Will I survive with my restaurant in pandemic?

[Antwerpia]

Hello dear people, I hope U are well and healthy
I am quite new here, this is my 2nd post.
I run a restaurant and now, during this pandemic, I go through a extremely hard time. Actually, I am on the edge of financial collapse. I am really really scared. I am a single mother of a daughter as well, I have nobody to rely on financially and I am really trying hard to survive. I do organize many activities to stay on the market, just started trying with take-aways, but it is very difficult. I was always optimistic, I do not follow media news too much, I can not listen to all this hysteria and not to get more scared and not to let chaos and fear get into my mind. I worry less about getting sick, but more about the money... I dont want to be a bankrupt. My restaurant was very popular before pandemic, but now, as a employee of many people, I might not afford not only their wages but also any income for myself. And many debts now...

I asked the Oracle today: How am I going to get out of this financial deadlock?
And the answer was: Hexagram 51, Shock

This even made even more scared. Does it mean the worst?
I am a hard working person, I want to do something and change this situation, but I am so scared. Where to find hope in this reading? I will be very grateful for helping me to understand this reading

Here is the whole reading

Hexagram 51, Shock​

Key Questions​

What must change?
What will continue?

Oracle​

'Shock, creating success.
Shock comes, fear and terror.
Laughing words, shrieking and yelling.
Shock spreads fear for a hundred miles.
Someone does not lose the sacred ladle and libation.'

Shock is something that stirs, rouses and shakes you up – like an earthquake, or a violent thunderstorm. In ancient China, Heaven spoke through thunder, and this was an omen that the human world was to be brought back into harmony. Abruptly, your world is not working as you expect; the solid ground shifts under your feet, security slips away and mental constructs shatter; living reality has spoken.

Shock spreads out in waves of contagious fear and hysteria. Suddenly everyone is all too closely in touch with their own emotions – and with everyone else's – and all are reacting to one another. It is a time to hold on to what you most value, and take on responsibility for keeping it safe through the upheaval, like the priest who is charged with safeguarding the temple and altars from the past, for the future. Consider what remains constant and true when everything else is in turmoil. This doesn't necessarily mean resisting the shock itself, so much as keeping a still point in the midst of the tumult of reactions to it. Then you never lose your connection with the creative power that speaks through the storms.

Image​

'Rolling thunder: Shock.
A noble one in fear and dread sets things in order and is watchful.'

Sequence​

Shock follows from Hexagram 50, the Vessel:
'In the charge of the sacred vessel, none equals the eldest son, and so Shock follows. Shock means new beginnings.'

Pair​

Shock forms a pair with Hexagram 52, Stilling:
'Shock begins; Stilling stops.'

 

[rosada]

I’m so sorry this effecting you!

When you get a hexagram with no change lines look to the Image for the key advice:

51. Set things in order and be watchful.

 

[IrfanK]

'Shock, creating success.
Shock comes, fear and terror.
Laughing words, shrieking and yelling.
Shock spreads fear for a hundred miles.
Someone does not lose the sacred ladle and libation.

Don't just look at the first four lines, pay attention to the last one. With all the shrieking and yelling, fear and terror -- and just look at CNN any day of the week -- she stays calm and doesn't let it disturb her while she is performing the rituals, which require great focus and attention.

I've got no idea how your restaurant is going to fare. Honestly, it sounds like a lousy sector to be in in 2020. But don't give in to despair, keep focused on what you are trying to do with take-away and so on. Your feelings, however comprehensible, aren't going to help you if you let them overwhelm you. Will staying calm and focused on what you are trying to do prevent financial collapse? I don't know. But what other options do you have right now?

Easy to say, I know. But perhaps see your feelings and reactions as a separate issue from the actual financial situation you are facing and work to deal with them, then stay focused on doing the best you can.

The first line of the judgement is worth thinking about:

Shock, creating success.

Some kind of success, anyway. With the changes to the world and your industry, you obviously can't go on with business as usual. But ... some businesses are managing to transform themselves and survive, even prosper. Change does create opportunities, even if it's extremely painful. Just think about the trigram Thunder, which is doubled in this hexagram. I'm not sure how familiar you are with the trigrams, but Thunder is dawn, new beginnings, early spring, the start of a new cycle, bold decisions, a new start.

I wish you luck and strength.

PS I've seen this hexagram twice in the last week. Once when I asked about the role of meditation in my life, once when a friend asked me to chuck the coins for advice about dealing with a divorce. And we've been having tropical storms all week in Jakarta. A lot of Thunder in the air!

 

[IrfanK]

PS You quoted a huge slab of Hilary's commentary. One of the things I like best about her commentaries are the "key questions" at the beginning of each hexagram section. In this case, it's:

What must change?
What will continue?

Very good questions! Perhaps throw the coins again to ask!

 

[Antwerpia]

'Shock, creating success.
Shock comes, fear and terror.
Laughing words, shrieking and yelling.
Shock spreads fear for a hundred miles.
Someone does not lose the sacred ladle and libation.

Don't just look at the first four lines, pay attention to the last one. With all the shrieking and yelling, fear and terror -- and just look at CNN any day of the week -- she stays calm and doesn't let it disturb her while she is performing the rituals, which require great focus and attention.

I've got no idea how your restaurant is going to fare. Honestly, it sounds like a lousy sector to be in in 2020. But don't give in to despair, keep focused on what you are trying to do with take-away and so on. Your feelings, however comprehensible, aren't going to help you if you let them overwhelm you. Will staying calm and focused on what you are trying to do prevent financial collapse? I don't know. But what other options do you have right now?

Easy to say, I know. But perhaps see your feelings and reactions as a separate issue from the actual financial situation you are facing and work to deal with them, then stay focused on doing the best you can.

The first line of the judgement is worth thinking about:

Shock, creating success.

Some kind of success, anyway. With the changes to the world and your industry, you obviously can't go on with business as usual. But ... some businesses are managing to transform themselves and survive, even prosper. Change does create opportunities, even if it's extremely painful. Just think about the trigram Thunder, which is doubled in this hexagram. I'm not sure how familiar you are with the trigrams, but Thunder is dawn, new beginnings, early spring, the start of a new cycle, bold decisions, a new start.

I wish you luck and strength.

PS I've seen this hexagram twice in the last week. Once when I asked about the role of meditation in my life, once when a friend asked me to chuck the coins for advice about dealing with a divorce. And we've been having tropical storms all week in Jakarta. A lot of Thunder in the air!

Thank You very much Irfan for such a calm and balanced answer. I followed Your advice and threw the coins again, asking the Key Questions: What must change? What will continue?

And answer was: Hexagram 7 changing to Hexagram 46.
I understand it, that I should set my aim, surround myself with good people, who can help with this aim. Hexagram 46 key question ask - what can You commit to?
So it means I should maybe reduce the life costs, give up things I must give up (maybe devote my beloved flat and move with my child to a smaller one)
And be hard working and focused.
Am I right?

Hexagram 7, the Army​

Key Questions​

What are you aiming for?
How can you get more from your strengths?
With all your efforts, are you creating the life you want?

Oracle​

'The Army: with constancy.
Mature people, good fortune – no mistake.'

When there is cause, the ruler raises an army. This is a time when everything revolves around a central objective: inner and outer resources are realigned and ordered in accordance with it. It's important that a mature leader take responsibility, not least so that intensity of focus does not become blinkered vision or pure belligerence, turning everything that is not the goal into the enemy. Balancing the drive to 'get it done' with a measured, disciplined approach allows you to achieve your objective effectively and with less 'collateral damage': good fortune, without mistake.

Image​

'In the centre of the earth is a stream: the Army.
A noble one accepts the people and gathers together crowds.'

Sequence​

The Army follows from Hexagram 6, Arguing:
'Arguing naturally means that crowds rise up, and so the Army follows. The Army means crowds.'

Pair​

The Army forms a pair with Hexagram 8, Seeking Union:
'Seeking Union means delight; the Army means grieving.'

Changing Lines​

Line 3​

'Perhaps the army carts corpses – pitfall.'

Hexagram 46, Pushing Upward​

Key Questions​

Is this something you can commit yourself to?
Where might it take you?
What is the next step?

Oracle​

'Pushing upward, creating success from the source.
Make use of seeing great people.
Do not worry.
Set forth to the south, good fortune.'

The old Chinese character for 'Pushing Upward' shows a small ladle used to measure out offerings and official salaries. It suggests a step-by-step ascent, one measure at a time. This is a vigorous, active time. Come from the source of inspiration and involve it in your work. Make good use of seeing great people, whether in the flesh or with your inner vision, to charge you with the energy to begin your ascent. Use them to inspire you with a vision of possibilities, and for information and help on how to move on upward.

Hard work and steep slopes lie ahead, but the oracle reassures you that you need not worry or doubt. Instead, set your face to the south, as the ruler does: align your initiatives with the natural order (which can be read in the stars and the compass), and set out towards warmth, light and activity.

Image​

'Centre of the earth gives birth to wood: Pushing Upward.
A noble one with patient character
Builds up small things to attain the high and great.'

Sequence​

Pushing Upward follows from Hexagram 45, Gathering:
'Assembling and moving higher is called Pushing Upward, and so Pushing Upward follows.'

 

[IrfanK]

@Olga Super Star, yes, they are questions for reflection. But there is no law saying you can't ask the Yijing, either. Or one saying you have to.

 

[Trojina]

I followed Your advice and threw the coins again, asking the Key Questions: What must change? What will continue?

No need to copy out all that text BTW.

I don't think there was a basis for asking another question by taking a line out of Hilary's book that isn't even the Yi.


You got an answer 51uc. 'What must change, what will continue ?' is from Hilary not Yi and she is suggesting when you cast 51uc you think about it. I don't think I'd particularly agree that was what to think about but regardless it's just a suggestion for what to think about in 51uc.

I think it's better to stay with the cast you got. Also you stand to get somewhat confused if you ask 2 questions in one 'what must change what must continue ?'. The answer of 7.3>46 could just be an indication that you proceeded to this question on on a mistaken idea.


What is the advice of 51uc ? I will link to the 51 uc thread for more examples of how it played out in people's experience. For me it's often just the experience of shock/arousal/excitement and that's it. Nothing much changes or follows from it. The central advice is to not let drop, even in great panic that which is sacred to you. I think that song 'Walk on' lyrics can sum it up.


The Image here is helpful especially when you insert your name for 'noble one'.

'Rolling thunder: Shock.
Antwerpia in fear and dread sets things in order and is watchful.'

I don't know why I'm copying that as you already have copied out the translation and commentary but are you in too much shock to absorb it and take it in ? Maybe re read what you quoted.


So often 7.3 shows up for dead useless ideas that one may be considering acting upon. If here this dead idea is that the question of what must change what will continue is just not the way to go then you could leave it there.


If you apply it to the question you asked, ie Hilary's question, then how can it be interpreted when all options are included ? Well it just says really you are thinking of going forward with outworn ideas or ideas that just don't work. But the problem is that takes you away from your first answer.


I mean I don't think Hilary intended with the key questions that people then dismiss the answer they got and go on to ask the question in her key questions.



You can get really lost by asking questions that are based on misunderstanding the first answer.

I mean 51uc asks you not to panic, to take things seriously but not to panic. Interestingly I think a group in CC got 51uc a few years back when they asked about effect of financial crisis at that time.

 

[rosada]

"What must change? What will continue?"
7.3 Perhaps the army carts corpses - pitfall.

Although we can debate whether this is one question or two, I think the I Ching has answered them both very succinctly, "Get rid of the dead weight". I think it is advising you to eliminate, simplify, get rid of clutter so you can see and focus on what should continue. Just what needs to be eliminated (Extra staff? Long hours? Certain menu items?) isn't spelled out precisely here, but the hexagram changes to 46. Pushing Upward which is about doing something on one's own so this may be a clue. You may be being advised that you have to simplify things so you can sense your path forward from here and not need to rely on others or yesterday's dreams.

You don't have to do this all at once. "Set things in order and be watchful." Try eliminating some clutter and then watch and see if there is an energy shift. I suggest you start by getting rid of extra things. Like if there are boxes or unused furniture stuffed in the back of the restaurant, pitch them. You may find that with this small start, you then see more clearly what else needs to change and what should continue.

I think of 51. as saying Keep Calm and Carry On.

 

[liquidity]

This even made even more scared. Does it mean the worst?
...

'Shock, creating success.
Shock comes, fear and terror.
Laughing words, shrieking and yelling.
Shock spreads fear for a hundred miles.
Someone does not lose the sacred ladle and libation.'

Basically you are right to be fearful. This is a fearful time. You cannot bury your head and pretend the fear and chaos isn't happening. That is not going to be helpful.

Despite that, recognizing that this is a scary environment, you must be calm and do whatever needs to be done so that as the earthquake happens, you can survive. "The sacred ladle and libation" -- it is literally referring to food and drink, which is your business. You stay calm and do not lose the ladle and libation despite the fear.

What does it take for you to keep the restaurant going? Act quickly and decisively. Don't think too much.

In fact, you are already doing that -- you are adapting with new ideas like the takeaway. That's excellent. Keep going.

If you can stay calm and do what needs to be done while everyone around you is losing their head, then you will survive and even thrive.

 

[IrfanK]

I mean I don't think Hilary intended with the key questions that people then dismiss the answer they got and go on to ask the question in her key questions.

I don't think Antwerpia was dismissing the first answer. I generally agree that you shouldn't consult the Yi twice just because you don't understand it the first time. But @hilary's key questions are often really good for inspiring further, different, related questions. Yes, you could just sit and ponder them yourself and reflect on them. But the Yi is a great tool for pondering and reflecting, so why not use it?!

 

[Antwerpia]

Thank You all very much for Your answers.
The are all very inspiring and help me to stay calm.
Of course first of all I concentrate on the first hexagram, 51.
I do all I can to stay focused and watchful.
Thank You again
Stay healthy and undisturbed