What is the will of Heaven? 22.1.2.3 to 4

[emilia_ro]

Hello everyone,

I had a very interesting conversation with Yi this morning. I have been meaning to look for a job since October (when I was fired unexpectedly), but have been putting off the search and everything that relates to it (redoing my CV, writing cover letters, etc). So I decided to ask Yi for a piece of advice regarding the job search, and I got Hx 59 UC.

I took this to mean that something was blocking me and that I needed to penetrate and disperse it. So I asked Yi: What is blocking me in regards to the job search? and I got 18 UC.

Wilhelm's commentary on this Hx talks about corruption and decay, he also says "decisiveness and energy must take the place of the inertia and indifference that have led to decay". Fair enough. I have been putting off the job search so there is definitely inertia and indifference involved, that I must "disperse" to get things moving. He also points out we must first know the causes of corruption before we can do away with them.

So as you might imagine, I asked Yi: What is causing the indifference and inertia? The answer was 25.2 to 10.

This reading was very profound for me, as it talks about my purpose in life and the misalignment between my thoughts and actions. Working is not something I truly enjoy, but something I do purely for survival, and which is completely disconnected from any interests or passions I have. I wish this were different, but I also don't have any ideas on how to change it or what other thing I could be doing.

Wilhelm's commentary on this Hx says: "Nature that is not directed by the Spirit is not true but degenerate nature. Not everything instinctive is nature in this higher sense of the word, but only that which is right and accord with the will of heaven"

Line 2 is very interesting but also very ambivalent. Should I take it to mean that things are not working because I'm solely focusing on the crops (the money I will make), or does it mean that I'm lacking the bigger picture (as in, any goal other than survival)? Perhaps a mix of both. It also seems to suggest the idea of working on something that brings more value to me or is more connected to who I am, and that I shouldn't worry too much about how I will make money off that.

However, as I said before, I have many interests and there is not something clear that I want to do, or a path that is calling me strongly. I feel very lost regarding what to do for survival aside from the job I'm used to.

So I finally asked, paraphrasing Wilhelm's commentary, What is the will of heaven? The answer was 22.1.2.3 to 4.

At first glance, it seems to suggest that I should stop asking already and that no more answers on this topic will be given (4). The combination of 22 + 4 made me feel that perhaps my question was superficial, or that there is no way that could be answered through this "form" (I Ching). I struggle to find any meaning beyond that.

All the previous readings had been crystal clear to me, however, this one baffled me as it didn't make any sense, so I would appreciate any commentaries or previous experiences with Hx 22.

Wishing you all a great day,
E.

 

[rosada]

Agreeing with your interpretation that 22.1.2.3 - 4 is saying your question cannot be answered through this “form” (I Ching), although I don’t think it’s saying your question was superficial. Rather that what is real and what is illusion can only be known through real life experience.
OTOH, perhaps this should be read as a straight answer, “The will of heaven is that you should have a vision and then go out and experiment, make it real.”

I would read 59. Dispersion as advising you that in regards to your job search the issue is not that you are blocked but rather that your focus is too dispersed - that is you don’t have a clear idea of where you want to go or what you want to do next. This may not be a bad thing,. Perhaps it is simply where you are in your journey right now, that at this time it’s appropriate that you release all your old patterns and see new possibilities.

 

[my_key]

So I finally asked, paraphrasing Wilhelm's commentary, What is the will of heaven? The answer was 22.1.2.3 to 4. At first glance, it seems to suggest that I should stop asking already and that no more answers on this topic will be given (4). The combination of 22 + 4 made me feel that perhaps my question was superficial, or that there is no way that could be answered through this "form" (I Ching). I struggle to find any meaning beyond that.

A one line, shoot from the hip, answer for 22 <> 4 might be: The will of heaven is the embellishment of ignorance.

The context of the will of heaven is enfolded within the unenlightened innocence of a child (4). Huang names Hex 4 as Childhood which in respect to your question seems to comment that the will of heaven is incomprehensible or seemingly foolish rather than saying 'don't ask any more questions'.

Something akin to the Tao that can be named is not the Tao springs to mind in regards to this.

22 encourages a making of a humble offering that lightens and brightens the lot of the masses. Perhaps, the will of heaven is to be viewed as a humble service to man kind.

The will of heaven manifests / operates / exists / abides on different levels in the inner realms:
22.1 - It manifests through peace and stillness (52)
22.2 - It manifests through growing maturity (26)
22.3 - It manifests through nurturing (27)

Perhaps this attempted answer will bring a specific understanding or insight to emilia_ro, as this is her consultation. Because I'm sure if we all asked Yi the same question we would all get different answers that were targeted for us as individuals.

.... and after all who really knows?

Take care