Thoughts on Hexagram 62

Hexagram 62 Hsiao Kuo / Preponderance of the Small, may be not easy to understand for some and therefore has given rise to various interpretations as to its meaning. Without a clear understanding of what the hexagram meant, confusion arises if we then elaborate on what the Image meant, or work backwards from the Image to ascribe a meaning to the hexagram. The Image as we are aware was a later addition to the Yi text; therefore it is highly unlikely that the ancients put ‘the cart before the horse’. Or did the ancients not know about the meaning of this hexagram, at the time?

According to Hilary, “Stephen Karcher describes this hexagram as ‘the threshold of life and death’.” She went on to say, “To me, it’s always felt more like a transition back into ordinary life: the hero’s return, carrying the Inner Truth from his journeys. I wonder whether the transition might not be both of these: both death and a return to ordinary life.”

From the Judgment and the six lines one could not see why it relates to Life and Death or their threshold. The only suggestion about death was that of bereavement in the Image. One is sure; Karcher would have other reasons or explanations to come to such a conclusion or may have clarified his ascribed meaning in his book or to Hilary. Therefore, either both he and Hilary could be dead on, or with respect, completely missed the mark as to the meaning of the hexagram.

As this particular hexagram carries a special significance arising from several divinatory experiences over the years, one would like to share some thoughts with readers on two possible layers in Hexagram 62. This entry also provides an opportunity to proffer a meaning to the hexagram, as one understands it.

Let us briefly examine what the judgment says:

Preponderance of the Small. Success.
Perseverance furthers.
Small things may be done; great things should not be done.
The flying bird brings the message:
It is not well to strive upward; it is well to remain below.
Great good fortune. [W/B]

The judgment is simple and clear. Weigh more on the small it advises for success. Persevere and work on small things, with a caution not to do great things. Then ‘the message’ (my cryptic clue in the previous entry) delivered by the flying bird gives a final caution to remain below and not to strive upward, for to remain below results in great good fortune.

If we care to think about it, why did the Yi give so many cautions in the judgment? Is it because of the threshold of life and death, or a matter of life or death? No. The judgment cautions that it is not the right time to do great things, therefore time to keep to small things.

The Image supports this line of thought by telling the Junzi to keep working at what seem to be petty things to the outside world, and in external matters, to keep to the side of the lowly. In such exceptional times as depicted by the six lines, the Junzi taking heed of the warnings contained therein lies low, do small things (and cheerfully wait for better times to come as he knows they will, sooner or later).

Why, you may ask, is it not the right time to do great things?

Time is governed by Heaven and space by Earth. The Junzi learns how to master fate by overcoming both time and space (an inherent purpose of reading the Yi). Therefore by following Yi’s guidance on when or when not to do things, we learn to master time at this fundamental level or layer. That is why deriving meaning from the Image of this hexagram; the Junzi puts weight on reverence in conduct, grief in bereavement and thrift in expenditure. The Junzi therefore practises proper conduct, is upright and just, and seek no approval from others -in reference to working on seemingly petty things to the outside world. These ancient thoughts are important to earnest and sincere Yi students, although some tend to forget or ignore these thoughts. This brings to mind, an archaic truth where Confucius said, ‘By nature, men are nearly alike; by practice, they get to be wide apart’. This deep insight into humanity remains applicable today.

The meaning of the hexagram goes a step further if we explore a deeper layer that is ‘the message’ brought by the flying bird. What is so important; you may ask affording a cursory glance at the Judgment, about a message brought by a flying bird that merely says not to strive upwards but to remain below?

Well, if you know something about symbols of the flying bird (in this case a small one which cannot fly high) or what roles it plays in omens then you can understand what the ‘message’ means. The flying bird in this hexagram acts as a messenger of ‘omens’. Omens can be either happy or unlucky.

From one’s analyses of the prognostications over several years where the Yi answered with this hexagram, the ‘flying bird’ brings ‘messages’ that forewarn of oncoming and on occasions, major ominous omens. Applying antiquity to current events, if one were to over invest or stay over invested during this period of time, it can bring financial ruin when the ominous omen manifest itself. If one were to remain underinvested as advised, not only one escapes the financial turmoil, opportunities will arise to increase wealth. This explains why the Yi through the judgment and the lines cautions several times to remain below and not strive upwards thereby providing a later opportunity to achieve great good fortune.

From one’s limited experience, it takes about 15 years of consistent Yi studies and practice before a completely sincere student receives an omen from the Yi. However do not presume the Yi will give an omen to anyone involved in Yi studies no matter how long the person has read the Yi or practised divination. The key issue has always been that of most complete sincerity according to the Doctrine of the Mean (Chung Yung).

If you possess the ability to receive omens and happen to be analytical, you can try to estimate the time span and predict when the omen will occur. If your calculation seems accurate but requires further confirmation, please drop me a note or comment here about your omen experiences and on the estimated time span between your question and the (major or published) manifested omen. From the information provided, one will be able to discern whether you are (or have been) right or wrong, but one will certainly not entertain guesses.

One recalls that my calculation was out by a few days for the Barings Merchant Bank case in early 1995 because the then Bank of England Governor decided to announce the collapse (caused by a financial fiasco) the following Monday instead of the previous Friday (the predicted date), because he frantically tried to find a buyer for Barings over the weekend to prevent the impending collapse of a ‘grand old lady’ and the resultant loss of jobs. This example depicts a Great Man (Da Ren) deferring an inevitable event because he did it for the common good. Also refer to entry on Another 9/11 revisited, for further examples of such benevolent acts. And yes, the flying bird did bring that message (the omen)!
(But one does not want to imply that only Hexagram 62 represents omens or you are given omens when the Yi answers your question(s) with it. Please take note of this statement.)

By consistently receiving omens and/or other oracles from the Yi, you may overcome space as well, since staying within your four walls; you are able to foreknow what is going to happen thousands of miles away.

In conclusion, the meaning of this hexagram as one understands it is ‘Keep to small things’, for the time is not right to do great things. Readers would notice the ascribed meaning differs little from the translated name given in the Wilhelm/Baynes translation, a reason why one has always relied on the translation all these years. However readers should take into consideration that I can be completely wrong as to the meaning of the hexagram. But do heed the cautions contained in the judgment and the lines. The warnings were placed there for a reason. If you miss the big picture (the meaning of the hexagram and the warnings), you have much to lose, but certainly not to the extent of a life threatening or death situation. Then again, who am I to know such things? Therefore take whatever you have read in this entry with a bit of salt.

On another layer, when you have the ability to foreknow, take heed of the forthcoming ominous omen(s) (the message brought by the flying bird) and stay low (or under weigh), do not invest until the omen manifests itself, then you may achieve great good fortune. By doing this, you could overcome both time and space. And by following the Yi guidance consistently over the years, perhaps one day you can become a Junzi. As I only know 1 or 2 about the Yi, you have to ask those wiser whether you have become a Junzi or not. Meanwhile, take care.