The I Ching Speaks!



     51.  Ch^en / The Arousing (Shock, Thunder)

          ---- ----
          ---- ----     above     Ch^en   The Arousing, Thunder
          ----------
          ---- ----
          ---- ----     below     Ch^en   The Arousing, Thunder
          ----------

     The Judgement

          Shock brings success.
          Shock comes--oh, oh!
          Laughing words--ha, ha!
          The shock terrifies for a hundred miles,
          And he does not let fall the sacrificial spoon and chalice.

     The Image

          Thunder repeated: the image of Shock.
          Thus in fear and trembling
          The superior man sets his life in order
          And examines himself.

     The Lines

     ()   Nine at the beginning means:
          Shock comes--oh, oh!
          Then follow laughing words--ha, ha!
          Good fortune.

          Six in the second place means:
          Shock comes bringing danger.
          A hundred thousand times
          You lose your treasures
          And must climb the nine hills.
          Do not go in pursuit of them.
          After seven days you will get them back.

          Six in the third place means:
          Shock comes and makes one distraught.
          If shock spurs to action
          One remains free of misfortune.

          Six in the fifth place means:
          Shock goes hither and thither.
          Danger.
          However, nothing at all is lost.
          Yet there are things to be done.


     28.  Ta Kuo / Preponderance of the Great

          ---- ----
          ----------     above     Tui    The Joyous, Lake
          ----------
          ----------
          ----------     below     Sun    The Gentle, Wind
          ---- ----

     The Judgement

          Preponderance of the Great.
          The ridgepole sags to the breaking point.
          It furthers one to have somewhere to go.
          Success.

     The Image

          The lake rises above the trees:
          The image of Preponderance of the Great.
          Thus the superior man, when he stands alone,
          Is unconcerned,
          And if he has to renounce the world,
          He is undaunted.