#13 T’ung Jên / Fellowship with Men & #14 Ta Yu / Possession in Great Measure

#13  – T’ung Jên (tóngrén): Heaven (Ch’ien) over Fire (li)

#14  – Ta Yu (dàyŏu): Fire (Li) over Heaven (Ch’ien)

#13 - Heaven over Fire

#14 - Sun illuminating Abundance

Theme: A time for building community and a time for enlightened leadership

Aspect	#13 Fellowship/Community/ Harmony	#14  Enlightened Leadership
Situation
Symbolically	Flames rise up to join with the heavens.	The sun is high and illuminates all things.
Socially	Society functions best when we find security in our individual roles and work together.	This is a favorable time of prosperity and abundance.
Individually	This is a time to consider one’s role in the greater community.	One has assumed authority - it is a time of exceptionally good fortune.
Response
Symbolically	The chaotic nature of flames is organized by the stately progression of the heavens.	Light shines equally on all things – bringing both evil and good into the light of day.
Socially	Seeking common ground on major issues but accepting minor differences achieves harmony.	Through generosity, humility, and harmony; society aligns itself with the good.
Individually	Let one’s personal interests be secondary to the goals of one’s community.	With gentleness and modesty, a wise leader inspires rather than dictates.
Outcome
Symbolically	While different, Fire strengthens the Heavens and together they are brightened.	Sun shines and brings light, heat, and fullness to the harvest.
Socially	Difficult undertakings will be accomplished through harmonious collaboration.	Great things will be accomplished through compassion, kindness, and goodness.
Individually	Lasting fellowship is achieved through individual actions toward collective goals.	Through moderation and humility, rather than pride and greed, one achieves great progress.
The Lines
Top Line	Fellowship with a small group may not fulfill universal needs but it is still worthwhile.	At the height of power one remains modest, devoted to the good, and appreciative.
5th	Separation causes grief but once united after overcoming great obstacles, sadness turns to joy.	Keeping presumption in check through dignity, one’s sincere benevolence shines through to inspire others.
4th	Pursuit of personal goals undermines progress toward community but isolation returns one to one’s senses.	Shunning envy and the temptation to dwell on the riches of others, one remains focused on what is important.
3rd	Mistrust undermines progress toward community.	Being generous with one’s abilities and possessions benefits all.
2nd	Tendencies toward egotistic elitism defeat the aims of fellowship.	Resources and helpers abound – go for it!
Bottom Line	A union of people in the open is the beginning of fellowship.	One who is in great possession without pride has made no mistake.
Recap
#13.  Tóngrén:  T’ung Jên (now tóngrén, the joining of tóng [similar] with rén [people]) suggests that when we seek common ground and work together while not dwelling on minor differences we are able to carry out great undertakings and achieve great gains.  Through the suspension of self-serving motives and working together with one heart, social aims can now be achieved.  Social organization is useful when people work together because it helps all to understand their respective roles, responsibilities, and duties.  A wise leader welcomes all and aids them to make meaningful contributions to benefit the whole through harmonious collaboration. President Trump’s misogynistic, discriminatory, and xenophobic statements and actions are contrary to the ideals of seeking harmony to advance society.  As we have seen with the nascent RESIST movement; conflict, obstruction, and the disintegration of community accompany leadership centered on inequality, unfairness, and egocentrism.   When community is in harmony, what follows is dàyŏu – great abundance. #14.  Dàyŏu:  Ta Yu (now dàyŏu, the joining of dà [great, large, strong] with yŏu [to possess or have although in ancient times "harvest"] suggests that when we achieve great abundance, others take notice.  To sustain the success, we must keep the ego in check, focus on the service of others, and recognize that one’s success is often due to the collective efforts of others.  Things  will change at the first signs of conceit bringing imbalance and disgrace. President Trump would do well to absorb Lao Tzu’s thoughts from Chapter 17 of the Tao Te Ching (as interpreted here by R. L. Wing in The I Ching Workbook, 1979): The best rulers are those whose existence is merely known by the people.     The next best are those who are loved and praised. The next are those who are feared.     And the next are those who are despised. It is only when on does not have enough faith in others that others will have no faith in him. The great rulers value their words highly. They accomplish their task; they complete their work. Nevertheless, their people say that they simply follow Nature. As Wing suggests in The Tao of Power (1986), “By not interfering, Evolved Leaders are able to remain unobtrusive.  As a result, they gain power from the people’s sense of self-government.  The more they conceal their power, the more effectively it can be used.  Evolved Leaders are impartial, intuitive, and aware.  Their influence and power come because they put their energy into guiding rather than ruling.” Ancient Chinese proverb says, “One loses by pride and gains by modesty.”  What follows is Qian (Ch’ien) – modesty.

 

#13 - T’ung Jên - Community

#14 - Ta Yu - Enlightened Leadership

#15 Ch’ien / Moderation & #16 Yü / Enthusiasm

#15 Ch’ien / Moderation – Earth (K’un) over Mountain (Kên)

#16 Yü / Enthusiasm – Thunder (Chên) over Earth (K’un)

#15 - Earth above Mountain

#16 - Thunder over Earth

Theme: A time for balancing and a time for enthusiasm

Aspect	#15 Moderation (Equilibrium)	#16 Enthusiasm (Delight)
Situation
Symbolically	The lofty Mountain humbly lies beneath Earth.	Thunder crashes over the Earth.
Socially	Social extremes are the source of discontent.	It is time for action – the planets have aligned!  Strike up a chord.
Individually	One has the power to shape one’s fate through moderation and balance.	One’s energies are in harmony with the times.
Response
Symbolically	Peaks are eroded and valleys are filled – extremes of Nature gradually equilibrate.	Crashing thunder causes excitement and stimulates action.  The sounds of Nature inspire a joyful dance.
Socially	Reduce what is too much and increase what is too little.  Balance the scales.	Follow the path of least resistance – align one’s energies with the movement around if the intent is to lead, govern, or influence others.  Enlist the aid of others who are moved by the same tune.
Individually	Through examination of one’s expectations and desires there is the opportunity to temper attitude and behavior.	Meditate to understand the forces and bodily rhythms that have produced this state of harmony.
Outcome
Symbolically	The level plain results – forces are balanced and equal.	Reawakened life and released tension ignite latent energies.
Socially	Equalizing of extremes achieves just and equitable conditions and thereby creates order out of fairness.	By comprehending the source of current harmony and anticipating the needs of society, success is achieved.
Individually	One becomes centered through the balancing of energies and into harmony with tao.	Understanding of one’s true nature enables character development and well-being.
The Lines
Top Line	“Only through having the courage to marshal one’s armies against oneself, will something forceful really be achieved.” [Wilhelm, p. 67]  This is the time to shape one’s destiny.	Be not deluded by past glories – put ego aside and move on to new opportunities.
5th	Corrective actions must be taken objectively and in fairness to all.	Being under constant pressure prevents one from achieving harmony but enables one to conserve energy and carry on.
4th	Step beyond modest behavior and cultivate balance in mind and duty to society.	One awakens enthusiasm in others through confidence and sincerity – great success.
3rd	Remaining modest despite recognition achieves further support for one’s continued efforts.	Do not wait any longer for a cue from one above – seize the moment or find remorse.
2nd	Inner modesty finds expression in one’s behavior which brings good fortune.	One sees through to the heart of the situation and remains firm as a rock.
Bottom Line	Difficult undertakings are easily and quickly achieved when no claims or boasts are made.	Self-serving boastful or arrogant enthusiasm is unconstructive and invites disaster.
Recap
#15 - Moderation.   When one achieves balance in mind and body through moderation, delightful enthusiasm follows from being centered and in harmony with the world around us.  The fair and equitable balancing of societal extremes achieves just and equitable conditions and thereby creates the conditions needed to achieve productive societal order out of fairness. #16 - Enthusiasm.  Actions that are in harmony with the energies of the times and follow the path of least resistance allow others to resonate with the common vibration and share in the collective enthusiasm essential to great achievements.

#15:  Ch'ien - Moderation

#16:  Yü / Enthusiasm