61 - Chung Fu - Inner Truth

I Ching explorations - Part 61 of 64

Student:  This time we have the image of wind blowing over a lake.  The trigrams are The Gentle (Sun) above the Joyous (Tui).

Professor:  What does that image make you think of?

S:  Well, this doesn't exactly look like a gentle wind, but I suppose any wind has the effect of moving the water surface.  If I remember my limnology correctly, wind causes mixing, currents, and other forms of water movement and oscillation within a lake.

P:  Quite so.  The invisible wind produces visible effects on a lake just like your breath can form ripples on a cup of water.  A lighter more dynamic element influences the denser sluggish element.  When applied to human relationships, the image suggests the efforts of a superior or leader (someone above) to influence the behavior of subordinates or followers (those below).

S:   I can see that it'd be pretty hard for wind to have a lasting effect on a lake - it'd require a lot of patience and endurance but after the initial effort to get the water body in motion, it may only take little nudges now and then to keep it in motion.

P:  And that gets to the deeper meaning of this hexagram - the notion that once an effective approach to dealing with people is found, an approach that as you put it, "gets the water body in motion," then one has penetrated to the "inner truth" of the situation.  Similarly, when one is able to "penetrate their minds with understanding," one is better able to understand the behavior of intractable people and perhaps be less judgmental and more sympathetic.

S:  Where does the idea of "inner truth" in this hexagram come from?

P:  If you look at the hexagram, you'll see solid lines above and below with an opening in the center.  This depicts a heart free of prejudices and open to the truth.  Each trigram however consists of solid lines within which connote firmness, strength, and influence.  The trigram Sun, can depict gentleness and forbearance towards others while the trigram Tui can represent joyousness in being influenced.  Thus, the gentle influence of the leader over followers and a willingness of followers to be so influenced.  The symmetry of the hexagrams suggests that this relationship is harmonious and favorable.

S:  What about the individual lines?

P:  Each of the six lines represent a step in the process. In this instance, the symbolism suggests ideas such as:

1. Start off without preconceived notions or prejudices - keep an open mind.
2. Words and deeds express one's inner being and can move heaven and earth for better or worse.
3. One who depends on others for emotional strength is tossed by the joys and sorrows of others.
4. Humbly seek wisdom from others but retain inner freedom through focus on one's course of action.
5. A leader holds people together through strength of character - without which unity crumbles.
6. High-sounding words can awaken people but true passion inspires them.

S:  So the lesson is?

P:  As with each hexagram, the lesson is unique to the interpretation of the person concerned but it could be said that on an individual level, Chung Fu urges us to align our inner motivations with our outward words and actions.