62. Hsiao Kuo / Preponderance of the Small

rosada · Dec 10, 2009

62. Hsiao Kuo / Preponderance of the Small

__ __
__ __ above CHEN THE AROUSING, THUNDER
_____
_____
__ __ below KEN KEEPING STILL, MOUNTAIN
__ __

While in the hexagram Ta Kuo, PREPONDERANCE OF THE GREAT (28), the strong lines preponderate and are within, inclosed between weak lines at the top and bottom, the present hexagram has weak lines preponderating, though here again they are on the outside, the strong lines within. This indeed is the basis of the exceptional situation indicated by the hexagram. When strong lies are outside, we have the hexagram I, PROVIDING NOURISHMENT (27), or Chung Fu, INNER TRUTH (61); neither represents an exceptional state. When strong elements within preponderate, they necessarily enforce their will. This creates struggle and exceptional conditions in general. But in the present hexagram it is the weak element that perforce must mediate with the outside world. If a man occupies a position of authority for which he is by nature really inadequate, extraordinary prudence is necessary.
-Wilhelm

Sparhawk · Dec 10, 2009

rosada · Dec 10, 2009

I don't get the significance of this boat image. Your thoughts?

Interesting how 28. Preponderance of The Great has the weak yin line at the beginning and at the end just as 62. Preponderance of The Small does but in 28 there are four strong yang lines in the middle and that seems to be what causes the problem. It's as if the man had taken on too much or tried to go too far without getting feedback at 28. and this is what causes the collapse. Now when the situation comes around again here the story seems to be that this time when he contributes his ideas, his Inner Truth, he only goes so far before he comes back down to earth for a reality check.
Perhaps it is this attention to details in 62 that allows the fox of 63.1 to have confidence and keep his tail up as HeyLise describes in the discussion over in the Shared Readings area.
-rosada

rodaki · Dec 10, 2009

rosada said:
Perhaps it is this attention to details in 62 that allows the fox of 63.1 to have confidence and keep his tail up as HeyLise describes in the discussion over in the Shared Readings area.
-rosada

ehm, that's 64.1 . . drat those details!

meng · Dec 10, 2009

Couple things. The two strong lines in the hexagram center can resemble a boat going down the river. The boat appears to be going swiftly down the river rapids (like thunder?), with everyone ducking down and holding on.

Funny, I can relate to the urgent energy of this image better than the more passive ones, commonly used. Small rivers can create a lot of excess, and reasons for keeping center of gravity low.

meng · Dec 10, 2009

Looking at that thunder image/lightening bolt on the upper right, it could resemble water rapids rushing down the mountain.

meng · Dec 10, 2009

rosada · Dec 11, 2009

The rulers of the hexagram are the second and the fifth line, because they are yielding and hold the middle. They are in a time when a transition must be made, but without going too far.

THE SEQUENCE
When one has the trust of creatures, one sets them in motion, hence there follows the hexagram of PREPONDERANCE OF THE SMALL.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
PREPONDERANCE OF THE SMALL signifies a transition.

APPENDED JUDGEMENTS
The rulers split wood and make a pestle of it. They made a hollow in the ground for a mortar. The uses of the mortar and the pestle was of benefit to all of mankind. They probably took this from the hexagram of PREPONDERANCE OF THE SMALL.

The Chinese word kua cannot be translated in such a way as to render all its secondary meanings. It means to pass by, and then comes the idea of excessiveness, preponderance, in fact, it means everything that results from exceeding the mean. The hexagram deals with transitional states, extraordinary conditions. It is so constructed that the yielding elements are on the outside. When, given such a structure, strong lines predominate, the hexagram of PREPONDERANCE OF THE GREAT(28) results, but when the weak lines are in the majority, we have PREPONDERANCE OF THE SMALL. The nuclear trigrams of the present hexagram produce the same structure as the primary trigrams of 28. This hexagram is the opposite of the preceding one.
-Wilhelm

my_key · Dec 12, 2009

I don't get the significance of this boat image. Your thoughts?

Hi Rosada
This is what can to mind when I saw Luis' picture
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5RKxqeKL5Q

MIke

Trojina · Dec 12, 2009

rosada said:
I don't get the significance of this boat image. Your thoughts?

-rosada

I guess they took on too much in this boat trip, its more than they can handle so they are keeping low to minimize the danger of capsize ? This image presupposes one always is taking on too much, or in danger of taking on too much in 62.

rosada · Dec 12, 2009

What is Wilhelm talking about with the Appended Judgements statement?
"The use of the mortar and pestle was of benefit to all mankind. They probably took this from the hexagram of PREPONDERANCE OF THE SMALL"? Is he saying somebody got the idea to create the mortar and pestle from looking at this hexagram? That's hard to believe.
-rosada

my_key · Dec 13, 2009

meng said:

Meng

Is this a "I can't see the wood for the trees" type of picture?
I'm sure there is a bird sitting on the tree stump but can't quite make it out.

meng · Dec 13, 2009

Hi mike,

Yes, that's an adult male quail. When in active mating mode they sit on the highest objects around, kind of like 20, seeing and being seen. But during the time of the photo, they were laying low in heavy cover, in this in case a bare cedar tree/shrub.

jesed · Dec 13, 2009

rosada said:
What is Wilhelm talking about with the Appended Judgements statement?
"The use of the mortar and pestle was of benefit to all mankind. They probably took this from the hexagram of PREPONDERANCE OF THE SMALL"? Is he saying somebody got the idea to create the mortar and pestle from looking at this hexagram? That's hard to believe.
-rosada

This statement is not from Wilhelm, but it is part of the Yijing itself: The Great Treatise.

Best

rosada · Dec 13, 2009

Thanks Jesed. So what should we make of this comment? I mean, first is it really saying that the mortar and pestle were created as a result of reading the I Ching? And second, so what? Why is this particularly worth knowing? I mean, if a person gets 62 in a reading what should they consider concerning a mortar and pestle?
Thanks!
Rosada

jesed · Dec 14, 2009

Hi Rosada

rosada said:
I mean, first is it really saying that the mortar and pestle were created as a result of reading the I Ching?

Yes, that is what it is really saying.

rosada said:
And second, so what? Why is this particularly worth knowing? I mean, if a person gets 62 in a reading what should they consider concerning a mortar and pestle?

You need to read and understand the Great Treatise to make any use of that quote; and in any case it is not useful for divination.

One of the important issues to the author(s) ot the Great Tretatise is to study the Yi in a greater scope than just divination. This quote is part of that attempt. To link the history of chinese civilisation with the images of the hexagrams. Of course, you can accept or reject the attempt or the concrete links.

But the point was: there is one way to read the text when you use it to divination; another, when you use it for moral education; another when you use it to make artefacts..and so on

There are some latter texts that claim there are 10 levels or layers to read the Yijing, being divination the lower one.

But that is a whole diferent debate

Best

rosada · Dec 14, 2009

THE JUDGEMENT

PREPONDERANCE OF THE SMALL. Success.
Perseverance furthers.
Small things may be done; great things should not be done.
The flying bird brings the message:
It is not well to strive upward,
It is well to remain below.
Great good fortune.

Exceptional modesty and conscientiousness are sure to be rewarded with success; however if a man is not to throw himself away, it is important that they should not become empty form and subservience but be combined always with a correct dignity in personal behavior. We must understand the demands of the time in order to find the necessary offset for its deficiencies and damages. In any event we must not count on great success, since the requisite strength is lacking. In this lies the importance of the message that one should not strive after lofty things but hold to the lowly things.
-Wilhelm

rosada · Dec 14, 2009

The structure of the hexagram gives rise to the idea that the message is brought by a bird. In Ta Kuo, PREPONDERANCE OF THE GREAT (28), the four strong heavy lines within, supported only by two weak lines without, give the image of a sagging ridge pole. Here, the supporting weak lines are both outside and preponderant; this gives the image of a soaring bird. But a bird should not try to surpass itself and fly into the sun; it should descend to the earth, where its nest is. In this way it gives the message conveyed by the hexagram.
-Wilhelm

rodaki · Dec 14, 2009

adding Richmond's words to the pot . .

Image created from the trigrams:
This is a time for inner activity, as shown by the Chen image for our inner being. The emerging energy is not seeking manifestation of activity but of stillness (Ken) and this gives maturity to our outer action (Sun) and a new way to be aware of ourselves (Tui).
The flow which comes from the bottom of the hexagram comes to a halt in the middle (outer reality) and then starts a new flow at the top; this is a movement which ends one mode of experiencing and prepares another. Our troubles with such a flow come from an identity which cannot accept its outer stillness.

The Chinese Oracle
Success of what is small.
Continuance in the way is rewarding.
Small things not great ones
should be entered into.
Like bird song on the wing
remaining lowly brings good fortune
Comments
The central part of the hexagram which symbolizes the outer is occupied by Sun and Tui, the gentle and the hopeful, the established and the new, and these are not the energy required for outer activity.
The inner work being accomplished in this tao is done by the life force and does not show much in outer manifestations, so the little things that can be done become important and keep us away from blocking and diverting the inner flows.

The pattern:
Action has given birth to stillness, consolidation.
From this, only small new movement can arise.
A new start is preparing.

For humans:
His ideas are formed.
Though these changes push their way, so he changes but a little as yet.

In nature:
The wood of a tree is solid and firm.
New growth from this is a small part of the whole.
New growth comes from the root.

In forms we make:
The establishment is not the origin of social change.

elvis · Dec 15, 2009

Add EIC to the pot - some examples when using the I Ching as a language:

The skeletal form of hexagram 62 is described by analogy to the generic qualities of hexagram 30 and its focus on guidance and direction setting (an ideology). The emphasis in 62 is shared with 56 as an overall focus on issues of loyalty - as a group (62) or an individual (56 - remaining loyal regardless of where one is)

The focus on exaggerating traditions etc in 62 covers the attempts to keep something together that may be past its 'best before/use-by' date. the play on emotions covers a play on loyalty issues.

The beginning of a situation defined by this class is described by analogy to the generic qualities of hexagram 55 and covers a sense of over-abundance, over-ripeness (and so the 'use by/best before' issue.)

The core elements of 62, that which is preserved as all else is pruned prior to a new 'season' etc is described by analogy to the generic qualities of hexagram 56 where personal loyalty issues drive such - the pruning of one's personal perspectives can reduce past anything still of value OR re-invigorate those core values and so retention of loyalty regardless of the conditions - be it of issues of distance or of temporary decline.

The purpose of 62 is described by analogy to the generic qualities of hexagram 17 with its focus on establishing a belief - be it an idea or person to follow. Thus the rhetoric involved in the exaggeration of traditions etc serves to establish/re-establish a sense of belief and so of loyalty to someone/something.

rosada · Dec 15, 2009

Very helpful elvis. I have been living with my son's family this fall to pitch in taking care of the baby. I head home at the end of the week. We've done amazingly well with everyone getting along together but I know they are looking forward to having their private life back. Even so just the thought of leaving Jax hurts like hell. It helps to know 62. actually means it's time to move on.
-rosada

rosada · Dec 15, 2009

THE JUDGEMENT
PREPONDERANCE OF THE SMALL. Success.
Perseverance furthers.
Small things may be done, great things should not be done.
The flying bird brings the message.
It is not well to strive upward.
It is well to remain below.
Great good fortune.

Commentary on the Decision
PREPONDERANCE OF THE SMALL. The small preponderate and have success. To be furthered in transition by perseverance: this means going with the time.
The yielding attains the middle, hence good fortune in small things.
The hard has lost its place and is not in the middle:
hence one should not do great things.
The hexagram has the form of a flying bird.
"The flying bird brings the message. It is not well to strive upward, it is well to remain below. Great good fortune." Striving upward is rebellion, striving downward is devotion.
-Wilhelm

rosada · Dec 15, 2009

THE JUDGEMENT cont.

In exceptional times exceptional measures are necessary for re-establishing the norm. The point here is that the time demands a restraint that would appear to be excessive. It is a time like that of King Wen and the tyrant Chou Hsin, and this restraint, which might appear exaggerated, is exactly what the time calls for. Preponderance of the small is indicated by the fact of that yielding, i.e., small lines hold the middle places and thus are rulers of the hexagram, while the strong lines have been forced out of key positions out side into places inside, without being central.
PREPONDERANCE OF THE GREAT is like a beam; its danger lies in excessive weight, therefore it must be supported in the middle from below. PREPONDERANCE OF THE SMALL is like a bird; the danger for it lies in mounting too high and losing the ground under its feet.
-Wilhelm

rosada · Dec 16, 2009

THE IMAGE

Thunder on the mountain.
The image of PREPONDERANCE OF THE SMALL.
Thus in his conduct the superior man gives preponderance to reverence.
In bereavement he gives preponderance to grief.
In his expenditures he gives preponderance to thrift.
-Wilhelm

my_key · Dec 16, 2009

meng said:
Hi mike,

Yes, that's an adult male quail. When in active mating mode they sit on the highest objects around, kind of like 20, seeing and being seen. But during the time of the photo, they were laying low in heavy cover, in this in case a bare cedar tree/shrub.

Thank's Meng
Strangely......this reminds me of the story of the wise bald man who had rabbits tattoo'd on his head, cos from a distance they looked like hares.

Mike

Trojina · Dec 16, 2009

thats a very bad joke

rosada · Dec 17, 2009

Thunder on the mountain is different from thunder on the plain. In the mountains, thunder seems much nearer; outside the mountains, it is less audible than the thunder of an ordinary storm. Thus the superior man derives an imperative from this image: he must always fix his eyes more closely and more directly on duty than does the ordinary man, even though this might make his behavior seem petty to the outside world. He is exceptionally conscientious in his actions. In bereavement emotion means more to him than ceremoniousness. In all his personal expenditures he is extremely simple and unpretentious. In comparison with the man of the masses, all this makes him stand out as exceptional. But the essential significance of his attitude lies in the fact that in external matters he is on the side of the lowly.
-Wilhellm

rosada · Dec 18, 2009

THE IMAGE

Thunder on the mountain:
The image of PREPONDERANCE OF THE SMALL.
Thus in his conduct the superior man gives preponderance to reverence.
In bereavement he gives preponderance to grief.
In his expenditures he gives preponderance to thrift.

Thunder rising from the plain to the heights becomes gradually fainter in transition. From this is taken the idea of over weighting, of doing a little too much in the right way. For it is precisely by doing a little too much in the direction of the small that we hit the mark as to what is right. It is thus that we attain the right degree of reverence in our conduct, the right degree of mourning at a burial, and the right degree of economy in expenditures. Conduct is suggested by the upper trigram Chen, movement, and burial by the position of the nuclear trigrams - Tui, the lake, over Sun, wood (cf. hexagram 28, in which the idea of burial is likewise represented by this combination). Thrift in spending is suggested by the trigram Ken, mountain, which indicates limitation.
-Wilhelm

rosada · Dec 18, 2009

"For it is precisely by doing a little too much in the direction of the small that we hit the mark as to what is right."

Can anyone give a for instance?

-rosada

meng · Dec 18, 2009

rosada said:
"For it is precisely be doing a little too much in the direction of the small that we hit the mark as to what is right."

Can anyone give a for instance?

Yi uses the example of mourning. It's more than going through the motions, like wearing black and keeping a somber face, it's allowing your protective walls to come down to feel the brunt of lowliness and emptiness of the loss, even when it's someone else's loss. But then, it may also be to celebrate, if that's the mourning custom. I think the point is that you do small things in a sincerely big way. It's a personal investment, not just a show.

There are two very big images (thunder over mountain) for what is usually perceived as a small event. Like the six bark scorpion stings (as the redness cleared, more stings were reveled), and then receiving repeated 62's for whether to seek medical help - there was nothing small to me about that experience, other than being humbled exceedingly. It was being at the mercy of fate, either way I went.

edit..

Another account was coming upon a grounded tropical bird in the desert, and receiving 62 as an answer to what it meant. On one hand it meant nothing at all (other than literally being a grounded bird), since it turned out to have escaped from a neighbor's house. On the other hand, it (the bird) seemed to resemble something I was going through at the time, about adapting to a different environment. So, was it a big or no big deal? It was exceedingly small, which made it also great.

62 also makes me think of the whole quantum world.

62. Hsiao Kuo / Preponderance of the Small

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