may be saying.

Hi there sara,

I see the trigrams of hexagram 14, heaven under fire, as relating to the Holy Spirit or anything stemming from one's inner connection or relationship with the Divine. The outward manifestation could be the breathtaking gift of nature such as a radiant golden sunset like Bradford's Nietzsche quote. It could also be material wealth, as Tom mentioned, which I would see in the context of Confucius' quote, "choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." For me, an outward manifestation is enjoying the blessing of a grandson.

Inwardly, I agree line 14.4 says happiness will not be found in comparing oneself with others. W/B commentary on line 14.6 includes, "heaven helps the [wo]man who is devoted" and "who walks in truth" which instead, imo, points to holding to one's inner virtues; so honor, integrity, charity, courtesy, goodness, kindness, humility, decency and the like. As you suggest issues with relationships might be involved, the commentary also mentions "revere the worthy," which I'd interpret as choosing who one associates with wisely as well.

In general, I think hexagram 11 says you have good connections and hexagram 14 is about sheltering yourself which together will bring you more happiness. Related to your comment about co-dependency, maybe this reading is Yi's way of affirming that the problem is not "you," it's "them" and kind of giving you the blessing of doing what you will with that information.

 

[sarararahh]

aww wow thank all of you so much, such diverse insight and yet it all seems appropriate, and so helpful.


anemos thank you, that really made things clear for me. isn't there a saying about the answer residing within the question? Because that might be what just happened

bradford that quote is beautiful, thank you; and I thought about it several times yesterday as well, just to let it soak in.

pocossin interestingly, I think I might be just beginning to conceive the idea of starting a business selling herbal essences, oils and tinctures, which is something I do love so very much. My interest in herbs has been directly nurtured by my time alone... it does feel divine and it doesn't feel like work at all, which is very in keeping with my new understanding of this hexagram... thank you for that

ginnie thank you and I totally agree that happiness is a choice! I used to say positive affirmations like those when I was a teenager and I believe it would do me some good to solidify my bright side by affirming it like that on a daily basis. I do want to be happy, and I am grateful to be reminded of the simple truth that it is up to me to make that choice every day.

Iams girl thank you, that is sound advice. and it really is a bit of a weight off my shoulders because I've been wanting so much for 'them' to understand that I am good natured, but it doesn't seem to mean anything. Sometimes I almost wonder if I'm wasting my time sticking to principles nobody else seems to find any use for, but your response really confirms for me what I feel in my heart. Thank you so much.

Also I just wanted to say I'm glad that I found this forum, because I love the I ching, but I'm not well versed in it enough yet to fully fly on my own wings. I am grateful for is the quality of wisdom you all decide to share with each other on a daily basis, that I now get to be a part of. Thank goodness for that

Sarah

P.S. I've been wanting to 'thank' everyone the way that other members do when their names are listed at the bottom of the post under text reading 'the following users say thank you to so-and-so for this post' but I cannot for the life of me figure out how to do it, can someone please explain to me how we do this in the forum?

 

[anemos]

Line 6 interests me, a blessing from heaven, are there any interpretations as to how this line could relate to my question?

I reported an experience with 14.6 here and here. Maybe you can relate

Hi there sara,

I see the trigrams of hexagram 14, heaven under fire, as relating to the Holy Spirit or anything stemming from one's inner connection or relationship with the Divine.

I had made that association in a discussion here and when something like that happened I got h14. Don't recall the lines but was like be given a priceless gift. you can't distinguish whether you are the recipient or the initiator... maybe both (11)

 

[pocossin]

P.S. I've been wanting to 'thank' everyone the way that other members do when their names are listed at the bottom of the post under text reading 'the following users say thank you to so-and-so for this post' but I cannot for the life of me figure out how to do it, can someone please explain to me how we do this in the forum?

The thanks button will appear when you have made about eleven posts.

 

[bradford]

 

[sarararahh]

Anemos, thank you, I read both of your posts referring to this hexagram, and I DO relate especially well to the one about the writing contest; That resonates perfectly with what I'm experiencing. I'm glad you stood by writing the way that was in your heart. I like that

Pocossin, thank you! I'm glad it's not somewhere obvious that I've overlooked lol. I guess I'll just have to post more

Bradford, that cartoon is the most appropriate thing I've seen in my entire life haha <3