8 Pi: Holding Together [union] Kan, the abysmal, water is over 45131Kun, the receptive, earth.
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▅▅ ▅▅ 189064074341333▅▅▅▅▅ 国际易经网iqing.net▅▅ ▅▅ 189064074341333▅▅ ▅▅ 189064074341333▅▅ ▅▅ 189064074341333▅▅ ▅▅ 189064074341333 THE WATERS on the surface of the earth flow together wherever they can, as for example in the ocean, where all the rivers come together. Symbolically this connotes holding together and the laws that regulate it. The same idea is suggested by the fact that all the lines of the hexagram except the fifth, the place of the ruler, are yielding. The yielding lines hold together because they are influenced by a man of strong will in the leading position, a man who's their centre of union. Moreover, this strong and guiding personality in turn holds together with the others, finding in them the complement of his own nature. 42052
48339The judgement 12850Holding together (8) brings good fortune.
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1167037305Inquire of the oracle once again Whether you possess sublimity, constancy, and perseverance; 35406Then there is no blame. 11310Those who are uncertain gradually join. 18316Whoever come too late Meets with misfortune. 42283WHAT IS required is that we unite with others, in order that all may complement and aid one another through holding together. But such holding together calls for a central figure around whom other persons may unite. To become a centre of influence holding people together is a grave matter and fraught with great responsibility. It requires greatness of spirit, consistency, and strength. Therefore let him who wishes to gather others about him ask himself whether he is equal to the undertaking, for anyone attempting the task without a real calling for it only makes confusion worse than if no union at all had taken place. 37895But when there is a real rallying point, those who at first are hesitant or uncertain gradually come in of their own accord. Late-comers must suffer the consequences, for in holding together the question of the right time is also important. Relationships are formed and firmly established according to definite inner laws. Common experiences strengthen these ties, and he who comes too late to share in these basic experiences must suffer for it if, as a straggler, he finds the door locked.
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If a man has recognised the necessity for union and does not feel strong enough to function as the centre, it is his duty to become a member of some other organic fellowship. The image On the earth is water: 37150The image of holding together (8). 41103Thus the kings of antiquity Bestowed the different states as fiefs 43049And cultivated friendly relations With the feudal lords. 17597WATER FILLS UP all the empty places on the earth and clings fast to it. The social organisation of ancient China was based on this principle of the holding together of dependents and rulers. Water flows to unite with water, because all parts of it are subject to the same laws. So too should human society hold together through a community of interests that allows each individual to feel himself a member of a whole. The central power of a social organisation must see to it that every member finds that his true interest lies in holding together with it, as was the case in the paternal relationship between king and vassals in ancient China.
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The lines Six at the beginning [yin at bottom] means: Hold to him in truth and loyalty; 14748This is without blame. 31608Truth, like a full earthen bowl"
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Thus in the end 国际易经网iqing.netGood fortune comes from without. 10951FUNDAMENTAL SINCERITY is the only proper basis for forming relationships. This attitude, symbolised by a full earthen bowl, in which the content is everything and the empty form nothing, shows itself not in clever words but through the strength of what lies within the speaker. This strength is so great that it has power to attract good fortune to itself from without. 43002Six in the second place means:
1167037305If a person responds perseveringly and in the right way to the behests from above that summon him to action, his relations with others are intrinsic and he does not lose himself. But if a man seeks association with others as if he were an obsequious office hunter, he throws himself away. He does not follow the path of the superior man, who never loses his dignity. Six in the third place means:
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47749国际易经网iqing.netYou hold together with the wrong people. We're often among people who do not belong to our own sphere. In that case we must beware of being drawn into false intimacy through force of habit. Needless to say, this would have evil consequences. Maintaining sociability without intimacy is the only right attitude toward people, because otherwise we should not be free to enter into relationship with people of our own kind later on. Six in the fourth place means:
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47749国际易经网iqing.netHold to him outwardly also. Perseverance brings good fortune.
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1167037305Here the relations with a man who's the centre of union are well established. Then we may, and indeed we should, show our attachment openly. But we must remain constant and not allow ourselves to be led astray. 国际易经网iqing.netNine in the fifth place means:
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47749国际易经网iqing.netManifestation of holding together. 国际易经网iqing.netIn the hunt the king uses beaters on three sides only 国际易经网iqing.netAnd forgoes game that runs off in front. 国际易经网iqing.netThe citizens need no warning. 14260Good fortune.
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1167037305In the royal hunts of ancient China it was customary to drive up the game from three sides, but on the fourth the animals had a chance to run off. If they failed to do this they had to pass through a gate behind which the king stood ready to shoot. Only animals that entered here were shot; those that ran off in front were permitted to escape. This custom accorded with a kingly attitude; the royal hunter did not wish to turn the chase into a slaughter, but held that the kill should consist only of those animals which had so to speak voluntarily exposed themselves.
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There is depicted here a ruler, or influential man, to whom people are attracted. Those who come to him he accepts, those who do not come are allowed to go their own way. He invited none, flatters none - all come of their own free will. In this way there develops a voluntary dependence among those who hold him. They do not have to be constantly on their guard but may express their opinions openly. Police measures are not necessary, and they cleave to their ruler of their own volition. The same principle of freedom is valid for life in general. We should not woo favour from people. If a man cultivates within himself the purity and the strength that are necessary for one who's the centre of a fellowship, those who are meant for him come of their own accord. 11052Six at the top means: He finds no head for holding together. 国际易经网iqing.netMisfortune. 42283The head is the beginning. If the beginning is not right, there is no hope of a right ending. If we have missed the right moment for union and go on hesitating to give complete and full devotion, we shall regret the error when it is too late.