I-Ching
Current
Changing
Transformed
Current
04 - Mêng / Youthful Folly
Above: KÊN KEEPING STILL, MOUNTAIN
Below: K`AN THE ABYSMAL, WATER
In this hexagram we are reminded of youth and folly in two different ways. The image of the upper trigram, Kên, is the mountain, that of the lower, K`an, is water, like the spring rising at the foot of the mountain is the image of inexperienced youth. Keeping still is the attribute of the upper trigram, and that of the lower is the abyss or danger. Stopping in perplexity on the brink of a dangerous abyss is a symbol of the folly of youth. However, the two trigrams also show the way of overcoming the follies of youth. Water is something that of necessity flows on. When the spring gushes forth, it does not know at first where it will go, but its steady flow fills up the deep place blocking its progress, and success is attained.
If he importunes, I give him no information. Perseverance furthers.
In the time of youth, folly is not an evil. One may succeed in spite of it, provided one finds an experienced teacher and has the right attitude toward him. This means, first of all, that the youth himself must be conscious of his lack of experience and must seek out the teacher. Without this modesty and this interest there is no guarantee that he has the necessary receptivity, which should express itself in respectful acceptance of the teacher. This is the reason why the teacher must wait to be sought out instead of offering himself. Only thus can the instruction take place at the right time and in the right way.
A teachers answer to the question of a pupil ought to be clear and definite like that expected from an oracle, thereupon it ought to be accepted as a key for resolution of doubts and a basis for decision. If mistrustful or unintelligent questioning is kept up, it serves only to annoy the teacher. He does well to ignore it in silence, just as the oracle gives one answer only and refuses to be tempted by questions implying doubt.
Given addition a perseverance that never slackens until the points are mastered one by one, real success is sure to follow. Thus, the hexagram counsels the teacher as well as the pupil.
Thus the superior man fosters his character by thoroughness in all that he does.
A spring succeeds in flowing on and escapes stagnation by filling up all the hollow places in its path. In the same way character is developed by thoroughness that skips nothing but, like water, gradually and steadily fills up all gaps and so flows onward.
Above: KÊN KEEPING STILL, MOUNTAIN
Below: K`AN THE ABYSMAL, WATER
In this hexagram we are reminded of youth and folly in two different ways. The image of the upper trigram, Kên, is the mountain, that of the lower, K`an, is water, like the spring rising at the foot of the mountain is the image of inexperienced youth. Keeping still is the attribute of the upper trigram, and that of the lower is the abyss or danger. Stopping in perplexity on the brink of a dangerous abyss is a symbol of the folly of youth. However, the two trigrams also show the way of overcoming the follies of youth. Water is something that of necessity flows on. When the spring gushes forth, it does not know at first where it will go, but its steady flow fills up the deep place blocking its progress, and success is attained.
The Judgement
YOUTHFUL FOLLY has success. It is not I who seek the young fool, rather the young fool seeks me. At the first oracle I inform him. If he asks two or three times, it is importunity.If he importunes, I give him no information. Perseverance furthers.
In the time of youth, folly is not an evil. One may succeed in spite of it, provided one finds an experienced teacher and has the right attitude toward him. This means, first of all, that the youth himself must be conscious of his lack of experience and must seek out the teacher. Without this modesty and this interest there is no guarantee that he has the necessary receptivity, which should express itself in respectful acceptance of the teacher. This is the reason why the teacher must wait to be sought out instead of offering himself. Only thus can the instruction take place at the right time and in the right way.
A teachers answer to the question of a pupil ought to be clear and definite like that expected from an oracle, thereupon it ought to be accepted as a key for resolution of doubts and a basis for decision. If mistrustful or unintelligent questioning is kept up, it serves only to annoy the teacher. He does well to ignore it in silence, just as the oracle gives one answer only and refuses to be tempted by questions implying doubt.
Given addition a perseverance that never slackens until the points are mastered one by one, real success is sure to follow. Thus, the hexagram counsels the teacher as well as the pupil.
The Image
A spring wells up at the foot of the mountain: The image of YOUTH.Thus the superior man fosters his character by thoroughness in all that he does.
A spring succeeds in flowing on and escapes stagnation by filling up all the hollow places in its path. In the same way character is developed by thoroughness that skips nothing but, like water, gradually and steadily fills up all gaps and so flows onward.
Changing
Six in the fourth place means:
The headboard of a young bull. Great good fortune.
This line and the one following it are the two that tame the forward-pushing lower lines. Before a bulls horns grow out, a headboard is fastened to its forehead, so that later when the horns appear they cannot do harm. A good way to restrain wild force is to forestall it. By so doing one achieves an easy and great success.
The headboard of a young bull. Great good fortune.
This line and the one following it are the two that tame the forward-pushing lower lines. Before a bulls horns grow out, a headboard is fastened to its forehead, so that later when the horns appear they cannot do harm. A good way to restrain wild force is to forestall it. By so doing one achieves an easy and great success.
Nine at the top means:
One attains the way of heaven. Success.
The time of obstruction is past. The energy long dammed up by inhibition forces its way out and achieves great success. This refers to a man who is honored by the ruler and whose principles now prevail, and shape the world.
One attains the way of heaven. Success.
The time of obstruction is past. The energy long dammed up by inhibition forces its way out and achieves great success. This refers to a man who is honored by the ruler and whose principles now prevail, and shape the world.
Transformed
26 - Ta Ch`u / The Taming Power of the Great
Above: KÊN KEEPING STILL, MOUNTAIN
Below: CH`IEN THE CREATIVE, HEAVEN
The Creative is tamed by Kên, Keeping Still. This produces great power, a situation in contrast to that of the ninth hexagram, Hsiao Ch`u, THE TAMING POWER OF THE SMALL, in which the Creative is tamed by the Gentle alone. There one weak line must tame five strong lines, but here four strong lines are restrained by two weak lines. In addition to a minister, there is a prince, and the restraining power therefore is far stronger. The hexagram has a threefold meaning, expressing different aspects of the concept "holding firm". Heaven within the mountain gives the idea of holding firm in the sense of holding together, as the trigram Kên which holds the trigram Ch`ien still, and gives the idea of holding firm in the sense of holding back. The third idea is that of holding firm in the sense of caring for and nourishing. This last is suggested by the fact that a strong line at the top, which is the ruler of the hexagram, is honored and tended to as a sage. The third of these meanings also attaches specifically to this strong line at the top, which represents the sage.
To hold firmly to great creative powers and store them up, as set forth in this hexagram, there is need of a strong, clear-headed man who is honored by the ruler. The trigram Ch`ein points to strong creative power, and Kên indicates firmness and truth. Both point to light and clarity and to the daily renewal of character. Only through such daily self-renewal can a man continue at the height of his powers. Force of habit helps to keep order in quiet times, but in periods when there is a great storing up of energy, everything depends on the power of the personality. However, since the worthy are honored, as in the case of the strong personality entrusted with leadership by the ruler, it is an advantage not to eat at home but rather to earn ones bread by entering upon public office. Such a man is in harmony with heaven, and therefore even great and difficult undertakings, such as crossing the great water, succeed.
Heaven within the mountain points to hidden treasures. In the words and deeds of the past there lies hidden a treasure that men may use to strengthen and elevate their own characters. The way to study the past is not to confine oneself to mere knowledge of history but, through application of this knowledge, to give actuality to the past.
Above: KÊN KEEPING STILL, MOUNTAIN
Below: CH`IEN THE CREATIVE, HEAVEN
The Creative is tamed by Kên, Keeping Still. This produces great power, a situation in contrast to that of the ninth hexagram, Hsiao Ch`u, THE TAMING POWER OF THE SMALL, in which the Creative is tamed by the Gentle alone. There one weak line must tame five strong lines, but here four strong lines are restrained by two weak lines. In addition to a minister, there is a prince, and the restraining power therefore is far stronger. The hexagram has a threefold meaning, expressing different aspects of the concept "holding firm". Heaven within the mountain gives the idea of holding firm in the sense of holding together, as the trigram Kên which holds the trigram Ch`ien still, and gives the idea of holding firm in the sense of holding back. The third idea is that of holding firm in the sense of caring for and nourishing. This last is suggested by the fact that a strong line at the top, which is the ruler of the hexagram, is honored and tended to as a sage. The third of these meanings also attaches specifically to this strong line at the top, which represents the sage.
The Judgement
THE TAMING POWER OF THE GREAT. Perseverance furthers. Not eating at home brings good fortune. It furthers one to cross the great water.To hold firmly to great creative powers and store them up, as set forth in this hexagram, there is need of a strong, clear-headed man who is honored by the ruler. The trigram Ch`ein points to strong creative power, and Kên indicates firmness and truth. Both point to light and clarity and to the daily renewal of character. Only through such daily self-renewal can a man continue at the height of his powers. Force of habit helps to keep order in quiet times, but in periods when there is a great storing up of energy, everything depends on the power of the personality. However, since the worthy are honored, as in the case of the strong personality entrusted with leadership by the ruler, it is an advantage not to eat at home but rather to earn ones bread by entering upon public office. Such a man is in harmony with heaven, and therefore even great and difficult undertakings, such as crossing the great water, succeed.
The Image
Heaven within the mountain: The image of THE TAMING POWER OF THE GREAT. Thus, the superior man acquaints himself with many sayings of antiquity, and many deeds of the past, in order to strengthen his character.Heaven within the mountain points to hidden treasures. In the words and deeds of the past there lies hidden a treasure that men may use to strengthen and elevate their own characters. The way to study the past is not to confine oneself to mere knowledge of history but, through application of this knowledge, to give actuality to the past.