Hexagram 57I Ching - Sun / The Gentle
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Hexagram 57 Reading:
THE GENTLE. Success through what is small.
It furthers one to have somewhere to go.
It furthers one to see the great man.
THE GENTLE. Success through what is small.
It furthers one to have somewhere to go.
It furthers one to see the great man.
What Hexagram 57 means:
Gentle perseverance can penetrate deeply
Like a root moving through stone
or a breeze sculpting a trees shape
gentle persistence is the best way
to achieve deep enduring change
be in gentle in words
gentle in actions
gentle in arguments
Hexagram 57 and Love / Relationships
Be gentle but persistent in nurturing those you wish to build a relationship with
Be gentle but persistent in nurturing those you wish to build a relationship with
Hexagram 57 and Career / Business
Great success in business or one's career is not created from hasty actions. Take persistent gentle action to forward your goals.
Great success in business or one's career is not created from hasty actions. Take persistent gentle action to forward your goals.
This classic translation from Chinese was in German, by Richard Wilhelm in 1923:
above SUN THE GENTLE, WIND, WOOD
below SUN THE GENTLE, WIND, WOOD
Sun is one of the eight doubled trigrams. It is the eldest daughter and symbolizes wind or wood; it has for its attribute gentleness, which nonetheless penetrates like the wind or like growing wood with its roots.
The dark principle, in itself rigid and unmovable, is dissolved by the penetrating light principle, to which it subordinates itself in gentleness.
In nature, it's the wind that disperses the gathered clouds, leaving the sky clear and serene.
In human life it is penetrating clarity of judgment that thwarts all dark hidden motives.
In the lifetime of the community it's the powerful influence of an excellent temperament that uncovers and breaks up those intrigues that shun the sunshine of day.
THE JUDGMENT
THE GENTLE. Success through what is small.
It furthers one to have somewhere to go.
It furthers one to see the great man.
Penetration produces gradual and inconspicuous effects.
It ought to be settled not by an act of violation but by influence that ne'er lapses.
Results of this type are less harmful to the eye than those won hastily attack, but they are more enduring and more complete.
If one would manufacture such effects, one must have a clearly defined goal, for only when the penetrating influence works always in the same direction can the object be attained.
Small strength can do its purpose solely by subordinating itself to a eminent man who is capable of making order.
THE IMAGE
Winds following one upon the other:
The image of THE GENTLY PENETRATING.
Thus the superior man
Spreads his commands abroad
And carries out his undertakings.
The penetrating quality of the wind depends upon its ceaselessness. This is what makes it so powerful; time is its instrument.
In the same approach the ruler's thought ought to penetrate the soul of the populace.
This too needs a long-lasting influence caused by enlightenment and command.
Only when the command has been assimilated by the people is action in accordance with it possible.
Action lacking preparation of the foundations just frightens and repels.
THE LINES
Six at the beginning means:
In advancing and in retreating,
The perseverance of a warrior furthers.
In born gentleness is usually carried to the purpose of indecisiveness.
One doesn't feel robust enough to advance decisively.
A thousand doubts crop up; one is, however, not minded to withdraw however drifts indecisively to and fro.
In such a scenario, a military decisiveness is the correct factor, so that one resolutely does what order demands.
Resolute discipline is far better than irresolute license.
Nine in the second place means:
Penetration under the bed.
Priests and magicians are used in great number.
Good fortune. No blame.
At times one has to deal with hidden enemies, intangible influences that slink into dark corners and from this hiding affect people by suggestion.
In instances like this, it's necessary to trace these items back to deepest secret recesses, in order to determine the nature of the influences to be dealt with.
This is the task of the priests; removing the influences is the task of the magicians.
The terrible untraceability of such plotting needs a particularly vigorous and tireless effort, however this is often well worth doing.
For once such elusive influences are brought into the open and branded, they lose their power over the population.
Nine in the third place means:
Repeated penetration. Humiliation.
Penetrating reflection must not be pushed too far, lest it cripple the power of decision.
After a matter has been completely pondered, it's essential to create a choice and to act.
Repeated deliberation brings new doubts and scruples, and thereby humiliation, because one shows oneself unable to act.
Six in the fourth place means:
Remorse vanishes.
During the hunt
Three kinds of game are caught.
When a important position and accumulated expertise lead one to mix innate modesty with energetic action, beneficial success is assured.
The 3 sorts of animals mentioned served for offerings to the gods, for banqueting guests, and for everyday consumption.
When the catch answered all 3 needs, the hunt was considered especially successful.
Nine in the fifth place means:
Perseverance brings good fortune.
Remorse vanishes.
Nothing that does not further.
No beginning, but an end.
Before the change, three days.
After the change, three days.
Good fortune.
In the scenario represented in Ku, WORK ON WHAT HAS BEEN SPOILED
18, an entirely new point of departure must be set up, whereas here it is only a question of reforms.
The beginning has not been sensible, but the moment has been reached when a new direction can be taken.
Change and improvement are called for.
Such steps should be undertaken with steadfastness, that is, with a firm and correct attitude of mind; then they will succeed, and remorse will disappear.
But it should be remembered that such enhancements need careful thought.
Before a modification is created, it must be pondered over again and again.
After the modification is created, it is necessary to note carefully for some time after how the improvements bear the test of actuality.
Such careful work is accompanied by good fortune.
Nine at the top means:
Penetration under the bed.
He loses his property and his ax.
Perseverance brings misfortune.
A man's understanding is sufficiently penetrating.
He follows up injurious influences into deepest secret corners.
But he doesn't has the strength to combat them resolutely.
In this case any plan to penetrate into the non-public domain of darkness would surely bring trouble.
above SUN THE GENTLE, WIND, WOOD
below SUN THE GENTLE, WIND, WOOD
Sun is one of the eight doubled trigrams. It is the eldest daughter and symbolizes wind or wood; it has for its attribute gentleness, which nonetheless penetrates like the wind or like growing wood with its roots.
The dark principle, in itself rigid and unmovable, is dissolved by the penetrating light principle, to which it subordinates itself in gentleness.
In nature, it's the wind that disperses the gathered clouds, leaving the sky clear and serene.
In human life it is penetrating clarity of judgment that thwarts all dark hidden motives.
In the lifetime of the community it's the powerful influence of an excellent temperament that uncovers and breaks up those intrigues that shun the sunshine of day.
THE JUDGMENT
THE GENTLE. Success through what is small.
It furthers one to have somewhere to go.
It furthers one to see the great man.
Penetration produces gradual and inconspicuous effects.
It ought to be settled not by an act of violation but by influence that ne'er lapses.
Results of this type are less harmful to the eye than those won hastily attack, but they are more enduring and more complete.
If one would manufacture such effects, one must have a clearly defined goal, for only when the penetrating influence works always in the same direction can the object be attained.
Small strength can do its purpose solely by subordinating itself to a eminent man who is capable of making order.
THE IMAGE
Winds following one upon the other:
The image of THE GENTLY PENETRATING.
Thus the superior man
Spreads his commands abroad
And carries out his undertakings.
The penetrating quality of the wind depends upon its ceaselessness. This is what makes it so powerful; time is its instrument.
In the same approach the ruler's thought ought to penetrate the soul of the populace.
This too needs a long-lasting influence caused by enlightenment and command.
Only when the command has been assimilated by the people is action in accordance with it possible.
Action lacking preparation of the foundations just frightens and repels.
THE LINES
Six at the beginning means:
In advancing and in retreating,
The perseverance of a warrior furthers.
In born gentleness is usually carried to the purpose of indecisiveness.
One doesn't feel robust enough to advance decisively.
A thousand doubts crop up; one is, however, not minded to withdraw however drifts indecisively to and fro.
In such a scenario, a military decisiveness is the correct factor, so that one resolutely does what order demands.
Resolute discipline is far better than irresolute license.
Nine in the second place means:
Penetration under the bed.
Priests and magicians are used in great number.
Good fortune. No blame.
At times one has to deal with hidden enemies, intangible influences that slink into dark corners and from this hiding affect people by suggestion.
In instances like this, it's necessary to trace these items back to deepest secret recesses, in order to determine the nature of the influences to be dealt with.
This is the task of the priests; removing the influences is the task of the magicians.
The terrible untraceability of such plotting needs a particularly vigorous and tireless effort, however this is often well worth doing.
For once such elusive influences are brought into the open and branded, they lose their power over the population.
Nine in the third place means:
Repeated penetration. Humiliation.
Penetrating reflection must not be pushed too far, lest it cripple the power of decision.
After a matter has been completely pondered, it's essential to create a choice and to act.
Repeated deliberation brings new doubts and scruples, and thereby humiliation, because one shows oneself unable to act.
Six in the fourth place means:
Remorse vanishes.
During the hunt
Three kinds of game are caught.
When a important position and accumulated expertise lead one to mix innate modesty with energetic action, beneficial success is assured.
The 3 sorts of animals mentioned served for offerings to the gods, for banqueting guests, and for everyday consumption.
When the catch answered all 3 needs, the hunt was considered especially successful.
Nine in the fifth place means:
Perseverance brings good fortune.
Remorse vanishes.
Nothing that does not further.
No beginning, but an end.
Before the change, three days.
After the change, three days.
Good fortune.
In the scenario represented in Ku, WORK ON WHAT HAS BEEN SPOILED
18, an entirely new point of departure must be set up, whereas here it is only a question of reforms.
The beginning has not been sensible, but the moment has been reached when a new direction can be taken.
Change and improvement are called for.
Such steps should be undertaken with steadfastness, that is, with a firm and correct attitude of mind; then they will succeed, and remorse will disappear.
But it should be remembered that such enhancements need careful thought.
Before a modification is created, it must be pondered over again and again.
After the modification is created, it is necessary to note carefully for some time after how the improvements bear the test of actuality.
Such careful work is accompanied by good fortune.
Nine at the top means:
Penetration under the bed.
He loses his property and his ax.
Perseverance brings misfortune.
A man's understanding is sufficiently penetrating.
He follows up injurious influences into deepest secret corners.
But he doesn't has the strength to combat them resolutely.
In this case any plan to penetrate into the non-public domain of darkness would surely bring trouble.