Our mental clarity, our ability to differentiate between important and unimportant, is the pivotal point of this hexagram. Our clarity allows us to analyze a situation and the various aspects it comprises: What are my options in this situation? Which of these options should I choose to achieve best results? What or who will help me, give me strength, promote my growth? What aspects of this situation are blocking me or lead me to a dead end in the long term? Sometimes it is enough to have just mental clarity. Sometimes, however, we must take action for the situation to develop and to gain momentum.
Sometimes, our cool head is the savior: when chaos ensues, when gut feelings go haywire. But perhaps they are not going haywire at all; maybe we just don’t understand what they’re trying to tell us. That’s when the cool head comes to the rescue – guiding the gut, illuminating the darkness, calming the storm.
Is it good for me – or is harmful? How can I find out? The easiest method is probably: to try it out. But before marching off we should carefully examine the whole situation. Nothing is ever so new to us that we have no prior experience at all. What do we already know? What is the situation’s background? Well-being? Stomach ache?
A user describes her situation as follows: “I feel lots of love for the children, the love for my partner, however, is gone. I wish it was different, but this is as things are now. I feel a great sense of duty towards my family.” Regarding this situation the user asks the following question: “How to proceed?” The I Ching responds with hexagram36 – darkening of the light.
A user asks the I Ging: “What does she want me to do?”
Case Study
Hexagram 36 – darkening of the light begins with Li, the fire as the lower trigram. Li stands for our ability to differentiate facts and figures, influences, emotions – in short: the fullness of our overwhelming reality. The user’s example (above, first question) illustrates nicely how this ability to differentiate forms the basis of her question: she has already analysed her own situation and can describe her options: there are reasons to maintain her family situation (her love for the children, her sense of duty), but there are also reasons that suggest a change (the unfortunately extinct love for her partner). The user has won clarity (Li) and now wonders how to decide. In hexagram 36 – darkening of the lightLi develops into Kan (water; first core character). After analysing the situation and the pros and cons of possible actions (Li), Kan invites us to listen to our inner voice. For such a complex situation as the user describes, there is no simple solution, no short-cut to a pleasing outcome. The right, or better: the adequate decision cannot be found by means of mind. But in addition to our mind we have yet another tool to deal with the world: our intuition, our gut feeling. This is where Kan points at. Which possible action feels right? To stay? To walk away? Which thought makes us feel strong – the call of duty or the desire for an individual, a fulfilled life? If we put moral prejudices aside both motivations – duty and desire – are legitimate. The user is at a crossroad and must decide: Will I follow the path of duty – or the path of desire? Both paths will lead to a destination – just that the two destinations will be different. No path is wrong – yet which path to choose depends on user, what fits her best, what matches her personality, her personal motivation and strength. To follow the path of duty requires strength: the strength of renunciation. On this path one is supported by the approval of most others and fulfilment may be found in self-control. To follow the path of desire also requires strength: the strength to walk alone in self-responsibility, possibly against general morality. The reward will be an individual, a happy life. Our mind will never be able to properly decide which of the two paths is right one for the user. Only our intuition, our gut feeling can adequately guide us./ In the course of the hexagram 36 – darkening of the lightKan develops into Zhen (the thunder; second core character). A pulse arises from our gut feeling: the seed of a new action. There will be a moment in which the user’s decision will become visible: packing a suitcase, leave the house. Or: burning the suitcase, staying forever. The upper trigram of hexagram 36 – darkening of the light is Kun, the earth. The decision is growing. The lonely journey into a new life begins. Or: the reward of self-conquest is felt and fulfils with its quiet happiness.
I received the following inquiry regarding hexagram 37 – the Clan:
“I have been trying to start a venture. I have done research and know the field. But it all goes slow. I just keep feeling that something is not right. I am looking for a way to move forward.“
I recently attended a family constellation about partnership. Later I asked the I Ching about the overall situation – from the initial constellation to the healed, resolved outcome. The response I got was hexagram49 – revolution (molting).
A user asks the I Ching the following question: “How should I deal with my lack of jobs – and the corresponding low income? Is there maybe something good about the situation?” The I Ching’s answer is hexagram55 – abundance. A wonderful response to a question which relates to scarcity…
A user writes: “Two weeks ago I decided to separate from my wife after 13 years of marriage. My question for the I Ching is, ‘What situation am I in?’”
A user asks: “My only son is leaving the house. I am currently not working. How should I deal with the future emptiness?”
A user asks how his professional situation will develop for him.
A user wants to buy an old oil mill in Italy to renovate and use it as a domicile. But everything keeps continuously getting delayed, while he lives in the mobile home and waits. The answer of the I Ching: 55 – abundance.
Some Reflections
Light at the end of the tunnel
The last inquiry regarding hexagram 55 – abundance, the oil mill in Italy, was sent in recently. And at about the same time, on a walk, I came across an image that I find somehow fitting: Light at the end of the tunnel. What I like about this image is that the tunnel itself is pretty. But exactly that is what you lose sight of when you only focus on the end of the tunnel, that single point, the problem. Yet the surroundings are full of beauty. And probably also full of alternative solutions. Perhaps this is what is meant by abundance (in the hexagrams name): All the possible solutions that actually exist – but for which one is blind as long as one’s focus is exclusively on the problem.
Case Study
Hexagram 55 – abundance begins of with Li, representing clear discernment. In acupuncture the small intestine represents this function and is described as follows:
How does the heart gain such clarity and pioneering influence? Only through an entity that is able to discern between important and unimportant, to sort out what is essential and to put only the purest [substance] at the heart’s disposal. This function of the organism is attributed to the small intestine… The small intestine, alchemist of the interior… Discernment is needed on all levels! Sorting out intellectually, differentiating facts, clarifying relationships and… feelings – all this falls under the responsibilities of the small intestine… This is why mental health is associated with the small intestine as well…
During our conversation I consequently I ask the user questions like: What exactly is the problem that led you to consult the I Ching? To what extent is your perception of scarcity actually true? Is your job situation really that bad? And what is your general financial outlook? My inquiries bring up that she has a few small jobs, but not too many. Secretly, however, she sees this situation almost as a blessing, because currently she is intensively and with great joy engaged in a non-profit project – which certainly would not be possible if she had more “real” work. Financially, she has enough savings to make ends meet, although she would prefer not to touch her reserves and keep them for some ominous future (an attitude she was brought up with but gradually starts to feel doubtful about). Clarity Bears Growth shows us here how an honest inventory may open up entirely new perspectives for dealing with a given situation. Originally the user was saddened because she did not receive what she believed to be wanting: more jobs. What she was given were not jobs but enough time for her non-profit work – without any real financial worries. Admittedly, in our meritocracy it is an unusual attitude to use our own work force for charitable goals while living off savings. It’s definitely a new and unusual way, which certainly feels provocative to some people. The judgment of hexagram 55 says: Be not sad. Be like the sun at midday. This phrase seems to indicate that sometimes it is appropriate to not conform to others and not behave like everybody. In some situations it is advisable to make own decisions and to take new directions. Step 2 (second core character) is Dui, the lake, a sign which refers to our connection with the environment and to our attentiveness towards the echoes of our actions. At this stage of development we are confronted with questions like: What exactly is reflected back to me through my environment (what is it really – not: what do I assume / am afraid of to get as a feedback!). The user’s clear answer is: Yes, she has less money available, but she feels very happy and fulfilled in her daily life. And contrary to her expectations she actually receives little criticism but is appreciated and supported. Maybe that’s a good attitude for her to assume in the near future: to move forward with particular care and attention on this new path and to question again and again how she really feels – and what exactly it reflected to her through the environment. We all are threads in the collective fabric of life: when one thread changes, it also affects the surrounding tissue. Quite often these changes are very subtle – but they can be perceived if we look really carefully at your environment. In hexagram 55 – abundance the initial clarity finally becomes Zhen, clear determination: that which has slowly and perhaps even secretly grown will finally push outside, will become visible to all through determined action.
A user would like to give up his (breadwinning) job and fully devote himself to a literary activity. His specific question: “In what situation I’m in right now?”
A user works as a lecturer and strongly identifies with the contents of her teaching. On one hand she want to share her experiences with her students. On the other hand she wants to give her students room to make their own experiences. She asks: “How can I find a balance?”
A user asks “How am I doing with handling this emotionally difficult experience?”
