Hsu / Waiting (Nourishment)
above: K'an The Abysmal, Water
below: Ch'ien The Creative, Heaven
All beings have need of nourishment from above. But the gift of food
comes in its own time, and for this one must wait. This hexagram shows
the clouds in the heavens, giving rain to refresh all that grows and to
provide mankind with food and drink. The rain will come in its own
time. We cannot make it come; we have to wait for it. The idea of
waiting is further suggested by the attributes of the two
trigrams--strength within, danger in front. Strength in the face of
danger does not plunge ahead but bides its time, whereas weakness in
the face of danger grows agitated and has not the patience to wait.
The Judgement
WAITING. If you are sincere,
You have light and success.
Perseverance brings good fortune.
It furthers one to cross the great water.
Waiting is not mere empty hoping. It has the inner certainty of
reaching the goal. Such certainty alone gives that light which leads to
success. This leads to the perseverance that brings good fortune and
bestows power to cross the great water.
One is faced with a danger that has to be overcome. Weakness and
impatience can do nothing. Only a strong man can stand up to his fate,
for his inner security enables him to endure to the end. This strength
shows itself in uncompromising truthfulness [with himself]. It is only
when we have the courage to face things exactly as they are, without
any sort of self-deception or illusion, that a light will develop out
of events, by which the path to success may be recognized. This
recognition must be followed by resolute and persevering action. For
only the man who goes to meet his fate resolutely is equipped to deal
with it adequately. Then he will be able to cross the great water--that
is to say, he will be capable of making the necessary decision and of
surmounting the danger.
The Image
Clouds rise up to heaven:
The image of WAITING.
Thus the superior man eats and drinks,
Is joyous and of good cheer.
When clouds rise in the sky, it is a sign that it will rain. There is
nothing to do but to wait until after the rain falls. It is the same in
life when destiny is at work. We should not worry and seek to shape the
future by interfering in things before the time is ripe. We should
quietly fortify the body with food and drink and the mind with gladness
and good cheer. Fate comes when it will, and thus we are ready.