Read the text from Richard Wilhelm's, Thomas Cleary's, Brian Arnold's and other translations of the I Ching
45 – Forty-Five Ts’ui / Gathering
The Lake rises by welcoming and receiving Earth’s waters: The King approaches his temple. It is wise to seek audience with him there. Success follows this course. Making an offering will seal your good fortune. A goal will be realized now. SITUATION ANALYSIS: This is an important Convergence, and you must be part of it. Look for the Center of this convergence. Like waters running to the sea, like an astronomical convergence of planets revolving around the sun, you should let the gravity of this Center draw you near. Others are also drawn to this Center, and among them you will find shared bonds and kindred spirits. This tribal convergence will give you a clarity of purpose. You will no longer be alone.
Six at the beginning [yin at bottom] means:You seem to blow both hot and cold, sometimes seeking to join in, sometimes shrinking away. Admit your fears out loud, and a true companion will answer. Joy returns.If you’re sincere, but not to the end, There will sometimes be confusion, sometimes gathering together. If you call out, Then after one grasp of the hand you can laugh again. Regret not. Going is without blame.
Laughing Buddha |
| The situation is this: People desire to gather around a leader to whom they look up. But they are in a large group, by which they allow themselves to be influenced, so that they waver in their decision. Thus they lack a firm center around which to gather. But if expression is given to this need, and if they call for help, one grasp of the hand from the leader is enough to turn away all distress. Therefore they must not allow themselves to be led astray. It is undoubtedly right that they should attach themselves to this leader. |