Other titles: The Symbol of Harmonious Joy, Repose, Happiness, Providing-for/Provision, Excess, Merriment, Self-confidence, Contentment, Harmonize, Excitement, Intemperance, Self-deception "Repose in the absolute confidence that the action now being taken is right. Also refers to music." -- D.F. Hook
Judgment
Legge: Enthusiasm indicates that feudal princes may be set up and the army advantageously mobilized.
Wilhelm/Baynes:Enthusiasm. It furthers one to install helpers and to set armies marching.
Blofeld:Repose profits those engaged in building up the country and sending forth armies. [This means that perfect certainty as to the rightness of our cause is of great value under the conditions mentioned. The usual meaning of this character is "beforehand" or "happiness." In the English translation of Wilhelm's version, it appears as "enthusiasm." "Repose" was suggested by the Chinese experts who kindly vetted this manuscript. At first I felt hesitant about adopting it, until I realized that, where it is used favorably, it must be understood as the kind of mental repose which follows absolute confidence that the action now being taken is the right one. In lines one, three and six, however, it clearly means failure to act when action is essential; in line five, failure to act owing to incapacity.]
Liu:Happiness. It is of benefit to build up the country (or business), and send the army forth. [Receivers of this hexagram should be wary of exhibiting excessive enthusiasm when beginning a new undertaking. If they are not, there will be misfortune. The hexagram also advises that everything necessary for advancement should be made ready. Then if an opportunity presents itself, it should be seized immediately, without hesitation.]
Ritsema/Karcher: Providing-for , Harvesting: installing feudatories to move legions. [This hexagram describes your situation in terms of what is needed to meet the future. It emphasizes that accumulating strength through foresight and prudence so things can be fully enjoyed is the adequate way to handle it. To be in accord with the time, you are told to: provide-for!]
Shaughnessy: Excess: Beneficial to establish a lord and to move troops.
Cleary (1):Joy. It is advantageous to set up a ruler and mobilize the army.
Wu:Merriment indicates the advantage of establishing principalities and taking military actions.
The Image
Legge: Thunder exploding out of the Earth -- the image of Enthusiasm. The ancient kings, in accordance with this, composed their music and honored virtue, offering it especially to God when they worshipped him at the service of their ancestors.
Wilhelm/Baynes: Thunder comes resounding out of the earth: the image of Enthusiasm. Thus the ancient kings made music in order to honor merit, and offered it with splendor to the Supreme Deity, inviting their ancestors to be present.
Blofeld: This hexagram symbolizes thunder over the earth. The ancient rulers venerated heaven's gifts with solemn music and they sacrificed abundantly to the Supreme Lord of Heaven in order to be worthy of their ancestors.
Liu: Thunder arising from the earth symbolizes Happiness. The ancient kings composed music to honor virtue, offering it to God and the spirits of their ancestors.
Ritsema/Karcher: Thunder issuing-forth-from earth impetuously. Providing-for. The Earlier Kings used arousing delight to extol actualizing-tao. Exalting worship's Supreme Above. Using equalizing the grandfather predecessors. [Actualize-tao:ability to follow the course traced by the ongoing process of the cosmos... Linked with acquire, TE: acquiring that which makes a being become what it is meant to be.]
Cleary (1): When thunder emerges the earth stirs: Thus did the kings of yore make music to honor virtue, offering it in abundance to God, thereby to share it with their ancestors.
Wu: Thunder breaks out above the earth with a boom; this is Merriment. Thus the ancient kings used music to praise virtuous accomplishments and made grand offerings to the Supreme Being to be accompanied by their ancestors.
COMMENTARY
Confucius/Legge: Enthusiasm shows one dynamic line inspiring responsive obedience in all the others: devoted obedience takes action. Such obedient action conforms to natural law and creates order and discipline in the people. The planets and the seasons follow their natural cycles. The sages similarly obey the laws of their nature and the people acknowledge their regulations and punishments as just.
Legge:Enthusiasm shows harmony and contentment throughout the kingdom -- a time when the people rejoice in their sovereign and readily obey him. At such a time his appointments and any military undertakings would be hailed and supported. Because he is close to the fifth place of dignity, the dynamic fourth line is seen as the chief executive officer of the ruler. The ruler has confidence in him, and all of the magnetic lines yield their obedience. Obedience is the attribute of the lower trigram which here takes the initiative and uses Movement, which is the attribute of the upper trigram.
The symbolism of the Image is more obscure than usual. The use of music at sacrifices is supposed to assist in producing the union between God and his worshippers as well as the present and past generations.
NOTES AND PARAPHRASES
Judgment: Delegate authority and gather your forces.
The Superior Man synchronizes his will with the intent of the Self via the principles of the Work.
Enthusiasm is the reverse of the preceding hexagram of Temperance. In Temperance we saw the calm strength of a mountain concealed within the earth. In Enthusiasm we see thunder exploding out of the ground into the sky: the strength that was formerly tempered and restrained is now released. It is significant to note that while every line of Temperance is more or less "favorable,” every line of Enthusiasm is either negative or cautionary -- even the generally positive fourth line carries a hint of warning about “doubt.”
Negatively, Self-Deception (the passion of True Believers) seems to be what this hexagram is portraying. The figure often suggests a callow or deluded buoyancy -- the kind of outlook associated with romantic idealists. In its most negative aspect, Enthusiasm is Intemperance -- the exact opposite of the moderation and restraint shown in the preceding hexagram. The behavior of an untrained Great Dane puppy suddenly bursting into a formal dinner party could be described as "enthusiasm,” but hardly a desirable form thereof. The lower trigram of Obedient Devotion has suddenly employed the action and energy of the upper trigram of Thunderous Shock to express itself. This is inconsistent with the code of the superior man.
Conversely, in its most positive sense, Enthusiasm suggests the surety of total self-confidence. Blofeld translates this as Repose, explaining that the name was suggested to him by his Chinese advisors. We begin to understand this subtle distinction when we compare the seemingly obscure connection with music in the Image with a passage from Chuang- tse:
He who understands the music of heaven lives in accordance with nature in his life and takes part in the process of change of things in his death. In repose, his character is in harmony with the yin principle; in activity, his movement is in harmony with the yang principle. Therefore he who understands the music of heaven is not blamed by heaven or criticized by men ... It is said, "In action he is like heaven. In repose he is like the earth ... Because his mind has found repose, therefore the creation pays homage to him.”
To understand “the music of heaven” is to attain Repose, which is another way of describing the tranquility that comes with furthering the intent of the Self. The only dynamic line in the hexagram is in the minister's place just below the fifth-line ruler. He has the confidence of his sovereign and his actions therefore accord with heaven. We can turn to the Stoics to find an illustration of this idea:
My will is simply that which comes to pass. For I esteem what God wills better than what I will. To Him will I cleave as His minister and attendant; having the same movements, the same desires, in a word the same will as He. -- Epictetus
Thus we see that the hexagram can describe either one of two opposite conditions -- the intemperate Enthusiasm of ego-confidence (a synonym for Self-Deception), or the calm Repose of true SELF-confidence. The fifteenth and sixteenth hexagrams, each the inverse of the other, represent magnetic and dynamic aspects of the same general idea: Enthusiasm, when it emanates from the Self, is just Temperance in action.
Line 1
Legge: The first line, magnetic, shows its subject proclaiming her pleasure and satisfaction. There will be evil.
Wilhelm/Baynes:Enthusiasm that expresses itself brings misfortune.
Blofeld: The crowing of the cock bespeaks repose -- an evil omen! [A sleepy cockcrow is not likely to bring men leaping from their beds, yet the traditional role of the cock is to sound the call to renewed action.]
Liu: Happiness that shows itself off brings misfortune.
Ritsema/Karcher: Calling Provision. Pitfall. [Provide(-for)/Provision, YU: ready, prepared for; prearrange, take precaution, think beforehand; satisfied, contented, at ease.]
Shaughnessy: Calling out in excess; inauspicious.
Cleary (1): Trumpeting joy is inauspicious.
Wu: Crowing over merriment will be foreboding.
COMMENTARY
Confucius/Legge: Her wishes have been satisfied to overflowing. Wilhelm/ Baynes: This leads to the misfortune of having the will obstructed. Blofeld: The evil mentioned in this passage is that which results from utter exhaustion of the will-power. Ritsema/Karcher: Purpose exhausted, pitfall indeed. Cleary (2): Trumpeting joy bodes ill when the aspiration reaches an impasse. [The first yin harmonizes with the fourth yang above and rejoices in this; having no real qualities in oneself, only aspiring to cleave to others, how can one not come to an impasse?]Wu: Lacking aspiration will be foreboding.
Legge: Line one is magnetic, with a dynamic correlate in the fourth place. She may well enjoy the happiness of the time, but unable to contain herself, she erupts in boastful enthusiasm and calls undue attention to herself. Enthusiasm has thus been her undoing.
NOTES AND PARAPHRASES
Siu: At the outset, the man is enthusiastic and boastful.
Wing: Although you may have a harmonious connection with someone in a high position, it does not necessarily indicate that you are on top of the situation. Furthermore, if you boast of your advantage, you will surely invite disaster.
Editor: The meaning here can be subtle. Something (a strong emotion or attitude perhaps) is upsetting one’s equilibrium. In addition to the usual meaning of “enthusiasm,” this can symbolize any release or loss of energy (even despair, anguish, depression or grief – “Anti-Enthusiasm,” if you will), which serves to demolish Repose. Shaughnessy labels it Excess. Wilhelm and Blofeld render the Confucian commentary in terms of the obstruction or exhaustion of willpower. Ritsema/Karcher describe a loss of purpose; Cleary and Wu, blocked aspiration. If this is the only changing line, the hexagram changes to Shock, a plausible consequence in this case.
But woe unto you that are rich! For ye have received your consolation. Woe unto you that are full! For ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! For ye shall mourn and weep. Luke 6: 24-25
A. A false sense of well-being – or, a false sense of despair. Examine the situation to determine where your conscious outlook or emotional response does not conform with the goals of the Work.
B. Ego/Self Repose is obstructed by inappropriate belief.
Line 3
Legge: The third line, magnetic, shows one looking up for favors, while she indulges the feeling of pleasure and satisfaction. If she would understand! If she be late in doing so, there will indeed be occasion for repentance.
Wilhelm/Baynes:Enthusiasm that looks upward creates remorse.
Shaughnessy: A bowl's excess; regret; being slow there is regret.
Cleary (1): Looking up to joy, if repentance is tardy, there will be regret.
Cleary (2): Looking up in joy, repent. If too late, there is regret.
Wu: Gazing at merriment will bring regret. Loitering about will bring regret.
COMMENTARY
Confucius/Legge: This is intimated by the position not being the appropriate one. Wilhelm/Baynes: The place is not the appropriate one. Blofeld: This is indicated by the line's unsuitable position. Ritsema/ Karcher: Situation not appropriate indeed. Cleary (2): Wu: Because his position is improper.
Legge: Line three is magnetic in a dynamic place. She looks upward and depends upon the ruling line above while she does nothing herself but indulge in pleasure. Unless she changes her attitude, the auspice is bad.
NOTES AND PARAPHRASES
Siu: The man looks upward for favors and continues his dependency upon others. He indulges in visions of pleasure and affluence. Unless he changes immediately, he will be sorry.
Wing: You have waited complacently for a cue from someone else to motivate you. Whatever the reasons for your hesitation, whether it is idle pleasure in the present or simply inertia, you are losing your independence and self-reliance. You can still save yourself. Move.
Editor: This line is magnetic when the times call for dynamic action, giving us an image of indolent dependency. Without doing anything, she wants to "have her cake and eat it too.” Sometimes one receives this line when in a state of despair: feeling as if abandoned to one's fate by an incomprehensible cosmos. The idea is that fate isn't going to make the transition for you: you must do it yourself.
To those who are self-conceited and vain of their imaginary knowledge of exterior things, having no real wisdom, nothing can be shown, because the perverted action of their own minds opposes the harmonious action of the Universal Mind and repulses it. The spheres of their souls become narrow and contracted, and cannot expand towards the whole. They rest self-satisfied, buried in the shadow of their own ignorance, and are inaccessible to the light of Nature. Paracelsus -- Philosophia Sagax
A. Stop indulging yourself and do what you know to be correct in the matter at hand.
B. Your confidence is misplaced.
C. The image suggests weakness and dependency.
Line 5
Legge: The fifth line, magnetic, shows one with a chronic complaint, but who lives on without dying.
Wilhelm/Baynes: Persistently ill, and still does not die.
Blofeld: Illness is presaged, but it will not last long or cause death.
Liu: Long illness, but still living.
Ritsema/Karcher: Trial: affliction. Persevering, not dying.
Shaughnessy: Determination is illness; if constant you will not die.
Cleary (1): There is a persistent illness, but one never dies.
Cleary (2): Chaste in illness, one never dies.
Wu: It is like having a persistent illness, but not fatal.
COMMENTARY
Confucius/Legge: She is mounted on a dynamic line in the central position, and her memories of the past have not yet perished. Wilhelm/Baynes: It rests upon a hard line. That it nevertheless does not die is due to the fact that the middle has not yet been passed. Blofeld: Illness is indicated because this yielding line comes immediately above a firm one. Recovery rather than death is to be expected because this line is, nevertheless, central to the upper trigram. Ritsema/Karcher: Trial: affliction. Riding a solid indeed. Persevering, not dying. Center not-yet extinguished indeed. Cleary (2): Being chaste in illness means riding on firmness. Never dying means not losing balance. Wu: Because its position remains central.
Legge: Line five is magnetic in the place of a dynamic ruler, and in danger of being carried away by the lust of enthusiasm. Her proximity to the powerful influence below is a source of danger. Hence she is represented as suffering from a chronic complaint.
NOTES AND PARAPHRASES
Siu: The man is continually complaining. Yet the very struggling against the daily troubles constitutes his immediate incentive for living.
Wing: Total harmony is obstructed and impossible. Yet the very awareness of this will keep you from sinking again into chaos and eventual defeat.
Wilhelm/Baynes: Here enthusiasm is obstructed. A man is under constant pressure, which prevents him from breathing freely. However, this pressure has its advantage – it prevents him from consuming his powers in empty enthusiasm. Thus constant pressure can actually serve to keep one alive.
Anthony: The situation is difficult and uncomfortable. We are still under the influence of striving to achieve results or hedging to prevent them. However, our discomfort is useful in causing us to seek out these attitudes which block our progress.
Editor: At its most neutral, the image suggests a chronic condition currently not amenable to being cured. Sometimes this feels like ironic irritation: the oracle seems to be asking: "When are you ever going to learn?” The ego is clinging to outmoded ways (the "memories" mentioned in Legge's Confucian commentary), and is yet unable to fully comprehend the demands of the Work. If this is the only changing line, the hexagram becomes #45, Gathering Together, with a corresponding line hinting that the source of our illness may be less-than-pristine dedication. Cleary (2): “Gathering around the position, there is no blame. If those who are not loyal remain ever-faithful to their original commitment, regret vanishes.”
Better is one’s own dharma, though imperfectly performed, than the dharma of another well performed. Bhagavad Gita
A. A chronic problem remains unresolved.
B. Nobody’s perfect: do the best you can with what you have.
C. Old illusions obstruct your growth.
Line 6
Legge: The sixth line, magnetic, shows its subject with darkened mind devoted to the pleasure and satisfaction of the time. But if she changes her course even when it may be considered as completed, there will be no error.
Wilhelm/Baynes: Deluded enthusiasm. But if after completion one changes, there is no blame.
Blofeld: Madcap repose. Fortunately a change takes place, so no blame is involved. [Madcap repose implies being tardy to the point of extreme rashness in the face of approaching danger or of a need to act.]
Liu: Deluded happiness. Change after completion. No blame.
Ritsema/Karcher: Dim Providing-for. Accomplishment: possessing denial. Without fault.
Shaughnessy: Dark excess; if complete perhaps you will be informed; there is no trouble.
Cleary (1): Oblivious in joy. What comes about has change; there is no blame.
Cleary (2): … What has come about changes, etc.
Wu: Merriment is obscured. There may be success, but changes are pending. There will be no error.
COMMENTARY
Confucius/Legge: How can one in such a condition continue for long? Wilhelm/Baynes: Deluded enthusiasm in a high place: how could this last? Blofeld: Since this is a top line, the state of madcap repose cannot possibly last long. Ritsema/Karcher: Dim Providing-for located above. Wherefore permitting long-living indeed? Cleary (2): Oblivion in joy is at the top. What can last? Wu: How can the situation continue for long?
Legge: The magnetic sixth line at the end of the hexagram is all but lost.
The action of the figure is over, and if she postpones changing her evil ways any longer, there is no hope remaining for her. However, there is still a chance of safety if she will but change.
NOTES AND PARAPHRASES
Siu: The man is distracted by pleasure and satisfaction. If he changes after the events of the day have run their course, however, the sober awakening will prevent future errors.
Wing: The person in this position is lost in the memory of a compelling and harmonious experience. The time is past, and what is left is empty egotism. Fortunately, reform is possible. There is an opportunity to move on to a situation of new growth.
Editor: This line has a similar auspice as that of its (improper) correlate in line three. Wilhelm's commentary states: "A sober awakening from false enthusiasm is quite possible and very favorable." Note that “no blame” is mentioned, suggesting that you are more ignorant than culpable in the situation at hand.
While he is in a state of bondage, that is while lusts and falsities rule, the man who is subjected by them supposes that he is in a state of freedom; but it is a gross falsity, for at the very time he is carried along by the delight of his lusts and of the pleasures derived from them, that is, by the delight of his loves; and because it is by a delight it appears to him as free. Everyone thinks himself free while he is being led by some love -- so long as he follows whithersoever it leads. Swedenborg -- Arcana Coelestia
A. Conquer your illusions and change your ways.
B. Illusions are shattered when pursued to their logical conclusions.
Autres titres : Communion avec les Hommes, Le Symbole de la Compagnie, Amoureux, Amis Bien-aimés, Personnes de même esprit, Personnes Concordantes, Rassemblement d'Hommes, Similitude avec les Gens, Fraternité Universelle, Communion, Communauté, Unis, Association Humaine, Union des Hommes, Intégration des Forces, Synthèse Mineure, Cliques, Concordance, Être en Accord Avec, Confirmation
Jugement
Legge : Union des Forces apparaît dans les régions éloignées du pays, indiquant progrès et succès. Il sera avantageux de traverser le grand fleuve. Il sera avantageux de maintenir la fermeté correcte de l'homme supérieur.
Wilhelm/Baynes :Communion avec les Hommes en plein air. Succès. Il est favorable de traverser la grande eau. La persévérance de l'homme supérieur est bénéfique.
Blofeld :Amoureux (amis) en plein air -- succès ! Il est avantageux de traverser le grand fleuve (ou la mer). [Pour entreprendre tout type de voyage.] L'Homme Supérieur bénéficiera s'il ne relâche pas sa persistance juste.
Liu : Communion des hommes en plein air (campagne). Succès. Il est bénéfique de traverser la grande eau. Il est bénéfique pour l'homme supérieur de continuer sa tâche.
Ritsema/Karcher : Personnes Concordantes, tendant vers la campagne. Croissance. Récolte : traverser le Grand Fleuve. Récolte : chun tzu, Épreuve. [Ce hexagramme décrit votre situation en termes de partage d'un objectif avec d'autres. Il souligne que trouver des moyens de coopérer et d'harmoniser les efforts des gens est la manière adéquate de le gérer...]
Shaughnessy : Rassemblement d'hommes dans les contrées sauvages ; réception ; bénéfique de traverser le grand fleuve ; bénéfique pour le gentleman de déterminer.
Cleary (1) :Similitude avec les gens dans la nature est développementale. Il est bénéfique de traverser de grands fleuves. Il est bénéfique pour une personne supérieure d'être droite.
Cleary (1) : … Bénéfique pour un leader d'être correct.
Wu : Communion en plein air est omniprésente, etc. … Il sera avantageux pour le jun zi qui persévère.
L'Image
Legge : Les images du ciel et du feu forment Union des Forces. L'homme supérieur, conformément à cela, distingue les choses selon leurs genres et classes.
Wilhelm/Baynes : Le ciel avec le feu : l'image de Communion avec les Hommes. Ainsi l'homme supérieur organise les clans et fait des distinctions entre les choses.
Blofeld : Ce hexagramme symbolise le ciel (le soleil) et le feu représentant une paire d'amoureux. L'Homme Supérieur traite tout de manière appropriée à son genre. [une analogie (basée sur les trigrammes composants) entre le soleil et le feu, qui dans une certaine mesure sont de même nature.]
Liu : Le feu monte au ciel, symbolisant Communion avec les Hommes. L'homme supérieur organise son groupe de parenté (parti), et les trie.
Ritsema/Karcher : Le ciel s'associant avec le feu. Personnes Concordantes. Un chun tzu utilise le tri des clans pour marquer les êtres.
Cleary (1) : Le ciel avec le feu, similitude avec les autres ; les personnes supérieures distinguent les choses en termes de catégories et de groupes.
Cleary (2) : … Les leaders distinguent les êtres en termes de classes et de familles.
Wu : Le ciel au-dessus et le feu en dessous forment Communion. Le jun zi distingue les choses par leurs genres.
COMMENTAIRE
Confucius/Legge : Dans Union des Forces la ligne magnétique a la place centrale d'influence et répond à sa ligne corrélative dans le trigramme supérieur de la Force. Le hexagramme tire son nom du trigramme supérieur de la Force prêtant son pouvoir au trigramme inférieur de Clarté et d'Intelligence. Cela représente le cours correct de l'homme supérieur. Seul l'homme supérieur peut comprendre et affecter les esprits de tous sous le ciel.
Legge : Union des Forces décrit une condition qui est l'opposé du hexagramme précédent de Divorce. Ce qui était là détresse et obstruction est ici une union de forces. Mais elle doit être entièrement basée sur le bien de l'ensemble, sans aucune teinte d'égoïsme.
La ligne dynamique correctement à la cinquième place occupe la position la plus importante, et a pour corrélative la ligne magnétique seconde, également à sa place correcte. La seule ligne féminine est naturellement recherchée par toutes les lignes masculines. Les éditeurs de l'édition K'ang-hsi feraient répondre la seconde ligne à toutes les lignes du trigramme supérieur, comme étant plus conforme à l'idée d'union.
Le trigramme supérieur est celui du Ciel, l'inférieur est du Feu, dont la tendance est de monter vers le haut. Cette image suggère le feu montant, flamboyant vers le ciel et s'unissant à lui. Toutes ces idées sont en harmonie avec la notion d'union, mais elle doit être exempte de tout factionnalisme, et cela est indiqué par sa présence dans les régions éloignées du pays, où les gens sont simples et libres des effets corrupteurs des intrigues urbaines. Bien qu'une union de tels motifs puisse faire face aux plus grandes difficultés, un mot de prudence est ajouté.
NOTES ET PARAPHRASES
Jugement : Des connexions sont en train de se faire. Si vous êtes capable de maintenir votre volonté, il est conseillé de pousser pour une synthèse.
L'Homme Supérieur différencie et priorise ; il trie et évalue ses options.
C'est une autre image de l'union -- pas l'union suprême du hexagramme numéro onze, Harmonie, mais une union subordonnée de forces au sein de la psyché qui construit vers une éventuelle grande alliance. Les trigrammes composants montrent l'union de la Force et de la Clarté, suggérant qu'un certain niveau de compréhension mentale est impliqué. Recevoir le hexagramme sans lignes changeantes est souvent une confirmation de votre pensée particulière -- disant, en effet : "Vous avez fait la connexion."
La compréhension (synthèse) implique de faire des distinctions (analyse) -- un processus paradoxal dans lequel on doit diviser avant de pouvoir (ré)unir. (C'est le solve et coagula de l'alchimie.) Ainsi, nous voyons l'homme supérieur dans l'Image créer des catégories pour aboutir à l'union -- c'est la discrimination dirigée vers la reclassification ou la rectification. Par exemple, un mélange hétérogène de graines de légumes et de fleurs devient significatif lorsqu'on les trie en leurs catégories séparées. Les éléments disparates deviennent alors "unis" de manière cohérente -- en termes de I Ching, chaque ligne obtient son corrélatif approprié comme dans le Hexagramme numéro 63.
(Dialectique) alterne entre synthèse et analyse jusqu'à ce qu'elle ait parcouru tout le domaine de l'intelligible et soit arrivée au principe. S'arrêtant là, car c'est seulement là qu'elle peut s'arrêter, ne s'occupant plus d'une multitude d'objets puisqu'elle est arrivée à l'unité, elle contemple. Plotin -- Les Ennéades
Le nom chinois de ce hexagramme inclut le mot Jen, qui est apparemment un concept difficile, car de nombreux philosophes ont dépensé beaucoup d'énergie à essayer de le définir :
Jen a été traduit de diverses manières comme bienveillance, vertu parfaite, bonté, humanité, amour, altruisme, etc. Aucun de ces termes n'exprime toutes les significations du terme. Il signifie une vertu particulière, la bienveillance, et aussi la vertu générale, la base de toute bonté. ...Les néo-confucianistes l'ont interprété comme l'impartialité, le caractère de la production et de la reproduction, la conscience, les graines qui génèrent, la volonté de croître, celui qui forme un corps avec le Ciel et la Terre, ou "le caractère de l'amour et le principe de l'esprit." À l'époque moderne, il a même été assimilé à l'éther et à l'électricité... Wing-Tsit Chan -- A Source Book in Chinese Philosophy
Chu Hsi définit Jen comme le "caractère de l'esprit" (psyché) et "le principe de l'amour" (union). Interprété de cette manière, nous sommes en mesure d'appréhender l'essence du mot "amour," qui est l'union -- devenir un avec son objet. J'ai choisi le titre de Union des Forces pour souligner les dynamiques intra-psychiques qui ne sont pas immédiatement évidentes dans le titre de Wilhelm de Communion avec les Hommes. Par exemple, en traitant des questions relatives au Travail, le concept d'"états du moi" ou de "sous-personnalités" est souvent pertinent pour le symbolisme de ce hexagramme :
Le moi humain a été décrit ici comme composé de différents états du moi séparés par des frontières. Il a été comparé à la structure des principautés politiques. D'après l'observation clinique, nous constatons que les états du moi peuvent coopérer pour le bien-être mutuel, comme des nations alliées contre un ennemi commun. Un état du moi peut se diviser, comme l'Allemagne de l'Est et de l'Ouest, ou se fracturer en de nombreux segments, comme l'Empire austro-hongrois. Les états du moi peuvent devenir cognitivement dissonants et hostiles les uns envers les autres, comme la Syrie et Israël. En fait, le comportement des états du moi au sein d'un individu n'est pas différent de celui entre individus, et entre ces groupes d'individus appelés pays. Pourquoi le comportement de la "matière" humaine ne serait-il pas substantiellement similaire à tous les niveaux de ses organisations ? ...Les preuves de la division du moi en états du moi sont significatives, et une hypothèse tout aussi tenable pourrait être que les états et les frontières des entités politiques ont été imposés par les hommes les uns aux autres parce qu'ils représentent une externalisation des divisions internes dans leurs propres moi. J.G. Watkins -- The Therapeutic Self
Le "côté obscur" de ce hexagramme révèle des circonstances empêchant l'union d'entités ou de forces, plus que celles favorisant une affiliation fructueuse. Notez que seules les première et cinquième lignes de la figure décrivent une synthèse positive ; la première est mineure, et dans le cas de la ligne 5, l'union est atteinte seulement après beaucoup de lutte. La ligne 2 révèle une situation de clique ou de faction opposée au bien-être général, et les lignes 3 et 4 sont des images de forces récalcitrantes incapables de rejoindre ou d'attaquer l'alliance. La sixième ligne dépeint une union partielle (probablement le résultat le plus courant dans l'expérience générale), que le commentaire confucéen minimise néanmoins. Sur six lignes, seules deux décrivent quelque chose comme une communion complète. J'ai reçu ce hexagramme sans lignes changeantes lorsque le contexte de la question révélait une situation de type "incestueuse," de clique, donc toute "communion" ou Union des Forces n'est pas nécessairement une configuration idéale.