51 - Chên and 52 - Kên

I Ching explorations – Parts 51 and 52 of 64

51 (Chên) and 52 (Kên) are two inverse hexagrams each formed from the doubling of a trigram.  51 is The Arousing (Double Thunder) while 52 is Keeping Still (Double  Mountain).

 

51 “thunder repeated,” denotes initial fear and trembling followed by action.  The Arousing is movement - the action that is triggered by the shock of a terrifying event.

The I Ching advises that when we understand fear we are protected from the terrors produced by outside influences.  Ideally, if we have been shocked and frightened before, then future disruptions won’t disturb us even if we’re engaged in meditation.  When extreme events occur, the chün tzu (“superior person”) is able to maintain composure and attention without being distracted.

Fear caused by an elemental force on Nature such as the BOOM of thunder helps us to appreciate how small we are in the grand scheme of things.  The I Ching considers that reverence and respect for elemental forces of Nature to be a foundation of culture.

The actions, whether physical or mental, that follow after one’s initial shock passes are discussed in the individual lines.

1 – When the initial shock is over there is relief and lessons to be learned

2 – Accept your loss and retreat, in time possessions will be restored

3 – If shock induces thought, external blows will be overcome with little effort

4 – One is stuck in the mud, neither combative nor yielding, movement is hindered

5 – When repeated shocks occur, stay calm in the center to avoid being tossed about

6 – When shock is everywhere, keep still until clarity is restored

The individual lines offer little in the way of constructive advice on appropriate actions when one is faced with intense alarm.  To the extent we are able to learn from the shocks we experience throughout our lives, we are better able to react the next time – assuming we can recall the lessons.  Unfortunately, when terror strikes, most of us will get caught up in the frenzy of the situation and be unable to think clearly.  We are counseled that if clear thought is lost, it is best to wait for the storm to pass when we can see clearly again.

When we hear of martial arts masters faced with daunting odds, we don’t believe that they are able to think through the best course of action as the situation changes from moment to moment.  As with training for other athletic endeavors, we recognize that muscle memory and instinct take over for those who have devoted sufficient study to their respective skills.  As with spiritual training too then, I would suggest that the chün tzu who has trained to remain unperturbed in the face of extreme hardships will indeed remain calm and level-headed in extreme situations.  That person will recognize the situation for what it is and act accordingly, or go on blissfully meditating while chaos whirls about.  On the one hand, the response is action – the other valid course is the inverse:  inaction or keeping still.

#52 – Kên / Keeping Still – Mountain

52 is Keeping Still (Double Mountain). Starting with the trigram Earth (three yin lines), a solid (yang) line enters at the bottom to form Thunder – its attribute is “taking action.”  When the solid line progresses one more position to the center we get Water – its attribute is flowing (continuous action).  When the solid line reached the top, it becomes Mountain – its attribute is “keeping still.”  The flow of action stops and we wait for the cycle to repeat.

Seated in meditation, one’s body reflects the shape of a mountain.  Holding the back still, one quiets the ego and with it the restless mind.  The still body and mind promote introspection.  Introspection helps one to objectively evaluate one’s weaknesses and to cultivate inner strength and virtue.  With greater virtue one has the potential to see beyond the struggles of individuals to better understand the laws of the universe and how to act in harmony with them.  Whoever acts from these deep levels is a chün tzu.

While Keeping Still is the meaning of the hexagram, movement is the meaning of both nuclear trigrams (Chên – thunder and K’an - water).  As such, “movement and stopping, each at the right time, are both features of rest” one would not exist without the other.  They are inverse and complementary, but the key to success is to know when to advance and when to stop as every action (and non-action) should be in accordance with the time and situation. 

The individual lines (from the bottom) correspond to different parts of the body to depict different times and situations.

1 – toes:  knowing when to stop before going too far

2 – calves:  unable to save others from wrongdoing, she follows along

3 – hips:  Let calmness develop naturally from inner composure

4 – torso:  One has achieved a quiet heart and has almost forgotten the ego

5 – jaws:  Being reserved in speech, one’s words acquire more definite form

6 – mind:  One is at tranquil rest which confers peace and good fortune to matters

Quoting Confucius from “The Great Learning,”

            The way of the Great Learning is to illustrate brilliant virtue, to love people, and to rest in conduct that is perfectly good.

            By knowing how to keep still, one is able to determine what objects he should pursue.

            By knowing what objects he should pursue, one is able to attain calmness of mind.

            By knowing how to attain calmness of mind, one is able to succeed in tranquil repose.

            By knowing how to succeed in tranquil repose, one is able to obtain careful deliberation.

            By knowing how to obtain careful deliberation, one is able to harvest what he really wants to pursue.

Inherent to all stillness is action.

Each behavior has its proper time and place.

Action must eventually return to stillness.

Stillness and action nourish and sustain one another.

Before action - careful deliberation in stillness.

Before stillness - calmness of mind in action.