FOUR

蒙

LIMITATIONS ON AWARENESS

CONCERNS: Undeveloped people, immature, inexperienced or uneducated in some respect, whose inability to focus makes teaching and learning difficult; awareness of the importance of seriousness and sincerity; developing a responsible relationship with learning so we can be served by the teacher.

1. If discipline and order are imposed from the start, learning or any other employment of energy will have a reliable channel in which to flow.
2. This line reminds us to be wise enough to work patiently and flexibly with those in need of instruction.
3. Be aware of becoming preoccupied with the material aspect of the world and thus losing inner balance.
4. If we defend our immaturity or ignorance, arrogantly resisting advice or change, we will be educated through our suffering the consequences of our stubbornness.
5. Receptivity to instruction and correction supports growth and promises enlightenment.
6. If we cannot or will not assimilate the good advice we have been given from our inner and outer teachers, we create a painful condition which will serve to “punish” us and so we learn, through pain, not to repeat our mistakes. If teaching, however, becomes dependent upon punishment, the student will not mature.

COMMENT: This hexagram also guides us in our relationship to the I Ching; it warns us not to try to extort the answer we wish through repetitive consultations that amount to nagging. If we will accept the answer we get to the question posed, insight and understanding will grow with time and serious reflection. This is a concrete way to engage in the surrender of personal positions, a practice that leads to egolessness.