What is my soul's purpose in this incarnation? Hex 20.5.6 to Hex 2

[mellissande17]

In the short time I have been working with the IChing I have experienced very profound insights and the Oracle has even helped me get through a very difficult and sad time recently. I decided to ask about my soul's purpose in this life and this is the answer that I got.

I understand that both of these hexagrams are related to earth. As a student of astrology I am wondering if this answer is connected to the fact that I am an earth sign (Capricorn) in western astrology. Also I'm wondering if this answer is referring to the fact that I am very interested in spiritual matters and have done a lot of study in that area. Both hexagrams mention the mare and that animal's attributes and I'm not sure what that means beyond the connection to the element of earth.
I'm also trying to understand how this answer is connected to the very strong sense I've always had that my destiny has to do with helping others, particularly animals. I've rescued or helped literally 100's of animals and I'm wondering how this is connected.
Thank you for sharing any insights you might have!

 

[kttuan]

Hex 20 is observation and contemplation.
Line 5 and 6 change means you have to do this type of resêarch in anyway, any circumstance, and because of it, you will get honour and also bitter.

 

[mellissande17]

Hmm ok thank you for your insight!

 

[moss elk]

I decided to ask about my soul's purpose in this life and this is the answer that I got.

Have you noticed that we make decisions every day? Some are good choices, some are bad. We live and hopefully learn. These choices define us, our quality of life and happiness and our effect on the world. When we are gone people can look back in confident hindsight and say, oh she was a so-and-so. or his purpose was this or that. 20 says go and see what is happening before establishing your rules and doctrines. Your question feels like wanting to read a summary of a book that is only half way written, before reading the book itself.
pssst....What floats your boat, by the way? (What resonates with you and inspires you?)

I understand that both of these hexagrams are related to earth. As a student of astrology I am wondering if this answer is connected to the fact that I am an earth sign (Capricorn) in western astrology.

Nope. Read the words of Yi to understand it, don't look elsewhere for meaning right in front of you.

Also I'm wondering if this answer is referring to the fact that I am very interested in spiritual matters...
I'm also trying to understand how this answer is connected to the very strong sense I've always had that my destiny has to do with helping others...

hmm.... I wonder if you answered your own question?

 

[Mira72]

What a beautiful answer the yi has given you, mellisande.

Seeing your life in the context of seeing Life itself, the context of (your) existence on earth might be revealed/understood...SEEN. Sightsee earth

Is 'purpose' something that is ordained or self-determined?

Is your soul you?

***
purpose
ˈpəːpəs/
noun
1.
the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.
"the purpose of the meeting is to appoint a trustee"
synonyms: motive, motivation, grounds, cause, impetus, occasion, reason, point, basis, justification More
2.
a person's sense of resolve or determination.
"there was a new sense of purpose in her step as she set off"
synonyms: determination, resoluteness, resolution, resolve, firmness (of purpose), steadfastness, backbone, drive, push, thrust, enthusiasm, ambition, initiative, enterprise, motivation, single-mindedness, commitment, conviction, dedication; informalget-up-and-go
"Middlesbrough had started the game with more purpose and menace"

 

[rosada]

Interesting question.

20. View
20.5 Seeing.
20.6 Being seen.
2. Neutrality, awareness without interference.

You are here in this incarnation to be God's eyes and ears. To see and be seen without imposing a personal bias on your observations. A silent witness.

I see this could be an encouragement in your work with animals, you being like a forest ranger, a caretaker who keeps an eye on the park but does not interfere with the natural order of things.

 

[peter2610]

This is not a direct specific answer in a literal sense. It does not describe a career path but it describes a process that the I Ching regards as necessary at your stage of development -- and that process is Observation. In Hex 20, Kuan, we have the trigram Sun above the trigram K'un, alert observation processing and gently transferring its information to the instinctive mind/body. This requires that you be receptive to the point of seeing clearly and penetrating beyond superficial appearance, being receptive to the point of sincerely accepting a person's underlying motives without fear or apprehension or condemnation. If you can sincerely understand and accept a person's underlying motivation you will begin to pull-down the ego-constructs that created division in the first place. By doing this you can begin to observe the influence of your thoughts/behaviour on other people, including your opponents. By calmly observing this, you fulfil 5th yang.

If you can maintain this process, where necessary, over a sustained period in your life you will begin to sublimate the ego and experience the world from a liberated standpoint - (Top yang - See Wilhelm Bk. 1)).

 

[mellissande17]

Wow thank you so much much for these deeply insightful responses! I have a lot to think about! I'm so amazed at how this system prompts such deep self examination.