I Ching for the iphone
Text by Brian Browne Walker
Hexagram 49: KO - REVOLUTION
Changing Lines: 1, 2, 5, 6
Hexagram 50: TING – THE CALDRON
HEXAGRAM 49: KO - REVOLUTION
LAKE OVER FIRE
Devotion to truth enables a revolution.
The hexagram Ko announces the arrival of a time of revolution. A set of conditions, internal or external or both, is ready to pass away in favor of a more beneficial situation. What enables this transformation is your conscious and vigorous adherence to correct thought and behavior.
No revolution in outer things is possible without a prior revolution in one’s inner way of being. Whatever change you aspire to in your affairs must be preceded by a change in heart, and active deepening and strengthening of your resolve to meet every event with equanimity, detachment, and innocent goodwill. When this spiritual poise is achieved within, magnificent things are possible without.
The revolutions of others are enabled also when we refine the fire of goodness and truth inside ourselves. Sincere commitment to higher things travels outward in powerful waves from the superior person, and all those around are affected by this. Indisputably, to lead one’s inner self to truth and peace is to lead the outer world to truth and peace. A beneficial revolution is assured to one who takes this path now.
FIRST LINE – Perseverance in innocent nonaction bears the greatest fruit at this time. Wait in humility and quiet restrain for a clear way to open.
SECOND LINE – A revolution is possible if one first prepares the ground. Strengthen your humility and still your ego before, during, and after taking action.
FIFTH LINE – People instinctively understand and support a revolution brought by one who is completely aligned with higher principles.
SIXTH LINE – That which is inferior takes time to transform completely. Accept small gains as steady progress and continually reaffirm your devotion to the path of the Sage.
Hexagram 50: TING – THE CALDRON
FIRE OVER WIND
You serve as an example to others by sacrificing your ego and accepting the guidance of the Higher Power.
The hexagram Ting concerns the nourishment and guidance one must have in order to fully succeed. While the culture around us often encourages us to “take charge” and make aggressive demands on life, the I Ching offers far wiser counsel. Here we are encouraged to give up the incessant demands of our ego — to deepen our humility and acceptance and to listen carefully to the instructions of the Sage.
The image of the caldron concerns your inner thoughts: whatever you hold in the “caldron” of your mind is your offering to the Higher Power. The quality of assistance you can receive from the universe is governed by the quality of your offering. If you constantly indulge in the concerns of the ego — fears, desires, strategies to control, harshness toward others — you repel the Higher Power and block your own nourishment. If, on the other hand, you consciously let go of your resistance to life and hold quiet and correct thoughts, you become receptive to the Creative and your continual nourishment is assured.
To influence others, or to achieve a proper goal, follow the same path. By cultivating humility and acceptance, purifying your inner thoughts, and concentrating on that which is good and innocent and true, you summon the power of the Creative and meet with good fortune in the outer world.