I Ching 15 Hexagram qiān (Humbling)

I Ching 15 Hexagram qiān (Humbling)

I Ching 15 Hexagram qiān (Humbling)

Keywords
Humility. Moderation. Kindness.
Short Interpretation of Hexagram 15 – Modesty
Be sincere in love and take small steps in both work and physical form.

I Ching – General Description

The sign is made up of Kenn, the arrest, the mount, and of Kkunn. The mountain is the youngest child of the creative, the representative of heaven on earth. He bestows the blessings of heaven, clouds and rain, gathering around its summit, making them descend, and then shine transfigured by celestial light. This shows modesty and its effect in lofty and strong men. Above is Kkunn, the earth. The quality of the earth is being below, but precisely for this reason it is represented exalted in this sign, standing above the mountain. This shows the effect of modesty in humble and simple men: they are exalted by it.

I Ching – Comment on sentence

The great possession: sublime success

Modesty creates success. The noble carries out. The law of heaven empties what is full and fills what is modest: when the sun is at its peak it must turn towards sunset following the celestial law, and when it is at the deepest point under the earth it goes towards its new rising. When the moon is full it goes down, according to the same law, and when it is empty it starts growing again. This celestial law also works in the destiny of men. The law of the land is that the full is modified and flows modestly: the high mountains are removed from the waters and the valleys filled. The law of the powers of destiny is to damage what is full and to bestow luck on what is modest. And men also hate the full and love the modest. Destinies follow fixed laws, which are carried out with rigor. But it is in man’s power to shape his lot according to whether with his behavior he exposes himself to the influence of benign or deleterious forces. When man stands high and shows himself modest he shines in the light of wisdom. When he is short and modest, he cannot be bypassed. Thus the nobleman manages to complete his work, and does not boast of the accomplished thing.

I Ching – Image

Inside the earth is a mountain: the image of modesty. Thus the noble diminishes what is too much, And increases what is little. He ponders things and makes them equal.

The aspect of the land in which a mountain is hidden does not reveal its wealth, as the elevations of the mountain serve to compensate for the depressions. So high and deep they compensate, and the result is the plain. As an image of modesty the circumstance is used here that what has taken a long time to accomplish then appears natural and easy. So does the noble when brings order to the earth. He compensates for the social conflicts which are the sources of discord, and creates fair and level conditions. (In this sign we see a series of parallels with the prophetic and Christian doctrine of the Bible. For example, “He who rises will be humbled. Whoever humbles himself must be raised”, ″ All valleys must be raised and all mountains and hills will have to be lowered, and what is unequal will have to become flat, and what is humpy will have to become smooth “(Is .40,4),” God humbles the proud, but gives grace to the humble. ” Parsi religion shows similar features.

I Ching – Series

Those who possess great things must not overfill them: for this reason they follow the sign: Modesty.

I Ching – Single Lines

Analytical description of each individual line

I Ching – First line:

Six at the beginning means:
A modest-modest noble You also cross the great water. Health!

A dangerous undertaking such as crossing the great water is made much more difficult when many demands and many concerns are involved. On the other hand, it is easy if it is done quickly and simply. Therefore the completely unpretentious state of mind of modesty is capable of carrying out even difficult undertakings, precisely because it does not make any pretensions and prevention, but hurries the thing without other; since where no demands are raised there is no resistance.

I Ching – Second line:

Six in the second place means:
Modesty that manifests itself. Perseverance brings health.

Through the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. When someone is so modest inwardly as to show this feeling in his outward behavior, it brings him back to health; since in this way he has in himself the possibility of a constant action which cannot be disturbed by anyone.

I Ching – Third line:

Nine in the third place means:
A deservingly modest noble accomplishes. Health !

Here is the center of the sign, where its secret is pronounced. For great performance you quickly buy a great name. By letting himself be blinded by fame, criticism will soon intervene and difficulties will begin. If, however, despite their own merits. one remains modest, one makes oneself welcome and one acquires the auxiliary forces necessary to complete the work undertaken.

I Ching – Fourth line:

Six in the fourth place means:
Nothing that is not propitious for modesty in moving.

Everything has its measure. Modesty of behavior can also be exaggerated. Here it is in its place, since the position between a worthy helper below and a benevolent ruler above carries with it a great responsibility. The trust of the superior must not be abused nor the merits of the inferior veiled. It is true that there are officials who do not excel. They cover themselves with the letter of the provisions, refuse any responsibility, accept the salary without providing the corresponding services, carry qualifications to which no real importance corresponds. The modesty mentioned here is the opposite of all this. Modesty in such a position shows itself precisely in the fact that one does one’s work with interest.

I Ching – Fifth line:

Six in the fifth place means:
Do not make wealth weigh on others. It is propitious to attack with violence. Nothing that is not propitious.

Modesty is different from weak good-naturedness, which lets everything go. Being in a position of responsibility, one must sometimes also proceed vigorously. To do this, you must not try to impress by insisting on your superiority, but you must be sure of your environment. The proceeding must be purely objective and must not have anything personally offensive. Thus modesty is also shown in severity.

I Ching – Sixth line:

Six above means:
Modesty that manifests itself. It is propitious to make armies march To punish one’s city and country.

Those who really take their modesty seriously must make it truly manifest in reality. It must proceed with great energy. When enmities arise, nothing is easier than seeking the blame in another. Then perhaps a weak man withdraws offended in himself, will have compassion for himself, and thinks he is modest if he does not defend himself. True modesty is shown by setting out to bring order and by beginning to punish oneself and one’s inner circle. Only by having the courage to make one’s armies march against oneself does an energetic action really take place.