Memorizing the I Ching Hexagram 10. Lu / Treading (Conduct)

rosada · Oct 9, 2006

Hexagraam 10. Lu / Treading (Conduct)

The JUDGEMENT
TREADING. Treading on the tail of the tiger.
It does not bite the man. Success.

rosada · Oct 9, 2006

Well, as I've mentioned, I see each hexagram as being the opposite of the one previous. So if 9 was The Small,10 is The Gigantic, or in less dramatic terms, the little creature meeting the big one. And interesting that it's Treading, because how else could a little creature meet a big one and not be over shadowed or swollowed up? It would HAVE to be because the bigger one tolerates it.
I see this hexagram as some sort of plateau where finally we have been accepted vs. 4 where we weren't allowed in.

lightofreason · Oct 10, 2006

10 Treading (Conduct)
Treading (A path), Maintaining Hierarchy
In a context of self-reflection we utilise singlemindedness.

"LU : step, path, track; footsteps; walk a path or way; course of the stars; act, practise, conduct; salary, means of subsistance. The ideogram: body and repeating steps, follow a trail."ERANOS p177

The infrastructure of this hexagram, it skeletal form, its 27-ness, is described by analogy to hexagram 47 - forced enclosure. Here the path is the enclosure and one is being watched very carefully in walking that path.

The 63-ness, the 'correct sequence' to completion is described by analogy to 50 - a focus on raw to refined, a path of transformation.

The 48-ness. the source of nourishment for 10, is described by analogy to hexagram 30 - a focus on guidance/drection-setting (emotionally a focus on being accepted, becoming one of the 'gang')

The 24-ness, the beginnings, what it keeps coming back to, is described by analogy to 06 - a focus on compromise (and so that emphasis on treading, correct conduct etc)

From the OUTSIDE we see a facade (22-ness) described by analogy to 28 - excess, going the extra distance, going beyond the norm.

Meanwhile on the INSIDE (47-ness) is a 'look' described by analogy to 27 - a focus on taking in the 'correct' qualities, the use of quality control in filling in the infrastructure. (and so sense of discipline, selectivity etc)

etc etc etc - the full spectrum of hexagram 10, where we use the I Ching itself to describe the general nature of the hexagram, is covered in http://members.iimetro.com.au/~lofting/myweb/lofting/x111011.html - click on the hexagram image to get the other page for 10.

In the binary sequence 10 pairs with 58 - 10 is the conditional partner, 58 the unconditional.

Chris.

martin · Oct 10, 2006

I like what Nigel Richmond says about this hexagram:

Walking into new situations. Wondering if it will turn out right. All this is necessary to gain outer experience, and it is only by treading on the tiger's tail that we can discover that it does not bite us. Without risk there is no success, everything is a foregone conclusion; so outer success is here as part and parcel of risk, not because in all cases we shall achieve it. Our personal self has success anyway because it increases its experience.

Interesting, btw, that hexagram 10 came up here when North Korea declared it had tested a nuclear device. A risky step and now there are a lot of tigers who feel that NK is treading on their tail with this. But NK says it did it because tiger USA came too close to its own tail ...

rosada · Oct 10, 2006

Wow, enough information here to keep us busy for a month! Maybe that's part of the 10 experience too, the sence of connecting with a whole 'nother Universe.

I had a 10 moment last night when we went to dinner at a friend's house to meet his 88 year old sharp as a tack father, Bob. Cheerful, friendly, informed, if the I Ching does have a conscious spirit, Bob was channeling it! I was particularly impressed how this man would respond to whatever was said in a manner that made the speaker feel encouraged. Quite a different feeling from being sent back to the back of the class in hex.4!

Perhaps this hexagram at this time is a positive omen for the NK bomb testing being successfully handled diplomatically.

rosada · Oct 10, 2006

THE IMAGE

Heaven above, the lake below;
The image of TREADING.
thus the superior man discriminates between high
and low,
and thereby fortifies the thinking of the people.

rosada · Oct 11, 2006

Hex 10.1

10.1
Simple conduct.
Progress without blame.

rosada · Oct 11, 2006

What is the term I've seen used here for the hexagram that is created by the change line in the original hexagram? The tangent? Anyway, 6 is the hexagram created by 10.1. Seems to me the connection is that 6. Conflict has introduced us to the concept for things to go well without conflict, they need to get off to a clear start. 10.1 Maybe a test or a demonstration of how well one can follow this guidance. LIke, if you have a clear, simple plan today, 10.1 promises things will go well.

nicky_p · Oct 12, 2006

When learning how to walk it is best to start of by putting one foot in front of the other lol

Trojina · Oct 12, 2006

rosada said:
What is the term I've seen used here for the hexagram that is created by the change line in the original hexagram? The tangent? Anyway, 6 is the hexagram created by 10.1. Seems to me the connection is that 6. Conflict has introduced us to the concept for things to go well without conflict, they need to get off to a clear start. 10.1 Maybe a test or a demonstration of how well one can follow this guidance. LIke, if you have a clear, simple plan today, 10.1 promises things will go well.

Do you mean the 'tendential' hexagram ? I've seen this word starting to be used and wondered about it. Always was called the relating hexagram. 'Tendential isn't even in the dictionary (I've got) Tendentious means promoting a certain view point apparently.
I guess the 'tendential' must come from 'tending to'.

Also people are starting to use the word 'consultant' for the person who asks the question, the one who consults, yet consultant means the person one consults for help not the one who applies for help. This can get confusing.

Okay so I'm being picky, use what words ya like

lightofreason · Oct 12, 2006

IC+ 10.1

Line 1
"The simplest form of decorum is to live a simple life (follow a plain path), thus avoiding any of the possible dangers inherent in making things complex."

with/from treading (10) comes compromise (06). - the 'plain' path represents the compromise when forced/required to take SOME path.

Lake in bottom represents self-reflection (both literal and figurative) and heaven in top singlemindedness.
Water in bottom represents containment - and so 6 covers with containment comes singlemindedness.
The element of containment suppresses the nature of the path and focuses the singlemindedness on 'simple' reflections.

Emotionally lake is associated with passion, love, adoration and covers self-reflection, mimicry, replication, intensity in expression, mirroring. The love element, be it of self or others (there is narcissism present) is all focused on NOW. The opposite to lake is Mountain where it too covers passion but more of a lost love or unfullfilled love (imagined etc) - thus mountain gets into passion as suffering, grief etc etc

Heaven emotionally covers anger and moves into self-respect, singlemindedness, competitiveness, eradication (as compared to Lake' s replication -Both heaven and lake belong to the five-phase realm of METAL - Lake as cooperative Metal, Heaven as competitive Metal. Thus a theme on issues of EXCHANGE.

rosada · Oct 12, 2006

Hex 9.2

9.2
Treading a smooth, level course.
The perseverance of a dark man
Brings good fortune.

ewald · Oct 12, 2006

rosada said:
9.2

Or do you mean 10.2?

Wilhelm translates 幽 with "dark," which could be interpreted in many ways. Fortunately, his commentary talks about "a lonely sage," so that you're not completely kept in the dark as of the meaning of it.

rosada · Oct 13, 2006

Opps! Thanks ewal! Yes, 10.2. My mind has been over on the hex.9 thread ruminating about the meaning of 9. The lonely sage connecting with 10. The Highway of Life. I say highway of life because I see the Tiger as being this fierce energy that streaks along like a superhighway and now we have to connect with it as carefully as a driver coming on to a freeway ( or a man climbing on to a Tiger's tail). Anyway, I'm thinking the first rule on manuvering on The Road of Life is to first blend in, create no negative reactions (hex1.1). So I'm seeing 10.1 as having a clear mission, destination and then 10.2 as representing a sage who knows how to so completely blend in he becomes as dark as the the surroundings, he becomes totally yin, neutral to the point of being invisible, yet he keeps his awareness, and thus is able to flow to his destination unimpeded.
10.3 (then by contrast to the dark invisibility of 10.2) may be a flash of illumination. I expect to be very busy preparing for my father's visit.

lightofreason · Oct 13, 2006

IC+ Line 2
"Righteously following the middle path (tao) in solitude(shade) enables one to avoid being led astray."

with/from treading comes disentangling (associated with 'solitude' - develop/assert one's own perspective)

bruce_g · Oct 13, 2006

I see 10 as presenting an alternative to mass transit, i.e. highway of life. It goes off the beaten path and is the road less traveled. Here the only road signs are your primal instincts. If you’re lucky, you find a cave, providing safety and protection. But first you must enter the cave, to see that no saber-tooth tiger has claimed it before you. You walk inside to find out. What other choice do you have? If the tiger eats the sage, what difference does that make to him? He then becomes the tiger.

Trojina · Oct 13, 2006

Yes in my life 10.2 certainly comes up in times of seclusion when I'm fretting whether I really should be doing something more. I can't see it as anything to do with mass movement and was struggling with Rosadas 'super highway ' metaphor, but then later I thought she meant the highway of the I Ching rather than mainstream life ?

rosada · Oct 13, 2006

I think the point I'm trying to make is the feeling 10 has for me of now being in a bigger world than consciousness was aware of up until now. Like going from thinking you know how to play the piano and then meeting someone who really is a professional musician. The professional is kind to the amateur, but the amateur knows better than to challange the professional.
"Discriminating between high and low" in the image being we recognize there will always be those who are behind and always those who are more advanced. We see there are tigers we can tease, and tigers to just back off and be very respectful of. In hex.4 if you asked the oracle a question and then asked again saying, "Are you really sure, maybe you didn't understand my question..?" you just get no further answer. In hex.10 if you ask a question and then persist with teasing doubts the Tiger - IC - wont just withdraw, you risk getting a massive headache to boot. But fortunately by 10 you've learned enough to know to pay respect, so you're not going to ask a lot of repitious teasing questions unless you happened to be on line 10.3...

rosada · Oct 13, 2006

Hex. 10.3

10.3
A one-eyed man is able to see,
A lame man is able to tread.
He treads on the tail of the tiger.
The tiger bites the man.
Misfortune.
Thus does a warrior act on behalf of his prince.

Trojina · Oct 14, 2006

Mmm I see where you are coming from Rosada. I think I might disagree about the tiger being someone superior and the only reason for that is my own experience. I think the tiger, the one who bites does not have to be someone superior in some way just someone with more power. A long time ago I got 10 repeatedly when asking questions about my boss at work with whom i had a strange relationship. The man was only my superior in position, certainly in no other way (IMO lol) Thus i think the tiger can be any more powerful force/person you need to watch your step around. I suppose I'm seeing 10 in terms of power where you are seeing it more in terms of lesser/greater merit.

This hex stresses proper conduct, watching your step. Now even if someone is say a better piano player than you you wouldn't necessarily need to behave yourself around them would you ? You watch your step cos its bigger than you not always because its better. Your take is imaginative though, interesting

rosada · Oct 14, 2006

Actually I like your idea that it's power we're dealing with rather than merit. And maybe part of the thought here is not to get disoriented, speak truth to power!

Had some thoughts about this 10.3 yin line in a yang position today. Felt it had to do with needing to stretch oneself a bit. May have to deal with The Boss or others who maybe intimidating and the importance of not going too far out on the limb. Maybe being the messenger when there's a danger of the messenger getting shot...

lightofreason · Oct 14, 2006

IC+ Line 3
"Plunging into things without recognizing one's limitations can cause problems. Only in time of desperate need, e.g. war, is this justified."

with/from treading comes singlemindedness (hexagram 01 contains the notion of hubris as it does that of competitiveness, aggression etc etc and a focus on being competitive to refine one's skills))

rosada · Oct 14, 2006

Hex 10.4

10.4
He treads on the tail of the tiger.
Caution and circumspection
Lead ultimately to good fortune.

lightofreason · Oct 14, 2006

IC+ Line 4
"One's position requires persuasive skills to accomplish things. This can be dangerous but ultimately one succeeds."

with/from treading (10) comes yielding/empathising (61) ( and so the focus on persuasive skills - there is an analogy here to the high court judge who goes to bat for the death-sentenced prisoner) - visually 61 can appear as a hard exterior, soft interior; emtionally with/from love (self-reflection) comes anticipation (influence (becoming influencial)) - anticipation covers of wrong doing as it does of cultivation and so anticipation of right doing.

Chris

rosada · Oct 15, 2006

Chris, I'm getting so much our of your insights as you are sharing them here one line at a time. Thanks!

rosada · Oct 15, 2006

Hex 10.5

10.5
Resolute conduct.
Perseverance with
awareness of danger.

lightofreason · Oct 15, 2006

IC+ Line 5
"An inspiring ruler; a guiding light whose presence and resoluteness enables others to progress. At the same time continually aware of the possible dangers."

with/from treading (10) comes mirroring (38) (the 'guiding light' aspect in the top trigram of fire that in upper position represents a direction, an ideology etc)

Emotionally in 38 we have with love comes acceptance. 38 covers the mirroring, others see themselves in you and so approve. Lake also covers self-reflection, both literally and metaphorically.

The 'opposition' element of 38 covers dangers etc in that 38 includes representation of hding behind a mirror when dealing with oppositions - we reduce tensions by the act of 'self reflection'.

Chris.

rosada · Oct 15, 2006

In my efforts to memorize the I Ching, I find it helpful to try to construct a story for each hexagram that connects all the lines. Here's what I'm toying with for

Hex. 10. Moving within the Group Mind

10.1 By oneself, it's easy to follow one's own dream...
10.2 But we must travel through the dreams of others...
10.3 And be wary of being sucked into these other worlds.
10.4 By being clear of one's own role and moving cautiously..
10.5 One can play one's part..
10.6 And awaken with a clear conscience.

Trojina · Oct 15, 2006

Re 10.2 this is about being solitary, why would we have to travel through the dreams of others ? I sure don't want to travel through the dreams of others I want my freedom for my own

jte · Oct 15, 2006

It's noteworthy that 10.3 is at the height of pleasure (Tui trigram). Wilhelm points out the "joyous self-sacrifice" aspect of this line, which is an interesting and perhaps easy to overlook one. But I tend to think of it more along the lines of naivete - a little like someone skipping and singing tra-la-la-la through a minefield. Going forward blinded, as it were, by pleasure and/or satisfaction and not showing a proper caution and respect for the very real potential dangers of the path ahead. Contrary to any "dreamland", I think the consequences, depending on the situation, can be real indeed... in 10.4, one "wakes up" to this, with the good fortune resulting from appropriate precaution being shown.

My two cents,

- Jeff

Memorizing the I Ching Hexagram 10. Lu / Treading (Conduct)

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