David Given Schwarm

晉
Hexagram 35: CHIN

PROGRESS

You progress like the rising sun.
The brighter your virtue, the higher you rise.

This hexagram announces a time of significant and easy progress. Your influence and understanding grow by leaps and bounds as long as you maintain your alliance with the Sage, for it is from that alliance that the current progress springs. The only limit to growth now is your devotion to higher things: if this is true and complete and steady, there will be great gains now.

The image of the hexagram is that of the sun rising over the earth. To our view, the further it moves away from darkness, the higher the sun rises. The same is true of us: the extent to which we progress is determined by how far we distance ourselves from inferior influences.

It is important, when success comes, not to fall into the traps of the ego: taking credit for gains, resting on laurels, indulging in desires, or plotting towards ambitions. The superior person instead uses times of progress to brighten his virtue, recognizing that it was his commitment to proper principles that brought success in the first place.

Continue to purify your thought, attitudes, and conduct now. The greatest power in this beneficial time accrues to those who serve the Higher Power in every moment.

FIRST LINE

In spite of correct behavior, you are not confident of progress. Simply continue to quietly do what is right. In this way success is assured.

SECOND LINE

Progress may be halted because another fails to help. Persevere in humility and correctness. A union grounded in proper principles bears fruit in time.

THIRD LINE

Do not bemoan your own weaknesses. Simply stay on the path as steadily as you can, and like-minded others will assist you.

FOURTH LINE

In times of great progress there is danger of expanding the ego. Do not amass luxuries or wield power self-righteously. Misfortune comes to those who abandon humility and correct conduct in good times.

FIFTH LINE

Do not concern yourself with each little gain or loss. The greatest influence comes not through aggressive action but through remaining detached and devoted to the good in all things.

SIXTH LINE

Harshness against others brings not progress but misfortune. Aggressiveness is permissible only in eliminating one’s own inferior tendencies.