Allow your achievements to speak for themselves. You lose yourself seeking fame and [mis]fortune.
A distinguished name is readily earned by great achievements. If a man allows himself to be dazzled by fame, he will soon be criticised, and difficulties will arise. If, on the contrary, he remains modest despite his merit, he makes himself beloved and wins the support necessary for carrying his work through to the end.
Practice this:
Previous previous reading: “The wrong people are gaining influence. Remember how we got here.”
15 – Fifteen. Ch’ien / Modesty
The Mountain does not overshadow the Plain surrounding it:
Such modest consideration in a Superior Person creates a channel through which excess flows to the needy.
Success if you carry things through.
SITUATION ANALYSIS:
The Cosmos is moving toward equilibrium.
Extremes are being tempered, excess is beginning to shift toward the empty.
You can use these moderating influences to strike a balance in the world around you.
Remember, though, that this Leveling will not come about through an arrogant confiscation of excess, but through subtler persuasions.
Modesty and moderation are the keys.
Nine in the third place means:
The Superior Person modestly brings things to completion.
Great success.
A superior man of modesty and merit
Carries things to conclusion.
Good fortune.
Famous People In A Single Picture (click to enlarge)
This is the centre of the hexagram, where its secret is disclosed. A distinguished name is readily earned by great achievements. If a man allows himself to be dazzled by fame, he will soon be criticised, and difficulties will arise. If, on the contrary, he remains modest despite his merit, he makes himself beloved and wins the support necessary for carrying his work through to the end.
2 – Two K’un / Receptive Force
Earth above and Earth below:
The Earth contains and sustains.
In this situation, the Superior Person should not take the initiative; he should follow the initiative of another.
He should seek receptive allies in the southwest; he should break ties with immovable allies in the northeast.
Responsive devotion.
Receptive influence.
Sublime Success if you keep to your course.
SITUATION ANALYSIS:
This is a time for dealing with reality as it is, not as you would have it be.
If you realize that in this situation you are the receptor, not the transmitter of the stimulus, you will find yourself reaching goals that seemed unattainable under your own steam.
If you persist in futile efforts to be the Shaper rather than the Shaped, you will completely miss this unique opportunity.
