42 - I / Increase

I Ching explorations – Part 42 of 64

Sun (The Gentle, Wind/Wood) over Chên (The Arousing, Thunder)

Situation

Symbolism

The ancients observed that when winds increased, thunder often developed.  And, when thunder could be heard far off, winds were likely to increase.  In the I Ching, wind and thunder are understood to “generate and reinforce each other” (Wilhelm/Baynes, p. 598).

The outer (upper) trigram, Wood, represents penetration – as in a root or sprout penetrating the soil (as discussed in #57).  The inner (lower) trigram, Thunder, represents movement.  W/B (p. 596) recounts the story of Pao His and the clan of the “Divine Husbandman” who made a wooden plow and commenced to penetrate the earth for the purpose of bringing forth crops.  Thus, does W/B include the observation that:  “Movement combined with penetration has brought the greatest increase to the world” (p. 597). 

As illustrated by Alfred Huang (p. 340), the ideograph for I (Yi) is the symbol for water (the trigram K’an) over the image of a container.  In this case, water filling a container represents the idea of increasing.

(From A. Huang, 2010, p. 340)

Socially

This is an auspicious time for leaders, employers, supervisors, and others in positions of influence and power to be generous to their subordinates and followers. 

Individually

From the perspective of the individual, this is a fortuitous time to work on one’s self improvement.  An individual achieves lasting benefit by being receptive to the good. 

Response

Symbolically

This hexagram illustrates the action of the light energy diminishing itself with the intent of increasing the dark energy.  This idea comes from the transformation of the upper and lower trigrams.  The upper trigram, Sun, comes from Ch’ien.  Ch’ien (Heaven) has been decreased by the transformation of the lower yang line to yin to form Sun (Wind/Wood).

Ch'ien

is decreased to:

Sun

In turn, the decrease of the upper element is accompanied by an increase of the lowest line in the bottom trigram as it is transformed from K’un (Earth) to Chên (Thunder).

K'un

is increased to:

Chen

Observe too that the first line of the upper trigram (Heaven) has moved to a position that is subordinate to Earth (K’un) in the lower trigram thus forming Thunder (Chên).  According to the I Ching, “increase of what is below at the cost of what is above is out-and-out increase, because it benefits the whole people.” (W/B, p. 597).In addition to increasing each other, these forces (Wind/Wood and Thunder) independently contribute to “increase” in the moral realm. 

In the moral realm of the I Ching, furthering of the light or positive principle signifies increase which is good.  Chên (Thunder) corresponds with the light principle and what is “light” is associated with what is “good.”  Sun (Wind/Wood) is connected with earthy principles which connote “evil” but through its nature, Wind helps to disperse and dissipate such energies which is also good.  Both energies contribute to attaining or enhancing the good and therefore both contribute to “increase.”

Socially

One may be called upon to make a sacrifice of one’s personal resources for the benefit of one’s supporters.  Thus the saying, “To rule, truly is to serve” a statement that W/B contends is “the fundamental idea on which the Book of Changes is based” (W/B, p. 162).

Individually

When we see good in another, we are encouraged to imitate it.  When one finds bad within, release it.  According to the I Ching, this ethical change represents the most important increase of personality.

Outcome

Symbolically

A classic interpretation is that the movement of wind and wood signify a ship which indicates that in this situation, it is advisable to venture “to cross the great water.”

One might also observe that the W/B quote: “Movement combined with penetration has brought the greatest increase to the world” (p. 597) could correspond to the act of procreation.  It would be hard to argue that any other single act has brought more of an increase to the world.

As W/B (p. 162) explains:

            “This time resembles that of the marriage of heaven and earth, when the earth partakes of the creative power of heave, forming and bringing forth living beings.”

Socially

When a leader makes a personal sacrifice for the benefit of the whole, people thus become devoted to their leaders which in turn makes communal undertakings possible.  Generous actions on the part of a leader enhance interpersonal relationships and the overall well-being of human organizations. 

Individually

When one strives to increase for such noble reasons, one is in harmony with the “the highest laws of the universe, it cannot be prevented by any constellation of accidents” (W/B, p. 163).  By emulating the useful traits in others, one can break bad habits and develop beneficial disciplines.  Through such efforts, one can regain a sense of direction and well-being.

Lines

1.  Selflessly achieve something great with assistance currently available from above.

2.  It’s inevitable that receptiveness to and love of the good brings about increase.

3.  If unfortunate events turn to your advantage, there is no harm if you are sincere.

4.  An intermediary should not reduce what is transferred from above to those below.

5.  A truly kind heart seeks no gratitude and finds reward in increasing those below.

6.  One aloofly helps no one and not being in harmony with the times remains alone.   

Recap

Just as the act of increasing water in a cup cannot continue for long, be forewarned that the conditions expressing themselves at this time will not endure.  One must begin now and maintain consistent positive action toward others and oneself while the conditions last.  The sacrifice of a higher element that produces an increase of the lower represents the spirit that has power to help the world.  “The superior person follows the good when he sees it, and corrects his fault when he finds it” (Confucius).