I-Ching
Current
Changing
Transformed
Current
42 - Yii / Increase
Above: SUN THE GENTLE, WIND
Below: CHÊN THE AROUSING, THUNDER
The idea of increase is expressed in the fact that the strong lowest line of the upper trigram has sunk down and taken its place under the lower trigram. This conception also expresses the fundamental idea on which the Book of Changes is based. To rule truly is to serve. A sacrifice of the higher element that produces an increase of the lower is called an out-and-out increase: it indicates the spirit that alone has power to help the world.
Sacrifice on the part of those above for the increase of those below fills the people with a sense of joy and gratitude that is extremely valuable for the flowering of the commonwealth. When people are thus devoted to their leaders, undertakings are possible, and even difficult and dangerous enterprises will succeed. Therefore, in such times of progress and successful development it is necessary to work and make the best use of the time. This time resembles that of the marriage of heaven and earth, when the earth partakes of the creative power of heaven, forming and bringing forth living beings. The time of INCREASE does not endure, therefore it must be utilized while it lasts.
While observing how thunder and wind increase and strengthen each other, a man can note the way to self-increase and self-improvement. When he discovers good in others, he should imitate it and thus make everything on earth his own. If he perceives something bad in himself, let him rid himself of it. In this way he becomes free of evil. This ethical change represents the most important increase of personality.
Above: SUN THE GENTLE, WIND
Below: CHÊN THE AROUSING, THUNDER
The idea of increase is expressed in the fact that the strong lowest line of the upper trigram has sunk down and taken its place under the lower trigram. This conception also expresses the fundamental idea on which the Book of Changes is based. To rule truly is to serve. A sacrifice of the higher element that produces an increase of the lower is called an out-and-out increase: it indicates the spirit that alone has power to help the world.
The Judgement
INCREASE. It furthers one to undertake something. It furthers one to cross the great water.Sacrifice on the part of those above for the increase of those below fills the people with a sense of joy and gratitude that is extremely valuable for the flowering of the commonwealth. When people are thus devoted to their leaders, undertakings are possible, and even difficult and dangerous enterprises will succeed. Therefore, in such times of progress and successful development it is necessary to work and make the best use of the time. This time resembles that of the marriage of heaven and earth, when the earth partakes of the creative power of heaven, forming and bringing forth living beings. The time of INCREASE does not endure, therefore it must be utilized while it lasts.
The Image
Wind and thunder: the image of INCREASE. Thus, If the superior man sees good, he imitates it. If he has faults, he rids himself of them.While observing how thunder and wind increase and strengthen each other, a man can note the way to self-increase and self-improvement. When he discovers good in others, he should imitate it and thus make everything on earth his own. If he perceives something bad in himself, let him rid himself of it. In this way he becomes free of evil. This ethical change represents the most important increase of personality.
Changing
Six at the beginning means:
Repetition of the Abysmal. In the abyss one falls into a pit. Misfortune.
By growing used to what is dangerous, a man can easily allow it to become part of him. He is familiar with it and grows used to evil. With this he has lost the right way, and misfortune is the natural result.
Repetition of the Abysmal. In the abyss one falls into a pit. Misfortune.
By growing used to what is dangerous, a man can easily allow it to become part of him. He is familiar with it and grows used to evil. With this he has lost the right way, and misfortune is the natural result.
Nine in the fifth place means:
The abyss is not filled to overflowing, it is filled only to the rim. No blame.
Danger comes because one is too ambitious. In order to flow out of a ravine, water does not rise higher than the lowest point of the rim. So likewise a man when in danger has only to proceed along the line of least resistance, and thus he reaches the goal. Great labors cannot be accomplished in such times, it is enough to get out of the danger.
The abyss is not filled to overflowing, it is filled only to the rim. No blame.
Danger comes because one is too ambitious. In order to flow out of a ravine, water does not rise higher than the lowest point of the rim. So likewise a man when in danger has only to proceed along the line of least resistance, and thus he reaches the goal. Great labors cannot be accomplished in such times, it is enough to get out of the danger.
Six at the top means:
Bound with cords and ropes, and shut in between thorn-hedged prison walls. For three years one does not find the way. Misfortune.
A man who in the extremity of danger has lost the right way and is irremediably entangled in his sins has no prospect of escape. He is like a criminal who sits shackled behind thorn hedged prison walls.
Bound with cords and ropes, and shut in between thorn-hedged prison walls. For three years one does not find the way. Misfortune.
A man who in the extremity of danger has lost the right way and is irremediably entangled in his sins has no prospect of escape. He is like a criminal who sits shackled behind thorn hedged prison walls.
Transformed
29 - K`an / The Abysmal (Water)
Above: K`AN THE ABYSMAL, WATER
Below: K`AN THE ABYSMAL, WATER
This hexagram consists of a doubling of the trigram K`an. It is one of the eight hexagrams in which doubling occurs. The trigram K`an means a plunging in. A yang line has plunged in between two yin lines and is closed in by them like water in a ravine. The trigram K`an is also the middle son. The Receptive has obtained the middle line of the Creative, and thus K`an develops. As an image it represents water, the water that comes from above and is in motion on earth in streams and rivers, giving rise to all life on earth.
In mans world K`an represents the heart, the soul locked up within the body, the principle of light inclosed in the dark, that is to say, reason. The name of the hexagram, because the trigram is doubled, has the additional meaning, "repetition of danger". Thus, the hexagram is intended to designate an objective situation to which one must become accustomed, not a subjective attitude. For danger due to a subjective attitude means either foolhardiness or guile. Also, a ravine is used to symbolize danger, as it is a situation in which a man is in the same pass as the water in a ravine, and, like the water, he can escape if he behaves correctly.
Through repetition of danger we grow accustomed to it. Water sets the example for the right conduct under such circumstances. It flows on and on, and merely fills up all the places through which it flows, it does not shrink from any dangerous spot nor from any plunge, and nothing can make it lose its own essential nature. It remains true to itself under all conditions. Thus, likewise, if one is sincere when confronted with difficulties, the heart can penetrate the meaning of the situation. Once we have gained inner mastery of a problem, it will come about naturally that the action we take will succeed. In danger all that counts really is carrying out all that has to be done with thoroughness and going forward, in order not to perish through tarrying in the danger.
Properly used, danger can have an important meaning as a protective measure. Thus, heaven has its perilous height protecting it against every attempt at invasion, and earth has its mountains and bodies of water, separating countries by their dangers. Thus also, rulers make use of danger to protect themselves against attacks from without and against turmoil within.
Water reaches its goal by flowing continually. It fills up every depression before it flows on. The superior man follows its example; he is concerned that goodness should be an established attribute of character rather than an accidental and isolated occurrence. So likewise in teaching others, everything depends on consistency, for it is only through repetition that the pupil makes the material his own.
Above: K`AN THE ABYSMAL, WATER
Below: K`AN THE ABYSMAL, WATER
This hexagram consists of a doubling of the trigram K`an. It is one of the eight hexagrams in which doubling occurs. The trigram K`an means a plunging in. A yang line has plunged in between two yin lines and is closed in by them like water in a ravine. The trigram K`an is also the middle son. The Receptive has obtained the middle line of the Creative, and thus K`an develops. As an image it represents water, the water that comes from above and is in motion on earth in streams and rivers, giving rise to all life on earth.
In mans world K`an represents the heart, the soul locked up within the body, the principle of light inclosed in the dark, that is to say, reason. The name of the hexagram, because the trigram is doubled, has the additional meaning, "repetition of danger". Thus, the hexagram is intended to designate an objective situation to which one must become accustomed, not a subjective attitude. For danger due to a subjective attitude means either foolhardiness or guile. Also, a ravine is used to symbolize danger, as it is a situation in which a man is in the same pass as the water in a ravine, and, like the water, he can escape if he behaves correctly.
The Judgement
The Abysmal repeated. If you are sincere, you have success in your heart, and whatever you do succeeds.Through repetition of danger we grow accustomed to it. Water sets the example for the right conduct under such circumstances. It flows on and on, and merely fills up all the places through which it flows, it does not shrink from any dangerous spot nor from any plunge, and nothing can make it lose its own essential nature. It remains true to itself under all conditions. Thus, likewise, if one is sincere when confronted with difficulties, the heart can penetrate the meaning of the situation. Once we have gained inner mastery of a problem, it will come about naturally that the action we take will succeed. In danger all that counts really is carrying out all that has to be done with thoroughness and going forward, in order not to perish through tarrying in the danger.
Properly used, danger can have an important meaning as a protective measure. Thus, heaven has its perilous height protecting it against every attempt at invasion, and earth has its mountains and bodies of water, separating countries by their dangers. Thus also, rulers make use of danger to protect themselves against attacks from without and against turmoil within.
The Image
Water flows on uninterruptedly and reaches its goal: The image of the Abysmal repeated. Thus, the superior man walks in lasting virtue and carries on the business of teaching.Water reaches its goal by flowing continually. It fills up every depression before it flows on. The superior man follows its example; he is concerned that goodness should be an established attribute of character rather than an accidental and isolated occurrence. So likewise in teaching others, everything depends on consistency, for it is only through repetition that the pupil makes the material his own.