The I Ching Series: A Contemplation of Ancient Chinese Text
Each week I have been sharing one of the 64 hexagrams’ Decision as well as Confucius’ Commentary on the Decision and Symbol. I then meditate on the hexagram for a week, review the Significance of the hexagram, and write my own reflection on each hexagram. I invite you to join me in contemplating this ancient Confuscian and Taoist philosophy.
You can read previous Introductions and Contemplations here.
This past week I contemplated Hexagram 2:
Kun ● Responding:
Decision
Responding.
Sublimely prosperous and smooth.
Favorable with a mare’s steadfastness.
Superior person has somewhere to go.
Predetermining loses.
Following obtains a master.
Favorable in the southwest:
Finds friends.
In the northeast:
Loses friends.
Be composed and content.
Being steadfast and upright: good fortune.
Commentary on the Decision
Perfect is Responding’s greatness’
It brings birth to all beings
And accepts the source from Heaven.
Responding in its richness sustains all beings
Its virtue is in harmony without limit.
Its capacity is wide, its brightness is great.
Through it, all beings attain their full development.
A mare is a creature of earthly kind.
Its moving on Earth is boundless,
Yielding and submissive, advantageous and steadfast.
The superior person comprehends her way of lift:
Taking the lead brings confusion
She loses the way.
Following and responsive,
She finds the normal course.
Find friends in the southwest,
Proceed with people of the same kind.
Lose friends in the north east,
In the end congratulations will arrive.
Commentary on the Symbol
Earth’s nature is to extend and respond.
In correspondence with this,
The superior person enriches her virtue
To sustain all beings.
.
Contemplation
Kun ● Responding:
There were multiple lines from this hexagram that resonated with me this week. The following are lines from the beginning of the decision:
Responding.
Sublimely prosperous and smooth.
Favorable with a mare’s steadfastness.
The theme here for me is steadfastness. My perception is that those who are committed to a path and steadfast in their resolve will eventually gain the bounty of Earth. These statements remind me that committing to a goal, vision, or path is vital for success. Success comes in many forms, and sometimes there are barriers or challenges to success. Ultimately, time and commitment will lead to success.
With the last hexagram, I reflected on Transformational Acupuncture’s Mission, Vision, and business model. I find it interesting that the next hexagram focuses on steadfastness or committing to one’s path. This ability to be steadfast in my commitment to our Mission, Vision, and business model is extremely important and exactly what I found myself doing this week. Recommitting to a future vision and holding true to my Mission, Vision, business model, and values.
The end of the Commentary on the Decision states:
Good fortune comes from resting in steadfastness
It corresponds with the boundless capacity of Earth.
Through commitment and steadfastness, the bounty of Earth is possible. This was a reminder to me that every time I have committed to a path and stayed committed, I have experienced success and reaped in the bounty of Earth. I needed a reminder of this fact this week – my steadfast commitment matters and success will eventually follow.
What does it mean to you to be steadfast? Where have you held a steadfast commitment in your life? What bounties have you reaped because of your commitment?
About the Author
As a practitioner and healer in Washington, DC for more than a decade, I take a patient-centered approach to care through acupuncture, cupping, herbal medicines, and mind-body coaching, with a specialty in full-spectrum reproductive health care.
