HEXAGRAM 57 – Sun – The Gentle (The Penetrating, Wind)
Above SUN THE GENTLE, WIND, WOOD
Below SUN THE GENTLE, WIND, WOOD
Sun is one of the eight doubled trigrams.
It
- is the eldest daughter
and
- symbolizes wind or wood;
it has for its attribute gentleness,
which nonetheless penetrates
- like the wind
or
- like growing wood
with its roots.
The dark principle, in itself rigid and immovable,
is dissolved by the penetrating light principle,
to which it subordinates itself in gentleness.
- In nature,
it is the wind that
-
disperses the gathered clouds,
leaving the sky clear and serene.
- In human life
it is penetrating clarity of judgment that
- thwarts all dark hidden motives.
- In the life of the community
it is the powerful influence of a great personality that
-
uncovers and breaks up those intrigues
which shun the light of day.
THE JUDGMENT
THE GENTLE.
Success through what is small.
- It furthers one to have somewhere to go.
- It furthers one to see the great man.
Penetration produces
- gradual
and
- inconspicuous
effects.
It should be effected
- not by an act of violation
- but by influence that never lapses.
- Results of this kind are less striking to the eye
than
- those won by surprise attack,
but
-
they
- are more enduring
and
- more complete.
- are more enduring
If
- one would produce such effects
- one must have a dearly defined goal,
for only when
- the penetrating influence works always in the same direction
- can the object be attained.
Small strength can achieve its purpose
only by
- subordinating itself to an eminent man
- who is capable of creating order.
THE IMAGE
Winds following one upon the other: The image of THE GENTLY PENETRATING.
Thus
the superior man
- Spreads his commands abroad
And
- carries out his undertakings.
-
The penetrating quality of the wind depends upon its ceaselessness.
- This is what makes it so powerful;
- time is its instrument.
- This is what makes it so powerful;
In the same way
-
the ruler’s thought should penetrate the soul of the people.
-
This too requires a lasting influence brought about by
- enlightenment
and
- command.
- enlightenment
-
Only when
- the command has been assimilated by the people
- is action in accordance with it possible.
Action without preparation of the ground only
- frightens
and
- repels.
THE LINES
Six at the beginning means:
- In advancing and
- in retreating,
The perseverance of a warrior furthers.
Inborn gentleness is often carried to the point of indecisiveness.
One
-
does not feel strong enough to advance resolutely.
A thousand doubts crop up;
one
- is, however, not minded to withdraw
but
- drifts indecisively to and fro.
In such a situation,
- a military decisiveness is the proper thing,
so that
one resolutely
- does what order demands.
- Resolute discipline is far better than
- irresolute license.
Nine in the second place means:
Penetration under the bed.
Priests and magicians are used in great number.
Good fortune.
No blame.
At times
one
-
has to deal with hidden enemies,
intangible influences that slink into dark corners and from this hiding
- affect people by suggestion.
In instances like this,
-
it is necessary to trace these things back to the most secret recesses,
in order to determine
the nature of the influences to be dealt with.
- This is the task of the priests;
- removing the influences
- is the task of the magicians.
The very anonymity of such plotting requires
an especially vigorous and indefatigable effort,
but this is well worth while.
For when such
elusive influences are
- brought into the light
and
- branded,
they lose their power over people.
Nine in the third place means:
Repeated penetration.
Humiliation.
Penetrating reflection
- must not be pushed too far,
- lest it cripple the power of decision.
After a matter has been thoroughly pondered,
it is essential
- to form a decision
and
- to act.
Repeated deliberation brings
- fresh doubts and scruples,
and thereby
- humiliation,
because
one shows oneself unable to act.
Six in the fourth place means:
Remorse vanishes.
During the hunt
Three kinds of game are caught.
When a
- responsible position
and
- accumulated experience
lead one to combine
- innate modesty
with
- energetic action,
great success is assured.
The three kinds of animals referred to served
- for offerings to the gods,
- for feasting guests,
and
- for everyday consumption.
When
- the catch answered all three purposes,
- the hunt was considered especially successful.
Nine in the fifth place means:
Perseverance brings good fortune.
Remorse vanishes.
Nothing that does not further.
- No beginning,
but
- an end.
- Before the change, three days.
- After the change, three days.
Good fortune.
In the situation described in Ku, WORK ON WHAT HAS BEEN SPOILED (18),
- an entirely new point of departure must be set
whereas here
- it is only a question of reforms.
- The beginning has not been good,
but
- the moment has been reached when a new direction can be taken.
Change and improvement are called for.
Such steps must be undertaken
- with steadfastness,
that is,
- with a firm and correct attitude of mind;
then
- they will succeed,
and
- remorse will disappear.
But
it must be remembered that
such improvements require careful consideration.
Before a change is made,
- it must be pondered over again and again.
After the change is made,
-
it is necessary to note carefully for some time after
how the improvements bear the test of actuality.
Such careful work is accompanied by good fortune.
Nine at the top means:
Penetration under the bed.
He loses
- his property
and
- his ax.
Perseverance brings misfortune.
A man’s understanding is sufficiently penetrating.
- He follows up injurious influences into the most secret corners.
But
- he no longer has the strength to combat them decisively.
In this case
any attempt to penetrate into the personal domain of darkness
would only bring harm.
