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

          Nine in the fourth place means:
          Shock is mired.

          Six at the top means:
          Shock brings ruin and terrified gazing around.
          Going ahead brings misfortune.
          If it has not yet touched one's own body
          But has reached one's neighbor first,
          There is no blame.
          One's comrades have something to talk about.


     52.  K^en / Keeping Still, Mountain

          ----------
          ---- ----     above     K^en    Keeping Still, Mountain
          ---- ----
          ----------
          ---- ----     below     K^en    Keeping Still, Mountain
          ---- ----

     The Judgement

          Keeping Still. Keeping his back still
          So that he no longer feels his body.
          He goes into his courtyard
          And does not see his people.
          No blame.

     The Image

          Mountains standing close together:
          The image of Keeping Still.
          Thus the superior man
          Does not permit his thoughts
          To go beyond his situation.