I CHING

32

Hêng / Duration Perseverance

The strong trigram Chên is above, the weak trigram Sun

below. This hexagram is the inverse of the preceding one. In

the latter we have influence, here we have union as an

enduring condition. The two images are thunder and wind,

which are likewise constantly paired phenomena. The lower

trigram indicates gentleness within; the upper, movement

without.

In the sphere of social relationships, the hexagram

represents the institution of marriage as the enduring union

of the sexes. During courtship the young man subordinates

himself to the girl, but in marriage, which is represented by

the coming together of the eldest son and the eldest

daughter, the husband is the directing and moving force

outside, while the wife, inside, is gentle and submissive.

THE JUDGMENT

DURATION. Success. No blame.

Perseverance furthers.

It furthers one to have somewhere to go.

Duration is a state whose movement is not worn down by hindrances. It

is not a state of rest, for mere standstill is regression.
Duration is rather

the self-contained and therefore self-renewing movement of an

organized, firmly integrated whole, taking place in accordance with

immutable laws and beginning anew at every ending.

The end is reached

by an inward movement, by inhalation, systole, contraction, and this

movement turns into a new beginning, in which the movement is directed

outward, in exhalation, diastole, expansion.

Heavenly bodies exemplify duration. They move in their fixed orbits, and

because of this their light-giving power endures. The seasons of the year

follow a fixed law of change and transformation, hence can produce

effects that endure.

So likewise the dedicated man embodies an enduring meaning in his way

of life, and thereby the world is formed. In that which gives things their

duration, we can come to understand the nature of all beings in heaven

and on earth.

Perseverance is the permanency of a phenomenon, of a state. The

duration means a cycle that should complete its time, its laws. But, in

order such a state to be effective it should be accompanied by

perseverance. Wang Bi says that perseverance can be achieved

whenever: 1) avoiding blame, 2) constant rightness and 3) having a

defined objective.

Duration, also means to stay, to resist, to continue in the position, but

not to be still, static, because it would be to be away from the movement

and therefore away from the duration.

THE IMAGE

Thunder and wind: the image of DURATION.

Thus the superior man stands firm

And does not change has direction.

Thunder rolls, and the wind blows; both are examples of extreme

mobility and so are seemingly the very opposite of duration, but the laws

governing their appearance and subsidence, their coming and going,

endure. In the same way the independence of the superior man is not

based on rigidity and immobility of character. He always keeps abreast

of the time and changes with it. What endures is the unswerving

directive, the inner law of his being, which determines all his actions.

The thunder and the wind represent sequences that are followed one

another, making possible a durable state. The thunder and the wind are

the symbols of the constant action, of the effect that lasts. Thunder and

wind give the idea of energy and force. Thunder and wind mean

continuity, thus the superior man is constant and it doesn't change his

plan. This means that somebody capable puts emphasis in its work and

continues steadfast with the objective that has been traced.

THE LINES

Six at the beginning means:

Seeking duration too hastily brings misfortune persistently.

Nothing that would further.

Whatever endures can be created only gradually by long-continued work

and careful reflection. In the same sense Lao-tse says: "If we wish to

compress something, we must first let it fully expand." He who demands

too much at once is acting precipitately, and because he attempts too

much, he ends by succeeding in nothing.

An anxious search of the duration can be disastrous. A state of duration

precise a logical time to be achieved, therefore the wish is not

opportune. It is out of reality, because it is in fact its conservation

through the time what will make it durable, and those terms cannot be

shortened because they are the very essence of the lasting thing.

Nine in the second place means:

Remorse disappears.

The situation is abnormal. A man's force of character is greater than the

available material power. Thus he might be afraid of allowing himself to

attempt something beyond his strength. However, since it is the time of

DURATION, it is possible for him to control his inner strength and so to

avoid excess. Cause for remorse then disappears.

The duration states what has begun to show the phenomenon has given

the first signs of lasting.

Nine in the third place means:

He who does not give duration to his character

Meets with disgrace.

Persistent humiliation.

If a man remains at the mercy of moods of hope or fear aroused by the

outer world, he loses his inner consistency of character. Such

inconsistency invariably leads to distressing experiences. These

humiliations often come from an unforeseen quarter. Such experiences

are not merely effects produced by the external world, but logical

consequences evoked by his own nature.

To be unhappy with the present situation, dreaming with unrealizable

goals and to be dependent of external approval weakens the character

and humiliation is the logical consequence.

Nine in the fourth place means::

No game in the field.

If we are in pursuit of game and want to get a shot at a quarry, we must

set about it in the right way. A man who persists in stalking game in a

place where there is none may wait forever without finding any.

Persistence in search is not enough. What is not sought in the right way

is not found.

Here reference is made to the duration in a completely disconnected

attitude of reality and the probable thing. The hunt in a deserted field

means going to look for what doesn't exist, or to look for in the mistaken

place. This also gives the idea of mere illusions, expense of energy in

sterile projects.

In another analysis level, the lack of preys represents the lack of

opportunities in certain situation, the lack of concrete objectives to

pursue. The lack of game means to lose the time.

Six in the fifth place means:

Giving duration to one's character through perseverance.

This is good fortune for a woman, misfortune for a man.

A woman should follow a man her whole life long, but a man should at all

times hold to what is his duty at the given moment. Should he

persistently seek to conform to the woman, it would be a mistake for

him. Accordingly it is altogether right for a woman to hold

conservatively to tradition, but a man must always be flexible and

adaptable and allow himself to be guided solely by what his duty requires

This means lack of character or initiative. Also means incapacity for

facing new circumstances. For a subordinate to follow orders is the

correct way, but for a director this is a pitfall.

Six at the top means:

Restlessness as an enduring condition brings misfortune.

There are people who live in a state of perpetual hurry without ever

attaining inner composure. Restlessness not only prevents all

thoroughness but actually becomes a danger if it is dominant in places of

authority.

Here reference is made to the lingering anxiety as a harmful thing. For

that reason, such attitude takes finally to the failure. Restlessness

means not to be emotionally up to the possible thing. Restlessness also

means uncontrolled acting.