#59 渙 Dispersion – Spreading & Its Management

 

#59渙 Diffusion- Spreading & Its Management

风水涣         巽上坎下

This hexagram has the Wind trigram on top of the Water trigram. The wind blows on top of the water to disperse the water and hence it is called Dispersion or Diffusion. Wind trigram also represents woods. Woods flowing on top of the water are going too far places. Dispersion is a description of a large river breaking out into smaller streams and spreading out the whole land.  It is not about being dispersed by evil forces. Hence, I prefer the more neutral word Diffusion. It is in fact the spreading out of energy and water of goodness. It is like a dam accumulating lots of water and then releasing the water to release the pressure and irrigate the land. Good or bad depends on how and when it is released.

Description:

1. 亨: Smooth flow of progress and success.
2. 王假有庙: The King arrived at the temple to worship
3. 利涉大川:It is beneficial to cross a large river (i.e. doing a big project).
4. 利贞: It is beneficial to persevere in righteousness.

Textual Commentary:

彖曰：涣，亨。 刚来而不穷，柔得位乎外而上同。 王假有庙，王乃在中也。 利涉大川，乘木有功也。

Dispersion/Diffusion is a smooth flow of progress. The strong arrives without ending. The soft gains the right position on the outside and agrees with the top. The King arrived at the temple to worship God. The King is still in the midst. It is beneficial to cross a large river. Wooden vessels cross with success.

Pictorial Commentary: 风行水上，涣；先王以享于帝立庙。
Wind riding on top of the water is Dispersion. Ancient Kings build temples for the offering and worship of God.

Moral Teachings:

1. To disperse and spread out is a smooth flow of progress and success. The influence is spread outward and reaches far away places.
2. One must have built up strong resources and righteousness to endlessly push out.
3. One must work with others, supporting and cooperating especially with the top to spread the influence. It influences by winning the heart rather than forcing its way.
4. Dispersion/Diffusion must have a leader (the king) and a shared purpose (the worship of God) so that it will be orderly.
5. Dispersion is about the spreading out of righteousness. One must set an example, the icon like the temple of worship,  remembering the contribution of the past leaders, to enable spreading to the masses. To me, this is like establishing a Brand and religion for effective spreading.

Stage 1 Begin Six: Helping with strong horses. This is good fortune. 初六：用拯马壮，吉。
The pictorial commentary explains that the fortune of Line 1 is soft following. 象曰：初六之吉，顺也。

Dispersion of flood water is coming. We have strong horses to support us in our work to build walls against the flood water. Hence it is good fortune.

Stage 2 Second Nine: Diffusion rushes to reach the stairs. The need for repentance is gone. 九二：涣奔其机，悔亡。
The pictorial commentary explains the flood reaches the stairs that our wish is realized. 象曰：涣奔其机，得愿也。

The diffusion of water rushes to the stairs of the jetty. The place is not flooded. The people are safe as per our desire. Hence there is no cause for repentance. Our earlier preparation which we thought could be inadequate was just right and hence there is no need for repentance.

Stage 3 Third Six: Diffusion of self-interests. There is no cause for repentance. 六三：涣其躬，无悔。
The pictorial commentary explains that the diffusion of selfish interests and no more self-centeredness is because we extend our ambition to reach out. 象曰：涣其躬，志在外也。

Our mindset must be bigger than self-centered interests. A global mindset and broad-heartedness allow one to embrace the diversity of the world and spread out our influence.

Stage 4 Forth Six: Diffusion of the groupings. Great fortune. A bigger community forms a mountain in the diffusion. It is beyond our thinking. 六四：涣其群，元吉。 涣有丘，匪夷所思。
The pictorial commentary explains the diffusion of the crowd is a great fortune. It is spreading of great light and influence 象曰：涣其群，元吉；光大也。

The diffusion comes from the breaking of many small interest groups and forms a large community of shared interest. This is wonderful beyond imagination. The impact is great and bright.

Stage 5 Fifth Nine: Making big announcements like the diffusion of sweat. The good things in the King’s Palace are dispersed. There is no fault. 九五：涣汗其大号，涣王居，无咎。
The pictorial commentary explains that the palace has no fault because the position is right. 象曰：王居无咎，正位也。

The announcement has gone out announcing the giving away of the good things from the Palace. There is no fault. This is the dispersion of the King’s wealth to the people. This could be a refund of taxes. It could also be large building projects to improve the infrastructure of roads and hospitals to provide jobs for and benefit the people.

Stage 6 Top Nine: Diffusion of blood. Go far away from the harm. There is no fault.上九：涣其血，去逖出，无咎。
The pictorial commentary says that the diffusion of blood is to move far away from harm. 象曰：涣其血，远害也。

Diffusion of blood shows that there is an injury. Learning from the experience that causes harm and staying away from harm is no fault. One translation says it is the dissolving of blood clots and hence keeping healthy is the lesson learned. The spreading of the disease needs to be controlled by separation with great distance or isolation.

Summary:

How can we spread quickly and widely? Here are the keys:

1. A Strong Core: Must be anchored on principles; be principles centered in behavior.
2. A Soft Exterior. It influences by winning the heart rather than forcing its way.  Following rather than overcoming is faster and easier to spread. Meeting the needs rather than forcing what one thinks is good.
3. An Iconic Symbol or Branding. It is better to have an iconic object and example like the temple to lead.
4. Dispersion of bad like flood waters or disease needs to be controlled. It is best to isolate them.

Wisdom from the Stage Lines:

1. Diffusion of water (floods) contained. We have to use productive resources to contain the diffusion and minimize the damage.
2. Diffusion of water(floods) reaches the edge. Make sure our preparation and structure are adequate to handle.
3. Diffusion of Self. Breakaway from self-interest. A wider mindset allows us to impact more people.
4. Diffusion of Interests. Breaking of many diverse interest groups and regrouping into a shared Community.
5. Wealth Diffusion. The accumulated wealth of the King/Government is dispersed.
6. Diffusion of Blood. Learn from past injuries and stay far away from harm. Isolate disease to prevent spreading.

Lim Liat (c) 23/6/2010