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Above; mountain,
stillness
Below; a pool of water, joy
This hexagram is
regarded as having been formed by a change in hexagram
11 (Tai – Peace). The strong yang line in the
third place has been replaced by the weak yin line
from the top place. What is below has been decreased
to the advantage of what is above. It is as if the
foundations of a building have been weakened while
the upper walls have been strengthened.
One who effects
decrease with sincerity will bring about great good
fortune without blame. Righteous persistence is correct
and there is advantage in every move made toward a
destination. If there is doubt about how to proceed,
two small bowls are sufficient for the sacrifice.
There is loss below,
but gain above and the way leads ever upward. The
line in the test concerning the use of two small bowls
means that one should use whatever comes to hand.
At times it is right to decrease the strong and increase
the weak. Decrease and increase, filling and emptying;
there is an appointed time for each.
The lake lies at
the foot of the mountain is the image of Sun. The
Superior Man controls his anger and suppresses his
desires.
Line 1
When work is done,
hurry away. This is not wrong. Consider, however,
how you decrease others.
When a man has
completed his own business, it is unselfish and praiseworthy
for him to hurry to the aid of others. He must calculate
carefully how much additional burden he can accept
and whether the limited responsibility he can assume
is really a help to them.
Line 2
Righteous persistence
brings reward. But going forward brings misfortune.
One can bring increase to others without decreasing
himself.
A man who wishes
to be of service to others must possess a serious
self-awareness and preserve his essential dignity.
Someone who sacrifices his principals at the insistence
of another diminishes himself and the other.
Line 3
If three set out
together, one is lost along the way. But a man going
forth alone finds company.
A group of three
is not an ideal working unit for jealousy is bound
to arise. A man who begins on his own is sure to find
someone who will join with him.
Line 4
Decreasing his
faults he finds another hurrying to rejoice. No blame.
If a man does not
recognize his own faults he will often find that even
friendly people are not disposed to join with him.
But as he begins to recognize his shortcomings his
friends will flock around him and there is happiness
on both sides.
Line 5
He is increased
by many – ten pair or more – of tortoise
shells. Great good fortune.
Tortoise shells
were used in divination and were considered of great
value. To someone destined for good fortune, it will
come without fail and all the oracles will give him
favourable omens.
Line 6
Increasing without
reducing others he is without blame. Righteous persistence
brings good fortune. It is favourable to have a destination.
He hires servants but has no family or home.
Those who rise
to high position without harming others bring benefits
to everyone. Perseverance and hard work bring success.
The successful man is in a position to enlist the
help of others. But these others are not those who
will aid him in marrying or setting up a home. His
actions will be devoted to public service and will
be for the good of all.
© 1979 Neil
Powell
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