The Art of Survival in Dark Times
Hexagram 36 (Ming I/Darkening of the Light) depicts the sun sinking beneath the earth. It is the archetype of the "Dark Age"—a time when tyranny prevails, justice is wounded, and truth is silenced. In such an environment, open resistance often leads to destruction. Therefore, the I Ching advises the Superior Man to adopt the strategy of "Veiling One's Light" (韜光養晦).
This philosophy is not about cowardice, but about preserving the inner fire. The hexagram narrates different survival strategies based on one's proximity to the darkness. For those on the periphery, the wisest course is passive self-preservation—fleeing quickly before the net closes, or quietly leaving the courtyard to avoid complicity.
However, for those trapped in the center of the chaos, flight is impossible. Here, the text introduces the concept of "Active Salvation through Endurance." The archetype is Prince Chi (Line 5), who famously feigned madness to survive a tyrant's court. By hiding his intelligence and bearing humiliation, he kept the light of civilization alive within himself, proving that one can be outwardly compliant while inwardly unconquered.
The narrative culminates in the inevitable downfall of the Tyrant (Top Line). This figure represents the ultimate perversion of leadership: he is harsh and scrutinizing toward his people but unprincipled and blind toward himself. Because he suppresses the light rather than cultivating it, his reign ends in total darkness.
Summary: Ming I is a dual test of will and intellect. It teaches us that when the world goes dark, we must become our own source of light. By enduring hardship and maintaining faith in the Right Way, we ensure that justice will eventually triumph over evil, just as the sun inevitably rises after the longest night.
