I Ching - Hexagrams

Tony Crisp

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Hexagram Twenty Nine

K’an (Pro: Cun; as in Cunningham) - Without Form

You may walk upon the water while the ice is on the river. But when the ice melts the pathway has no form. With awareness you can endure the absence of known pathways until the trackless becomes familiar.

Thus you create a path upon the featureless terrain of the new, the dangerous, the unexplored and ever shifting. Let the light from the flame of your mind, beyond thoughts, be the guide now, as it has in the past.

There are many dangers in a trackless ocean if you are without skill or a compass. But for those with both, adventure and fortune lies in facing and traversing the unfathomable seas of life.

Meeting the unknown then becomes a way of life. In the trackless, one needs to return to the simple and great truths of life left us by sages, or uncovered in our own search for the truth that has no form.

Water is a great teacher regarding this. It flows on despite the terrain, filling depressions, passing over rocks, falling great heights, all without changing its innate nature. So the changeless in us can meet all change.

Key words: The trackless ocean of life appears known because we imagine latitude and longitude. Take courage to traverse the waters. Fear and doubt are the greatest dangers.

The Moving Lines.

1. In a trackless way you are always lost unless you have supreme confidence and are centred upon what lies behind change. Now you have stumbled into a pit - a situation hard to get out of.

2. Being trapped or endangered, small successes are the way out of the pit. No good comes from scrabbling to get free. Make one move at a time and test it.

3. The problem is acute. As if caught in a spider’s web, every move only accentuates the danger. When so utterly helpless, now is the time to ask for help from others, or be still and watch for opportunity.

4. The situation is difficult. There appears no way out. Do not stand on ceremony in seeking mutual aid in danger. Accept humble help from others.

5. The difficulty is not overwhelming. Doing only what is necessary is sufficient. Effort can only deepen the problem. Learn to be still. The situation will not worsen.

6. Through becoming entangled in this situation you are now rendered helpless for an extended period. Wait it out and learn from it in the freedom you eventually attain.

Hexagram Thirty

Li (Pro: Lee) - Dependent Light

The candle flame depends upon the wax for its light. Its flame kindles as many candles as touch it. Each igniting others.

The light of your own mind was lit by those who taught you. Honour this and realise your part in the scheme of things. Being receptive allows this inner light to burn brightly. This leads to greater connection with all, and brings success. Shed your light into the darkness of other lives.

In all ways ones existence is dependent upon all that exists. The flame of consciousness ignites through the intricate working of the body. It is a truth of life that we depend upon air, water and food. We also need others to make our clothes, grow our food, and teach us. Recognise your place in this world of interdependence and give as well as receive.

With joy accept this connection with all things and be a part of it. While aiming to be self reliant, accept your place in the community of beings which is society and nature. All are co-creators of the universe. Being independently a part of the creative whole leads to success.

Key words: Take time to clearly see your connections with family, society and the world. Acknowledge and work with these.

The Moving Lines.

1. Confusion - through the conflicting impressions of everyday life - may make it difficult to choose your actions. But a ship moves to its goal through innumerable alterations in course. Be like the ship by keeping your goal in mind.

2. Extremes of any kind have no place here, for you walk the middle path. This highest culture is beautiful. The sun shines, all is well. Supreme good fortune.

3. When the sun is setting we must prepare for darkness. An end is in sight. Prepare for it now, but enjoy the beauty of the sunset. To cry mournfully about endings or death, or to frantically grasp pleasures, is to miss living from the changeless.

4. Some good things come and pass from our hands before we even experience their delights. Do not burn your life away like a straw fire, without substance to create lasting warmth.

5. Tears of lament may bring good fortune. Such tears about life’s passing away may bring a change of heart and strength to meet what comes.

6. You may have to be forceful to correct the situation. Avoid unnecessary retaliation however. Discriminate between what must be removed and what disciplined.

Hexagram Thirty One

Hsien (Pro: Shee-en) - Magnetic Merging

Opposites, or those in need of each other attract. It is a time when taking a partner or marriage is favourable.

The mystery of attraction and interaction reaches through space and brings people or events together. Those who need each other are linked and their pleasure is mutual and rewarding. Life is a play between attraction and repulsion, male and female.

Awareness of these forces in the world leads to wisdom. Within the mind also, in any learning situation one person must be receptive and the other giving. To keep the mind like a lake whose surface can be moved by the wind is a great boon. Using this knowledge, we can easily move from being a leader to a follower, for we know how to be a student or a teacher.

It is necessary in regard to this enquiry to maintain ones own identity and yet relate to others in a way that honours their own quality. In this way opposites can meet and create out of their complementary characteristics.

The aim, whether in relationship with one person or many, is to find the vital connection or attraction, the real influence behind the mutual link. It is to seek the reality of what can occur between them, what they offer each other.

Once found use it to enhance the interaction and connectivity. Out of this can come a firm binding, a good working relationship, or a satisfying marriage.

Key words: Attraction and merging are everywhere active in life. The power here is independence with empathy.

The Moving Lines.

1.The urge to be foot loose and fancy free might not be appropriate at the moment. Anyway, the urge is of no account while still only a twitch in the toe.

2.Wanting to be on the move doesn’t accord with the needs of the situation. Best to find out what others want first. To simply move without judging the situation will lead to misfortune.

3.Following every impulsive whim we feel leads to loss of necessary judgement in any circumstance. Restlessness is not advantageous at the moment.

4.Rewards will arise from persistence. Where the heart longs to go, so the body and events follow. Therefore guard the heart. This brings others into your influence. Do not push them.

5.There is firmness and resolution. Do not let it become ‘stiff necked’ immobility. Then your influence will encompass many.

6.To be able to talk powerfully and loudly doesn’t mean you can achieve the things spoken of. Better to restrain the speech a little and learn to act with more effectiveness.

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