12 . P'i Standstill Above; Ch'ien the Creative heaven Below; K'un the Receptive earth |
21st Century |
Comparison |
| We are in the midst of a vast cultural transformation
galloping along at revolutionary speed. It is no surprise to find
ourselves out of synch with our aspirations. It is easy to be misled by
attractive but inferior ideas. Understanding consequences comes from
understanding causes. An inferior idea is distinguished by a single
characteristic: Waste. It requires a death of some sort. A superior notion
does not kill. It transforms. Waste comes of inferior ideas. Furthermore
the lower the positive spinoffs the more abysmal the idea.
Association with such can only devalue what worth there is. When things come to a standstill and the future seems flat it is best to recall it will not remain so. An act of Will brings the period of stagnation to a close. In this the superior person is one who does not allow the inertial weight of causes to drag them into stagnation but rather takes steps to transform the rubble of the past into the pedestal for the future. Patience furthers. Perseverance transforms. |
Below are the comparative interpretations of a) Legge, b) Willhelm, c) Riefler, d) Crowley
a) grass pulled up, and bringing with it the other stalks with whose roots it is connected.
b) When the ribbon grass is pulled up, the sod comes with it. Each according to his kind. Undertakings bring good fortune and success.
c) He pulls up a cluster of wildflowers, the grass comes with it. Auspicious. Improvement, if you keep to your course.
d) Again one stalk pulled brings the others too.
e) The example you lead may well be a retreat.
Hex 12 Line 2: a) patient and obedient. To the small man (comporting himself so) there will be good fortune. If the great man (comport himself) as the distress and obstruction require, he will have success.
b) They bear and endure; This means good fortune for inferior people. The standstill serves to help the great man to attain success.
c) Patience and submission. Auspicious for the small. Success amid suffering and obstruction if you can make this your course.
d) Patience, obedience, fitness; builds anew.
e) Submission for the small. Patience for the great.
e) Show grace in the face of no progress.
Hex 12 Line 3: a) ashamed of the purpose folded (in his breast).
b) They bear shame.
c) He is ashamed of his intentions.
d) Shame hide thy purpose from thine own right view.
d) The lesser bear their shame, acting on orders other than their own.
e) Shame without remedying action is merely hiding.
Hex 12 Line 4:: a) acting in accordance with the ordination (of Heaven), and committing no error. His companions will come and share in his happiness.
b) He who acts at the command of the highest Remains without blame. Those of like mind partake of the blessing.
c) He acts with piety and makes no mistakes. His friends come and share his happiness.
d) Act rightly; comrades come to love thee and wonder.
e) Steadfast in your ideal, will create a common weal.
Hex 12 Line 5:: a) him who brings the distress and obstruction to a close, - the great man and fortunate. (But let him say), "We may perish! We may perish!" (so shall the state of things become firm, as if) bound to a clump of bushy mulberry trees.
b) Standstill is giving way. Good fortune for the great man. "What if it should fail, what if it should fail?" In this way he ties it to a cluster of mulberry shoots.
c) He brings suffering and obstruction to an end. A great and fortunate man. "Watch out, watch out!" he cries, tying his success to the stump of a mulberry tree.
d) Restoring all things, murmur, "We may blinder."
e) Success should not breed complacency. Be alert to failure.
Hex 12 Line 6: a) the overthrow (and removal of) the condition of distress and obstruction. Before this there was that condition. Hereafter there will be joy.
b) The standstill comes to an end. First standstill, then good fortune.
c) Suffering and obstruction are conquered. From now on, happiness will increase.
d) The darkness passes; the light breaks forth from under.
e) Effort rewards and hiatus is broken. Change brings good fortune.