Hexagram 19 - Approach of Blessings

Blessings approach.

True for the dynamic whole.

Culminating turns toward the retreat of the light, possesses danger.

Structure:  

·          Joy within 8 and outer devotion 5, having inner joy and manifesting devotion in the world.[1] 

·          Joy below moves upward.  Devotion above sinks downward.  The two movements approach each other.

·          Two strong lines grow into the hexagram from below, the light power expanding with them.

·          Strength immersed in the earth. 

Time:  The hexagram marks the 12^th month in the Chinese calendar (January – February) and the approach of spring.  The power of the strong light ascends again, a joyful time of certain growth.  No obstruction now blocks creative development, which makes possible an easy advance without force. 

Natural law, not human effort, causes the propitious time.  Light returns while the darkness declines, reflecting the cyclical nature of change.  The universal law of alternating increase and decrease requires that a descent follows every rise and a rise follows every descent. The natural and inevitable return of powerful beneficial influences accords with the time. Just as spring heralds the return of growth within nature, this is the time that opens to beneficial growth the world. 

Yet spring does not last forever.  The times reverse in autumn (September to October, the eighth month in the Chinese calendar), and the power of light will then retreat.  Whatever grows must wane.  Once the decline sets in, the season of growth ends as it cannot go beyond its time. 

Following upon the previous hexagram 18, the time demands us to correct the deeply entrenched human abuses within the world.  The wise heed this call and adhere to the ways of the spirit to bring forth the new era.  To do this, they embrace all life and the Earth.  They serve others to benefit all and cooperate with strong and wise partners. It is the time when the age of suffering ends, and the new era begins.

The wise understand the meaning of the time and do not let this opportunity slip by.  They put into motion their well-developed plans and apply the resources they prepared during the time of darkness.  The growth that is now at hand has been made possible by the gradual development of behavior that benefits all and persistence in the path, the only path to come into full possession of the time. The approach of the new era is the result of great preparation, accumulation, and shaping.

Sages feel the responsibility of their influence and set to work to fully benefit from the approaching forces of light, protecting and excluding no part of life. They support and bear all unconditionally and have no limits in their willingness to nourish the undeveloped potential of others by caring for them, guiding them on the path, and acting in ways that benefit all.  By setting to work on what has decayed through the abuse of human freedom, we fulfill our responsibilities in ways that benefit all. 

Repeatedly throughout history people suffer because they do not know how to preserve the underlying conditions of well-being within their societies.  The wise remain wary so that even in the midst of the time of flourishing, they know a decline approaches.  The wise know how to extend this time by disbursing blessings to those who have not yet benefited. Thus, they initiate a strong upward movement in time, preparing for the coming decline and warning others of its approach.  If we meet darkness before it becomes reality – even before it begins to stir – we can remain its master.  Knowing that times will inevitably change, the wise grow the capacities within their community and world to get through the coming darkness. 

Tirelessly, sages teach and bring to life the concerns of the heart.  Within the ascending light, sages joyfully devote themselves to the Way and willingly further everything.  The wise do not let the realm of cause and effect limit them but create the new by bringing to the world the ways of the spirit.

 

Line 1:  Coming together with the whole approaches.  A virtuous life is all important.  The wise fulfill their responsibilities to further the way of benefiting all and encouraging others to do the same.

Line 2:  Coming together with the whole approaches. When the stimulus to approach comes from the spirit and the line has the inner strength and devotion to the path, all benefit.

Line 3:  Life goes well for the line as it has achieved power and influence.  But if in this position it should relax and let things take their course, the line will have remorse.  It has already shown its carelessness in how it interacts with others and the world, causing harm.  If the line regrets its mistaken attitude and feels the responsibilities of its position, then it can free itself of faults by transforming its negative beliefs and behavior.

Line 4:  Arrival of coming together with the whole.  No error or harm in the situation.  The line is in the right place at the right time.

Line 5:   Leaders have the mark of great knowledge when they choose wise capable partners and delegate to them the authority to move forward the great purpose, which requires the efforts of many to accomplish.  The ignorant rely only on their own knowledge and efforts. 

Line 6:  Sages who have already put the concerns of the world behind them and withdrawn from it, may decide to return to the world and support strong and wise leadership, a great blessing for those advised and strengthened.

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[1] World does not refer to nature but to how people live within nature.  The world –  civilization, culture, history, society, beliefs, worldly influences – is embedded as a subsystem within the natural system.