Whenever one divines and receives an answer from the Yi which requires sincerity to resolve a matter at hand or as proper conduct, one ponders doubly hard and much deeper to examine whether one holds any insincere thoughts or has a vested interest before coming to a decision and implementing it. Sincerity comes from the heart, no motives no vested interests no contrivances nothing just heart. Just like a parent slowly following a toddler and reaching out to hold him whenever he stumbles. Just like making a donation to a favorite charity or a disaster fund without being asked. No expectations of gratitude or a response. Of course if your toddler turns around and gives you a big smile it warms your heart and makes your day. If the charity or disaster fund sends a thank you note you may probably just smile and think nothing of it. That is sincerity.
The last prognostication that requires sincerity received from the Yi (in 2003) was Hexagram 17 Following with changing fourth and fifth lines with a resultant Hexagram 24 Return. Both the changing lines had emphasized sincerity.
Nine in the fourth place means:
Following creates success. Perseverance brings misfortune. To go one’s way with sincerity brings clarity. How could there be blame in this?
Nine in the fifth place means:
Sincere in the good. Good fortune.
Every man must have something he follows—something that serves him as a lodestar. He who follows with conviction the beautiful and the good may feel himself strengthened by this saying.
[I Ching or Book of Changes] [Wilhelm/Baynes]
2 comments:
Hi Allan. I've often been puzzled by the lodestar line - not quite understanding what it meant. But your post has just prompted me to look up its meaning in Book III, The Commentaries, and it makes much more sense to me there:
"The six at the top symbloises a sage in retirement. The present line, the ruler, follows him. The ruler's correct and central character safeguards him against conforming to those beneath him, from whom no good would come to him."
The lodestar explanation in The Text struck me as being kind of a throw-away statement: "Everyone must follow something.." But the Commentary makes it clear that the meaning is "Progress upwards, don't sink back: follow in the right direction."
So I learned something tonight, thanks to your blog!
(Which I like very much, by the way. Can I put up a link to it in my sidebar list?)
Hi Gill. Thank you for your comment. As a fellow student of the Yi, I will be delighted if you link this blog to yours.
From a historical perspective, the fifth line represents King Wen (Wenwang) and the top line Jiang Ziya (Taigong/Patriarch Lushang).
The sincerity and proper conduct of Wenwang created an affinity with Taigong who turned back to help the king. Taigong was said to be eighty years old then. Here we have an example of a sage teaching another sage out of sincerity and humility.
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