I-Ching
Current
Changing
Transformed
Current
10 - Lü / Treading (Conduct)
Above: CH`IEN THE CREATIVE, HEAVEN
Below: TUI THE JOYOUS, LAKE
The name of the hexagram means on the one hand the right way of conducting oneself. Heaven, the father, is above, and the lake, the youngest daughter, is below. This shows the difference between high and low, upon which composure, correct social conduct, depends. On the other hand the word for the name of the hexagram, TREADING, means literally treading upon something. The small and cheerful (Tui) treads upon the large and strong (Ch`ien). The direction of movement of the two primary trigrams is upward. The fact that the strong treads on the weak is not mentioned in the Book of Changes, because it is taken for granted. For the weak to take a stand against the strong is not dangerous here, because it happened in good humor (Tui) and without presumption, so that the strong man is not irritated but takes it all with good humor.
The situation is really difficult. That which is strongest and that which is weakest are close together. The weak follows behind the strong and worries it. The strong, however, acquiesces and does not hurt the weak, because the contact is in good humor and harmless.
In terms of a human situation, one is handling wild, intractable people. In such a case ones purpose will be achieved if one behaves with decorum. Pleasant manners succeed even with irritable people.
Heaven and the lake show a difference of elevation that inheres in the natures of the two, hence no envy arises. Among mankind also there are necessarily differences of elevation; it is impossible to bring about universal equality. But it is important that differences in social rank should not be arbitrary and unjust, for if this occurs, envy and class struggle are the inevitable consequences. If, on the other hand, external differences in rank correspond with differences in inner worth, and if inner worth forms the criterion of external rank, people acquiesce and order reigns in society.
Above: CH`IEN THE CREATIVE, HEAVEN
Below: TUI THE JOYOUS, LAKE
The name of the hexagram means on the one hand the right way of conducting oneself. Heaven, the father, is above, and the lake, the youngest daughter, is below. This shows the difference between high and low, upon which composure, correct social conduct, depends. On the other hand the word for the name of the hexagram, TREADING, means literally treading upon something. The small and cheerful (Tui) treads upon the large and strong (Ch`ien). The direction of movement of the two primary trigrams is upward. The fact that the strong treads on the weak is not mentioned in the Book of Changes, because it is taken for granted. For the weak to take a stand against the strong is not dangerous here, because it happened in good humor (Tui) and without presumption, so that the strong man is not irritated but takes it all with good humor.
The Judgement
TREADING. Treading upon the tail of the tiger. It does not bite the man. Success.The situation is really difficult. That which is strongest and that which is weakest are close together. The weak follows behind the strong and worries it. The strong, however, acquiesces and does not hurt the weak, because the contact is in good humor and harmless.
In terms of a human situation, one is handling wild, intractable people. In such a case ones purpose will be achieved if one behaves with decorum. Pleasant manners succeed even with irritable people.
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.Heaven and the lake show a difference of elevation that inheres in the natures of the two, hence no envy arises. Among mankind also there are necessarily differences of elevation; it is impossible to bring about universal equality. But it is important that differences in social rank should not be arbitrary and unjust, for if this occurs, envy and class struggle are the inevitable consequences. If, on the other hand, external differences in rank correspond with differences in inner worth, and if inner worth forms the criterion of external rank, people acquiesce and order reigns in society.
Changing
Nine at the beginning means:
Shock comes bringing cries of terror. Then are followed by laughter. Good fortune.
The fear and trembling engendered by shock come to an individual at first in such a way that he sees himself placed at a disadvantage as against others. But this is only transitory. When the ordeal is over, he experiences relief, and thus the very terror he had to endure at the outset brings good fortune in the long run.
Shock comes bringing cries of terror. Then are followed by laughter. Good fortune.
The fear and trembling engendered by shock come to an individual at first in such a way that he sees himself placed at a disadvantage as against others. But this is only transitory. When the ordeal is over, he experiences relief, and thus the very terror he had to endure at the outset brings good fortune in the long run.
Six in the second place means:
Shock comes bringing danger. A hundred thousand times you lose your treasures, and must climb the nine hills. Do not go in pursuit of them. After seven days you will get them back again.
This pictures a situation in which a shock endangers a man, and he suffers great losses. Resistance would be contrary to the movement of the time and for this reason unsuccessful. Therefore, he must simply retreat to heights inaccessible to the threatening forces of danger. He must accept his loss of property without worrying too much about it. When the time of shock and upheaval that has robbed him of his possessions has passed, he will get them back again without going in pursuit of them.
Shock comes bringing danger. A hundred thousand times you lose your treasures, and must climb the nine hills. Do not go in pursuit of them. After seven days you will get them back again.
This pictures a situation in which a shock endangers a man, and he suffers great losses. Resistance would be contrary to the movement of the time and for this reason unsuccessful. Therefore, he must simply retreat to heights inaccessible to the threatening forces of danger. He must accept his loss of property without worrying too much about it. When the time of shock and upheaval that has robbed him of his possessions has passed, he will get them back again without going in pursuit of them.
Six in the fifth place means:
Shock goes hither and thither. Danger, however, nothing at all is lost, and there are yet things to be done.
This is a case not of a single shock but of repeated shocks with no breathing space between. Nonetheless, the shock causes no loss, because one takes care to stay in the center of movement and in this way to be spared the fate of being helplessly tossed hither and thither.
Shock goes hither and thither. Danger, however, nothing at all is lost, and there are yet things to be done.
This is a case not of a single shock but of repeated shocks with no breathing space between. Nonetheless, the shock causes no loss, because one takes care to stay in the center of movement and in this way to be spared the fate of being helplessly tossed hither and thither.
Transformed
51 - Chên / The Arousing (Shock, Thunder)
Above: CHÊN THE AROUSING, THUNDER
Below: CHÊN THE AROUSING, THUNDER
The hexagram Chên represents the eldest son, who seizes rule with energy and power. A yang line develops below two yin lines and presses upward forcibly. This movement is so violent that it arouses terror. It is symbolized by thunder, which bursts forth from the earth and by its shock causes fear and trembling.
The shock that comes from the manifestation of God within the depths of the earth makes man afraid, but this fear of God is good, for joy and merriment can follow upon it. When a man has learned within his heart what fear and trembling mean, he is safeguarded against any terror produced by outside influences. Let the thunder roll and spread terror a hundred miles around. He remains so composed and reverent in spirit that the sacrificial rite is not interrupted. This is the spirit that must animate leaders and rulers of men, a profound inner seriousness from which all outer terrors glance off harmlessly.
The shock of continuing thunder brings fear and trembling. The superior man is always filled with reverence at the manifestation of God, and he sets his life in order and searches his heart, lest it harbor any secret opposition to the will of God. Thus reverence is the foundation of true culture.
Above: CHÊN THE AROUSING, THUNDER
Below: CHÊN THE AROUSING, THUNDER
The hexagram Chên represents the eldest son, who seizes rule with energy and power. A yang line develops below two yin lines and presses upward forcibly. This movement is so violent that it arouses terror. It is symbolized by thunder, which bursts forth from the earth and by its shock causes fear and trembling.
The Judgement
SHOCK brings success. Shock comes, and people cry out with fear and then laughter. The shock terrifies everyone for a hundred miles, and he does not let fall the sacrificial spoon and chalice.The shock that comes from the manifestation of God within the depths of the earth makes man afraid, but this fear of God is good, for joy and merriment can follow upon it. When a man has learned within his heart what fear and trembling mean, he is safeguarded against any terror produced by outside influences. Let the thunder roll and spread terror a hundred miles around. He remains so composed and reverent in spirit that the sacrificial rite is not interrupted. This is the spirit that must animate leaders and rulers of men, a profound inner seriousness from which all outer terrors glance off harmlessly.
The Image
Thunder repeated: the image of SHOCK. Thus, in fear and trembling the superior man sets his life in order, and examines himself.The shock of continuing thunder brings fear and trembling. The superior man is always filled with reverence at the manifestation of God, and he sets his life in order and searches his heart, lest it harbor any secret opposition to the will of God. Thus reverence is the foundation of true culture.