Hexagram 13. T'ung Jen / Fellowship with Men

THE JUDGEMENT
FELLOWSHIP WITH MEN in the open.
Success.
It furthers one to cross the great water.
The perseverance of the superior man furthers.

IC+

13 Fellowship with Men
Associating, Likemindedness
In a context of guidance we utilise singlemindedness.

"T'UNG JEN -

T'UNG : harmonize, unite, equalize, assemble; agree, share in; together, at once, same time and place. The ideogram: cover and mouth, silent understanding and perfect fit...

JEN : humans individually and collectively; an individual; humankind" ERANOS p206

The fire hexagrams form an octet in the binary sequence of:

36, 22, 63, 37, 55, 30, 49, 13

In this ordering, interpretable in the same format as the 'full' ordering, gives us 'opposition' pairs of 36,13 where there is no 'likemindedness' around in 36 and so we need to hide it. Note this is a symmetric interpretation - the asymmetric form gives us 13 as an exaggeration of 36 - the uncompromising nature of 36 as 'hiding the light' is manifest in a high energy form associated with others of likemindedness through being competitive through the use of the light in a singleminded form.

Infrastructure of 13 is described by analogy with generic characteristics represented by hexagram 31 - wooing (cooperative enticement).

Source of nourishment is described by analogy to 38 - a focus on 'mirroring' - letting others see themselves in you (works as form of dealing with, avoiding, opposition)

Some 'pairing' comments:

In the binary sequence hexagram 13 pairs with hexagram 49.
This pair reflects basics of guidance issues through associating with the likeminded to differentiate 'us' from 'them' (13) or through the revelation of the facts behind the facade (49). The focus on revelation extends into the concept of revolution where the 'old guard' is shown to be corrupt in some way and in need of being changed. The likemindedness focus is on singlemindedness in a context of guidence (13).

In the binary sequence hexagram 13 opposes hexagram 07.
This pairing reflects an approach to likemindedness, be it through a mindedness formally imposed (hexagram 07) or one based on casual associations with others (hexagram 13).
At the LOCAL level we are dealing with an octet of hexagrams with the FIRE trigram as base. In this sequence hexagram 13, the exaggerated focus upon likemindedness, 'opposes' hexagram 36, with its focus on being uncompromising, hiding the light rather than sharing it. More so, the exaggerated focus on 'likemindedness', of sharing the 'light' is reflected in a more balanced format by a focus on covering-up the light.

In the traditional sequence hexagram 13 pairs with hexagram 14.
IMPOSE DIRECTION:

13 : impose directions through associations - passive; 13 loose associations comes out of a context decribed by hexagram 31 - wooing, restrained structuring

14 : impose directions through associations - active; 14 centered, directing associations comes out of a context described by hexagram 32 - strong commitment

Full spectrum of 13 is summarised below:

00 :: (02) : What is this hexagrams's potential form? :: 13
01 :: (24) : How does this hexagram 'start', express 'beginning'? :: 33
02 :: (07) : How does this hexagram express uniformity, establishment of? :: 1
03 :: (19) : How does this hexagram express approaching the 'high'; defer to the 'low'? :: 44
04 :: (15) : How does this hexagram level things out, keep words close to facts? :: 25
05 :: (36) : How does this hexagram protect its 'light' when not its time? :: 12
06 :: (46) : How does this hexagram become more entangled with something/someone? :: 10
07 :: (11) : How does this hexagram balance/harmonise, mediate? :: 6
08 :: (16) : How does this hexagram express foresight/planning? :: 37
09 :: (51) : How does this hexagram express surprise, enlightenment, shock? :: 53
10 :: (40) : How does this hexagram express tension release through relaxing structure? :: 9
11 :: (54) : How does this hexagram expend early energy, imaturity? :: 57
12 :: (62) : How does this hexagram express overacting to establish unconditional loyalty? :: 42
13 :: (55) : How does this hexagram deal with abundance/overflowing? :: 20
14 :: (32) : How does this hexagram express commitment? :: 61
15 :: (34) : How does this hexagram actively invigorate others? :: 59
16 :: (08) : How does this hexagram passively attract? :: 30
17 :: (03) : How does this hexagram 'sprout'? :: 56
18 :: (29) : How does this hexagram assert containment/control? :: 14
19 :: (60) : How does this hexagram standardise? :: 50
20 :: (39) : How does this hexagram obstruct, go against, stand up to, the flow? :: 21
21 :: (63) : How does this hexagram complete, 'get it right'? :: 35
22 :: (48) : Where does this hexagram get its nutrition, what sustains it, keeps it going? :: 38
23 :: (05) : How does this hexagram wait for opportunity to come? :: 64
24 :: (45) : How does this hexagram celebrate its 'faith'? :: 22
25 :: (17) : How does this hexagram find a faith? What is its faith? :: 52
26 :: (47) : How does this hexagram integrate with the context, be it by choice or otherwise? :: 26
27 :: (58) : How does this hexagram express itself intensely, self-reflect? :: 18
28 :: (31) : How does this hexagram 'woo', express restrained enticement? :: 27
29 :: (49) : How does this hexagram reveal, unmask? :: 23
30 :: (28) : How does this hexagram express excess, go beyond what is required? :: 41
31 :: (43) : How does this hexagram 'seed', spread the word? :: 4
32 :: (23) : How does this hexagram 'housekeep', clear chaff to bring out the wheat? :: 49
33 :: (27) : What is the basic, skelatal form of this hexagram, The mud from which it has emerged? :: 31
34 :: (04) : How does this hexagram learn social skills? :: 43
35 :: (41) : How does this hexagram achieve clarity, concentration, distillation? :: 28
36 :: (52) : How does this hexagram express blocking, discernment? :: 17
37 :: (22) : What does this hexagram look like, how does it present itself to the outside? :: 45
38 :: (18) : How does this hexagram correct corruption, express that correction? :: 58
39 :: (26) : How does this hexagram express 'holding firm' to traditions? :: 47
40 :: (35) : How does this hexagram bring something into the 'light'? :: 63
41 :: (21) : How does this hexagram resolve problems? :: 39
42 :: (64) : How does this hexagram remain 'open', mis-sequence? :: 5
43 :: (38) : How does this hexagram 'mirror', deal with opposition? :: 48
44 :: (56) : How does this hexagram demonstrate conditional loyalty; loyalty at a distance? :: 3
45 :: (30) : How does this hexagram express guidance/direction setting? :: 8
46 :: (50) : How does this hexagram express conversion of the raw to the cooked, transformation? :: 60
47 :: (14) : How does this hexagram manage from the centre? Direct operations? Push ideology? :: 29
48 :: (20) : How does this hexagram elicit admiration and so invigorate others passively? :: 55
49 :: (42) : How does this hexagram reflect augmentation? :: 62
50 :: (59) : How does this hexagram make things clear, dispell illusions? lift the fog? :: 34
51 :: (61) : How does this hexagram express empathy? yielding, soft core, hard exterior? :: 32
52 :: (53) : How does this hexagram express gradual development, maturity? :: 51
53 :: (37) : How does this hexagram reflect rigid structure as a form of tension release? :: 16
54 :: (57) : How does this hexagram cultivate and become influencial? :: 54
55 :: (09) : How does this hexagram express making small gains to be noticed? :: 40
56 :: (12) : How does this hexagram neutralise attacks on its core beliefs? :: 36
57 :: (25) : How does this hexagram stand up to say its piece, ignoring consequences, disentangle? :: 15
58 :: (06) : How does this hexagram compromise, meet half way? :: 11
59 :: (10) : How does this hexagram traverse a path carefully? :: 46
60 :: (33) : How does this hexagram draw-in its enemies, competitively entice? :: 24
61 :: (13) : How does this hexagram express association with the likeminded? :: 2
62 :: (44) : How does this hexagram persuade/seduce? :: 19
63 :: (01) : How does this hexagram express singlemindedness, competitiveness? :: 7

Hello Rosada!

Chris, you know I love you to bits, but could you put links to your full spectrum lists? I'm not sure whether Ewald Chris-proofed his hexagram search.

Back to the 10th century BC
'In the open' could well be a reference to King Wu's muster in the wilds (ye, aka 'open') of Mu. And according to (whatwouldwedowithoutit) LiSe's site, a tong is also a 12-yearly meeting of feudal lords. I imagine - here and at Mu - people who would normally be in conflict over small territorial things, coming together for the big thing. It would explain the somewhat fraught atmosphere in many of the lines: 'harmony between people' doesn't just happen by itself.

Also a couple of interesting features of the sequence from hexagram 12. The trigrams, for one - heaven is still above, but now instead of earth sinking away mutely below, there is fire rising to connect with it. And the Judgement, for another - a very deliberate contrast. Now that people are working together, the noble one's perseverance does bear fruit. (I think it's because they've got over their belief in non-people.)

Welcome back

Hello Rosada,

After a short stop in 12 you are back in town.
I must say I really appreciate what you started with these threads. It's a very interesting experience to do the hexagrams this way. I already learned a lot by following them.
Thanks for starting them.

Interesting that I'm reading a chapter in Yijing and Chinese Politics that cites this hexagram. It is in a discussion about the perception of sagehood and eremitism in the Song Dynasty. Sagehood reclusion and isolation in times of political upheaval was seen with good eyes as the intention of the sage is to basically save himself for the good of a public or government that may use his wisdom in the future. Eremitism, on the other hand, was seen as a selfish indulgence, regardless of any personal hardships for the hermit. Hu Yuan, one of the greatest commentators of the Yijing in the Song era, uses Hex13's Judgement to describe a "proper" sage:

A superior man has the mind of altruism and righteousness, and the way of honesty and forgiveness. He begins with himself and extends his virtue to the people. Therefore, he never worries about himself, he worries about the world; he never rejoices for himself, he rejoices for the world. The justice of a superior man is to have every man on earth share his view and follow his way. Hence, the way of "Tongren" (H13) is to benefit the justly superior man alone.

Click to expand...

Just wanted to share this application of Hex13 that I found interesting.

L

THE IMAGE
Heaven together with fire.
The Image of FELLOWSHIP WITH MEN.
Thus the superior man organizes the clans
And makes distinctions between things.

IC+ Image:

"[With guidance comes singlemindedness] Heaven combines with fire: Seekers. One groups the likeminded to distinguish the individuals. [Make the individuals stand out - be seen.]"

Oh, I get it. Kinda like when you put all the things that are alike together, their differances become more obvious.

I wonder whether the noble one isn't sorting out a 'seating plan' here to keep the peace at the gathering of the clans. In creating harmony between people, it has to help to appreciate their differences.

I once started a thread here on ‘receiving 13 if you were stranded on a desert island’. I do this with all “social” type hexagrams, because each must be able to apply holistically and also within the context of self.

I once asked the Yi, why do you make yourself available to humans? i.e. what do you get from it? 13, no changes.

After contemplating this:

http://www.yijing.nl/hexagrams/13.htm

THE LINES
Nine at the beginning means:
Fellowship with men at the gate.
No blame.

The beginning of union among people should take place before the door. All are equally close to one another. No divergent aims have yet arisen, and one makes no mistakes. The basic principals of any kind of union must be equally accessible to all concerned. Secret agreements bring misfortune.
-Wilhelm

The name of 13 is very simple: people who are the same, or similar. It has not necessarily anything to do with being nice to each other, but it does give the possibility for it. Just as well the possibility to form a clique, to shut out everyone who has the slightest 'deviation', like other culture, other color, other faith, other gender, whatever. 'Other' is automatically seen as wrong. So it can be an extremely harsh hexagram too.

Being similar gives the base for understanding. Empathy, recognition, feeling at home and safe with each other. Fish swim in groups of same fish, deer live with deer, the Northatlantic redstriped doubletailed pileworm only mates with another Northatlantic redstriped doubletailed pileworm.

It is important to stick to your kin, like 13.1, together 33-ing from the rest of the world. It is a complex mechanism, one needs each other, but also has be be wary of each other. The wolf who behaves too differently, can be killed by his own group. So he has to dim his lights, not stand out in any way. Withdrawing together from others includes withdrawing inside the group.
But just as well one has to be open enough to exchange in a free way, within the group and with the rest of the world, so 13.2 changes to 1, where line 2 appears in the open field.
Groups demand strict rules of behavior (13.3), often one needs to keep one's cards close to one's chest, there is always someone ready to take advantage of something one shows too openly. So be careful with your cow of 25.3.
13.4: Groups make strong. Especially when they form a well-organized family.
In 13.5 there is the need for knowing each other in order to get along well. Show your feelings at the right moment, your sadness and joy, your intentions. The unknown one is always the enemy, so make everything clear like 30.
And in the spirit line, 13.6, it is good to stay in the meadow, don't expect everyone to be of the same level. Some change like leopards, others only in the face (49.6), but they belong all together, your people.

I once asked the Yi, why do you make yourself available to humans? i.e. what do you get from it? 13, no changes. (Bruce)

Click to expand...

Maybe Yi helps humans to find their humanity? Helping the derailed ones to get back on track, the troubled ones to find a listening ear, the closed ones to open, the narrow ones to widen. Like the task of a hospital or an asylum is, to get people back into society, where they can live and function again as humans among humans.

Line 1
"Any form of likeminded group starts with an ideology. That which attracts them in the first place."

With/from likemindedness (13) comes trickary, being drawn in (33)

Being enticed competitively is reflected in 33 and so covers promotion of the idelology, even if with 'bluff', false advertising, rhetorical speeches etc. This promotion reflects the competition of ideologies - be they the cliche at the local club, the local street gang, or some political ideology.

emtionally 13 has a context of acceptance whereas 33 is more a context of self-restraint (that gets into discernment, quality control etc when doubled)

13 : with acceptance come anger (competition - 13 aka with guidance comes singlemindedness)

33 : with grief comes anger (aka with discernment comes singlemindedness)

There is a subtle association here of fire with mountain in the form of acceptance (fire) vs quality control (self-restraint, discernment) - both cover a sense of relating but fire is a boundary form, "with us or against us". OTOH mountain is more bonding, there is a sharing of space across the 'boundary'' and so there is no explicit 'cut'.

The link with mountain introduces the concept of passion, and with THAT the bonding influence that includes empathy. (but likeminded, with its boundary, is more sympathetic than empathic in that the 'casual' nature of the associations, likeminded as compared to 'sameminded'.)

Note from the XOR perspective, the 24-ness of 13,what 13 starts with, keeps coming back to, is described by analogy to 33 and this focus on being drawn in, accepted. The competitive nature is covered above, but also that nature covers 33 as a form of structured retreat to draw the enemy in. Here the context is 13 and so a bias to 'drawing in' and even tricks to get 'accepted' into the 'gang'.

Chris.

heylise said:

Maybe Yi helps humans to find their humanity? Helping the derailed ones to get back on track, the troubled ones to find a listening ear, the closed ones to open, the narrow ones to widen. Like the task of a hospital or an asylum is, to get people back into society, where they can live and function again as humans among humans.

Click to expand...

Maybe Yi helps humans find the roots to their humanity? And as you've pointed out, it isn't humanity alone which is 13. Also the wolves, fishes, deer and ants. Is there anything which is not related? This answers my Robinson Crusoe question, and indeed the story of Robinson is itself a picture of 13. But it took Friday (roots) to teach it to Robinson. The sun, moon, tree, fire, water, mountain are his brothers and sisters. So much focus on humanity is not good. It makes humanity exclusive and very un-13.

I agree completely of course, that everything has common roots. And seeing or feeling those roots is a base for living in this world, being a part of universe. But i think that comes closer to 26? Not sure.

In 13 it says “The noble one classifies the clans and reads the trails of creatures.“ Reading the trails is in Wilhelm "makes distinctions between things." It is important to know who is who, in order to deal with a world in which that is important. It makes a big difference if you follow a rabbits trail or a tiger's or a human's. The first means dinner, the second danger, the third one finding people, maybe exchange, a home, things human beings need, being humans.

The range of 13 is huge of course, it can apply to people who share your hobby, or to what you have in common with all living creatures, or to your own inner coherence. To be healthy, physically or mentally, means, that your features cooperate and understand each other.

LiSe

A gaucho rides a horse, and they work together as one. Granted, the horse must be tamed (26), but once tamed they ride as one. It wouldn’t work as well for the horse to ride the gaucho. Distinctions are necessary. Humans together also have distinctions between them, but they share life in common.

From Bradford’s 13: The fire does not enlighten the night, but the flame will make a focus in common, a unifying vision, a bonding experience and quite a little spectacle. Gathered here we agree to disagree, exchange the best of our stories and songs, make our peace.

LiSe, as I'm seeing it:

26 – mining the past for present construction.
13 – recognizing the common, i.e. Yi to man, Friday to Robinson.

I could be all wrong on this, but it’s the only way so far I’ve managed to reconcile fellowship on a deserted island, and for me that is a litmus test every hexagram meaning must pass. Before the man ever landed on the island, nature had no problem communing, even or especially when they eat each other to live. Man with men form allies and make war. That is not communing. Sometimes the island doesn’t sound so bad. Neither does Pakia sound bad compared to Robinson’s God, who doesn’t recognize the soul in anything but humans.

13.2
Six in the second place means:
Fellowship with men in the clan.
Humiliation.

There is danger here of formation of a separate faction on the basis of personal and egotistic interests.
-Wilhelm

Just spoke with my daughter who is frustrated with the adminstration at the private school where she works. She likes her 1st grade classroom to be alive with projects and possibilities, the principal wants everything tidy to impress visiting adults/prospective clients. Grrr.

IC+
13.2 "As a group develops there is the possibility of factions developing within. These can cause imbalance and we start to lose track.[power struggles]"

"with/from likemindedness comes singlemindedness"

The issues here are in a developing competitiveness within the group. From the XOR perpective this position covers the 7-ness of 13 and so a focus on uniformity, uniforming and so the attempts to 'cloth' perspectives, to give them formal identity through uniforms that make the like mind more single mind (01)

13.3
Nine in the third place means:
He hides weapons in the thicket;
He climbs the high hill in front of it.
For three years he does not rise up.

Here fellowship has changed about to mistrust.
-Wilhelm

IC+ 13.3

Line 3
"A level of mistrust has arisen leading to the hiding of weapons for possible later use. Be wary."

with/from likemindedness comes dis-entanglment - one seeks to express one's own opinion free of constraints or ignoring consequences of actions. The implication here is planning to do such or more so we see the influence of the line position hexagram - hexagram 15 with its focus on covering things up!

In XOR world line position 3 relates to the 15-ness of 13, how 13 expresses leveling things out, reduce highs, fill in lows etc and the competive aspect hints at a focus on weapons and their hiding. This leads to the issues of an ideology and fragmenting 'behind the scenes'.

Chris.

I'm away from my mountain hideaway this month and into the busy life of the city. Frustrating how hexagrams that seemed so obvious while I had no distractions now appear obscure. Taking a crack at it anyway...
I hadn't read this hexagram one line at a time before and didn't realize until now that 13 is not at all about the happy times of fellowship, but actually discribes how things can go bad but then hopefully be righted. Interesting that we in the United States are experiencing an historic election this week and now the balance of power in Congress has shifted. I see Congress as being an example of Fellowship with Men, an group of people united in their common goals - prosperity and safety for America - but divergent in their ideas as in how to achieve them. Perhaps 13.3 refers to all the mistrust and pararnoia between the parties. Or perhaps the self doubt in the minds of those opposed to the war that caused them for three years to "not rise up".

13.4
He climbs up on his wall; he cannot attack.
Good fortune.

Here the reconcilliation that follows quarrel moves nearer. It is true that there are still dividing walls on which we stand confronting one another. But the difficulties are too great. We get into straits, and this brings us to our senses. We cannot fight, and therein lies our good fortune.

This line also seeks the fellowship of the six in the second place. But it is without, and the second line is within. The second line line stands in the relationship of correspondence to the nine in the fifth place, and holds together with the nine in the third place. Hence the nine in the third place forms the high wall confronting this fourth line, protecting the sixth in the second place from it. If the fourth line tries to contend with the nine in the fifth place, it finds that it is in no position to do so, because it is weak and incorrect in place. But since the yielding place softens the hardness of the line, it is moved by the exigencies of the situation to renunciation and a return to the right way.
-Wilhelm

IC+

13 Line 4
"Conflicts within eventually influence the parties concerned to mend fences."

with/from likemindedness comes tension release through rigid structuring (the family)

In the XOR perspective line position 4 is ruled by hexagram 16 with a focus on enthusism in foresight, planning etc. that includes expectations re what is to come and the best way to deal with them and so relieve anxieties, reduce tensions.

In 13 this 16-ness is manifest in the characteristics described by analogy to 37.

Chris.

I understand that our new speaker of the house has said, "Impeachment is off the table" meaning they aren't going to try to impeach Bush. If anyone deserves to be impeached, he does, but perhaps we'll be able to get more done if we don't get all tangled up in impeachment debates and also, knowing how precarious is his position might cause him to behave. So "cannot attack. Good fortune."

Someone in the Friends' Area just asked a question which drew 13.3. - 'to drive or not to drive'.

13.5
Men bound in friendship first weep and lament,
But afterward they laugh.
After great struggles they succeed in meeting.

Two people are outwardly separated but in their hearts the are united. They are kept apart by their positions in life. Many difficulties and obstructions arise between them and cause them grief. But, remaining true to each other, they allow nothing to separate them, and although it costs them a severe struggle to overcome the obstacles, they will succeed. When they come together their sadness will change to joy.
-Wilhelm

I notice it's been pretty quiet on this thread. I thought perhaps this was a reflection of my own energy - that I have not been as focused - but perhaps this is also a reflection of how energy flows after a time of Stagnation. Interesting dobro notes 13.3 came up in the Friends' Area. Perhaps this spreading to other "countries" is also significant of Fellowship's way. Anyway, really encouraging line today. I'm expecting to connect with some folks with whom I've been playing telephone tag.

IC+ 13.5

Line 5
"For success, leaders with common ideas unite against a common enemy. The union of two becomes the power of one."

With/from likemindedness (13) comes direction-setting, an ideology. (30)

In XOR material, line position 5 is associated with hexagram 08 - a focus on attraction, the court/king attracts others (the focus on unifying)

Thus the 08-ness of 13, how does 13 express the qualities of 08, is described by analogy to the characteristics of 30,