I-Ching
Current
Changing
Transformed
Current
40 - Hsieh / Deliverance
Above: CHÊN THE AROUSING, THUNDER
Below: K`AN THE ABYSMAL, WATER
Here the movement goes out of the sphere of danger. The obstacle has been removed, the difficulties are being resolved. Deliverance is not yet achieved, as it is just in its beginning, and the hexagram represents its various stages.
This refers to a time in which tensions and complications begin to be eased. At such times we ought to make our way back to ordinary conditions as soon as possible, thus, this is the meaning of "the southwest". These periods of sudden change have great importance. Just as rain relieves atmospheric tension, making all the buds burst open, so a time of deliverance from burdensome pressure has a liberating and stimulating effect on life. One thing is important, however. In such times we must not overdo our triumph. The point is not to push on farther than is necessary. Returning to the regular order of life as soon as deliverance is achieved brings good fortune. If there are any residual matters that ought to be attended to, it should be done as quickly as possible, so that a clean sweep is made and no unwanted slowing of the process occurs.
A thunderstorm has the effect of clearing the air, and the superior man produces a similar effect when dealing with mistakes and sins of men that induce a condition of tension. Through clarity, he brings deliverance. However, when failings come to light, he does not dwell on them, but rather he simply passes over mistakes, or unintentional transgressions, just as thunder dies away. He forgives misdeeds, and intentional transgressions, just as water washes everything clean.
Above: CHÊN THE AROUSING, THUNDER
Below: K`AN THE ABYSMAL, WATER
Here the movement goes out of the sphere of danger. The obstacle has been removed, the difficulties are being resolved. Deliverance is not yet achieved, as it is just in its beginning, and the hexagram represents its various stages.
The Judgement
DELIVERANCE. The southwest furthers. If there is no longer anything where one has to go, return brings good fortune. If there is still somewhere where one has to go, hastening brings good fortune.This refers to a time in which tensions and complications begin to be eased. At such times we ought to make our way back to ordinary conditions as soon as possible, thus, this is the meaning of "the southwest". These periods of sudden change have great importance. Just as rain relieves atmospheric tension, making all the buds burst open, so a time of deliverance from burdensome pressure has a liberating and stimulating effect on life. One thing is important, however. In such times we must not overdo our triumph. The point is not to push on farther than is necessary. Returning to the regular order of life as soon as deliverance is achieved brings good fortune. If there are any residual matters that ought to be attended to, it should be done as quickly as possible, so that a clean sweep is made and no unwanted slowing of the process occurs.
The Image
Thunder and rain set in: The image of DELIVERANCE. Thus, the superior man pardons mistakes and forgives misdeeds.A thunderstorm has the effect of clearing the air, and the superior man produces a similar effect when dealing with mistakes and sins of men that induce a condition of tension. Through clarity, he brings deliverance. However, when failings come to light, he does not dwell on them, but rather he simply passes over mistakes, or unintentional transgressions, just as thunder dies away. He forgives misdeeds, and intentional transgressions, just as water washes everything clean.
Changing
Six at the beginning means:
He brings help with the strength of a horse. Good fortune.
It is important that disunion should be overcome at the outset, before it has become complete, so that the clouds should be dispersed before they have brought storm and rain. At such times when hidden divergences in temper make themselves felt and lead to mutual misunderstandings we must take quick and vigorous action to dissolve the misunderstandings and mutual distrust.
He brings help with the strength of a horse. Good fortune.
It is important that disunion should be overcome at the outset, before it has become complete, so that the clouds should be dispersed before they have brought storm and rain. At such times when hidden divergences in temper make themselves felt and lead to mutual misunderstandings we must take quick and vigorous action to dissolve the misunderstandings and mutual distrust.
Nine in the second place means:
At the dissolution He hurries to that which supports him. Remorse disappears.
When an individual discovers within himself the beginnings of alienation from others, of misanthropy and ill humor, he must set about dissolving these obstructions. He must rouse himself inwardly, hasten to that which supports him. Such support is never found in hatred, but always in a moderate and just judgment of men, linked with good will. If he regains this unobstructed outlook on humanity, while at the same time all saturnine ill humor is dissolved, all occasion for remorse disappears.
At the dissolution He hurries to that which supports him. Remorse disappears.
When an individual discovers within himself the beginnings of alienation from others, of misanthropy and ill humor, he must set about dissolving these obstructions. He must rouse himself inwardly, hasten to that which supports him. Such support is never found in hatred, but always in a moderate and just judgment of men, linked with good will. If he regains this unobstructed outlook on humanity, while at the same time all saturnine ill humor is dissolved, all occasion for remorse disappears.
Six in the third place means:
He dissolves his self. No remorse.
Under certain circumstances, a man`s work may become so difficult that he can no longer think of himself. He must set aside all personal desires and disperse whatever the self gathers about it to serve as a barrier against others. Only on the basis of a great renunciation can he obtain the strength for great achievements. By setting his goal in a great task outside himself, he can attain this standpoint.
He dissolves his self. No remorse.
Under certain circumstances, a man`s work may become so difficult that he can no longer think of himself. He must set aside all personal desires and disperse whatever the self gathers about it to serve as a barrier against others. Only on the basis of a great renunciation can he obtain the strength for great achievements. By setting his goal in a great task outside himself, he can attain this standpoint.
Transformed
59 - Huan / Dispersion (Dissolution)
Above: SUN THE GENTLE, WIND
Below: K`AN THE ABYSMAL, WATER
Wind blowing over water disperses it, dissolving it into foam and mist. This suggests that when a man`s vital energy is dammed up within him (indicated as a danger by the attribute of the lower trigram), gentleness serves to break up and dissolve the blockage.
The text of this hexagram resembles that of Ts`ui, GATHERING TOGETHER (45). In the latter, the subject is the bringing together of elements that have been separated, as water collects in lakes upon the earth. Here the subject is the dispersing and dissolving of divisive egotism. DISPERSION shows the way, so to speak, that leads to gathering together. This explains the similarity of the two texts. Religious forces are needed to overcome the egotism that divides men. The common celebration of the great sacrificial feasts and sacred rites, which gave expression simultaneously to the interrelation and social articulation of family and state, was the means of employed by the great rulers to unite men. The sacred music and the splendor of the ceremonies aroused a strong tide of emotion that was shared by all hearts in unison, and that awakened a consciousness of the common origin of all creatures. In this way disunity was overcome and rigidity dissolved. A further means to the same end is co-operation in great general undertakings that set a high goal for the will of the people; in the common concentration on this goal, all barriers dissolve, just as, when a boat is crossing a great stream, all hands must unite in a joint task. But only a man who is himself free of all selfish ulterior considerations, and who perseveres in justice and steadfastness, is capable of so dissolving the hardness of egotism.
In the autumn and winter, water begins to freeze into ice. When the warm breezes of spring come, the rigidity is dissolved, and the elements that have been dispersed in ice floes are reunited. It is the same with the minds of the people. Through hardness and selfishness the heart grows rigid, and this rigidity leads to separation from all others. Egotism and cupidity isolate men. Therefore, the hearts of men must be seized by a devout emotion. They must be shaken by a religious awe in face of eternity, and stirred with an intuition of the creator of all living beings, and united through the strong feeling of fellowship experienced in the ritual of divine worship.
Above: SUN THE GENTLE, WIND
Below: K`AN THE ABYSMAL, WATER
Wind blowing over water disperses it, dissolving it into foam and mist. This suggests that when a man`s vital energy is dammed up within him (indicated as a danger by the attribute of the lower trigram), gentleness serves to break up and dissolve the blockage.
The Judgement
DISPERSION. Success. The king approaches his temple. It furthers one to cross the great water. Perseverance furthers.The text of this hexagram resembles that of Ts`ui, GATHERING TOGETHER (45). In the latter, the subject is the bringing together of elements that have been separated, as water collects in lakes upon the earth. Here the subject is the dispersing and dissolving of divisive egotism. DISPERSION shows the way, so to speak, that leads to gathering together. This explains the similarity of the two texts. Religious forces are needed to overcome the egotism that divides men. The common celebration of the great sacrificial feasts and sacred rites, which gave expression simultaneously to the interrelation and social articulation of family and state, was the means of employed by the great rulers to unite men. The sacred music and the splendor of the ceremonies aroused a strong tide of emotion that was shared by all hearts in unison, and that awakened a consciousness of the common origin of all creatures. In this way disunity was overcome and rigidity dissolved. A further means to the same end is co-operation in great general undertakings that set a high goal for the will of the people; in the common concentration on this goal, all barriers dissolve, just as, when a boat is crossing a great stream, all hands must unite in a joint task. But only a man who is himself free of all selfish ulterior considerations, and who perseveres in justice and steadfastness, is capable of so dissolving the hardness of egotism.
The Image
The wind drives over the water: The image of DISPERSION. Thus, the kings of old sacrificed to the gods, and built temples.In the autumn and winter, water begins to freeze into ice. When the warm breezes of spring come, the rigidity is dissolved, and the elements that have been dispersed in ice floes are reunited. It is the same with the minds of the people. Through hardness and selfishness the heart grows rigid, and this rigidity leads to separation from all others. Egotism and cupidity isolate men. Therefore, the hearts of men must be seized by a devout emotion. They must be shaken by a religious awe in face of eternity, and stirred with an intuition of the creator of all living beings, and united through the strong feeling of fellowship experienced in the ritual of divine worship.