Hexagram 2
I.The Oracle
A. Hexagram 2 is Kun or Field. Additional variations include The Receptive, Acquiesce or the Natural Flow. Hexagram 2’s lower trigram is field or earth, and its upper trigram is identical.
B. The Judgment
1. The Receptive brings about sublime success,
Furthering through the perseverance of a mare.
If the superior man undertakes something and tries to lead,
He goes astray; But if he follows, he finds guidance.
2. It is favorable to find friends in the west and south,
To forego friends in the east and north.
Quiet perseverance brings good fortune.
C. The Image
1. The earth’s condition is receptive devotion.
2. Thus the superior man who has a breadth of character,
Carries the outer world.
II. More interpretations
A. <“The Receptive.”>
The Lines Bottom. [6] The worthy assistant remains alert to
the first signs of deterioration in the endeavors of which he is a part. Since
he does not have responsibility for everything, he can stand back and observe
problems at their very beginning. Thus he is able to heed the early signs, take
precautions against further deterioration, and keep things going smoothly.
2. [6] The subordinate accommodates himself to the needs of
the creative leader. He supplies what the leader lacks, and thus makes himself
indispensable. He suggests improvements and effective alternatives that enable
the creative leader to achieve his goals. He has no motives or goals himself
outside of making the work of the creative leader more effective.
3. [6] The effective assistant does not seek recognition for
himself or his abilities, for he knows that to do so would undermine the joint
effort. He may well have many assets that others are unaware of, and which he
keeps concealed until needed. He avoids attracting attention to himself,
because that can arouse resentment as well as all kinds of opposing forces that
would defeat his usefulness. Even as an assistant, he may well occupy an
important position. Nevertheless, his chief attribute is restraint. His aim is
the success of the endeavors of which he is a part, not receiving credit for
what he does. This will often require a considerable amount of working behind
the scenes.
4. [6] In difficult times, one must act with great delicacy
and avoid drawing even the slightest attention to oneself. Since he times are
difficult, any degree of prominence is almost surely to be misunderstood or
misinterpreted. By remaining completely in the background, the subordinate
assistant can complete his work without anyone even knowing that he has been
actively involved.
5. [6] If the Devoted Assistant is forced into a prominent
position, even though he is not and cannot be an independent player, he must
act with the highest degree of discretion, sincerity and dignity. These
characteristics should reveal themselves, not in mannerisms or haughty
attitudes, but indirectly through the way he does things and brings about
results.
Top. [6] The man in a subordinate position who tries to
assume the position of leadership brings down upon himself every form of
opposition from those stronger than he. He causes great injury to himself, to
the work he is supposedly a part of, and to all around him. Such an effort to
which he is unsuited by nature can only bring defeat and disaster to everyone
involved.
All lines 6’s. When the subordinate is combined with the
creative, the attributes of both are melded together, so that the man remains
steadfast and enduring while working in the pursuit of what is right. Nothing
great comes of this, but then nothing harmful happens either.
Please Comment, Like and Share
Byrd, James (2018) “The Future”
Huang, Kerson, and Rosemary (1987). I Ching
Karcher, S. and Ritesema, R. (1995). I Ching: The Classic Chinese Oracle of Change [The First Complete Translation with Concordance]
Legge, James (2012). The I Ching: The Book of Changes (Sacred Books of China: The Book of Changes)
Reifler, S. (1974) I Ching: The World’s Oldest and Most Revered System of Fortune Telling
Van Over, R. (1971), I Ching
Wilhelm, R., and Baynes. C.F. (1967). The I Ching, or, Book of Changes (Bollingen Series XIX)
Wilhelm, Hellmut and Richard Wilhelm (1995). Understanding the I Ching
#mycal8
Leave a Reply