萃
GUA 45 · CUI
COLLECTEDNESS
Overall Image (大象)
The pond is raised above the earth
Collectedness
The noble young one, accordingly,
puts aside weapons and instruments
Guarding against unreadiness▼
Overall Image (大象)
The pond is raised above the earth
Collectedness
The noble young one, accordingly,
puts aside weapons and instruments
Guarding against unreadiness
A reservoir on top of the earth, held in place by our efforts, will offer us respite and sanctuary, a gathering ground for our waters along their way to the sea. If the banks are secure and the inlets welcome water, fulfillment becomes overflow. Erosion will be the more natural state: wear and tear on our confidence. Maintaining our sense of security, a level of collectedness, is work for our kind, alone or in groups. In good repair we stand ready and worthy to receive. But the object here is to get on with life. Too much can be surrendered for common grounds and waters. We’ll want to stay able to hold our waters together, but not so dammed up that we can't come and go.
Main Judgment (Collectedness) (卦辞)
Fulfillment
The sovereign approaches his temple
Rewarding to encounter a mature human being
Making an offering
Worthwhile to be dedicated
To offer great sacrifices is promising
Worthwhile to have somewhere to go▼
Main Judgment (Collectedness) (卦辞)
Fulfillment
The sovereign approaches his temple
Rewarding to encounter a mature human being
Making an offering
Worthwhile to be dedicated
To offer great sacrifices is promising
Worthwhile to have somewhere to go
The cup is emptied and cleaned, in order to receive the new. The sovereign repairs to the shrine of his ancestors, with a prayer to come back infused with new strength, to face his people and heirs. To create and maintain these tribal and cultural bonds, a security in numbers, is a radial point of his work and the focal point of his people. The great man brings the great offering. We hope that he understands here that the great sacrifice is not the great man himself, but only his self-importance. The king is the supplicant here. His sacrifice is made for a common good. Unity is an immense reward, security for the tribe, cohesion for the realm. What is this sacrifice worth? Answer these first: A unity of what? Dedicated to what? These shared lives remain individual lives, held together by choices. The unity in a flock of sheep will serve the shepherd well, and those who want mutton and wool. But what is called the common good will not always serve the sheep. His reasons for the gathering here may not be the reason for its success. The greatest gift you can offer the ancestors is to become a great one yourself. This isn’t done by giving up too much, certainly not the center.
Key Words (关键词)
Gather together, assemble, collect, congregate, consolidate, concentrate, convene▼
Key Words (关键词)
Gather together, assemble, collect, congregate, consolidate, concentrate, convene
Banking, shoring up, saving, pooling, collective strength, convocation, assembly Safe numbers; reserve, reservoir, contingency fund, sanctuary from insecurities Trusting, settling doubts; risk readiness, insurance, assurance, caching provisions Confidence, composure, self-possession, integrity, security, sang froid, aplomb Pulling it / yourself together; having / holding it together; comportment, dignity
Structure & Connections
Structure Class
Gen-Dui Family
This classification indicates the hexagram's role in the 12 Sovereign Cycle (Earthly Branches) or its structural family.
Astrology
note:Saturn in Water
planet:Saturn
element:Water
Tarot
card:Ace of Cups
suit:Cups
Qabalah
note:Kether in Briah
sphere:Kether
The Lines
11st • YangBeing true is not the end of it
If confused, then pull together
As a cry for help
And one helping hand restore good humor
Do not worry
Progress is not an error▼
1
1st • YangBeing true is not the end of it
If confused, then pull together
As a cry for help
And one helping hand restore good humor
Do not worry
Progress is not an error
45.1x If confused, then pull together:
One’s directions (are) confused
The gathering grows complex and confusing. The little one, true to his nature, first follows this and then follows that, without a ruling direction, even to go to and fro. In a growing mess of wrong turns and digressions, he loses all sight of his leader. The lost and lonely perspectives won’t help him find his way: frustration and panic are too overwhelming. Then he might reach out to all the wrong strangers. Whether puppy or monkey or human, lost children are born with the wisdom to call out for a paw or the hand of someone familiar. Inborn insecurities restrain them each time out to only a little bit more of the world. Some of the reason to not worry here is that life has this already partly in hand. Insecurities might serve our needs as often as setting them aside or putting them behind us. A want of reassurance helps hold us together.
22nd • YangDrawn to the promising
Not wrong
But sincerity precedes the real reward
when offering the modest spring sacrifice▼
2
2nd • YangDrawn to the promising
Not wrong
But sincerity precedes the real reward
when offering the modest spring sacrifice
45.2x (To be) led by the promising is not wrong:
The center has yet to evolve
When we are at our best, feeling strong and mature, we might more often be led by what we can give or sacrifice than by what we can get or take from the things that are catching our eyes. The notion of promise might only enter our minds as something we make, not see. But when we are at our best, we know we are already full, and are grateful to have our needs met. To offer a great sacrifice is not to look first for what we are promised. And then to be drawn or led by the promise is something like our prey being led to our traps by our bait. One following even true heart’s desire won’t always look where he’s going. Some sort of goal is expected of movement, even the moves of pure wisdom. Wits are better collected around something that’s up ahead. It’s always best to give something in order to merit reward, even if only a thank you.
33rd • YangIt seems that to congregate is the same as complaining
Not a direction with merit
To continue thus is not harmful
But a little embarrassing▼
3
3rd • YangIt seems that to congregate is the same as complaining
Not a direction with merit
To continue thus is not harmful
But a little embarrassing
45.3x To continue( thus) is not harmful:
The superior (is) adaptable
How could they gather without him? He has grievances to share. He needs friends. Maybe he seeks to join the wrong congregation. He cannot stimulate enough pity. At some lesser sorts of gatherings, the people can huddle together and yet become even less than they were. An association of victims of this or that thing might serve some transient purpose, but membership here should be temporary, with programs for going beyond. Commisery does love its company, and will happily enroll you, long term, in the woe-is-us healing process. But where the group is healthy, it might be looking for members with something better to offer. Why would they desire to open their gates to the whiners? The loud, plaintive sighs are disturbing the speaker. He’ll need to meet them halfway, by composing himself into someone they want.
44th • YangA lot of promise
Avoid mistakes▼
4
4th • YangA lot of promise
Avoid mistakes
45.4x A lot of promise, (but) avoid mistakes:
The position is not appropriate
This congregation offers it all: a security of the spirit and a fellowship of the saved, with almost no work, at only a moderate cost, plus many convenient payment plans. The priest occupies an attractive position, assembling others on another’s behalf. He needs not even be wise, as long as he follows the program. The miracles were done long ago. Today he can give them water and tell them that it is wine, or he can give them wine and tell them that it is blood. And these people really believe him. If he tried this at his own affair they would not respect him so much. They do not want him to try to be just himself. In the temple things are different, they come to be fooled, and not without reason. There is a point to which this serves a purpose. Sheep should not try to think. For others, an end to the fear is courage to question.
55th • YangConvening presumes a position
This is not wrong
But an absence of trust
Means extremely prolonged persistence
Regrets pass▼
5
5th • YangConvening presumes a position
This is not wrong
But an absence of trust
Means extremely prolonged persistence
Regrets pass
45.5x Convening presumes a position:
The objectives (are) still not conspicuous
Somebody needs to bring this convention to order. Everyone looks to the podium, most with high expectations. But in between now and the time the audience leaves, there should be one to step up and fill this position. The speakers have a head start: the benefit of assumptions that one who has nothing to say worth hearing will not be invited to speak. The place itself brings them this far, past more than half of their reasons to fear and doubt. The minister has only to pull the rest of himself together, his notes, his wits, his courage and self-esteem, and then simply find a trust or faith in a system set up to do this. You can’t take trust out of this picture. Until the audio program begins there is no audience yet. How great must this sacrifice be? It may be safe to assume he can trade his fears and his doubts for equal amounts of success.
6Top • YangOffering counsel while weeping and sniveling
But no harm is done▼
6
Top • YangOffering counsel while weeping and sniveling
But no harm is done
45.6x Offering counsel (while) weeping (and) sniveling:
Less than secure at the top
Maybe something went wrong at the gathering. Perhaps he tripped on his tongue, or maybe they laughed at his sacrifice. Whatever it was that he gave up has not yet brought lasting good fortune or luck. Now he pours out his distress, and all of that spirit that filled him, the hope alongside the dread, the certainties and the fears: all of that unspent feeling becomes a little puddle of salty self-importance, growing at his feet. But he gets it all out of his system this way, making room for a little more gratitude. This may bring others around, thinking they might have misjudged him, but if their warmth is founded on pity, the gathering might just be pitiful. Better to let him let go, to turn himself upside down and get empty. Ideals we have sacrificed for, security for instance, can often be the same things we need to give up to get true.
Reference in Original Text & Resources
This content is derived from Bradford Hatcher's THE BOOK OF CHANGES: Yijing, Word By Word.
Original text for Hexagram 45 begins on Page 330-338.
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