HEXAGRAM 42 – I – Increase

HEXAGRAM 42 – I – Increase

Above    SUN    THE GENTLE, WIND

Below    CHEN    THE AROUSING, THUNDER

The idea of increase is expressed in the fact

that

the strong lowest line of the upper trigram

• has sunk down
  

and

• taken its place under the lower trigram.
  

This conception also expresses

the fundamental idea on which the Book of Changes is based.

To rule truly is to serve.

A sacrifice of the higher element

that

produces an increase of the lower

is called an out-and-out increase:

it

indicates the spirit that alone has power to help the world.

THE JUDGMENT

INCREASE.

• It furthers one To undertake something.
  
• It furthers one to cross the great water.
  

Sacrifice on the part of those above for the increase of those below

• fills the people with a sense of joy and gratitude
  

that

• is extremely valuable for the flowering of the commonwealth.
  

When people are thus devoted to their leaders,

• undertakings are possible,
  

and

• even difficult and dangerous enterprises will succeed.
  

Therefore in such times of progress and successful development

it is necessary to

• work
  

and

• make the best use of the time.
  

This time resembles that of the marriage of heaven and earth,

when the earth

• partakes of the creative power of heaven,
  
• forming and bringing forth living beings.
  

The time of INCREASE does not endure,

therefore

it

must be utilized while it lasts.

THE IMAGE

Wind and thunder: the image Of INCREASE.

Thus the superior man:

If

• he sees good,
  
  • he imitates it;
    

If

• he has faults,
  
  • he rids himself of them.
    

While observing how thunder and wind increase and strengthen each other,

a man can note the way to

• self-increase
  

and

• self-improvement.
  

When he discovers good in others,

he should

• imitate it
  

and thus

• make everything on earth his own.
  

If

• he perceives something bad in himself,
  
  • let him rid himself of it.
    

In this way

• he becomes free of evil.
  

This ethical change represents the most important increase of personality.

THE LINES

Nine at the beginning means:

It furthers one to accomplish great deeds.

Supreme good fortune.

No blame.

If

great help comes to a man from on high,

this increased strength must be used to achieve something great for which

he might otherwise never have found energy, or readiness to take

by selflessness, responsibility.

• Great good fortune is produced
  

and

in bringing about great good fortune,

• he remains free of reproach.
  

Six in the second place means:

Someone does indeed increase him

Ten pairs of tortoises cannot oppose it.

Constant perseverance brings good fortune.

The king presents him before God.

Good fortune.

A man brings about real increase

by producing in himself the conditions for it.

That is,

through receptivity to and love of the good.

Thus

the thing for which he strives comes of itself,

with the inevitability of natural law.

Where

increase is thus in harmony with the highest laws of the universe,

it can not be prevented by any constellation of accidents.

But everything depends on

his not letting unexpected good fortune make him heedless;

he must make it his own through

• inner strength
  

and

• steadfastness.
  

Then

he

• acquires meaning before God and man,
  

and

• can accomplish something for the good of the world.
  

Six in the third place means:

One is enriched through unfortunate events.

No blame, if you

• are sincere
  

And

• walk in the middle,
  

And

• report with a seal to the prince.
  

A time of blessing and enrichment has such powerful effects

that even

events ordinarily unfortunate

must turn out to the advantage of those affected by them.

These persons become

• free of error, and by acting in harmony with truth
  
• they
  
  • gain such inner authority
    

  that
  

  • they exert influence as if sanctioned by letter and seal
    

Six in the fourth place means:

If you

• walk in the middle
  

And

• report to the prince,
  

He will follow.

It furthers one to be used In the removal of the capital.

It is important that there should be men who mediate between

• leaders
  

and

• followers.
  

These should be disinterested people,

especially in times of increase,

since

the benefit is to spread from the leader to the people.

• Nothing of this benefit
  
  • should be held back in a selfish way;
    
• it
  
  • should really reach those for whom it is intended.
    

This sort of intermediary,

who also exercises a good influence on the leader,

is especially important in times

when

it is a matter of great undertakings,

• decisive for the future
  

and

• requiring the inner assent of all concerned.
  

Nine in the fifth place means:

If in truth you have a kind heart, ask not.

Supreme good fortune.

Truly, kindness will be recognized as your virtue.

True kindness

• does not count upon nor ask about merit and gratitude
  

but

• acts from inner necessity.
  

And

such a truly kind heart

• finds itself rewarded in being recognized,
  

and thus

• the beneficent influence will spread unhindered.
  

Nine at the top means:

• He brings increase to no one. Indeed, someone even strikes him.
  
• He does not keep his heart constantly steady.
  

Misfortune.

The meaning here is that through renunciation

those in high place should bring increase to those below.

By

• neglecting this duty
  

and

• helping no one,
  

they in turn

• lose the furthering influence of others
  

and soon

• find themselves alone.
  

In this way

• they invite attacks.
  

An attitude

not permanently in harmony with the demands of the time

will necessarily bring misfortune with it.

Confucius says about this line:

• The superior man sets his person at rest before he moves;
  
• he composes his mind before he speaks;
  
• he makes his relations firm before he asks for something.
  

By attending to these three matters,

• the superior man gains complete security.
  

But

• if a man is brusque in his movements,
  
  • others will not cooperate.
    
• If he is agitated in his words,
  
  • they awaken no echo in others.
    
• If he asks for something without having first established relations,
  
  • it will not be given to him.
    
• If no one is with him,
  
  • those who would harm him draw near.
    

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