Comments on: Hexagram 4 and seeking meaning

By: Gene

Gene — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 21:23:33 +0000

And one final thing on this hexagram (four), not directed at anybody in any way but just general info about the hexagram, is that in order to really truly learn we must be receptive. (hexagram two) Only by being receptive can we take in the lesson to the point we are ready to move on to the next level. Being receptive requires that we humble ourselves (hexagram fifteen) to the point where we can learn with trust, recognizing the one who is higher than us. We learn the right conduct, (hexagram ten) and apply it when we approach the sage. We approach with a spirit of cooperativeness. When we find a teacher that we know has mastered the lessons and it shows in his daily life and conduct, then we simply listen without interruption. We act in full trust and admiration. Life itself is a mystery, (hexagram four). We can delve into the mystery and learn a lot, but the more we learn, the more we still need to remain humble and to realize that as much as we have learned it is still a mystery, and will always be so.

Gene

By: Gene

Gene — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 23:01:14 +0000

Which goes to show, Hilary

That genius’s are not always genius. Out of the mouth of babes… Why, because they are more innocent, and they allow the answer to come to them rather than try to force it. And that is an aspect of hexagram four as well, is that we simply trust. We must learn, yes, but from those who have truly gone on before us, and do not need the pen and paper. It is spiritual learning that is a must, not intellectual learning. So we learn the meaning of meaning and non meaning, not by pencil and paper, but by listening to “the still small voice.”

Gene

By: Hilary

Hilary — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 10:27:19 +0000

Good point, that the desire to find out is a basic survival instinct. And it’s important that Yi is not criticising/ condemning that at all – but only the repetitive questioning that muddies the waters. I don’t think it’s that we’re ‘not at a level to recognise the answer’, though – I think it’s more that the drive to know gets in the way of receiving it.

By: David

David — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 03:28:25 +0000

How about simply “inexperienced to understand, implied more learning needed”. Being out of the know triggers a basic insecurity or basic inability to handle problems or threats – hence survival. We are programmed to do whatever is necessary to survive which in turn drives us to find out. In many cases we are not at a level to recognize the answer so it is not given. Traversing that circle leads back to the beginning.

By: Hilary

Hilary — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 14:25:29 +0000

Lynne – yes, I find it’s often talking to that obsessive answer-hunting, too.

Gene…

It could mean meaning in no meaning, or no meaning in meaning.

…I think we’re in competition for that award.

I followed up my ‘bricks, not screens’ dream the following night with one in which I climbed over a whole series of fences, then telepathically called a genius to my aid, had the genius take reams of notes trying to work out the answer… all without getting the answer… Then finally the simpleton who’d come along with me just wrote the question down in the bit of space left above all the notes, and at once received the answer ‘yes’. (Alas, the dream didn’t include seeing what the question was.)

So there’s a lot to be said for just asking (once).

By: Hexagram 4 and Seeking Meaning | The Archetypal Garage

Hexagram 4 and Seeking Meaning | The Archetypal Garage — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 11:54:37 +0000

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By: Gene

Gene — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 18:20:27 +0000

I Think for this hexagram Hilary found for herself a really valid “meaning” in it. Of course, when we ask of the I Ching we are likely to get an answer that relates to ourself, unless we asked, (indicated) otherwise. (We will have to give Hilary the “meaning” award, referring to her comment about the means of the meanings etc.)

Like all hexagrams it can mean several things, and yes, sometimes we do try to look for too much meaning in the meaning. Other times perhaps we don’t.

The meaning for me depends on the context. It could mean not knowing, it could mean not only not knowing, but thinking that we do. It could mean a form of arrogance (as the middle son above the eldest son in the trigrams), and in that context it could mean that some form of protocol has been broken, and we may have to pay through unpleasant life experiences. Then it also could refer to finding a teacher, physical or spiritual, who will reveal something to us we had not known before. It could mean meaning in no meaning, or no meaning in meaning. Then again, the only meaning could be involved with a lesson in life, pleasant or unpleasant.

Gene

By: Lynne

Lynne — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 14:34:37 +0000

I’ve received Hex 4 a couple of times lately, and took it to be a warning about my tendency to obsess because I think I need an answer. Both times I took the warning to heart and just relaxed and waited for more information (including being more open to my own part in the situation!), and both times the situation cleared and resolved.

By: trojan

trojan — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 13:55:01 +0000

Oh I see. I understand perfectly. When you said you meant last weeks hexagram 4 meant for you not to go chasing after meanings all the time when there was no especial meaning it was just life being life, knees being knees, insects doing what insects do..(.when you thought there might be a clear direction for you in everything but there isn’t always)…you didn’t also mean hexagram 4 meant ‘don’t look for meaning…and just accept you don’t know’

I think I understand. The main thing seems to be knowing that you don’t know

By: Hilary

Hilary — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 12:33:58 +0000

Oh, I didn’t mean it meant ‘don’t look for meaning’.

(Is there an award for that sentence, please?)

Surely the point is that you can’t get whatever answer you’re looking for without going somewhere, exploring, being in motion and maybe taking some risks (like in your example, talking to actual people).

Secondary point: the thing you’re interrogating so energetically might not mean anything. In which case… again… to satisfy that very healthy craving for insight, you’re going to have to move.