"A part of our receptivity is to let things happen by allowing ourself to be guided by the moment. We keep attuned to the 'openings', times of light when people are receptive, and to the 'closings', times of darkness when they begin to misunderstand and close themselves off. With the openings we advance, with the closings we retreat. In retreating we are detached and free. We proceed on our way, allowing others to depart. Indeed, receiving this hexagram is a challenge to perfect one's receptivity, humility and patience." (pp.9)
So this is not my strong suit, but I understand that this is what is required of me today. Yesterday, I put too much energy into fussing about how other people act and how I think they should; my drunk brother in law, or my friend who is not acting right, or my lost love, or my moody husband or my cranky children. Those kinds of thoughts were getting in the way of what I really wanted to do, which was spend time with my family, and be fully present to them. So today, I have an opportunity to do that.
In the first changing line, I read;
"Hoarfrost underfoot. Hoarfrost refers to doubting the way events are proceeding. When we doubt the life process we begin to strive to divert the stream of events toward something more to our liking. We should cease resisting the flow of events and return to the path of humble acceptance and dependence on the Unknown." (pp.9)
"if by chance you are in the service of a king seek not works". "Reticence is an essential ingredient of receptivity and modesty. We lose our reticence when we get caught up in the egotistical enthusiasm of having an influence. We relish being recognized as "having the truth" and forget to give others the space they need to perceive things for themselves. In making this mistake, we soon find ourselves isolated, and our influence undermined." (pp. 10)I understand this to mean that there are certain relationships that I must let go entirely. The hard part for me, in this letting go, is not cutting off. I am working on how to let my friends and loved ones go their own ways without interfering with them, or letting them interfere with me, which doesn't have to mean never seeing them again, or some form of punishment or "last word" from me. In some cases, it does mean that in the present moment I am not spending as much time with them, either energetically or live. In other cases, it means that at present we are not communicating at all, and may not ever again. But it's not for me to determine when or whether they will or will not accept me, understand me, or see my side of our story, or I will see theirs. And if I am sincere in my determination to accept them on their own terms, that means I "seek not works". All of our stories are ever-unfolding. Nothing I say or do will change that, and I might as well be Receptive, and allow myself to be led by Divine Will.
The second hexagram, "Darkening of the Light" advises me to remember that
"...all changes are like streams that travel a long way underground before they come to the surface. We need to remember that we cannot attain a clear view if we confine ourselves to observing the external situation; similarly, we cannot see with clarity if we fail to quiet the clamoring inner voices. We need to disengage from looking at the situation. Disengagement is made difficult if we fail to give up feelings of resentment, hostility, or frustration. For the time being, we need to accept the situation humbly, as it is." (pp. 170)Usually when I receive this hexagram, I immediately feel all the frustration and anger that whatever the issue that I am querying I Ching about bring up for me. Today, I understand it to mean that this is always a choice, but it's not a requirement. Like suffering, frustration is an option, not a mandate. So. More waiting, more minding my own business. Maybe I should take up knitting, so I can have something else to do with my hands when they want to mess with things.
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