I-Ching
Current
Changing
Transformed
Current
19 - Lin / Approach
Above: K`UN THE RECEPTIVE, EARTH
Below: TUI THE JOYOUS, LAKE
The Chinese word lin has a range of meanings that is not exhausted by any single word of another language. The ancient explanations in the Book of Changes give as its first meaning, "becoming great". What becomes great are the two strong lines growing into the hexagram from below, the light-giving power expands with them. The meaning is then further extended to include the concept of approach, especially the approach of what is strong and highly placed in relation to what is lower. Finally, the meaning includes the attitude of condescension of a man in high position toward the people, and in general the setting to work on affairs. This hexagram is linked with the twelfth month (January-February), when after the winter solstice, the light power begins to ascend again.
The hexagram as a whole points to a time of joyous, hopeful progress. Spring is approaching. Joy and forbearance bring high and low nearer together. Success is certain, but we must work with determination and perseverance to make full use of the propitiousness of the time. Additionaly, spring does not last forever. In the eighth month the aspects are reversed. Then only two strong, light lines are left, and these do not advance but are in retreat (see next hexagram). We must take heed of this change in good time. If we meet evil before it becomes reality, before it has even begun to stir, we can master it.
The earth borders upon the lake from above. This symbolizes the approach and consideration of the man of higher position to those beneath him. The two parts of the image indicate what his attitude toward these people will be. Just as the lake is inexhaustible in depth, so the sage is inexhaustible in his readiness to teach mankind, and just as the earth is boundlessly wide, sustaining and caring for all creatures on it, so the sage sustains and cares for all people and excludes no part of humanity.
Above: K`UN THE RECEPTIVE, EARTH
Below: TUI THE JOYOUS, LAKE
The Chinese word lin has a range of meanings that is not exhausted by any single word of another language. The ancient explanations in the Book of Changes give as its first meaning, "becoming great". What becomes great are the two strong lines growing into the hexagram from below, the light-giving power expands with them. The meaning is then further extended to include the concept of approach, especially the approach of what is strong and highly placed in relation to what is lower. Finally, the meaning includes the attitude of condescension of a man in high position toward the people, and in general the setting to work on affairs. This hexagram is linked with the twelfth month (January-February), when after the winter solstice, the light power begins to ascend again.
The Judgement
APPROACH has supreme success. Perseverance furthers. When the eighth month comes, there will be misfortune.The hexagram as a whole points to a time of joyous, hopeful progress. Spring is approaching. Joy and forbearance bring high and low nearer together. Success is certain, but we must work with determination and perseverance to make full use of the propitiousness of the time. Additionaly, spring does not last forever. In the eighth month the aspects are reversed. Then only two strong, light lines are left, and these do not advance but are in retreat (see next hexagram). We must take heed of this change in good time. If we meet evil before it becomes reality, before it has even begun to stir, we can master it.
The Image
The earth above the lake: The image of APPROACH. Thus, the superior man is inexhaustible in his will to teach, and is without limits in his tolerance and protection of the people.The earth borders upon the lake from above. This symbolizes the approach and consideration of the man of higher position to those beneath him. The two parts of the image indicate what his attitude toward these people will be. Just as the lake is inexhaustible in depth, so the sage is inexhaustible in his readiness to teach mankind, and just as the earth is boundlessly wide, sustaining and caring for all creatures on it, so the sage sustains and cares for all people and excludes no part of humanity.
Changing
Six in the fourth place means:
Nothing that would not further. Modesty in movement.
Everything has its proper measure. Even modesty in behavior can be carried too far. Here, however, it is appropriate, because the place between a worthy helper below and a kindly ruler above carries great responsibility. The confidence of the man in superior place must not be abused nor the merits of the man in inferior place concealed. There are officials who indeed do not strive for prominence; they hide behind the letter of ordinances, decline all responsibility, accept pay without giving its equivalent in work, and bear empty titles. This is the opposite of what is meant here by modesty. In such a position, modesty is shown by interest in ones work.
Nothing that would not further. Modesty in movement.
Everything has its proper measure. Even modesty in behavior can be carried too far. Here, however, it is appropriate, because the place between a worthy helper below and a kindly ruler above carries great responsibility. The confidence of the man in superior place must not be abused nor the merits of the man in inferior place concealed. There are officials who indeed do not strive for prominence; they hide behind the letter of ordinances, decline all responsibility, accept pay without giving its equivalent in work, and bear empty titles. This is the opposite of what is meant here by modesty. In such a position, modesty is shown by interest in ones work.
Six in the fifth place means:
No boasting of wealth before ones neighbor. It is favorable to attack with force. Nothing that would not further.
Modesty is not to be confused with weak good nature that lets things take their own course. When a man holds a responsible position, he must at times resort to energetic measures. In doing so he must not try to make an impression by boasting of his superiority but must make certain of the people around him. The measures taken should be purely objective and in no way personally offensive. Thus, modesty manifests itself even in severity.
No boasting of wealth before ones neighbor. It is favorable to attack with force. Nothing that would not further.
Modesty is not to be confused with weak good nature that lets things take their own course. When a man holds a responsible position, he must at times resort to energetic measures. In doing so he must not try to make an impression by boasting of his superiority but must make certain of the people around him. The measures taken should be purely objective and in no way personally offensive. Thus, modesty manifests itself even in severity.
Six at the top means:
Modesty that comes to expression. It is favorable to set armies marching to chastise ones own city and ones country.
A person who is really sincere in his modesty must make it show in reality. He must proceed with great energy in this. When enmity arises nothing is easier than to lay the blame on another. A weak man takes offense perhaps, and draws back, feeling self-pity, he thinks that it is modesty that keeps him from defending himself. Genuine modesty sets one to creating order and inspires one to begin by disciplining ones own ego and ones immediate circle. Only through having the courage to marshal ones armies against oneself, will something forceful really be achieved.
Modesty that comes to expression. It is favorable to set armies marching to chastise ones own city and ones country.
A person who is really sincere in his modesty must make it show in reality. He must proceed with great energy in this. When enmity arises nothing is easier than to lay the blame on another. A weak man takes offense perhaps, and draws back, feeling self-pity, he thinks that it is modesty that keeps him from defending himself. Genuine modesty sets one to creating order and inspires one to begin by disciplining ones own ego and ones immediate circle. Only through having the courage to marshal ones armies against oneself, will something forceful really be achieved.
Transformed
15 - Ch`ien / Modesty
Above: K`UN THE RECEPTIVE, EARTH
Below: KÊN KEEPING STILL, MOUNTAIN
This hexagram is made up of the trigrams Kên, Keeping Still, mountain, and K`un. The mountain is the youngest son of the Creative, the representative of heaven and earth. It dispenses the blessings of heaven, the clouds and rain that gather round its summit, and thereafter shines forth radiant with heavenly light. This shows what modesty is and how it functions in great and strong men. K`un, the earth, stands above. Lowliness is a quality of the earth: this is the very reason why it appears in this hexagram as exalted, by being placed above the mountain. This shows how modesty functions in lowly, simple people: they are lifted up by it.
It is the law of heaven to make fullness empty and to make full what is modest. When the sun is at its zenith, it must, according to the law of heaven, turn toward its setting, and at its nadir it rises toward a new dawn. In obedience to the same law, the moon when it is full begins to wane, and when empty of light it waxes again. This heavenly law works itself out in the fates of men also. It is the law of earth to alter the full and to contribute to the modest. High mountains are worn down by the waters, and the valleys are filled up. It is the law of fate to undermine what is full and to prosper the modest, and men also hate fullness and love the modest. The destinies of men are subject to immutable laws that must fulfill themselves. Man has it in his power to shape his fate, according as his behavior exposes him to the influence of benevolent or of destructive forces. When a man holds a high position and is nevertheless modest, he shines with the light of wisdom. If he is in a lowly position and is modest, he cannot be passed by. In this way the superior man can carry out his work to the end without boasting of what he has achieved.
The wealth of the earth in which a mountain is hidden is not visible to the eye, because the depths are offset by the height of the mountain. Thus high and low competent each other and the result is the plain. Here an effect that it took a long time to achieve, but that in the end seems easy of accomplishment and self-evident, is used as the image of modesty. The superior man does the same thing when he establishes order in the world, he equalizes the extremes that are the source of social discontent and thereby creates just and equable conditions.
Above: K`UN THE RECEPTIVE, EARTH
Below: KÊN KEEPING STILL, MOUNTAIN
This hexagram is made up of the trigrams Kên, Keeping Still, mountain, and K`un. The mountain is the youngest son of the Creative, the representative of heaven and earth. It dispenses the blessings of heaven, the clouds and rain that gather round its summit, and thereafter shines forth radiant with heavenly light. This shows what modesty is and how it functions in great and strong men. K`un, the earth, stands above. Lowliness is a quality of the earth: this is the very reason why it appears in this hexagram as exalted, by being placed above the mountain. This shows how modesty functions in lowly, simple people: they are lifted up by it.
The Judgement
MODESTY creates success. The superior man carries things through.It is the law of heaven to make fullness empty and to make full what is modest. When the sun is at its zenith, it must, according to the law of heaven, turn toward its setting, and at its nadir it rises toward a new dawn. In obedience to the same law, the moon when it is full begins to wane, and when empty of light it waxes again. This heavenly law works itself out in the fates of men also. It is the law of earth to alter the full and to contribute to the modest. High mountains are worn down by the waters, and the valleys are filled up. It is the law of fate to undermine what is full and to prosper the modest, and men also hate fullness and love the modest. The destinies of men are subject to immutable laws that must fulfill themselves. Man has it in his power to shape his fate, according as his behavior exposes him to the influence of benevolent or of destructive forces. When a man holds a high position and is nevertheless modest, he shines with the light of wisdom. If he is in a lowly position and is modest, he cannot be passed by. In this way the superior man can carry out his work to the end without boasting of what he has achieved.
The Image
Within the earth, a mountain: The image of MODESTY. Thus the superior man reduces that which is too much, and augments that which is too little. He weighs things and makes them equal.The wealth of the earth in which a mountain is hidden is not visible to the eye, because the depths are offset by the height of the mountain. Thus high and low competent each other and the result is the plain. Here an effect that it took a long time to achieve, but that in the end seems easy of accomplishment and self-evident, is used as the image of modesty. The superior man does the same thing when he establishes order in the world, he equalizes the extremes that are the source of social discontent and thereby creates just and equable conditions.