TWENTY-ONE

噬嗑

DECISIVENESS

CONCERNS: Correcting a disharmonious condition; reforming through penalties and punishment tempered by clarity and justice; eliminating evil; not being afraid of taking any right and positive action.

1. If our improper tendencies are subjected to early control, our growth will not be negatively affected.
2. Punishment needs to be felt to be effective; token discipline does not produce change; punishing correctly —with justice —can be an expression of real respect and love.
3. When we set out to discipline a chronic situation, we may encounter resistance; since the motivation is correct, the outcome ultimately will be beneficial.
4. In correcting a difficult situation we must persevere to the end and not be discouraged by the resistance; such decisiveness will be rewarded.
5. In correcting a difficult situation, an unexpectedly good resolution will occur if we apply our focused energy with awareness and balance.
6. Here we are no longer open to information, input or advice and will encounter the troubles generated by such stubbornness.

COMMENT: Punishment and discipline may be imposed from within or without; correctly applied, they facilitate our learning.  When we avoid or resent sober discipline, our inner structure evolves poorly; we grow up weak, immature and “spineless.”