#63 既濟 Completed – Need Watchfulness & Renewal

 

#63 既濟 Completed – Need Watchfulness & Renewal

既济        水火既济       坎上离下

This hexagram has a Water trigram on top of a Fire trigram. Water has boiled and hence represents the completion or completed. This is the hexagram with the yang(strong) and yin(soft) lines at the right position. Yang should be in an odd position (1,3,5)and Yin should be in an even position (2,4,6) hence it is complete. In a world of endless changes, completion represents the end of one cycle and the beginning of the next cycle. There is much to learn and prepare for the future when one reaches the end of a cycle.

Description:

1. 亨: a smooth flow of progress
2. 小利贞: little benefits for perseverance in righteousness
3. 初吉终乱: it starts with good fortune but ends with chaos.

(In ancient writing, there is no punctuation. Hence some translations put it as 亨小, 利贞. It then becomes small progress or progress for the small,  and beneficial for perseverance in righteousness. It becomes clearer in the textual commentary.)

Textual Commentary:

彖曰：既济，亨，小者亨也。 利贞，刚柔正而位当也。 初吉，柔得中也。 终止则乱，其道穷也。

Completed is smooth progress. The little ones have smooth progress. It is beneficial for perseverance in righteousness. The strong and soft occupy the right positions. The beginning has good fortune because the strong occupy the central state. Ending in chaos is because there are no more ways to go.

Pictorial Commentary: 象曰：水在火上，既济；君子以思患而预防之。
Water on top of Fire makes for Completion. Wise men think of impending disasters and make preparations to prevent them.

Moral Teachings:

1. To complete a project or come to an ending state is good fortune. We have accomplished what we have set up to achieve. All will benefit even the ones that contributed little to the success. They contributed little, maybe of their capability, or maybe they joined the project late. Nevertheless, they all share in the rewards of success.
2. Completed does not mean we henceforth do away with the righteous conduct that brought us here. There are new heights to climb as life goes on. We must continue in the righteous conduct that brings us success.
3. Success comes from each one of us recognizing our roles and positions and contributing from there. We do not try to become or do the work of others. We don’t cross boundaries. We contribute from our strengths and don’t do things that we are weak at.
4. Success comes from softly motivating people to contribute their best rather than forcing people to work.
5. Success tends to cause us to lose our guard and rest on our laurels. We must always have foresight and think of the potential dangers. Constant renewal is needed. We prepare and prevent potential disasters from happening. Then we will not fulfill the prediction of “begin well but ends in chaos”.

Stage 1 Begin Nine: Drag the wheels; wet the tail; there is no fault. 初九：曳其轮，濡其尾，无咎。
The pictorial commentary explains that ‘dragging the wheels’ is the right thing to do and there is no fault. 象曰：曳其轮， 义无咎也。

In the pursuit of righteous conduct in challenging times and circumstances, we may encounter difficulty, get the wheels of our truck stuck, and need to be dragged out and get our tails, signifying our back, wet representing slanders. But, it is OK as we have already moved ahead.

Stage 2 Second Six: The woman lost her screen (of carriage, some translations say accessories). There is no need to pursue it. It will be gained back. 六二：妇丧其茀，勿逐，七日得。
The pictorial commentary explains that “gaining back in seven days” is because of the practice of the way of the middle (Balanced ways). 象曰：七日得，以中道也。

Pursuing the course of righteousness will suffer some losses. But these are external coverings. The core is OK. Because of righteous and balanced conduct, the losses will be paid back. The people discovered the truth and saw the benefits of our work and hence paid us back for our losses. It does not take too long, only one week signifying some reasonably short time.

Stage 3 Third Nine: King Gao Zhong attacked the Devil’s region. It took three years to conquer it. Do not use little(evil) men. 九三：高宗伐鬼方，三年克之，小人勿用。
The pictorial commentary explains that taking three years to conquer is very tiring. 象曰：三年克之，惫也。

To fully conquer and get rid of evil like bad attitudes, habits, and practices need a longer time. It may take up to 3 years.  Cultural change is a difficult thing. It could be very wearisome but don’t give up halfway. Persist to the end. We must not use those selfish and

Stage 4 Forth Six: Fine colorful silk clothing turns into rags. Be watchful all day long. 六四：繻有衣袽，终日戒。
The pictorial commentary explains that all-day vigilance is because there are doubts 象曰：终日戒，有所疑也。

If we are not watchful then a good thing will become bad like fine silk becoming rags.  Success does not do away with being watchful. It requires constant vigilance and maintenance to preserve the original shine and usefulness.

Stage 5 Fifth Nine: The Eastern neighbor’s killing of an ox (as an offering) is not as good as the Western neighbor’s spring worship of simple offerings. Sincerity brings blessings. 九五：东邻杀牛，不如西邻之禴祭，实受其福。
The pictorial commentary explains it is sincerity that brings great fortune. 象曰：东邻杀牛，不如西邻之时也；实受其福，吉大来也。

Grand external public relationship type of large sacrifices without true internal sincerity is of no use. God sees the heart and intent of people, not the external actions for a good show, and blesses accordingly. The two copper coins offered by a widow is better than the large offerings of the wealthy. The widow gave out of all she had whereas the wealthy gave out of their surpluses. (Bible Mark 12:41-44).  To obey is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22). This story of Saul is exactly what is taught here.

Stage 6 Top Six: Wet the head. This is dangerous. 上六：濡其首，厉。
The pictorial commentary explains that water covering the head indicates that its life will not last long.象曰：濡其首厉，何可久也。

Not heeding the advice and warning of the previous stages have caused us to sink deeper into the water resulting in water over our heads. Our ending is near. Wake up and change! This is the eleven-hour and fifty-nine minutes already.

Summary

1. Completion is a good stage to arrive at. We must share the rewards.
2. We must continue in righteousness.
3. We must all play our roles to the very best.
4. We motivate and get commitment from people and are not pushy.
5. We watch out, renew, prepare, and prevent possible disasters and ensure that our good beginning does not end in chaos.

Wisdom from the Stage Lines:

1. Start moving. Drag the wheel though getting wet at the tail. Doing the right things and making progress needs to overcome some obstacles and backbiting. (Water wet the tail)
2. Keep moving though suffer temporary loss. Continue to do right. The temporary external losses will be repaid back in due time. (Water wet the things)
3. Take on a bigger project. Changing Culture, habits, and attitudes takes a longer time (3 years). Persist till the end. Don’t employ narrow-hearted and selfish people (literally little men). (Water wets the region)
4. Maintain vigilance. Good things need constant vigilance, maintenance, and renewal to preserve their original shine and usefulness. (Water wet the clothes)
5. Celebrate with sincerity. The sincerity of the Heart is more important than putting out a big show without corresponding intention. Obedience is better than sacrifice. (Water wet the chest)
6. Change immediately! Don’t get drowned in the water (water cover head).

Lim Liat (c) 30/6/2010