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Hexagram Modesty (谦) and its hidden meaning

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chris
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Joined: 01/05/2010

People who read the book I-Ching can understand among all hexagram there exists only one that features auspiciousness with all lines. This is number 15 hexagram "Modesty." Such "modesty" really has deep meaning. It does not only mean to position oneself always behind others or show respect to all people, also it means to have "ego" recedes into oblivion. Only when the ego recede into oblivion can the reality nature come on the scene again. Therefore, it is the run-thorough principle people have to adhere to for spiritual enlightenment.

Here I paste commentaries to the hexagram for better understanding:

1. Ch'ien - Modesty

-- --
-- -- above K'un The Receptive, Earth
-- --
-----
-- -- below Kên Keeping Still, Mountain
-- --

2. Modesty creates success.
The superior man carries things through.

It is the law of heaven to make fullness empty and to make full what is modest; when the sun is at its zenith, it must, according to the law of heaven, turn toward its setting, and at its nadir it rises toward a new dawn. In obedience to the same law, the moon when it is full begins to wane, and when empty of light it waxes again. This heavenly law works itself out in the fates of men also. It is the law of earth to alter the full and to contribute to the modest. High mountains are worn down by the waters, and the valleys are filled up. It is the law of fate to undermine what is full and to prosper the modest. And men also hate fullness and love the modest.

The destinies of men are subject to immutable laws that must fulfill themselves. But man has it in his power to shape his fate, according as his behavior exposes him to the influence of benevolent or of destructive forces. When a man holds a high position and is nevertheless modest, he shines with the light of wisdom; if he is in a lowly position and is modest, he cannot be passed by. Thus the superior man can carry out his work to the end without boasting of what he has achieved.

彖曰:谦,亨,天道下济而光明,地道卑而上行。天道亏盈而益谦,地道
变盈而流谦,鬼神害盈而福谦,人道恶盈而好谦。谦尊而光,卑而
不可□①,君子之终也。

wandering-person
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Re: Hexagram Modesty (谦) and its hidden meaning

Well Said.