V87. Master

I think I have found my Master. My Master is Nobody. What do you say?

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13.Tung Jen

Judgment. Social fellowship in the open. Success. Benefit from crossing the great water. Benefit though the perseverance of the superior man.

Nine at bottom. Fellowship with others at the gate. No harm in this.

Nine at the fourth place: the defender mounts the wall, but attack is impossible. Auspicious.

Nine at the top: fellowship with those in the fields. No guilt.

The image

Fire reaching heaven, symbolizing Social Fellowship. Thus the superior man organizes communities, and distinguishes conditions.

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39 Chien

Judgment. Obstruction. The south-west is of benefit. The north-east is of no benefit. There is benefit in visiting the great man. Persevering is auspicious.

Image

Water on the mountain symbolizes Obstruction. The superior man directs his attention inwards and cultivates his virtue.

INTERPRETATION. Now, what is this supposed to mean? As always consulting I Ching one must be very carefull and exact. The first hexagram with its three changes indicates a promising beginning of a social fellowship, a rather auspicious situation of an impending conflict that will not lead to aggressive action, and finally a rather pale fellowship of the most general kind. The judgment affirms the decision queried as a crossing of the great water, that is, a decisive and important change. Perseverance in this is recommended. The image stresses an ultimate social purpose. The second hexagram indicates difficulty, which can be handled. Ventures into the unknown and risk taking is not the right way; a centering defensive strategy is the course to choose, when it comes to outward action in real life. Now, who is this great man to be visited? Well it must be this Nobody! If the querent asked this, he must accept the reply. Again, perseverance is confirmed. The images recommends iunwardness, hinting this Master Nobody is to be found and visited within oneself. The outcome is rather unequivocally affirmative, though certainly not promising more than a very modest success when it comes to real and social aspects of the query.