BuzzFeed BZFD under CEO Jonah Peretti

BuzzFeed BZFD under CEO Jonah Peretti

 

HEXAGRAM 19 – Lin – Approach

Above    K’UN    THE RECEPTIVE, EARTH

Below    TUI    THE JOYOUS, LAKE

The Chinese word Lin has a range of meanings

that is not exhausted by any single word of another language.

The ancient explanations in the Book of Changes give as its

1. first meaning, “becoming great.”
   

• What becomes great are the two strong lines growing into the hexagram from below;
  
• the light-giving power expands with them.
  

1. The meaning is then further extended to include the concept of approach,
   

   especially the approach of
   

• what is strong and highly placed
  
• in relation to what is lower.
  

1. Finally the meaning includes
   

• the attitude of condescension of a man in high position toward the people,
  
• and in general the setting to work on affairs.
  

This hexagram is linked with the twelfth month (January-February),

when, after the winter solstice,

the light power begins to ascend again.

 

THE JUDGMENT

APPROACH has supreme success.

Perseverance furthers.

When the eighth month comes,

There will be misfortune.

The hexagram as a whole points to a time of joyous, hopeful progress.

Spring is approaching.

Joy and forbearance bring high and low nearer together.

Success is certain.

But we must work with determination and perseverance

to make full use of the propitiousness of the time.

And one thing more: spring does not last forever.

In the eighth month the aspects are reversed.

Then only two strong, light lines are left; these

• do not advance but
  
• are in retreat (see next hexagram).
  

We must take heed of this change in good time.

If

• we meet evil before it becomes reality –
  

  before it has even begun to stir –
  

• we can master it.
  

 

THE IMAGE

The earth above the lake: The image of APPROACH.

Thus the superior man

• is inexhaustible In his will to teach, And
  
• without limits In his tolerance and protection of the people.
  

The earth borders upon the lake from above 1.

This symbolizes the approach and condescension of the man of higher position

to those beneath him.

The two parts of the image indicate what his attitude toward these people will be.

• Just as the lake is inexhaustible in depth,
  
  • so the sage is inexhaustible in his readiness to teach mankind,
    

and

• just as the earth is boundlessly wide, sustaining and caring for all creatures on it,
  
  • so the sage sustains and cares for all people and excludes no part of humanity.
    

 

THE LINES

 

0 Nine at the beginning means:

Joint approach.

Perseverance brings good fortune.

The good begins to prevail and to find response in influential circles.

This in turn is an incentive to men of ability.

It is well to join this upward trend, but

• we must not let ourselves be carried away by the current of the time;
  
• we must adhere perseveringly to what is right.
  

This brings good fortune.

 

Six in the third place means:

Comfortable approach.

Nothing that would further.

If

• one is induced to grieve over it,
  
• One becomes free of blame.
  

Things are going well for a man:

he achieves power and influence.

But in this lies the danger that he

• may relax, and confident of his position,
  
• allow the easygoing, careless mood to show itself in his dealings with other people.
  

This would inevitably be harmful.

But there is possibility of a change of mood.

If

• he regrets his mistaken attitude and feels the responsibility of an influential position,
  
• he frees himself of faults.
  

 

 

MOVING HEXAGRAM

 

 

Hexagram 46 – Sheng – Pushing Upward

Above    K’UN    THE RECEPTIVE, EARTH

Below    SUN    THE GENTLE, WIND, WOOD

• The lower trigram, Sun, represents wood, and
  
• the upper, K’un, means the earth.
  

Linked with this is the idea that wood in the earth grows upward.

In contrast to the meaning of Chin, PROGRESS (35),

this pushing upward is associated with effort,

just as a plant needs energy for pushing upward through the earth.

That is why this hexagram, although it is connected with success, is associated with effort of the will.

• In PROGRESS the emphasis is on expansion;
  
• PUSHING UPWARD indicates rather a vertical ascent – direct rise
  
  • from obscurity and lowliness
    
  • to power and influence.
    

 

THE JUDGMENT

PUSHING UPWARD

has supreme success.

One must see the great man.

Fear not.

Departure toward the south

Brings good fortune.

The pushing upward of the good elements

• encounters no obstruction and
  
• is therefore accompanied by great success.
  

The pushing upward is made possible

• not by violence
  
• but by modesty and adaptability.
  

Since the individual is borne along by the propitiousness of the time,

he advances.

He must go to see authoritative people.

He need not be afraid to do this, because success is assured.

But

he must set to work, for activity (this is the meaning of “the south”) brings good fortune.

 

THE IMAGE

Within the earth, wood grows: The image of PUSHING UPWARD.

Thus the superior man of devoted character

Heaps up small things

In order to achieve something high and great.

• Adapting itself to obstacles and bending around them,
  

  wood in the earth grows upward without haste and without rest.
  

Thus too

• the superior man
  
  • is devoted in character and
    
  • never pauses in his progress.
    

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