I Ching 10 Hexagram lǚ (Treading)
I Ching 10 Hexagram lǚ (Treading)
Keywords
Courage. Advance with caution.
Short Interpretation of Hexagram 10 – The Proceeding
Calm and kindness will bring positive implications in relationships and advantageous solutions in work. You deserve a moment of rest, take a break.
I Ching – General Description
Proceeding means on the one hand the right way to behave. Above is the sky, the father, below is the lake, the youngest daughter. This shows the difference between ups and downs, the basis of right behavior in society. Proceed literally means in Chinese: ″ to mount on something ″. The small, serene mounts on the big fort. The direction of motion of the two primordial signs is upwards. That the strong mounts over the weak is a natural thing, which is not specifically stated in the Book of Changes. The mounting of the weak on the strong is not dangerous because it occurs playfully, without presumption, so that the strong does not get irritated and good-naturedly lets it go.
I Ching – Comment on sentence
Proceed on the tiger’s tail. It does not bite the man. Successful.
The situation is really difficult. Very strong and very weak are in immediate proximity. The weak go after the strong and get busy with him. But the strong let it be done and does not do him any harm, as the contact is serene and not offensive. The human situation is that one is in relationship with wild, inaccessible people. In this case one achieves one’s purpose by adhering to good morals. Good, agreeable forms in proceeding lead to success, even towards irritable people.
I Ching – Image
Above is the sky, below is the lake:
The image of proceeding.
Thus the noble distinguishes superior and inferior.
And thus consolidates the feelings of the people
Sky and lake show the difference in altitude that comes spontaneously from their nature and therefore not clouded by any envy. There must also be differences in height among men. It is impossible to achieve general leveling. Instead, it is a question that the differences of rank in human society are not arbitrary and unjust; since in this case envy and class struggle would be the inevitable consequence. When, on the other hand, the external differences of rank correspond to a justified intrinsic right, when the internal dignity gives the measure of the external rank; then men quiet down and society harmonizes.
I Ching – Series
When beings are tamed, morality is born, for this reason it follows the sign: Proceeding.
I Ching – Single Lines
Analytical description of each individual line
I Ching – First line:
Nine at the beginning means:
Proceed simple. Progress without blemish.
You are in a situation where you are not yet bound by social obligations. If you proceed with simplicity you remain free from social obligations and, since you do not expect anything from men and are satisfied, you can easily follow the inclinations of your heart. Proceeding does not mean stopping but progressing. We are in a very modest initial situation. However, you have the inner strength that guarantees progress. If we are satisfied with simplicity we can progress without blemish. If someone is not able to stay quiet in modest conditions, he wants to push forward and is ambitious and restless because he wants to escape baseness and poverty with his behavior, not because he really wants to produce something. Having reached the goal he will certainly become haughty and a lover of luxury. Therefore his progress is clouded by spots. The capable man, on the other hand, is satisfied with a simple procedure. He wants to progress to produce something. Reached the goal he really produces and everything ends well.
I Ching – Second line:
Nine in the second place means:
To proceed simply, smoothly. The perseverance of a dark man brings health.
The situation of a solitary sage is represented. He keeps himself away from the comings and goings of the world, does not expect anything from anyone and does not allow himself to be blinded by tempting goals. He stays true to himself and thus walks a flat road, in peace, through life. As it is frugal and does not provoke fate, it remains free from complications.
I Ching – Third line:
A blind eye can see, a crippled man can proceed. He walks on the tiger’s tail. This bites the man. Woe! A warrior does this for his great prince.
An eye can see, but this is not enough for him to see clearly. A cripple knows how to proceed, but this is not enough for him to advance. If someone affected by such weaknesses considers himself equally strong and throws himself into danger, he attracts misfortune upon himself, as he commits something beyond his strength. This reckless way of rushing forward regardless of one’s strength can be at best for a warrior fighting for his great prince.
I Ching – Fourth line:
Nine in the fourth place means:
He walks on the tiger’s tail. Caution and circumspection finally lead to health.
This is a dangerous undertaking here. There is sufficient inner strength to perform it. But the inner strength joins outward with hesitant prudence, as opposed to the previous line which is internally weak as it pushes forward outward. Thus the final success, which consists in the fact that you get what you want, that is, that you overcome the danger by progressing, is certain.
I Ching – Fifth line:
Nine in the fifth place means:
Proceed decisively. Perseverance with awareness of the danger.
It is the lord of the whole sign. We are forced to proceed with determination. In doing so, however, one must remain aware of the danger associated with such a determined proceeding; especially if you persist in acting. Only the awareness of the danger makes success possible.
I Ching – Sixth line:
Nine above means:
Aim your progress and examine the favorable signs. If everything is perfect comes sublime health.
The work is done. If you want to know if its consequence will be health, look back on your progress and the consequences it had. If the effects are good, health is certain. Nobody knows himself. Only from the consequences of actions, from the fruits of works, can one judge what to expect.
