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 4:
Meng ● Childhood:
Decision
Childhood.
Prosperous and smooth.
It is not I who seek the ignorant,
The ignorant seeks me.
On the first divination, I give light.
Repeating again in contemptuous.
Being contemptuous, I give no more instruction.
Favorable to be steadfast and upright.
Commentary on the Decision
Unenlightened ignorant.
At the foot of a mountain lies difficulty;
Difficulty makes him stand still.
It is ignorant behavior.
The ignorant can be prosperous and smooth
It he acts in accordance with the proper time
And follows the principle of the central way.
It is not I who seeks the ignorant.
The ignorant seeks me.
His will responds to mine.
On the first divination, I give light.
He was firm and in a central position.
Repeating again is contemptuous.
Being contemptuous, no more instruction.
Showing contempt causes ignorance.
Uncovering the covered is to nourish the correct nature.
It is a holy task.
Commentary on the Symbol
A spring flows out of a mountain.
The symbol of an unenlightened ignorant.
In correspondence with this,
The superior person makes every effort
To Cultivate virtue with resolute deeds.
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Contemplation
The concept of Meng is the concept of unenlightened ignorance. Childhood is one of those places where unenlightened ignorance is prominent. Hence, the naming of this hexagram.
The statement that stood out to me this week was from the Commentary on the Symbol:
A spring flows out of a mountain.
The symbol of an unenlightened ignorant.
In correspondence with this,
The superior person makes every effort
To Cultivate virtue with resolute deeds.
The superior person makes every effort to cultivate virtue with resolute deeds. As I read this statement, I am reminded of my approach and commitment to developing individuals I manage in a variety of contexts – professional, personal, and spiritual. I often use the term “curate” in reference to my commitment to training, cultivating, and developing those I manage.
When I make a commitment to the development of those I manage and to helping them interpret and understand the larger picture, I am working to educate and cultivate them as individuals, professionals, volunteers, and spiritual seekers. This cultivation is a dedication to both their and my success. The more I work with these individuals the more they blossom in the contexts in which I am training them.
The story that comes to mind is an individual whom I was mentoring within my spiritual community. We had multiple meetings over the course of over a year. Many of these meetings were about providing insights into their development as a spiritual seeker. I posed questions, I offered feedback, I provided concepts and scenarios to consider, and I listened.
Each meeting with this individual was an opportunity to curate them into a spiritual seeker, and each meeting provided them valuable insight into their own growth and development. The true joy came one moment as I watched them present on a topic within their expertise. It was truly amazing to see them unknowingly step into a new level of their spiritual enlightenment. My cultivation of them had been successful . . . They actively stepped into their spiritual vocation.
Managers, mentors, guides, etc all work to develop those under their charge, and the lesson here is to cultivate with resolute deeds . . . to continue to nurture, teach, cultivate, and develop. Our rewards are always the success of those we manage, mentor, and teach.
Where have you cultivated with resolute deeds? What areas of your life do you practice cultivating those under your charge? How have you seen people grow, change, evolve, and shine through your mentoring? Have you ever witnessed someone you have been mentoring step into a new level of understanding about themselves and/or the world around them?
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.
