Professor: Hexagram 59, Huan consists of the trigram Sun
(wind or water) over K’an (the abysmal - water). When wind
blows across water, water disperses into mist.
An ancient pictograph for Huan shows water dispersing ice
that has been split with a knife. The
ice represents a blockage that has been broken up and dispersed like ice
melting in the water.
Student: So
this hexagram is about dispersing energy or removing barriers?
P: Yes, here
we’re talking about removing barriers to unity.
S: I’m confused. When ice forms, everything is unified too. How does breaking it apart produce unity?
P: The ice represents
things that are locked in place or limited to their own frame of mind. Only when it thaws are the rigid elements
free to flow and combine with the whole.
S: Similarly, the
elements “locked” in water are dispersed into mist when winds blow.
P: Right. And in human relations there are times when
rigid attitudes and behavior cause parties to be alienated, isolated, and
separated. This hexagram speaks to those
situations when action is needed to break down those divisive attitudes and
achieve unity.
S: How?
P: The text states
that “religious forces are needed to overcome the egotism that divides men.”
(WB) Selfish egotism can be diffused
through cooperative endeavors. A supreme
expression of that cooperation is the mutual and collective worship of the
divine. The WB translation offers:
The common celebration of the great
sacrificial feasts and sacred rites, which gave expression simultaneously to
the interrelation and social articulation of family and state, was the means
employed by the great rulers to unite men.
The sacred music and the splendor of the ceremonies aroused a strong
tide of emotion that was shared by all hearts in unison, and that awakened a
consciousness of the common origin of all creatures.
S: That makes me think
of the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. The music, pageantry, and choreography of the
shared ceremony surely unified the spirit of all those attending, as well as
those watching. The closest thing to
that in the U.S. is our annual Superbowl “ceremony.” Of course there are the annual religious
observances, but they don’t unify the entire population.
P: And not everyone
cares about sports either, but it’s a valid, if somewhat sad, comparison.
S: Why sad?
P: To think that one
of main things that brings people together in the U.S. is the spectacle of a
mock battle between to opposing forces of overpaid athletes.
S: What about the 4th
of July?
P: That’s a better
example I think. A patriotic rather than
violent celebration and while there is no spiritual dimension to the
celebration, it is still a unifying experience.
S: Why is a spiritual
dimension important?
P: As with the ice in
winter, through hardness and rigidity of thought we separate ourselves from
others. Seeing only our own perspective
isolates us from others. The I Ching
tells us that to break through this cupidity, egotism, and self-centeredness we
need to “…be seized by a devout
emotion.” (WB)
They must be shaken by a religious awe in
face of eternity – stirred with an intuition of the One Creator of all living
beings, and united through the strong feeling of fellowship experienced in the
ritual of divine worship.
This goes well beyond the Superbowl or the 4th of July.
S: True, but given the
lack of “sacrificial rituals” and the personal nature of religion in today’s
society, aren’t there non-sacred examples of shared purpose and cooperation that
help to break down the barriers of selfish egotism?
P: Sure there
are. When we work together toward a
common purpose we’re putting aside our personal goals and finding common ground
with others. We might volunteer time
with Habitat for Humanity or do any number of community service projects. On a larger scale, the U.S. work projects of
the 1930s and 1940s like the Civilian Conservation Corps helped unify people
for the common good.
S: But, how
should this lesson be applied on an individual level?
P: That depends on the
individual’s situation. Let’s take a
look at each line in turn from the bottom to the top because each offers advice
applicable to different situations.
1.
If possible, disperse the storm clouds before they
bring rain. Take quick action to diffuse
the cause of disharmony before it is complete.
2.
After discovering a blockage, make haste to dissolve
ill humor and regain good will.
3.
Sometimes we must dissolve the barriers we gather
around ourselves. Performing selfless
work toward a great goal brings us in harmony with others.
4.
Other times we must dissolve the bonds with those who
are close to us to see more clearly that which is distant. Rise above that with which you are familiar
to gain better perspective.
5.
“A great idea provides a focal point for the
organization of recovery” (WB). At times
of great blockage, a stimulating idea can provide a rallying point for
progress.
6.
There are times when it is most important to avoid
conflict altogether. In this situation
it is prudent to distance oneself and one’s blood (kin) from potential danger.
S: So, different
approaches are needed depending on the situation.
P: And the calming
and persistent influence of a gentle wind is an effective metaphor for an
appropriate attitude when dealing with blockages. Sometimes exertions are required to chop up
rigid and selfish attitudes. Other times work for the common good is an effective way to
break down barriers. If a spirit
of reference and awe can be infused into the activity, so much the better.
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