#37 Chia Jên / The Family & #38 K’uei / Opposition

Theme:  Productive Social Order : Balanced Opposing Forces  

#37 The Family:  Wind over Fire

#38 Opposition:  Fire over Lake

Aspect	#37 Chia Jên The Family	#38 K’uei Opposition
Situation
Symbolically	The influence that goes out from within the family is like the wind that’s created by fire.	Two incompatible elements:  hot fire rises above and the humid lake falls below.
Socially	When the family unit, as the smallest unit of social relationship, is in proper order, larger units built upon it will also be in order.  In traditional culture, the husband’s role was outside the home and the wife’s was inside.  This hexagram reflects the importance of faithfulness, loyalty, and respect in social relationships.	Two parties are opposed, estranged.  Opposing parties cannot carry out great undertakings in common.
Individually	One’s behavior should be consistent with familial roles based on respect and propriety.	An inner duality or conflict causes indecision.
Response
Symbolically	Hot air rises from the fire and fulfills its nature by becoming wind.	Fire (illumination) seeks clarity above while Lake (pleasure) finds satisfaction below – when in contact the two elements, fire and water, retain their own natures.
Socially	When all members of the family fulfill their duties the family travels the right path and a basis for moral practice amongst larger social units is established.	Affirm friendly relations – emphasize cooperation and seek common ground while respecting differences and retaining one’s individuality.
Individually	The individual should make the needs of the group equal to one’s personal needs.	One may appear indecisive as one weighs conflicting options.  Attempt to see both viewpoints clearly.  Maintaining one’s individuality aids in avoiding stalemate.
Outcome
Symbolically	Through the wind generated by fire, the fire exerts influence outward.	The two elements deviate – that is their nature.
Socially	When all families travel the right path, the world will be stable.  If there is a conflict of roles and people are not willing to defer, social problems may occur at this time.	Opposing forces neutralize each other but mutual accord can be achieved by diplomatically respecting differing opinions.  Gradual changes in small matters may still be accomplished.
Individually	When the individual treats organizations as family groups, finds the proper role, and fulfills those obligations, ones goals will be more easily achieved.  Choosing a role for which one is suited will help ensure that one’s efforts have meaning. One’s influence on others must proceed from within.  As flame depends on fuel, so too must one’s words depend on one’s convictions.  “Words have influence only when they are pertinent and clearly related to definite circumstances.” (W/B 144). And, words must be reinforced by one’s actions.  “If words and conduct are not in accord and not consistent, they will have no effect.” (W/B 145).	By dispensing with preconceptions, we’re able to appreciate differing viewpoints and gain a broader perspective of the natural interaction of universal forces and a sense of oneness in a world of contradictions.
The Lines:  note that here and for forthcoming I Ching posts I will adopt the convention of inverting the line-by-line discussion such that the discussions appear in the same orientation as the lines themselves with the bottom line at the bottom.
Top Line	One sets an example for the family and one’s influence thereby extends well beyond.	One has become isolated by mistrust but eventually perceives one’s errors in judgment and tensions are relieved.
5th	A loving leader is trusted.	Opposition may obscure one’s awareness of a sincere helper.  When recognized, go to meet and get to work.
4th	Balancing income and expenses brings good fortune.	Despite opposition one finds a kinsman who can be trusted.
3rd	Balance indulgence and severity but err towards the severe to avoid chaos.	Through difficult times, if one clings to what one knows is right, things will improve.
2nd	Remain gentle and steadfast - meet the immediate needs of the family.	An unexpected informal encounter presents an opportunity.
Bottom Line	Establish firm roles when the group is formed.	Seek not to reunify parties by force – be patient and guard against being forced into anything.
Recap
	The family is viewed as the fundamental unit of social organization.  Mutual love within the family produces harmony. Familial relationships appear in larger and more complex organizations.  Understanding one’s position within an organization from the perspective of the family may help one to more easily achieve one’s goals. Familial harmony demonstrates how larger social and political groups can achieve the same.	Two energies present opposing forces.  There is no judgment of good or bad, simply a mutual respect for polar opposition. Through observation of these extremes we recognize the multiplicity of combinations possible from their union.  In so doing, we gain a deeper understanding of the structure of the world around us. By seeing both sides objectively, we appreciate the inherent values in each and move toward cooperation.

#37 Chia Jên (Jia Ren) / The Family

#38 K’uei (Kui) / Opposition

The Beautiful Game

First, with apologies to my international readers, I'll use the common North American convention of referring to the real football as soccer and the North American version as football.  And, by way of brief disclaimer, while I've lived entirely in the U.S., played football not soccer growing up, and didn't know anything about soccer except Pele till my kids started to play, over the last 20 years I have come to love The Beautiful Game and believe it to be superior to football for spectators and skilled players.  For unskilled players though, football is the way to go.

The Pace of the Game

Football is a series of short high-intensity bursts of brute strength and athleticism punctuated by time outs, huddles, commercial breaks, injuries, referee challenges, and cheerleaders.  The flow of the game is intermittent, as the opposing forces surge against one another en masse.  In between blows they regroup and ask themselves "what the hell just happened!?"  Coaches can stop the action with time outs and red-flag challenges.  Then the television networks impose their breaks to accommodate the advertisers.  Add to those scheduled interruptions the numerous stoppages for fouls and penalties that result from over 367 rules, and the playing time for a one-hour contest generally stretches to a three-hour commitment.

By comparison, soccer is a nearly continuous flow of action during two 45-minute halves.  Except for brief restarts associated with fouls and injuries, the occasional issuance of cards, and the less-frequent substitution of players, the action doesn't stop.  The ball moves up and down the pitch as players attack and defend in accordance with the 17 basic rules/laws of the game.  Rather than clashing soldiers attempting to overpower one another, soccer is all about finesse.  It combines passing, running, and shooting with teamwork, stamina, strategy, and skill much like basketball but with no hands on a field that can range from about 10 to 25 times larger than a basketball court (that variability in pitch dimensions being one of the endearing quirks of the game.)

Coaches can only stop the soccer action with the referee's permission and then only when the ball has left the field and is in their possession.  Players can't call "time out" when they're confused about the right play call or have run out of time as often occurs in football.  When you sit down for a soccer match, you can count on two 45-minute periods of action with a brief 15-minute half-time with a few minutes added for injuries for a total of no more than two hours (that's 75% action compared to 33% for football).

The Look and Feel

From the vantage of one's living room, these games have completely different looks.  Football seems to be all about intimidation.  From the glossy helmets, body armor with over-sized shoulder pads, and skin-tight pants, the uniform seems all about celebrating the physique of weekend gladiators.  With the war paint under the eyes, the face masks hiding the rest of their features, and team emblems emblazoned on helmets and jerseys, players take on the anonymity and uniformity of soldiers - their relative bulks and the now common lumberjack beards and mops of long hair being the only differentiation.  And bulk differences are extreme!  From the 5-foot 9-inch running backs weighing in at about 200 pounds to the 6-foot 6-inch tight ends and the 300-pound defensive linemen, the range is extreme and severe obesity is not uncommon.

Soccer is more about agility and mobility than confrontation and power.  Soccer players aren't decked out in body armor and helmets (except for the rare padded head gear to guard against concussions or face shields worn while recuperating from facial injuries).  The uniforms (kits) are limited to shorts, jersey, shin guards, socks and shoes.  One small complaint with the kits, a newcomer can easily mistake a team's name for some European airline, an electronics company, or a bank since they're more prominently displayed than the team logos.  That's fine with me though - I'd rather have them get advertising revenue like that than from the persistent interruption of beer commercials.   And, while height differences can also vary by a foot from short attackers to tall defenders and keepers (although there are exceptions) you will never see an obese soccer player!  The average professional player is about 6 feet tall and weighs between 155 and 175 pounds.

Pros and Cons

When it comes to amateur participation, especially for those who haven't grown up in a culture that worships the ability to manipulate a ball with one's feet, football is a great sport.  There's nothing quite like the Turkey bowl on a crisp November afternoon while the turkey is roasting.  As long as no one gets seriously injured (more likely in football than soccer to be sure), it can be a blast.  And, there's always flag football to increase the finesse and speed quotient while reducing the injury quotient.

In contrast, for a person who grew up playing sports when the ball was bounced, carried, or hit it can be extremely frustrating to be limited to using your feet to dribble and pass the soccer ball (no way I'm going to risk a neck injury using unschooled heading "technique").  While helping to coach community soccer, I saw first-hand how difficult it is to acquire foot skills (let alone heading) and appreciated the importance of learning them while young with constant reinforcement so it could become second nature.

Thinking about it from the other perspective, I imagine it is equally frustrating to a natural soccer player and be forced to hold onto a strangely-shaped ball while not being able to kick it along the field, being faced with attempting to catch the long bomb on the run, or being chased by players intent on crushing you.  From an amateur player's perspective, to each his own - I concede there are merits to each.  In my opinion, the most important thing is to get the kids out there playing something (our soccer association motto was:  "Just let them play!")

When it comes to being a spectator of professional football or soccer though, my allegiance to North American football wanes.  I can't stand the constant interruptions, the inane penalties (now even restricting the ability of players to make contact in certain ways so as to make this brutal sport less injurious - I think that's the owners finding ways to protect their investments), and the overall time sink of a single game.  From the vantage of my recliner and the wizardry of HDTV, I can't think of a much more beautiful sport (except The Masters at Augusta perhaps) than soccer. 

Some day I hope to update this commentary after having sat through a live viewing of ManU battling Bayern Munich or Real Madrid at Old Trafford in Manchester England for a Champions League title.  I'm certain that will only deepen my love of The Beautiful Game. 

Samuel William Gleue (5/19/93 - 1/24/13)

I am grieved by the passing of a young friend of the family.  Samuel William Gleue passed away suddenly from an accident and left behind heartbroken parents, two older and two younger siblings, a large extended family, and many friends.  Words could not do justice to the emotional toll we all felt at his memorial service:  we absorbed the minister’s words with mute anguish and stifled sobs.

Sam was one of my son’s best buddies in elementary school.  They chased each other around the house, yard, and neighborhood as only 8-year-old boys can.  I remember him as the quintessential towhead freckle-faced “Dennis the Menace.”   Sam was a fearless bundle of energy that bolted off in any direction at the slightest suggestion.

It’s with strong recollections of those happy childhood years and sensitivity for the raw void that Sam’s departure has created that I offer these thoughts on a parent’s love for a child.

We want the best for our kids, but we want them to do the best they can as well.  We guide, nurture, coach, and instruct and in return expect them to give it their best shot.  If they don’t even try, it doesn’t alter the depth of our love, but it may alter our attitude.  I’d be disappointed if no attempt had been made at all.  Having removed the opportunity to participate, the child remains in limbo and unable to grow from the experience of either success, failure, or draw.  It’s understood that a child needs to find his own way, experience her own setbacks, and learn his own lessons – sometimes the toughest part of our job as parents is to push them onto the field and stand back as spectators.

A parent sees in a child, especially of the same gender, all that he or she might have been.  There is potential to do the things that have not been achieved, to complete the work that has been started, to live the dreams yet to be fulfilled, and to avoid the pains that have been suffered.  But a parent should know it cannot be so.  The child has her own path to follow, his own potential to realize, her own dreams to dream, and his own pains to endure.  Just sharing in them should be reward enough.  Shared experience strengthens our love.  Living together, working together, solving problems, playing games, traveling, helping each other, and simply being together brings us closer together and enriches each experience.

Like my own son, Sam graduated from high school just about 18 months ago.  Like at our celebration, his family had probably compiled a photo montage to chronicle his growth from childhood when things could be fixed with simply a hug to young adulthood when troubles had become exponentially more complicated yet the opportunities seemed limitless.  I suspect that his parents were equally proud of his many accomplishments and while worried about the uncertainties of the future were cheered by happy memories of fun times they’d had together.  As they anticipated a growing and natural separation and independence they would have counted on there being many wonderful times yet ahead to share.

As is true of any loving parents, it would have been hard for them to step back and allow him the freedom and space to discover his own way, to learn his own tough lessons, to suffer his private pains, and to celebrate his individual victories.  But step back we must as we relinquish control and in turn trust in their accumulated wisdom, the good in others, and the alignment of the stars to keep them safe.

Now that fearless bundle of energy has been extinguished and his path remains untrodden, his potential remains unknown, and his joys remain only in the shared memories of those he touched.  A shooting star has passed through our constellation, caught our imagination for a brief time, and left a warm afterglow to balance the chill of his winter departure.

Rest in peace Sam.

39 Chien / Obstruction & 40 Hsieh / Deliverance

39 - Water over Mountain

40 - Thunder over Water

Theme:  Obstacles Present : Obstacles Removed

Aspect	#39 Chien (Jian) Obstruction (Difficulty)	#40 Hsieh (Jie) Deliverance (Relief)
Situation
Symbolically	Flowing water (K’an) meets an obstacle in the form of a mountain (Kên).  It did not suddenly appear, but is inherent to the water’s path.	From thunderclouds (Chên) pours down rain (K’an) to relieve atmospheric tension.
Socially	In times of hardship, an organization needs a great leader, loyal officials, and unified people.	Now is the time to resolve or bypass complications of adverse social conditions.
Individually	An obstacle that we’re incapable of overcoming alone appears in our path.	It is time to clear the air of personal emotional turmoil and adversity.
Response
Symbolically	If the time is not right, keep still like the mountain till the time is right.	Difficulty in the lower trigram (K’an) stimulates the upper trigram (Chên) to action.
Socially	Do not turn and run from the challenge.  Join forces with friends of like mind to overcome it together.	The superior person forgives misdeeds that lead to difficulties, washes everything clean, and moves on.
Individually	Build up strength and align yourself with a strong leader - don’t blame others for obstructions, look within and seek to enrich and educate yourself.	Don’t overdo in the triumph over obstacles.  Return one’s affairs to the regular and intended pattern as soon as possible.
Outcome
Symbolically	After a pause, water increases in volume and strength, eventually overcoming the obstacle.	The ground is cleared for new growth
Socially	If we pause and gather our comrades, obstacles will be overcome.	You may now successfully resolve complications caused by adverse social arrangements.  Solutions to political problems are no longer elusive
Individually	An obstacle that is overcome is good for self-development.  Overcoming inner conflicts often alleviates exterior troubles.	Anxiety and strife give way if one takes firm action.  One has a fresh start – past difficulties should resolve themselves.  Once one dispenses with the emotional ruts of past difficulties, one has an excellent opportunity for personal advancement
Lines
Bottom Line	Wait for an opportune time to face the challenge.	Difficulties begin to lessen.  Relax.
2nd	Duty calls – raise the sword!	Having focused inner strength on deliverance, one is fortified against evil.
3rd	Hold back for now and stay with those under your care	If once needy and now flush but one retains a needy attitude, disgrace.
4th	Hold back for now and gather helpers for later	Stay distant from fools so true allies can come close.
5th	When one is called in an emergency, friends will rally to help one succeed	Demonstrate earnestness by making a clean break from negative influences.
Top Line	Having overcome one’s own obstacles, one returns to rescue others	Forcibly remove negative influences.
Recap
Summary	This hexagram contains guidance for overcoming obstacles that are inherent in the path we have chosen.  Unless compelled by duty or emergency, one does well to not push forward into danger nor idly sitting by, but instead yield, acquire aid, understand the inner conflicts that strengthen this obstacle.	After hardship, relief follows.  In this situation, movement is necessary to surmount obstacles.  After a difficulty has been removed, return to a place of rest lest one’s indulgence creates new hardships.
Image

I’d be interested to hear if you like this table format or if you prefer the prior narrative approach or the earlier dialogues.  Thanks for any feedback.

Happy 257^th birthday (J. C.) Wolfgang (T. G. A.) Mozart!

Rush Limbaugh Mocks Frightened Children

Ranting isn’t my thing.  I tend to focus on the positives in life rather than the negatives, but at times that can be a cop out.  “Always looking on the bright side of life,” as Eric Idle joked may enable us to cope with difficult aspects of life, but at times it is necessary to shine the harsh light of day upon the negatives and give them a close look.

Sure, I get as irritated as anyone by aggressive and inconsiderate drivers, disinterested store clerks, faceless call center attendants, and unfairness in the workplace.  My usual response to such behaviors is to grimace and bear it like most sane citizens, unless of course it’s a situation that I feel I have some ability to influence.  I’m not going to hop out of my car to confront a disrespectful fellow commuter (that could get you shot in this country) nor am I likely to enlighten an intractable clerk about the finer points of customer service (an important aspect of my job for nearly 27 years).  I have, however, talked with friends and loved ones about many vexing and troublesome aspects of life in 21^st century America, voiced my dissatisfaction about situations in the workplace through effective channels, written to the editor of my local paper, and shared numerous points of constructive criticism via email with television networks.  The degree to which these actions have any bearing on subsequent behaviors is often difficult or impossible to gauge, but doing something feels good even when it’s uncertain that I’ve actually made a difference.

So, it’s with the understanding that several hundred words tossed into the seemingly infinite universe of the worldwide web are unlikely to find purchase in the minds of enough people to change anything that I humbly comment on the dreadful state of the gun laws in the United States of America.  If you seek an authoritative commentary on 221 years of Constitutional history tracing back to the origins of the Second Amendment, you won’t find it here (but here’s a link to get you started: Second-Amendment-History.  If you seek statistics to quote with friends and family about the rates of gun violence in the U.S. compared to other nations, details about America’s high gun ownership and homicide rates are just keystrokes away through your trusted browser (like this one:  US Gun Ownership Facts).  However, if you’re looking for another voice of outrage against conservative zealot Rush Limbaugh’s recent disgusting mockery of school children being frightened of getting shot, then I’m happy to oblige.

I can’t recall when I last observed something a callous, misguided, and pathetic.  During his January 15, 2013 show, he accused President Obama of using children as human shields and then went on to say: 

“He brings these kids, supposedly who wrote letters to the White House after Newtown… It’s going to be very difficult, very difficult to oppose it.  They got these little kids there, [and while pretending to cry and sob says,] they don’t want to die…( “How can you, how can you not listen to them? You’ve got to do something!”

If you haven’t heard it in context and you can stand the sight of him, here’s a link (scroll down to the Hardball interview):

http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/01/17/gun-control-debate-how-both-sides-use-children/

For more criticism of Rush Limbaugh on this topic and many others, you may find this link to the Daily Kos and an entry by contributor Joan Mar of interest:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/01/16/1179542/-The-Filthy-Cowardly-Repugnant-Limbaugh-Mocks-Children

CBS New’s Bob Schieffer rightly described Sandy Hook as “probably the worst day in this country’s history since 9/11.”  Surely, even someone as apparently heartless as Limbaugh recognizes in hindsight that he crossed the line.  But, then again, he acknowledges that he always crosses the line of propriety, if he didn’t would he have an audience?  Would his many sponsors from AT&T to McDonalds to Wal-Mart continue to buy time if he wasn’t so controversial? 

Perhaps Mr. Limbaugh has done American’s a service.  Perhaps by crossing a line farther from our definition of civility than anything in recent shock jock history, he has helped to mobilize and galvanize the previously silent majority of caring, compassionate, cooperative who will now actually express their concerns, their wishes, and their demands for change.  Our society is full of cases where rules and regulations have been developed and implemented in response to accidents and catastrophes.  This will be different though.  Bob Schieffer believes that the impending battle with the gun lobby that has been reactivated by this event will be more formidable than defeating the Nazis (admittedly a rather extremist statement as well).  Mr. Schieffer’s full comments can be heard here:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/17/bob-shieffer-tom-brokaw-gun-control-civil-rights-movement_n_2497028.html

While I don't agree with that comparison, I do agree that this is another turning point in our country's history.  I also agree with his statement that:  “Unless we figure out a way to make sure that something like Newtown never happens again, we’re not the country that we once were…”

So, what will you do?  You might start by finding out what radio stations broadcast his rants in your area:  http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/stations/all_stations/

Then you can find out who the local sponsors are here:  http://stoprush.net/rush_limbaugh_sponsor_list.php#current_a

Finally, you can contact them and ask them not to support him.

You might also contact your elected officials and encourage them to support President Obama’s efforts to rein in this crisis.  I suspect we will hear specific remarks aimed at this problem in his inaugural address on January 21, 2013.  Hopefully he will dare us solve this problem as JFK put it, “…not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win.”

With his leadership and the will of the people of this nation, I’m willing to look on the bright side that we can indeed be the country we once were.

What about you?

6th 8 Recap

I Ching explorations – Interlude 3

Each pair in this set of 8 hexagrams contains hexagrams that are inversions of one another.  As I observed in the discussion of the 7^th 8 (October 23, 2012) inversions don’t necessarily have inverted meanings, but in this set of 4 pairs, the meanings can be distilled to fairly clear complements, as discussed below.

The Decrease (41) of what is below supports what is above, and in turn, the Increase (42) of what is below follows from sacrifices made by those who are above.

41 - Decrease

42 - Increase

 We Break Through (43) by resolutely eradicating negative energies but when yin and yang Couple (44) a delicate balance must be reached.

43 - Break Through

44 - Coming to Meet (Couple)

Energies are Gathered Together (45) like the waters of a lake brimming with potential, while Pushing Upward (46) requires concentrated, slow, and steady effort.

45 - Gathering Together

46 - -Pushing Upward

Exhaustion (47) results from oppressive circumstances, while an inexhaustible supply of  replenishment awaits at The Well (48).

47 - Exhaustion

48 - The Well

To compress the ideas even further:

What Decreases (41) must inevitably Increase (42).

When Increasing (42) continues to excess there must be a Break Through (43).

After Breaking Through (43), one is bound to have an Encounter (44).

When we Encounter (44) others we Gather Together (45).

When we Gather Together (45) we eventually Push Upward (46).

If one Pushes Upward (46) without stopping, one will become Exhausted (47).

When one is Exhausted (47) by ascending, one returns to below to be Replenished (48).

41 – Sun / Decrease

I Ching explorations – Part 41 of 64

Kên (Keeping Still, Mountain) over Tui (The Joyous, Lake)

Mt. Moran and Lake Moran - The Grand Tetons, Wyoming

Situation

Symbolism

Water evaporates from the lake, precipitates on the mountain, and the mountain vegetation is nourished.  This illustrates a time when the lowly are diminished for the benefit of those above.

Socially

The prosperity of the people is diminished for the benefit of those in control.  This results in an unstable situation unless the leaders act accordingly.

Individually

This is a time of material loss, sacrifice, and diminished communications that one is unable to change.  It shouldn’t be construed to be a “bad” thing – just another phase to experience that one should approach with the right attitude.

Response

Symbolically

The lower trigram has been formed from Ch’ien.

Ch’ien

has been decreased to form Tui.

At the same time, the decrease of the lower trigram is accompanied by an increase of the upper line in the upper trigram from K'un: 

to Kên:

The upper trigram (Mountain) is stubborn strength that can harden into anger.  The Lake is unchecked gaiety that can develop into uncontrolled passion.  To find balance, anger must be decreased by keeping still and passionate instincts must be curbed, as the lake prevents waters from overflowing.  The weight and gravity of the mountain holds the joyousness of the lake in check.  The result is a decreasing of the lower emotions (passions) and an enrichment of the higher aspects of the soul.

Socially

The hexagram is directed at showing how is it possible for this shift of wealth from below to above to occur without causing the source of wealth (e.g., the productivity of the people) to be permanently diminished.  A proper response from those in power would be to aid those who have been diminished in means to manage more frugally.  And, a proper response of those below would be to recognize that at times there is the need to make sacrifices.  In this situation, society should embrace frugality and work together to fulfill needs without being obsessed with elaborate and unnecessary consumption.  And, those above should use what has been received to ultimately benefit the people.

Individually

An individual in this situation is advised to accept the decline in circumstances and simplify one’s life accordingly:  curb passionate desires, economize, limit indulgences, and quell the anger that may accompany this change lifestyle.  One should not continue the pretense of more opulent times lest one lose touch with the lessons to be learned during this transitory stage.  Instead, scale personal relationships down to simpler issues and don’t feel ashamed.  Simplicity is what’s needed to provide inner strength for future undertakings.

Outcome

Symbolically

Kên and Tui have been formed from the interaction of Ch’ien below being decreased to the benefit of K’un above.  Kên and Tui represent the youngest son and youngest daughter.  Combined, the two trigrams symbolize passions aroused but held in check   

Socially

The trust of the people will be increased if those above use what has been received from them for the benefit of the whole.  In this way, stability in trying times can be maintained.

Individually

Simplifying one’s life has benefits to one’s higher nature.  Success will be achieved through devotion and simplicity.  Having achieved a certain economy in the intensity of one’s emotions one will be prepared for the inevitable increase that follows.

Lines

1. Moderately help those above in need so as to maintain personal balance.

2. While humbled, maintain your dignity to provide true service of lasting value.

3. One finds a comrade but three will splinter.  Two achieve the proper balance.

4. Humbly diminish your shortcomings and friends will appear to help.

5. Modestly accept good fortune.

6. If one’s increase benefits others, supporters are attracted and increase furthers.  

Recap

This situation is in accordance with cosmic forces and is therefore unavoidable.  What is insufficient will be increased and what is excessive will inevitably be diminished, that is the natural order of things.  One should not be concerned about external appearances in times of decrease, but rather it is appropriate to decrease one’s passions and enrich the higher aspects of the soul.