FREE I CHING READINGS

42

I / Increase

The idea of increase is expressed in the fact that the strong

lowest line of the upper trigram has sunk down and taken its

place under the lower trigram. This conception also

expresses the fundamental idea on which the Book of

Changes is based. To rule truly is to serve.

A sacrifice of the higher element that produces an increase

of the lower is called an out-and-out increase: it indicates

the spirit that alone has power to help the world.

THE JUDGMENT

INCREASE. It furthers one

To undertake something.

It furthers one to cross the great water.

Sacrifice on the part of those above for the increase of those below fills

the people with a sense of joy and gratitude that is extremely valuable for

the flowering of the commonwealth.
When people are thus devoted to

their leaders, undertakings are possible, and even difficult and dangerous

enterprises will succeed.

Therefore in such times of progress and

successful development it is necessary to work and make the best use of

time. This time resembles that of the marriage of heaven and earth, when

the earth partakes of the creative power of heaven, forming and bringing

forth living beings. The time of INCREASE does not endure, therefore it

must be utilized while it lasts.

To cross the great water and undertake something means that it is the

moment to make the effort, it is the moment to do the work. The increase

represents what grows, what is insufficient and must be increased.

Increase means favorable opportunity that would be used before it

vanishes.

THE IMAGE

Wind and thunder: the image of INCREASE.

Thus the superior man:

If he sees good, he imitates it;

If he has faults, he rids himself of them.

While observing how thunder and wind increase and strengthen each

other, a man can note the way to self-increase and self-improvement.

When he discovers good in others, he should imitate it and thus make

everything on earth his own. If he perceives something bad in himself, let

him rid himself of it. In this way he becomes free of evil. This ethical

change represents the most important increase of personality.

This means that the superior man only assimilates which would increase

his personality and strengthen his character. On the other hand if he find

some fault in himself, he will correct it.

In another analysis level this hexagram shows how complementary

forces would form a successful alliance to undertake something.

THE LINES

Nine at the beginning means:

It furthers one to accomplish great deeds.

Supreme good fortune. No blame.

If great help comes to a man from on high, this increased strength must

be used to achieve something great for which he might otherwise never

have found energy, or readiness to take responsibility. Great good

fortune is produced by selflessness, and in bringing about great good

fortune, he remains free of reproach.

A strong man situated in a humble position receives powerful means to

carry out some task, but he can be successful only through compliance

with his supporter (fourth yin).

Furthering one to accomplish great deeds means that there is only

place for great undertakings, implying definitively that there is not

margin for littleness or selfish attitudes.

Six in the second place means:

Someone does indeed increase him;

Ten pairs of tortoises cannot oppose it.

Constant perseverance brings good fortune.

The king presents him before God.

Good fortune.

A man brings about real increase by producing in himself the conditions

for it, that is, through receptivity to and love of the good. Thus the thing

for which he strives comes of itself, with the inevitability of natural law.

Where increase is thus in harmony with the highest laws of the universe,

it cannot be prevented by any constellation of accidents. But everything

depends on his not letting unexpected good fortune make him heedless;

he must make it his own through inner strength and steadfastness. Then

he acquires meaning before God and man, and can accomplish something

for the good of the world.

Ten pairs of tortoises mean unexpected factors or stratagems that

would interfere with the favorable situation. But one should not worry

about it.

Constant perseverance is achieved through modesty, being constant

and correct.

The king presenting himself before God means that the same increase

that has been reached will serve as a foundation for further growing.

Six in the third place means:

One is enriched through unfortunate events.

No blame, if you are sincere

And walk in the middle,

And report with a seal to the prince.

A time of blessing and enrichment has such powerful effects that even

events ordinarily unfortunate must turn out to the advantage of those

affected by them. These persons become free of error, and by acting in

harmony with truth they gain such inner authority that they exert

influence as if sanctioned by the letter and seal.

In China, when unfortunate events happened, the officer in charge

reported it to the prince, seeking help. The seal was used as a

recognition sign. Usually this direct approach seeking increase was

considered a bad behavior but in such situation (as a natural calamity

or a famine in some region) it wasn't incorrect.

To be sincere means not to use the increase for the own sake.

To receive something because of unfortunate facts means

compensation, repair, and recovery. It also means to recover which was

lost.

In another interpretation level, to receive an increase for unfortunate

events means interior, spiritual growth, accomplished by suffering.

Six in the fourth place means:

If you walk in the middle

And report the prince,

He will follow.

It furthers one to be used

In the removal of the capital.

It is important that there should be men who mediate between leaders

and followers. These should be disinterested people, especially in times

of increase, since the benefit is to spread from the leader to the people.

Nothing of this benefit should be held back in a selfish way; it should

really reach those for whom it is intended. This sort of intermediary,

who also exercises a good influence on the leader, is especially

important in times when it is a matter of great undertakings, decisive for

the future and requiring the inner assent of all concerned.

Reporting to the prince means a person of trust, confident, consultant.

To be followed by the prince means to made a good proposal, to

present a project worthy of trust, for that reason he is used to transfer the

capital. This means that he is entrust to carry out the project.

The transfer of capital means fundamental changes, to modify the power

balance in an organization or social group.

Nine in the fifth place means::

If in truth you have a kind heart, ask not.

Supreme good fortune.

Truly, kindness will be recognized as your virtue.

True kindness does not count upon nor ask about merit and gratitude but

acts from inner necessity. And such a truly kind heart finds itself

rewarded in being recognized, and thus the beneficent influence will

spread unhindered.

Having a kind heart means an earnest gesture of goodwill. When a ruler

has this disposition he will satisfy the expectation of others and achieve

supreme good fortune.

Nine at the top means:

He brings increase to no one.

Indeed, someone even strikes him.

He does not keep his heart constantly steady.

Misfortune.

The meaning here is that through renunciation those in high place should

bring increase to those below. By neglecting this duty and helping no

one, they in turn lose the furthering influence of others and soon find

themselves alone. In this way they invite attacks. An attitude not

permanently in harmony with the demands of the time will necessarily

bring misfortune with it. Confucius says about this line:

The superior man sets his person at rest before he moves; he

composes his mind before he speaks; he makes his relations firm

before he asks for something. By attending to these three

matters, the superior man gains complete security. But if a man

is brusque in his movements, others will not cooperate. If he is

agitated in his word, they awaken no echo in others. If he asks

for something without having first established relations, it will

not be given to him. If no one is with him, those who would harm

him draw near.

Bringing increase to no one is a symbol of lack of sensibility. He is not

able to consent to the basic humanitarian feelings and it is a reason of

dissatisfaction and hate towards him.

That he does not keep his heart constantly steady means injustice and

erratic behavior

Whom he harmed will act on him with the same merciless intensity and

the situation will become untenable.