David Given Schwarm

家人
Hexagram 37: CHIA JÊN

THE FAMILY (THE CLAN)

A healthy family, a healthy country,
a healthy world—all grow outward
from a single superior person.

The hexagram Chia Jên concerns the proper foundation of human communities. The I Ching teaches that all clans must have a superior person at their center if they are to prosper and succeed. Therefore, in order to improve our family, company, nation, or world community, we must begin by improving ourselves.

If you will observe healthy families you will always see present in them three qualities: love, faithfulness, and correctness. When we truly love others, we are naturally kind, gentle, and patient with them. When we are faithful to others, we place proper principles and conduct above temporary influences like anger, desire, or greed. And when we practice correctness, we spiritually nourish ourselves and all those around us. When all three qualities are cultivated, a healthy clan springs naturally into being.

The difference between paying lip service to these ideals and practicing them is profound. If you advocate high ideals and actions to others but do not embody them yourself, your influence will disintegrate for lack of proper foundation. Therefore, in order to inspire superior qualities in others, you must first instill them in yourself.

Concentrate not upon influencing others or external events but upon strengthening your inner devotion to proper principles. When modesty, acceptance, equanimity, and gentleness become deeply ingrained in your character, they will flow steadily outward from you. Soon you will find yourself enmeshed in a web of healthy relationships, and in this there is great good fortune.

FIRST LINE

There must be firmness if relationships are to succeed. If we give in to the demands and tantrums of the ego, there is misfortune. We prosper when we meet others halfway—no more and no less.

SECOND LINE

Do not seek to influence through force or aggressive actions. Instead, penetrate gently by holding correct thoughts.

THIRD LINE

Harshness leads you to misfortune, and so does spinelessness. Only by being gentle without and strong within will you succeed.

FOURTH LINE

Well-being is a by-product of inner balance, acceptance, and conscientious conduct. Concentrate on cultivating these now.

FIFTH LINE

If one’s character is good, then one’s influence will be felt. By disengaging from inferiors we increase our power.

SIXTH LINE

If you are resolutely correct in thought as well as action, there will be good fortune. The power of inner truth and goodness draws others and the Creative to our side.

Further guidance from the
Wei Wu Wei Ching

Don’t try
to escape from
the movements of the world.
Remain in the midst of everything,
focused into the empty space
at the center of
your self.

Pouring your
whole being there without pause,
alert, quietly smiling, you detach from
clamor and chaos and become
independent and free.
From here you can
teach yourself
everything.