Categories for General

Preponderance of the Small

62. Hsiao Kuo / Preponderance of the Small

above CHêN THE AROUSING, THUNDER
below KêN KEEPING STILL, MOUNTAIN

While in the hexagram Ta Kuo, PREPONDERANCE OF THE GREAT (28), the strong lines preponderate and are within, inclosed between weak lines at the top and bottom, the present hexagram has weak lines preponderating, though here again they are on the outside, the strong lines being within. This indeed is the basis of the exceptional situation indicated by the hexagram. When strong lines are outside, we have the hexagram I, PROVIDING NOURISHMENT (27), or Chung Fu, INNER TRUTH, (61); neither represents and exceptional state. When strong elements within preponderate, they necessarily enforce their will. This creates struggle and exceptional conditions in general. But in the present hexagram it is the weak element that perforce must mediate with the outside world. If a man occupies a position of authority for which he is by nature really inadequate, extraordinary prudence is necessary.

THE JUDGMENT

PREPONDERANCE OF THE SMALL. Success.
Perseverance furthers.
Small things may be done; great things should not be done.
The flying bird brings the message:
It is not well to strive upward,
It is well to remain below.
Great good fortune.

Exceptional modesty and conscientiousness are sure to be rewarded with success; however, if a man is not to throw himself away, it is important that they should not become empty form and subservience but be combined always with a correct dignity in personal behavior. We must understand the demands of the time in order to find the necessary offset for its deficiencies and damages. In any event we must not count on great success, since the requisite strength is lacking. In this lies the importance of the message that one should not strive after lofty things but hold to lowly things.
The structure of the hexagram gives rise to the idea that this message is brought by a bird. In Ta Kuo, PREPONDERANCE OF THE GREAT (28), the four strong, heavy lines within, supported only by two weak lines without, give the image of a sagging ridgepole. Here the supporting weak lines are both outside and preponderant; this gives the image of a soaring bird. But a bird should not try to surpass itself and fly into the sun; it should descend to the earth, where its nest is. In this way it gives the message conveyed by the hexagram.

THE IMAGE

Thunder on the mountain:
The image of PREPONDERANCE OF THE SMALL.
Thus in his conduct the superior man gives preponderance to reverence.
In bereavement he gives preponderance to grief.
In his expenditures he gives preponderance to thrift.

Thunder on the mountain is different from thunder on the plain. In the mountains, thunder seems much nearer; outside the mountains, it is less audible than the thunder of an ordinary storm. Thus the superior man derives an imperative from this image: he must always fix his eyes more closely and more directly on duty than does the ordinary man, even though this might make his behavior seem petty to the outside world. He is exceptionally conscientious in his actions. In bereavement emotion means more to him than ceremoniousness. In all his personal expenditures he is extremely simple and unpretentious. In comparison with the man of the masses, all this makes him stand out as exceptional. But the essential significance of his attitude lies in the fact that in external matters he is on the side of the lowly.

Published on December 5, 2022 at 6:00 by

Life moves on

Sitting here in front of my computer, the cat Knorrepot on my lap, trying to think of something meaningful to write. I fail at that today. I almost forgot to make a post for tomorrow.

The cat purrs softly. It is cold. That is all fine with me. Tomorrow i am going to work. I am trying to do my best, trying to work hard. Sometimes i fail, other times i succeed.

The cat left my lap.

Wishing you a good week. Salute!

Published on November 21, 2022 at 6:00 by

Motionless

I had to look up this title in a thesaurus. I started with the word restful. Still, calm are both used. I am not sure what is in Still.

Aah, it is a transparent gif. It is mend to look like it does, empty. Got me fooled.

Motionless does fit. Another working week ahead of me. I enjoy it most of the time. It is fine for now. Still so many things to learn.

Salute!

Published on November 7, 2022 at 6:00 by

One way or another

The last couple of days i find myself thinking of finding a job nursing. I will start looking for a job together with an education. I also know the company i work for now has some possibilities, but it does take longer. My current job, cleaning houses for the sick and/or elderly i find to be very valuable. It is not fun, it is not entertaining, but i feel my time is well spend and the people do value my time i commit to them. The only drawback is that it doesn’t pay well.

I hope this idea bears fruit. I hope i am not too old.

I am working on my cv right now. I will write to a hospital early this week. The signs tell that they are really missing nurses, so here i am hoping.

Enjoy the week! Salute!

2. Soul Food

Everybody on earth knowing
that beauty is beautiful
makes ugliness.

Everybody knowing
that goodness is good
makes wickedness.

For being and nonbeing
arise together;
hard and easy
complete each other;
long and short
shape each other;
high and low
depend on each other;
note and voice
make the music together;
before and after
follow each other.

That’s why the wise soul
does without doing,
teaches without talking.

The things of this world
exist, they are;
you can’t refuse them.

To bear and not to own;
to act and not lay claim;
to do the work and let it go:
for just letting it go
is what makes it stay.

Published on October 17, 2022 at 6:00 by

The great refusal

There is this big difference i notice between reading books, newspapers and online news outlets and living in this world.

I am reading a book with the title De grote weigering (The great refusal). This is a short book with at its core a retelling of Marcuse’s One-dimensional Man, a book published in 1964. The same year in which i was born.

It feels to me my mind is following two completely different streams. On the one hand all the texts i have read, on the other hand my living in this world and the force i feel myself to work and earn my own income and take care of myself. Not that i mind that, but it is tough.

Writing this i do think ooh of course it is tough, get with it woman! This is the life you have picked for yourself.

I do enjoy reading The great Refusal. It is available in Dutch only.

Published on July 25, 2022 at 6:00 by

Following > Treading

Throwing the I Ching, i got 17. Following going into 10. Treading.

I start to feel a bit better. It does take me time to think about everything i did over the past few months and see where it all went wrong. It is hard. My life is hard, but it is all by my own choice.

So i am working right now. In home care, a lowly paid job. It’s fine for now. I am learning.

I will keep up one update a week. I’m still feeling a bit low, but it does get better over time.

Enjoy your week 🙂

Published on July 18, 2022 at 6:00 by

On the other side

Sitting in the garden, hearing the wind, the birds, the cars in the background, almost non existing. I feel the quiet coming over me.

A confession, i do feel a bit down. My life continues, there are difficulties and troubles. But i manage, so far.

I have two jobs. One in a vegan cupcake shop for one day a week, selling and cleaning up and making lunch. I like it, i work with two women my age. It feels good. The other job is in home care, for three days a week. I can live of it, for the meantime.

This website will need to take a step back. Only one update a week.

It is fine.

🙂

Published on July 4, 2022 at 6:00 by

A short break once again

I’m tired. That is it for now. I’ll be back Monday.

I’m taking a break from working here. One week for starters, it could be longer. I don’t know! I will keep you up to date of course.

Published on June 24, 2022 at 6:00 by

A short post

I have been busy talking to all different people over the past few days. My mind is clearing up a bit.

I need to save myself. I can do it!

Published on June 23, 2022 at 6:00 by