What does 40.3 mean?

[unsubscribed_cm]

I can't seem to quite understand this line. And i've gotten it twice recently.

Wilhelm:

Six in the third place means:
If a man carries a burden on his back
And nonetheless rides in a carriage,
He thereby encourages robbers to draw near.
Perseverance leads to humiliation.

This refers to a man who has come out of needy circumstances into comfort and freedom from want. If now, in the manner of an upstart, he tries to take his ease in comfortable surroundings that do not suit his nature, he thereby attracts robbers. If he goes on thus he is sure to bring disgrace upon himself. Confucius says about this line:

Carrying a burden on the back is the business of a common man; a carriage is the appurtenance of a man of rank. Now, when a common man uses the appurtenance of a man of rank, robbers plot to take it away from him. If a man is insolent toward those above him and hard toward those below him, robbers plot to attack him. Carelessness in guarding things tempts thieves to steal. Sumptuous ornaments worn by a maiden are an enticement to rob her of her virtue.

Karcher:

If you are truly committed to what you are doing, you willl be freed from the constriction you feel. Hold fast to what you believe. It opens the way and connects you to the spirits. Ordinary people will feel this and help.

Lise:

6 at 3: Carrying a burden on the back and also riding a carriage. Inviting robbers to approach. Determination: distress.

Learn how to behave in society. If you don’t know what can be done and what not, you will get embarrassed or worse, and you yourself are the only one to blame. At first sight following rules seems less free, but the contrary is true. If you know and employ the right behavior, you dance through the world, and everything will cooperate. If you refuse the lessons, you will step on all toes, and they will step on yours.

I Ching Workbook:

Complacency will lead to loss. + Regret will disssappear



Any ideas?

 

[lightofreason]

40.3
Line 3
"[Taking on too much can culminate in following a path of law breaking]." [Moving to a higher level]

LIne position 3 is covered by hexagram 15 and its focus on issues of levelling things out, even out, be modest. Her we see a price of not doing so in that the tension release through relaxation means a relaxation of discipline, surrender of modest fo greed or more so modesty is expressed through 40 as a commitment here considered as too much - 40 is a relaxation of tension through release of structure rather than the increase of such tension.

The positive side is where in a realm of relaxation of structure, modesty is best expressed as commitment. The focus on 'something' is retained but the rigidity of such a focus is relaxed to commitement rather than blatent levelling things out - we wittle away ;-)

Chris.

 

[magictortoise]

I think it is a warning against pretentiousness.

 

[Trojina]

I think Wilhelms way off with this line. I recall someone here saying, (you will probably find it if you look in the hexagram index,) that it means you need to make a choice how to proceed - you can either travel in the vehicle of the new situation or stay with the old, you can't do both. Brads commentary says something also about needing to decide what to let go of, not carrying everything of the past with you.

 

[bruce_g]

I think it is a warning against pretentiousness.

So do I. It reminds me of someone coming up in the world who isn't exactly financially secure, and who takes on the debts of a prestigious house and car, living barely on the edge of his means. One slip up and the bank repossesses and forecloses his impressive possessions, which were never really his in the first place.

 

[Sparhawk]

I propose a ban on 3rd lines. Even the ones that look +/- good are tricky...

Regarding this one, I try to see it from several angles. The first one that comes to mind, as others pointed out, is pretentiousness and slackness. The line depicts a person out of place in the position that occupies. Appearance should match reality. In ancient China, only those with rank were allowed to ride in a carriage. Pardon my un-PC statement but people that carry burdens are those of lower social status, the laborers, thus, a person who carries a burden and try to lighten it up by riding a carriage, is opportunistic and taking advantage of an unsupervised situation.

Then there is the matter of the robbers... As said, high rank and carriages go together. Those of rank don't travel in carriages by themselves but accompanied with guards. A robber seeing somebody riding a carriage without a guard would start salivating and thinking how lucky he is and what an idiot the other person is.

The other angle that I see is stubbornness. One thing is being opportunistic, another is being stubborn to the point of stupidity. A person that is smart enough to be opportunistic should also see the consequences of his actions snowballing downhill. Those who do, will cash their chips and avoid regrets; those who don't, deserve what befalls them...

The line changes the hexagram into 32. As its judgment says, one better have a Plan B in place to ride opportunities to full term. Having 32 in mind when jumping on the wagon will help avoid a lot of headaches...

 

[Lavalamp]

Old thread again, but since it focuses on this line perhaps it's better to continue than start a new one!

40.3 with the burden on the back but riding in a carriage leading to humiliation, changes into 32 which is a marriage hexagram. The question in my mind has been, how do you reconcile the over all context of hexagram 40 with it's line 3, and the relating hexagram 32 as well? Consider it has been said that Hex 40 "Release" is the hexagram of sexual climax, where desire and marriage is consummated. The Sabian symbol theory of the late Frank Kegan has this line as "Two little love-birds are sitting on a fence singing to each other and advertising their happiness to the world." So the context here despite the heavy words attached seem like they should something to do with love, sex, marriage, a relationship, no?

I think Confucius's commentary confuses the fact that here in line 3, the Yi says the subject has *already* risen beyond a background of poverty, lower social standing or rank, whatever. He is already past that background, and NOW he is riding in a carriage in fact. Maybe in Central Park with a love interest? The problem posed by this line is, he still has "baggage." Maybe hurt from a past relationship, maybe fear of losing what he has and returning to past poverty, maybe hurt or a chip on his shoulder from being treated badly for his past status. And this invites "robbers;" inner robbers might be anxiety, fear, emotions that take from you your life energy. In the context of a love relationship, past hurts could make it hard to digest some of what is the normal ebb and flow between two prospective partners, jealousy, feeling a lack of love or being ignored, feelings that would steal joy from you. Outer "robbers" might be social rivals or love rivals, some who might want to put you down for your lack of pedigree, not being one of "the swells," etc.

So I think this line is a warning that you have to deal with your baggage, recognize it and take care of your heart so it does not affect your love relationship or ability to function in a healthy way emotionally and socially. That dovetails better into the hex 40 / 40.3>32 context better than simply judging the querent as being pretentious. An ironic commentary angle, when their baggage could be hurt from condescension from upper classes.

- LL

 

[Lavalamp]

Also Charly pointed out the character for "robber" can be interpreted as a crippled man, someone with a big head, a house, and someone with perhaps a divination rod. Perhaps the person in the carriage with baggage attracts another person who has also some success (a house) and has their own "baggage" - and special gifts? Or perhaps cripple refers to the effect of the subject's personal baggage.

- LL

 

[rosada]

40.3
A fool and his money are soon parted.
-The I Ching Book of Proverbs.

 

[Lavalamp]

40.3
A fool and his money are soon parted.
-The I Ching Book of Proverbs.

Well sure, many lottery winners find it hard to deal with their wealth and lose it all. Coming from a background that did not teach dealing with large sums of money well, and "new money" is often irritating when they flaunt their wealth. But here, is the person actually flaunting their wealth? Should they really be expected to walk rather than ride if they can afford it? Are they well off from mere chance, or because of their own efforts and hard work?

There seems to me to be a flavor of condescension, a kind of looking down at someone who has crossed the line between social classes in the commentary. It may be true the subject is not as smart as the aristocrat, but perhaps here the writers of the commentary are revealing their own social bias and sense of superiority. Confucius could have have said "guard your property from people who envy you," instead he critically talked down the subject of the line for living the way someone *born* into rank does. Or maybe something is lost in translation, but it sounds very very class conscious.

- LL

 

[Lavalamp]

Unless you want to see this hex as spending more than one has, living on credit and having huge debt while living large. That might make sense perhaps, but how does that integrate with the marriage hex 32 and the context of 40?

Of course, criticizing Confucius on a Yi forum is pretty much taking one's life in one's hands! Consciously or unconsciously, students of the Yi tend to end up being a lot more Confucianist than they realize, I think.

- LL

 

[Lavalamp]

Ah - I know, he is wooing the love interest and spending his money freely to impress her! He rents a limo for the theatre, takes her on a carriage ride in central park, buys overpriced roses and theatre tickets! Yes a fool and his money in this situation - a relationship between a man and woman - easily parted.

There are circumstances in Asian culture, like say gifts for elders on special occasions, where one actually *must* overspend on the gift, that is actually the point. But perhaps the sages do not extend that sense of propriety to overspending in this context.
- LL

 

[bradford]

Let go of the past. Occupying two places at once is not liberation.

 

[rosada]

The first time I ever stayed at a motel I thought I had really hit the big time. The place had a pool and a gym and washers and dryers for laundry. I wanted to take advantage of all the amenities and so I put the dirty clothes I'd been lugging around into the washing machine and went for a swim. When I returned to retrieve my belongings they had been stolen! I later learned that people who were familiar with motels know this is not an uncommon problem.
I did continue on with my trip so perhaps that correlates with 32. Duration, which by the way I think it's worth noting does not promise an easy road but describes continuing on despite hardships - wind and thunder.

I didn't consult the I Ching after this incident so I am not saying this is a authentic example of 40.3 - 32. I''m just saying i think it could be.

rosada

 

[Lavalamp]

Well that's kind of like putting words into someone's mouth, isn't it?

- LL

 

[charly]

Also Charly pointed out the character for "robber" can be interpreted as a crippled man, someone with a big head, a house, and someone with perhaps a divination rod. Perhaps the person in the carriage with baggage attracts another person who has also some success (a house) and has their own "baggage" - and special gifts? Or perhaps cripple refers to the effect of the subject's personal baggage.

- LL

Hi, Lavalamp:

The character here translated as ROBBER, that also can mean BANDIT or INVADER is 寇 kou4. It has an old variant 宼

The upper component of both variants depicts a ROOF, meaning HIDDEN and also COVERING

In both variants the lower component at the left right depicts a man with a BIG HEAD and a NOTICEABLE BIG FOOT, phallic, of course, associated with male potency, like a crab's hook, that gives the appearance of a CRIPPLED MAN. Nobody's perfect.

The lower component of 寇, at the right depicts a HAND holding a vertical STROKE with a BRANCH, meaning BONE DIVINATION, but that has a clear ITHYPHALLIC SHAPE. Maybe a hand holding a sexual talisman.

The lower component of 宼 variant, at the right is the WOMAN radical, that sometimes means EVIL but whose ancient form depicts a NAKED KNEELING WOMAN with TIED HANDS. War booty, slave or kidnapped bride.

Can imagine that the main intention of the robbers were of sexual nature. Most if not all the ROBBERS in the Changes were WIFE-GRABBERS.

Some lines from Wilhelm/Baynes already quoted by Rosada:

Sumptuous ornaments worn by a maiden are an enticement to rob her of her virtue.​

W/B

BIG HEADED can mean a well endowed man or also somebody STUBBORN, with the MIND CAUGHT BY AN OBSESSION. The main purpose was to robe the maiden's virtue, ornaments were secondary. Except maybe in the case of DOWRY HUNTERS

Maybe the baggage was the BURDEN OF VIRGINITY. Maybe the own robbers were CARRYING A LOAD and RIDDING A CART, or even HORSEBACK, wich gave them motive and means for GRABBING WOMEN, presumably with purpose of later marriage (or not).

Don't you believe so?

All the best,

Charly

_________________________________
About the wide range of sexual associations:

«寇 refers to danger that comes to the state from without, while 亂 refers to rebellion from within.»
Source: CJKV-English Dictionary
Link: http://www.buddhism-dict.net/cgi-bin/xpr-dealt.pl?5b.xml+id('c5bc7')

Here there is an opposition between ROBBERY and DISSORDER which has connotation of POLITICAL REBELLION and also of SEXUAL DEBAUCHERY.

Ch.

 

[usilser]

Hi, Lavalamp:

The character here translated as ROBBER, that also can mean BANDIT or INVADER is 寇 kou4. It has an old variant 宼

The upper component of both variants depicts a ROOF, meaning HIDDEN and also COVERING

In both variants the lower component at the left right depicts a man with a BIG HEAD and a NOTICEABLE BIG FOOT, phallic, of course, associated with male potency, like a crab's hook, that gives the appearance of a CRIPPLED MAN. Nobody's perfect.

The lower component of 寇, at the right depicts a HAND holding a vertical STROKE with a BRANCH, meaning BONE DIVINATION, but that has a clear ITHYPHALLIC SHAPE. Maybe a hand holding a sexual talisman.

The lower component of 宼 variant, at the right is the WOMAN radical, that sometimes means EVIL but whose ancient form depicts a NAKED KNEELING WOMAN with TIED HANDS. War booty, slave or kidnapped bride.

Can imagine that the main intention of the robbers were of sexual nature. Most if not all the ROBBERS in the Changes were WIFE-GRABBERS.

Some lines from Wilhelm/Baynes already quoted by Rosada:



BIG HEADED can mean a well endowed man or also somebody STUBBORN, with the MIND CAUGHT BY AN OBSESSION. The main purpose was to robe the maiden's virtue, ornaments were secondary. Except maybe in the case of DOWRY HUNTERS

Maybe the baggage was the BURDEN OF VIRGINITY. Maybe the own robbers were CARRYING A LOAD and RIDDING A CART, or even HORSEBACK, wich gave them motive and means for GRABBING WOMEN, presumably with purpose of later marriage (or not).

Don't you believe so?

All the best,

Charly

_________________________________
About the wide range of sexual associations:

Here there is an opposition between ROBBERY and DISSORDER which has connotation of POLITICAL REBELLION and also of SEXUAL DEBAUCHERY.

Ch.

Reading the description of this line, I am wondering... Could the line be referred to a rich woman with a large inheritance and a man that wants to marry her just for her inheritance?

 

[MethodNix]

Old thread again, but since it focuses on this line perhaps it's better to continue than start a new one!

40.3 with the burden on the back but riding in a carriage leading to humiliation, changes into 32 which is a marriage hexagram. The question in my mind has been, how do you reconcile the over all context of hexagram 40 with it's line 3, and the relating hexagram 32 as well? Consider it has been said that Hex 40 "Release" is the hexagram of sexual climax, where desire and marriage is consummated. The Sabian symbol theory of the late Frank Kegan has this line as "Two little love-birds are sitting on a fence singing to each other and advertising their happiness to the world." So the context here despite the heavy words attached seem like they should something to do with love, sex, marriage, a relationship, no?

I think Confucius's commentary confuses the fact that here in line 3, the Yi says the subject has *already* risen beyond a background of poverty, lower social standing or rank, whatever. He is already past that background, and NOW he is riding in a carriage in fact. Maybe in Central Park with a love interest? The problem posed by this line is, he still has "baggage." Maybe hurt from a past relationship, maybe fear of losing what he has and returning to past poverty, maybe hurt or a chip on his shoulder from being treated badly for his past status. And this invites "robbers;" inner robbers might be anxiety, fear, emotions that take from you your life energy. In the context of a love relationship, past hurts could make it hard to digest some of what is the normal ebb and flow between two prospective partners, jealousy, feeling a lack of love or being ignored, feelings that would steal joy from you. Outer "robbers" might be social rivals or love rivals, some who might want to put you down for your lack of pedigree, not being one of "the swells," etc.

So I think this line is a warning that you have to deal with your baggage, recognize it and take care of your heart so it does not affect your love relationship or ability to function in a healthy way emotionally and socially. That dovetails better into the hex 40 / 40.3>32 context better than simply judging the querent as being pretentious. An ironic commentary angle, when their baggage could be hurt from condescension from upper classes.

- LL

I really relate to this interpretation! I recently got this answer from Yi.

After a short fling with an ex while he told me he's in a relationship I felt really bad and hurt about becoming "a second one" and Yi helped me with some other readings. I decided to let things with him go and then I turned to my future without him and asked Yi about should I flirt with a man I occasionally see and talk to in a group of people.
And Yi said 40.3 to 32.
I have to admit my emotional baggage is still here. I'm working on releasing it and moving on. Would holding on to my baggage and sitting in a carriage at the same time mean shame for me?
How would you relate 32 (duration) to it? This new person could be a new plan for me which Yi suggests. Maybe it would be a marriage (not literally) with this new person?
Or does it say I should come up with an entirely new plan for my love life?

I also asked Yi what does this new man think about me and got 30 unchanging. Positive? Or does double positive make a negative?

Thank you for thoughts...

EDIT: Oh, I've just noticed this is an exploring divination part of the forum. Maybe someone could move my post to shared readings? Or is it ok for it to stay here?

 

[Freedda]

EDIT: Oh, I've just noticed this is an exploring divination part of the forum. Maybe someone could move my post to shared readings? Or is it ok for it to stay here?

You should be able to delete your own post - or edit it - and then 're' post in shared readings if you want.

 

[MethodNix]

You should be able to delete your own post - or edit it - and then 're' post in shared readings if you want.

Sorry, I wasn't paying attention. I think I'm too late now... there's no edit or delete button. I read the instructions when I started and it's said editing is available for short period of time...
Apologies for messing up.

 

[Topher]

Hi, Lavalamp:

The character here translated as ROBBER, that also can mean BANDIT or INVADER is 寇 kou4. It has an old variant 宼

The upper component of both variants depicts a ROOF, meaning HIDDEN and also COVERING

In both variants the lower component at the left right depicts a man with a BIG HEAD and a NOTICEABLE BIG FOOT, phallic, of course, associated with male potency, like a crab's hook, that gives the appearance of a CRIPPLED MAN. Nobody's perfect.

The lower component of 寇, at the right depicts a HAND holding a vertical STROKE with a BRANCH, meaning BONE DIVINATION, but that has a clear ITHYPHALLIC SHAPE. Maybe a hand holding a sexual talisman.

The lower component of 宼 variant, at the right is the WOMAN radical, that sometimes means EVIL but whose ancient form depicts a NAKED KNEELING WOMAN with TIED HANDS. War booty, slave or kidnapped bride.

Can imagine that the main intention of the robbers were of sexual nature. Most if not all the ROBBERS in the Changes were WIFE-GRABBERS.

Some lines from Wilhelm/Baynes already quoted by Rosada:



BIG HEADED can mean a well endowed man or also somebody STUBBORN, with the MIND CAUGHT BY AN OBSESSION. The main purpose was to robe the maiden's virtue, ornaments were secondary. Except maybe in the case of DOWRY HUNTERS

Maybe the baggage was the BURDEN OF VIRGINITY. Maybe the own robbers were CARRYING A LOAD and RIDDING A CART, or even HORSEBACK, wich gave them motive and means for GRABBING WOMEN, presumably with purpose of later marriage (or not).

Don't you believe so?

All the best,

Charly

_________________________________
About the wide range of sexual associations:

Here there is an opposition between ROBBERY and DISSORDER which has connotation of POLITICAL REBELLION and also of SEXUAL DEBAUCHERY.

Ch.

Maybe it refers to exhibiting one past's sucess-accomplishment /how much you have carried only make envidious to those who cant forget the past(duration) it is about resentment. just simply forget dont talk about the past because it will only lead to duration of hard feelings.

 

[Navadurga]

Old thread again, but since it focuses on this line perhaps it's better to continue than start a new one!

40.3 with the burden on the back but riding in a carriage leading to humiliation, changes into 32 which is a marriage hexagram. The question in my mind has been, how do you reconcile the over all context of hexagram 40 with it's line 3, and the relating hexagram 32 as well? Consider it has been said that Hex 40 "Release" is the hexagram of sexual climax, where desire and marriage is consummated. The Sabian symbol theory of the late Frank Kegan has this line as "Two little love-birds are sitting on a fence singing to each other and advertising their happiness to the world." So the context here despite the heavy words attached seem like they should something to do with love, sex, marriage, a relationship, no?

I think Confucius's commentary confuses the fact that here in line 3, the Yi says the subject has *already* risen beyond a background of poverty, lower social standing or rank, whatever. He is already past that background, and NOW he is riding in a carriage in fact. Maybe in Central Park with a love interest? The problem posed by this line is, he still has "baggage." Maybe hurt from a past relationship, maybe fear of losing what he has and returning to past poverty, maybe hurt or a chip on his shoulder from being treated badly for his past status. And this invites "robbers;" inner robbers might be anxiety, fear, emotions that take from you your life energy. In the context of a love relationship, past hurts could make it hard to digest some of what is the normal ebb and flow between two prospective partners, jealousy, feeling a lack of love or being ignored, feelings that would steal joy from you. Outer "robbers" might be social rivals or love rivals, some who might want to put you down for your lack of pedigree, not being one of "the swells," etc.

So I think this line is a warning that you have to deal with your baggage, recognize it and take care of your heart so it does not affect your love relationship or ability to function in a healthy way emotionally and socially. That dovetails better into the hex 40 / 40.3>32 context better than simply judging the querent as being pretentious. An ironic commentary angle, when their baggage could be hurt from condescension from upper classes.

- LL

I quite like this interpretation of 40.3 to 32. It fits perfectly my enquiry about a relationship that is changing rapidly and unexpectedly for the better. So rapidly and so unexpectedly, that I am riding in the carriage, but still carrying on debilitating old grudges and suspicions. Of 6@3 Karcher writes:
" You think the world is against you, but actually you are beating your head against a wall. Have no fear, hidden friends are following you, and your sorrows will soon disappear. Stabilize your heart and fix the real gift you have been given. Be resolute, you are connected to a creative force (32)".

 

[dobro p]

I like how Wilhelm likens 40 to how a rain relieves atmospheric tension. But maybe every release of tension isn't a positive thing - for example, if you're taking it easy when you should be working (40.3), that's a brand of pretence that has a bad eventuality if persisted in. It's the persistence angle that brings 32 into the picture.

Applied to a relationship, it might mean things are rolling smoothly but that's not because you're doing the work that relationship needs (self-examination and compassion are good starting places). Persisting in this means eventually the shortcomings of this approach become evident, and something you have gets taken away.

We have different kinds of yoga from India - jnana, bhakti, karma, hatha and so on. I've always thought that the west could make a yoga out of relationship. Relationship yoga - making the search for who you really are a prime value (maybe the prime value) in a relationship. I think that's at least as beautiful a reason to get hooked up with someone as the commoner reasons people get into relationships. Also, I think it would tend to avoid drawing 40.3 in a relationship question.

 

[hilary]

This is a good vintage thread!

Interpretations seem to alternate between a) this lowborn oik has no business in the carriage, he should know his place, get out at once and carry his burden and b) since he's in the carriage now, he should put his baggage down. I tend to prefer 'b', as being more sensible and more in the spirit of 40, which does not want to make things harder for the sake of it. Applied to a relationship, that might mean you can let go of 'working on it' for a while and simply let it carry you, baggage and all.

But the thing is, the line doesn't say which he 'should' be doing. (This is Hexagram 40, after all - short on 'should's.) It only says that trying to do both is asking for trouble.

Ah yes, I see Trojina said as much in 2007 .

40.3
A fool and his money are soon parted.
-The I Ching Book of Proverbs.

Yes, but how about, 'His yoke is easy and his burden is light'?

 

[Trojina]

The original poster left years ago.

 

[Trojina]

rosada said:
40.3
A fool and his money are soon parted.
-The I Ching Book of Proverbs.

Yes, but how about, 'His yoke is easy and his burden is light'?

Both are from the bible quotes aren't they? How do you see the quote of Jesus as fitting 40.3?

 

[my_key]

This is a good vintage thread!

Interpretations seem to alternate between a) this lowborn oik has no business in the carriage, he should know his place, get out at once and carry his burden and b) since he's in the carriage now, he should put his baggage down. I tend to prefer 'b', as being more sensible and more in the spirit of 40, which does not want to make things harder for the sake of it. Applied to a relationship, that might mean you can let go of 'working on it' for a while and simply let it carry you, baggage and all.

But the thing is, the line doesn't say which he 'should' be doing. (This is Hexagram 40, after all - short on 'should's.) It only says that trying to do both is asking for trouble.

Ah yes, I see Trojina said as much in 2007 .

Yes, but how about, 'His yoke is easy and his burden is light'?

It helps me to look at Hex 40 as a process of releasing blocked energy. Yi advocates that the best way to do this is to 'pardon mistakes and deal gently with misdeeds' (Huang). In simple terms, walk a path of forgiveness for self and others.

Line 3 points to the threshold of our inner world : the place from where inner transformation can manifest.

I'd agree that option 'b' best suits the sentiments of this line. We can never heal by jettisoning our past transgressions only through acceptance and forgiveness. Not only is the baggage you are carrying slowing down the progress of your magnificent carriage, but at the same time it is acting like its own type of 'outlaw magnet' and attracting all sorts of other heinous detritus, flotsam and jetsam that is only adding to the discomfort in and the speed of progress of your carriage.

The is no advice in line 3 on what to do. Here it is just a painting of a picture (perhaps a picture depicting deep shame) and pointing to the nature of the road ahead (32). A long term inner commitment is called for to embrace self compassion and forgiveness.

 

[dobro p]

This is a good vintage thread!

Interpretations seem to alternate between a) this lowborn oik has no business in the carriage, he should know his place, get out at once and carry his burden and b) since he's in the carriage now, he should put his baggage down.

I don't see it as either, exactly, but more 'recognise what's actually doing the carrying here'. So yes, put the burden down, by all means. It's more about perception than action, although action follows naturally when you see what's what. The line images, for instance, somebody thinking they have agency and exercising that agency when actually there's a deeper force that does a better job of it if you just let it. The Deliverance would be from an illusion primarily, but also from a burden consequently. Which means...

* in the context of a relationship question, seeing how it's carried (rather than thinking you do the carrying)

* I've changed my mind because of group input - thanks

* you should disregard my previous post (or delete it, unless you think my thinking out loud and getting it wrong is instructive)

 

[hilary]

I don't see it as either, exactly, but more 'recognise what's actually doing the carrying here'.

And that takes me right back to Aristophanes' joke at the beginning of the Frogs. (First performed in 405BC, apparently, so Yi got there first.) The dialogue is between Dionysus and his slave Xanthias. First there are a bunch of very dodgy scatological jokes (also related to our topic of 'relief'), and then -

Dionysus
Now is this not outrage and utter insolence,
That I myself, Dionysus, son of Winejug,
must walk, and let this fellow ride,
so he might feel no pain and bear no burden?

Xanthias
What? I bear no burden?

Dionysus
How can you bear anything? You're riding.

Xanthias
But I've got all this!

Dionysus
How so?

Xanthias
Most heavily!

Dionysus
The weight you carry- isn't it carried by the donkey?

Xanthias
Absolutely not; not what I'm holding and carrying.

Dionysus
How can you carry, for God's sake, when you
yourself are carried by another?

Xanthias
I don't know, but my shoulder's sure hard pressed.

Dionysus
Well, since you say the donkey doesn't help,
Suppose you take your turn, and carry him.

(from http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Aristoph.+Frogs )

 

[radiofreewill]

Since the tide keeps coming back in on this thread I'm going to get my board out and give it a ride...

I see 39 and 40 as a pair:

39 Problem ~ water over mountain ~ The flood of desire washes everyone into the abyss ~ going ~ it hobbles us to live immersed in desire.​

​

40 Solution ~ thunder over water ~ Learn to walk on water in order to return to heaven ~ coming ~ it is liberating to live free from desire.​

The nuclear hexagram for 39 (Problem) is 64, not yet complete; and the nuclear hexagram for 40 (Solution) is 63, complete.

So, in 40.3, the carriage is the effortless flow of the Way ~ the Lord's Way ~ free from desire ~ that liberates you from suffering in the abyss...and right here at this critical move from line 3 to line 4 the text warns that if you try to carry any desire with you from here forward, you will be robbed of the buoyancy needed to spring you up into walking on the water and taking the high road to liberation.

So, I'm with Hilary on interpretation b ~ now that you're in the cart, put down the baggage.

Don't be a Xanthias, who can't see how good he's got it when he's riding in the Lord's carriage, choosing instead to carry his suffering with him anyway. And, as Dionysus says, if you think that's bad, just try adding that donkey on top of your desires...