First Hexagram

#58 Tui (Joy) 

Changing Line #1

Tui comprises the trigrams Lake over Lake.  This doubling up of the trigram suggests an elevated lake in the mountains, contributing water to a smaller lake on the plains that would otherwise be in danger of depletion.  Since the Lake trigram in the I Ching is associated with joy, the higher lake, fed by springs and mountain mists, becomes a symbol for the nurturing, happiness and encouragement we receive from people who inspire us, and from situations in which all seems possible.

 

The climate Tui describes is one in which the community is united by infectious buoyancy.  Anxiety and disharmony are banished by a sense of achievement and triumph that seems to promise even greater things.

 

Of all forms of motivation, the possibility of attaining true bliss is the most powerful.  Bliss in this sense means a quality of elation that touches all aspects of our being.  Sensual pleasures, intellectual stimulation and emotional contentment gratify only parts of our consciousness, whereas bliss enflames the entire being.  Tui pertains to conditions that give us a taste of this holistic delight and hold out the promise of more to come.

 

We should not, however, allow ourselves to become intoxicated by this communal exuberance.  Revelry will only distract us from capitalizing on this auspicious time.  Further advancement is possible if we are inspired by our successes, but neither besotted with or reliant upon them.  More obstacles lie ahead, but these will be mastered if we are guided equally by joy and by wisdom

 

Changing Line In #1 Position:

“Responsive opening, good fortune.”

 

This is the promising beginning of conversation: not mere self-expression, but the capacity to listen and respond.  You foster trust, and make mutual enrichment possible, by opening up your inner space to exchange.

 

The foundation for this responsive communication is autonomy and self-reliance:  it means that you have something to give, and that you can create a harmonious connection that is not dominated or distorted by what people “need“ from one another.

 

 

The Second Hexagram

#47 K’un (Exhaustion)

K’un consists of the trigrams Lake above Water.  This suggest a lake bed from which all the water has poured away downhill.  The image symbolizes a situation in which continuous affliction has depleted our vitality, faith and enthusiasm.

 

Since these qualities are among the most essential to us in our endeavors, the condition described by this hexagram is particularly dangerous.  Other hexagrams describing difficult times show that adversity can concentrate our efforts and determination.  This hexagram shows that despair can sometimes undermine even our desire for success.

 

Since we are generally unreceptive of advice in this state, K’un observes that our wisest course is to prepare for such eventualities well in advance, strengthening our resistance to self-pity before negative situations occur.  A sufferer of migraines does not make his or her assessment of life while suffering a severe headache.

 

We should also consider exhaustion and depression as passing conditions, not as indications of life as it truly is.  When we remind ourselves that despondency has physical as well as emotional causes and is a temporary illness only, its treatment becomes obvious.  We should allow ourselves rest and well-balanced nutrition.  We should also cultivate a positive mental attitude-this has been proven to be a major factor in many forms of healing.  Pessimism is a symptom of exhaustion, just as sneezing is of hay fever, and should be treated with no more seriousness.  As our strength and sense of purpose return, so will our outlook be renewed.

This entry was posted on Monday, February 18th, 2013 at 5:22 am and is filed under Community Articles, Local Announcements, Pacific Northwest. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can also leave a comment.