I-Ching
Current
Changing
Transformed
Current
18 - Ku / Work on What Has Been Spoiled (Decay)
Above: KÊN KEEPING STILL, MOUNTAIN
Below: SUN THE GENTLE, WIND
The Chinese character Ku represents a bowl in whose contents worms are breeding. This means decay. It is come about because the gentle indifference in the lower trigram has come together with the rigid inertia of the upper, and the result is stagnation. Since this implies guilt, the conditions embody a demand for removal of the cause. Hence, the meaning of the hexagram is not simply "what has been spoiled" but "work on what has been spoiled".
What has been spoiled through man`s fault can be made good again through man`s work. It is not immutable fate, as in the time of STANDSTILL, that has caused the state of corruption, but rather the abuse of human freedom. Work toward improving conditions promises well, because it accords the possibilities of the time. We must not recoil from work and danger, which are symbolized by "crossing of the great water", but must take hold energetically. Success depends, however, on proper deliberation. This is expressed by the lines, "Before the starting point, three days, after the starting point, three days". We must first know the causes of corruption before we can do away with them hence it is necessary to be cautious during the time before the start. Then we must see to it that the new way is safely entered upon, so that a relapse may be avoided. We must pay attention to the time after the start. Decisiveness and energy must take the place of the inertia and indifference that have led to decay, in order that the ending may be followed by a new beginning.
When the wind blows low on the mountain, it is thrown back and spoils the vegetation. This contains a challenge to improvement. It is the same with debasing attitudes and fashions as it can be said that they corrupt human society. To do away with this corruption, the superior man must regenerate society. His methods likewise must be derived from the two trigrams, but in such a way that their effects unfold in orderly sequence. The superior man must first remove stagnation by stirring up public opinion, as the wind stirs everything, and must then strengthen and tranquillize the character of the people, as the mountain gives tranquillity and nourishment to all that grows in its vicinity.
Above: KÊN KEEPING STILL, MOUNTAIN
Below: SUN THE GENTLE, WIND
The Chinese character Ku represents a bowl in whose contents worms are breeding. This means decay. It is come about because the gentle indifference in the lower trigram has come together with the rigid inertia of the upper, and the result is stagnation. Since this implies guilt, the conditions embody a demand for removal of the cause. Hence, the meaning of the hexagram is not simply "what has been spoiled" but "work on what has been spoiled".
The Judgement
WORK ON WHAT HAS BEEN SPOILED has supreme success. It furthers one to cross the great water. Before the starting point, three days, after the starting point, three days.What has been spoiled through man`s fault can be made good again through man`s work. It is not immutable fate, as in the time of STANDSTILL, that has caused the state of corruption, but rather the abuse of human freedom. Work toward improving conditions promises well, because it accords the possibilities of the time. We must not recoil from work and danger, which are symbolized by "crossing of the great water", but must take hold energetically. Success depends, however, on proper deliberation. This is expressed by the lines, "Before the starting point, three days, after the starting point, three days". We must first know the causes of corruption before we can do away with them hence it is necessary to be cautious during the time before the start. Then we must see to it that the new way is safely entered upon, so that a relapse may be avoided. We must pay attention to the time after the start. Decisiveness and energy must take the place of the inertia and indifference that have led to decay, in order that the ending may be followed by a new beginning.
The Image
The wind blows low on the mountain: The image of DECAY. Thus, the superior man stirs up the people and strengthens their spirit.When the wind blows low on the mountain, it is thrown back and spoils the vegetation. This contains a challenge to improvement. It is the same with debasing attitudes and fashions as it can be said that they corrupt human society. To do away with this corruption, the superior man must regenerate society. His methods likewise must be derived from the two trigrams, but in such a way that their effects unfold in orderly sequence. The superior man must first remove stagnation by stirring up public opinion, as the wind stirs everything, and must then strengthen and tranquillize the character of the people, as the mountain gives tranquillity and nourishment to all that grows in its vicinity.
Changing
Six in the second place means:
He holds him fast with yellow ox-hide. No one can tear him loose.
Yellow is the color of the middle. It indicates that which is correct and in line with duty. Ox-hide is strong and not to be torn.
While the superior men retreat and the inferior press after them, the inferior man represented here holds on so firmly and tightly to the superior man that the latter cannot shake him off. Because he is in quest of what is right and so strong in purpose, he reaches his goal. Thus, the line confirms what is said in the Judgment: "In what is small" is equivalent to "In the inferior man, perseverance furthers".
He holds him fast with yellow ox-hide. No one can tear him loose.
Yellow is the color of the middle. It indicates that which is correct and in line with duty. Ox-hide is strong and not to be torn.
While the superior men retreat and the inferior press after them, the inferior man represented here holds on so firmly and tightly to the superior man that the latter cannot shake him off. Because he is in quest of what is right and so strong in purpose, he reaches his goal. Thus, the line confirms what is said in the Judgment: "In what is small" is equivalent to "In the inferior man, perseverance furthers".
Nine in the third place means:
A halted retreat is nerve-wracking and dangerous. To retain people as men-and maidservants brings good fortune.
When it is time to retreat it is both unpleasant and dangerous to be held back, because then one no longer has freedom of action. In such a case the only expedient is to take into ones service, so to speak, those who refuse to let one go, so that one may at least keep ones initiative and not fall helplessly under their domination. But even with this expedient the situation is far from satisfactory, for what can one hope to accomplish with such servants?
A halted retreat is nerve-wracking and dangerous. To retain people as men-and maidservants brings good fortune.
When it is time to retreat it is both unpleasant and dangerous to be held back, because then one no longer has freedom of action. In such a case the only expedient is to take into ones service, so to speak, those who refuse to let one go, so that one may at least keep ones initiative and not fall helplessly under their domination. But even with this expedient the situation is far from satisfactory, for what can one hope to accomplish with such servants?
Nine in the fifth place means:
Friendly retreat. Perseverance brings good fortune.
It is the business of the superior man to recognize in time that the moment for retreat has come. If the right moment is chosen, the retreat can be carried out within the forms of perfect friendliness, without the necessity of disagreeable discussions. Yet, for all the observance of amenities, absolute firmness of decision is necessary if one is not to be led astray by irrelevant considerations.
Friendly retreat. Perseverance brings good fortune.
It is the business of the superior man to recognize in time that the moment for retreat has come. If the right moment is chosen, the retreat can be carried out within the forms of perfect friendliness, without the necessity of disagreeable discussions. Yet, for all the observance of amenities, absolute firmness of decision is necessary if one is not to be led astray by irrelevant considerations.
Transformed
33 - TUN / Retreat
Above: CH`IEN THE CREATIVE, HEAVEN
Below: KÊN KEEPING STILL, MOUNTAIN
The power of the dark is ascending. The light retreats to security, so that the dark cannot encroach upon it. This retreat is a matter not of mans will but of natural law. Therefore, in this case withdrawal is proper. It is the correct way to behave in order not to exhaust ones forces.
In the calendar, this hexagram is linked with the sixth month (July-August), in which the forces of winter are already showing their influence.
Conditions are such that the hostile forces favored by the time are advancing. In this case retreat is the right course, and it is not to be confused with flight. Flight means saving oneself under any circumstances, whereas retreat is a sign of strength. We must be careful not to miss the right moment while we are in full possession of power and position. Then we shall be able to interpret the signs of the time before it is too late and to prepare for provisional retreat instead of being drawn into a desperate life-and-death struggle. Thus, we do not simply abandon the field to the opponent, but we make it difficult for him to advance by showing perseverance in single acts of resistance. In this way we prepare, while retreating, for the counter-movement. Understanding the laws of a constructive retreat of this sort is not easy. The meaning that lies hidden in such a time is important.
The mountain rises up under heaven, but owing to its nature it finally comes to a stop. Heaven on the other hand retreats upward before it into the distance and remains out of reach. This symbolizes the behavior of the superior man toward a climbing inferior. He retreats into his own thoughts as the inferior man comes forward. He does not hate him, for hatred is a form of subjective involvement by which we are bound to the hated object. The superior man shows strength (heaven) in that he brings the inferior man to a standstill (mountain) by his dignified reserve.
Above: CH`IEN THE CREATIVE, HEAVEN
Below: KÊN KEEPING STILL, MOUNTAIN
The power of the dark is ascending. The light retreats to security, so that the dark cannot encroach upon it. This retreat is a matter not of mans will but of natural law. Therefore, in this case withdrawal is proper. It is the correct way to behave in order not to exhaust ones forces.
In the calendar, this hexagram is linked with the sixth month (July-August), in which the forces of winter are already showing their influence.
The Judgement
RETREAT. Success in what is small, perseverance furthers.Conditions are such that the hostile forces favored by the time are advancing. In this case retreat is the right course, and it is not to be confused with flight. Flight means saving oneself under any circumstances, whereas retreat is a sign of strength. We must be careful not to miss the right moment while we are in full possession of power and position. Then we shall be able to interpret the signs of the time before it is too late and to prepare for provisional retreat instead of being drawn into a desperate life-and-death struggle. Thus, we do not simply abandon the field to the opponent, but we make it difficult for him to advance by showing perseverance in single acts of resistance. In this way we prepare, while retreating, for the counter-movement. Understanding the laws of a constructive retreat of this sort is not easy. The meaning that lies hidden in such a time is important.
The Image
Mountain under heaven: the image of RETREAT. Thus, the superior man keeps the inferior man at a distance, not angrily but with reserve.The mountain rises up under heaven, but owing to its nature it finally comes to a stop. Heaven on the other hand retreats upward before it into the distance and remains out of reach. This symbolizes the behavior of the superior man toward a climbing inferior. He retreats into his own thoughts as the inferior man comes forward. He does not hate him, for hatred is a form of subjective involvement by which we are bound to the hated object. The superior man shows strength (heaven) in that he brings the inferior man to a standstill (mountain) by his dignified reserve.