"I Ching, or Book of Changes"
- - - Translated from the Richard Wilhelm version (German)
. . Forword by C.G.Jung (explaining IC#50: the Caldron) . .
Pinguin Books (Arkana), 1950, 1989.
. . . " I have always tried to remain unbiased and curious. (Jung's forword, pg. xxvi)
. . . Why not venture a dialogue with an ancient book that purports to be
animated ? "
. . . " I can take this risk (of taking the I-Ching seriously, against peer
pressure and prejudice) because I am in my eighth decade, and the changing
opinions of men scarcely impress me anymore; the thoughts of the old masters are
of greater value to me than the philosophical prejudices of the Western mind." (pg. xxxv)
. . . " It is only we who are puzzled, because we trip time and again over
our prejudice, viz. the notion of causality. The ancient wisdom of the East lays
stress upon the fact that the intelligent individual realizes (implements)
his thought, but not in the least upon the way in which he does it." (pg. xxxix)
. . . " The I-Ching does not offer itself with proofs and results; it does not
vaunt itself, nor is it easy to approach.
Like a part of nature, it waits until it is discovered. It offers neither facts
nor power, but for lovers of self-knowledge, of wisdom - if there be such - it
seems to be the right book." (pg. xxxix)
(nr) = bot.top . . (2 trigrams) . . . To get dual hexagram: invert code (0,1) or direction (up,dn)
| . (1) = 111.111 = Heaven / Creative, Idea . . . . . . . (2) = 000.000 = Earth / Receptive, Form |
| (30) = 101.101 = Fire / Clinging, Clear . . . . . . . . (29) = 010.010 = Water / Abys, Danger |
| (58) = 110.110 = Lake / Joyous, Quiet . . . . . . . . . (57) = 011.011 = Wind / Gentle, Penetrating |
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(52) = 001.001 = Mountain / Keep-still, Rest . . . (51) = 100.100 = Thunder / Shock, Implulse |
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The unbroken lines symbolize the strong, light, spiritual, active primal force of creation. The hexagram is consistently strong in character, and its image is heaven. Its energy is represented as unrestricted by fixed conditions in space, and is therefore conceived of as motion, with as basis : time, including the power of time and of persisting in time, hence duration. -- This sign is interpreted in a dual sense: its action on the Universe by the strong and creative Deity, and on the human world as the effect of holy men or sages and of leaders, who through their power awaken and develop man's higher nature. -- The judgement: Drawing this sign means that success will come from the primal depths of the Universe, and that everything depends upon seeking your own happiness and that of others in one way only: persevering in what is right. -- The image: Since there is only one heaven, the trigram doubling means the movement of heaven, from one day to the next, creating the idea of repetition and time. This untiring motion of heaven induces the concept of duration both in and beyond time, representing the unending power inherent in the Creative. - With this image as a model, the sage learns how best to develop himself sothat his influence may endure, making himself strong in every way, consciously casting out all that is the inferior and degrading. The attribute of this symbol is devotion, and its image is the Earth. It is the perfect complement of the Creative -- not its opposite, because the Receptive does not combat the Creative but completes it. It represents nature in contrast to spirit, earth vs. heaven, space as against time, the female-maternal vs. male-paternal. There is no real dualism here, but rather a clear hierarchy between each pair of equaly important principles: the devotion of the Receptive defines its place with respect to the Creative. For the Receptive must be activated and led by the Creative -- then it is productive and good. Only when it abandons this position, and tries to be equal next to the Creative, does it become evil. The result is then opposition to and struggle against the Creative, thus missing its positive potential. -- The judgement: What is required is action in conformity with the situation. One is not in an independent position, but is acting as an assistant in order to achieve someting, and hence one must be led. If one knows how to meet fate with an attitude of acceptance, one is sure to find the right guidance, to learn from the situation and follow its lead. To accomplish something, we need friends and helpers in the hour of toil and effort, once the ideas to be realized are firmly set, as in summer and autumn (South & West). Then all one's powers must be mobilized or the work will not be finished. However, for planning one needs solitude (the East: to receive orders from), and a place to report progress (the North). Then one must be alone and objective, and be without companions sothat the purity of the moment is not spoiled by factional hates and favoritism. -- The image: Here the doubling of Earth means solidity and extension in space. The Earth then, in its devotion, is able to carry and preserve all things that live and move upon it - both good and evil - without exception. Thus one gives oneself breadth of character, purity, patience and sustaining power, to be able to support and bear with people and things. |
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This sign means "cling to something" - "to be conditioned" - "dependent" and also "brightness". A dark line clings to two strong lines, above and below it. The trigram (101) means the middle daughter ("0" or yin standing for female). So the Creative has incorporated the central line of the Receptive, and thus Li develops. -- The judgement : Something luminous must have within itself perseverence, otherwise it will in time burn itself out. Each thing that gives light depends on something to which it clings to continue to shine. Thus sun and moon cling to heaven, and grain - grass and trees cling to the earth. And the twofold clarity of someone dedicated clings to what is right and thereby can shape the world. Human life on earth is conditioned and unfree. If one recognizes this limitation and makes oneself dependent on the harmonious and beneficient cosmic forces, success will follow. By such voluntary dependence, clarity is acquired without sharpness, finding one's place in the world. -- The image : Each of the two trigrams represents the sun in the course of a day: the repeated movement of the sun, and the function of light with respect to time. A great person continues the work of nature in the human world. Through the clarity of his nature he causes the light to spread farther, and to penetrate man's nature more deeply. K'an means plunging in. A yang line has plunged in between two yin lines, and is closed in by them like water in a ravine. It is also the middle son ("1" is yang: male). The Receptive has obtained the middle line of the Creative, and thus K'an develops. It represents water, coming from above (rain), and moving on earth in streams and rivers, giving rise to all life. -- In man's world K'an is the heart, the soul locked in the body: the principle of light inclosed in the dark and heavy - hence also reason. The double occurrance means: a repitition of danger, which is an objective situation to adapt oneself to, not a subjective attitude. -- The judgement : Through repetition of danger we grow accustomed to it. Water sets the example for right conduct under such circumstances. It flows on and on, filling up everything, not shrinking from any dangerous spot, nor from a plunge. Nothing can make it lose its own essential nature, true to itself under all conditions. So if one is sincere when confronted with difficulties, the heart can penetrate the meaning of the situation. And once we gain inner mastery of a problem, then our action will succeed naturally - doing what is necessary, without fear. -- The image : Water reaches its goal by flowing continuously, filling up every depression before it flows on. This is the right attitude: goodness should be an established attribute of character, not an accidental and isolated occurrance. Likewise, consistency and repetition are essential in teaching others - thus the pupil makes the material his own. |
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Tui denotes the youngest daughter, with as symbol the smiling lake. And joy as indicated by the two strong lines within (that is: at the bottom), expressing themselves by gentleness outside (the top yin line). True joy rests on firmness and strength within, manifesting itself outwardly as yielding and gentle. -- The judgement : The joyous mood is infectious and therefore brings success. But it must be based on steadfastedness in order not to degenerate into uncontrolled mirth. Truth and strength must dwell in the heart, while gentleness reveals itself in social interaction. Thus one assumes the right attitude toward God and man, and achieves something. When people's hearts are won by friendlyness, they are led to take all hardships upon themselves willingly; and if need be will not shun death itself, so great is the power of joy. -- The image : A lake evaporates upward and thus gradually dries up. But when two lakes are joined they do not dry up so readly, for one replenishes the other. It is the same in the field of knowledge, which is a refreshing and vitalizing force, through stimulating contact with congenial friends, and practicing application of the truths of life. Such learning becomes many-sided and takes on a cheerful lightness, contrary to the learning of the self-taught. Sun is the eldest daughter. Its symbols are wind or wood, and its
attribute is gentleness, which nonetheless penetrates like the wind, or like
growing wood with its roots. The dark principle, in itself rigid and heavy,
is dissolved by the penetrating light principle, to which it subordinates itself in
gentleness. In nature, it is the wind that disperses the gathered clouds, leaving
the sky clear and serene. In human life it is the penetrating clarity of judgement
that thwarts all dark hidden motives. And in society it is the powerful influence
of a great personality that uncovers and breaks up those intrigues that shun the
light of day. |
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The image of Ken is the mountain, the youngest son of heaven and earth.
The male principle is at the top (001), because it strives upwards by nature,
and the female principle is below. So there is rest because the movement has come
to its normal end. Applied to oneself, it concerns the problem of achieving a
quiet heart. While Buddhism strives for rest through an ebbing away of all
movement in nirvana, the I-Ching considers rest as a state of polarity - with
movement as its complement - similar to practicing yoga. This sign (100) represents the eldest son, who seizes rule with energy and
power. A yang line arises below two yin lines, pushing them forcibly upwards.
This motion is so violent that it arouses shock and terror - symbolizing thunder,
causing fear and trembling. |