above CHêN THE AROUSING, THUNDER below K’UN THE RECEPTIVE, EARTH
The strong line in the fourth place, that of the leading official, meets with response and obedience from all the other lines, which are all weak. The attribute of the upper trigram, Chên, is movement; the attributes of K’un, the lower, are obedience and devotion. this begins a movement that meets with devotion and therefore inspires enthusiasm, carrying all with it. Of great importance, furthermore, is the law of movement along the line of least resistance, which in this hexagram is enunciated as the law for natural events and for human life.
THE JUDGMENT
ENTHUSIASM.
It furthers one to install helpers And to set armies marching.
The time of ENTHUSIASM derives from the fact that there is at hand an eminent person who is in sympathy with the spirit of the people and acts in accord with it. Hence they find universal and willing obedience. To arouse enthusiasm it is necessary for one to adjust oneself and one’s ordinances to the character of those whom one has to lead. The inviolability of natural laws rests on this principle of movement along the line of least resistance. These laws are not forces external to things but represent the harmony of movement immanent in them. That is why the celestial bodies do not deviate from their orbits and why all events in nature occur with fixed regularity. It is the same with human society: only such laws as are rooted in popular sentiment can be enforced, while laws violating this sentiment merely arouse resentment.
Again, it is enthusiasm that enables us to install helpers for the completion of an undertaking without fear of secret opposition. It is enthusiasm too that can unify mass movements, as in war, so that they achieve victory.
THE IMAGE
Thunder comes resounding out of the earth: The image of ENTHUSIASM. Thus the ancient kings made music In order to honor merit, And offered it with splendor To the Supreme Deity, Inviting their ancestors to be present.
When, at the beginning of summer, thunder–electrical energy–comes rushing forth from the earth again, and the first thunderstorm refreshes nature, a prolonged state of tension is resolved. Joy and relief make themselves felt. So too, music has power to ease tension within the heart and to loosen the grip of obscure emotions. The enthusiasm of the heart expresses itself involuntarily in a burst of song, in dance and rhythmic movement of the body. From immemorial times the inspiring effect of the invisible sound that moves all hearts, and draws them together, has mystified mankind.
Rulers have made use of this natural taste for music; they elevated and regulated it. Music was looked upon as something serious and holy, designed to purify the feelings of humans. It fell to music to glorify the virtues of heroes and thus to construct a bridge to the world of the unseen. In the temple one drew near to God with music and pantomimes (out of this later the theater developed). Religious feeling for the Creator of the world was united with the most sacred of human feelings, that of reverence for the ancestors. The ancestors were invited to these divine services as guests of the Ruler of Heaven and as representatives of humanity in the higher regions. this uniting of the human past with the Divinity in solemn moments of religious inspiration established the bond between God and human. The ruler who revered the Divinity in revering the ancestors became thereby the Son of Heaven, in whom the heavenly and the earthly world met in mystical contact. The ‘Son of Heaven’ is synonymous with Christ Consciousness.
These ideas are the final summation of Chinese culture. Confucius has said of the great sacrifice at which these rites were performed: “one who could wholly comprehend this sacrifice could rule the world as though it were spinning on one’s hand.”
THE LINES
Six at the beginning means: Enthusiasm that expresses itself Brings misfortune.
One in an inferior position has aristocratic connections about which one boasts enthusiastically. this arrogance inevitably invites misfortune. Enthusiasm should never be an egotistic emotion; it is justified only when it is a general feeling that unites one with others.
Six in the second place means: Firm as a rock. Not a whole day. Perseverance brings good fortune.
this describes a person who does not allow themselves to be misled by any illusions. While others are letting themselves be dazzled by enthusiasm, one recognizes with perfect clarity the first signs of the time. Thus one neither flatters those above nor neglects those beneath; one is as firm as a rock.
When the first sign of discord appears, one knows the right moment for withdrawing and does not delay even for a day. Perseverance in such conduct will bring good fortune.
Confucius says about this line: To know the seeds, that is divine indeed. In one’s association with those above, the one does not flatter. In one’s association with those beneath, one is not arrogant. For one knows the seeds. The seeds are the first imperceptible beginning of movement, the first trace of good fortune (or misfortune) that shows itself. One perceives the seeds and immediately takes action. One does not wait even a whole day.
In the Book of Changes it is said:
“Firm as a rock. Not a whole day. Perseverance brings good fortune.” Firm as a rock, what need of a whole day? The judgment can be known. The superior one knows what is hidden and what is evident. One knows weakness, one knows strength as well. Hence the myriads look up to one.
Six in the third place means: Enthusiasm that looks upward creates remorse. Hesitation brings remorse.
this line is the opposite of the preceding one: the latter bespeaks self-reliance, while here there is enthusiastic looking up to a leader. If one hesitates too long, this also will bring remorse. The right moment for approach must be seized: only then will one do the right thing.
°Nine in the fourth place means: The source of enthusiasm. one achieves great things. Doubt not. You gather friends around you As a hair clasp gathers the hair.
this describes one who is able to awaken enthusiasm through one/her own sureness and freedom from hesitation. One attracts people because one has no doubts and is wholly sincere. Owing to one’s confidence in them one wins their enthusiastic cooperation and attains success. Just as a clasp draws the hair together and hold it, so one draws people together by the support one gives them.
Six in the fifth place means: Persistently ill, and still does not die.
Here enthusiasm is obstructed. One is under constant pressure, which prevents one from breathing freely. However, this pressure has its advantage–it prevents one from consuming one’s powers in empty enthusiasm. Thus constant pressure can actually serve to keep one alive.
Six at the top means: Deluded enthusiasm. But if after completion one changes, There is no blame.
It is a bad thing for one to let oneself be deluded by enthusiasm. But if this delusion has run its course, and one is still capable of changing, then one is freed of error. A sober awakening from false enthusiasm is quite possible and very favorable.
