Yes, I am wearing a beautiful cobalt blue diamond studded turban as I write this, which nicely matches my cobalt blue silver star studded satin cape. Well, you'll never know, will ya? Mwoo ha ha ha.
I have studied Confucianism for several years but have studied the I-Ching, the Book of Changes for more years than I would like to admit. Does that make me an expert on the subject? Not even a little bit. Just someone who is interested in ancient Chinese poetry and philosophy.
Confucius is someone I feel kind of close to. In my imagination, he is kind of a gruff fellow, loved by his disciples, scoffed at by his opposition. He lived during a time of great upheaval in China, after a long period of wars where the civilization was in danger of disappearing entirely. He was a teacher to the upper class men of his day but felt it was more important to rescue the ancient wisdom from his past, and the Book of Changes was one of those treasures.
The version of the I-Ching I usually refer to is the Wilhelm/Baynes edition (the same one Philip K. Dick used to write his masterpiece
Man in the High Castle). And there are a few "hexagrams" (out of 64 possibilities) that I think can apply to what we are going through today and in particular the struggle we are having against the present US Administration.
First there is Hexagram 36: Darkening of the Light. This hexagram has a history -- during the time the commentary was written on this hexagram (the Book of Changes is ancient, but has been expanded through the centuries by various philosopher-kings and dukes, etc.), the evil tyrant Chou Hsin, the last king of the Yin dynasty, made the "most able princes of the realm ... suffer severely." King Wen himself was kept imprisoned, where he ended up writing the commentary to the judgments of the hexagram. That commentary has survived for over 4,500 years, which only goes to show that defeat is not always what it seems.
Anyway, the top line of the hexagram (each hexagram has 6 lines) has the judgment:
Not light but darkness.
First he climed up to heaven,
Then he plunged into the depths of the earth.
The commentary states:
First he held a position through which he might have been able to enlighten all the people of the realm. Instead, however, he made it his business to injure men, and thus transgressed the rule that binds one who governs; as a result, he prepared his own downfall.
The line stands at the top, where the earth veils the sun most heavily; but it is also the first to be unmasked in its sinister character when the sun reappears.
Well I think we all knew a few people who fit this description.
But what to do? I turn to Hexagram 64: Before Completion. Talks about a time when a new era is underway but everything seems so chaotic that no one can believe it. The "transition from disorder to order is not yet completed," so it's a dangerous time. The judgment tells how the conditions are difficult.
The task is great and full of responsibility. It is nothing less than that of leading the world out of confusion and back to order. But it is a task that promises success, because there is a goal that can unite the forces now tending in different directions. At first, however, one must move warily, like an old fox walking over ice. The caution of a fox walking over ice is proverbial in China. His ears are constantly alert to the cracking of the ice, as he carefully and circumspectly searches out the safest spots. A young fox who has yet has not acquired this caution goes ahead boldly, and it may happen that he falls in and gets his tail wet when he is almost across the water. Then of course his effort has been all in vain. Accordingly, in times "before completion," deliberation and caution are the prerequisites of success.
An example of this caution is, I believe, Kos telling us all not to be sanguine about the upcoming primaries and general election. In 2004 that fox got his whole body wet!
As a last example, I would like to talk about the fourth line of the above-mentioned hexagram of Before Completion. The ancient text says:
Perseverence brings good fortune.
Remorse disappears.
Shock, thus to displine the Devil's Country.
For three years, great realms are rewarded.
This line speaks of the correct view one should have in a great struggle. Many of us read Billmon's rant as well as the responses thereof, and I think it was a good discussion to have. In this line I think the I-Ching gives some good advice to us all (emphasis mine):
Now is the time of struggle. The transition must be completed. We must make ourselves strong in resolution; this brings good fortune. All misgivings that might arise in such grave times of struggle must be silenced. It is a question of a fierce battle to break and to discipline the Devil's Country, the forces of decadence. But the struggle also has its reward. Now is the time to lay the foundations of power and mastery for the future.
"All misgivings" must be silenced. By that, I don't mean we should try to shut each other up. I think it is an internal process of making ourselves strong. When you are a soldier in physical battle it is not even an issue, you have no choice or you will be killed. It's a lot more difficult when there are distractions and doubts and plenty of time for both to act upon the mind.
So. Taking off my turban now. It's too hot for it anyway. Hope this was of some interest to some of you.