Hexagram 2 - The Receptive - K’UN

In facing difficulties and challenges, the best advice is to be like the earth and bear with everything that comes your way. It means accepting and nourishing all that comes into your life, no matter how challenging. The world is a powerful example of handling difficult situations with grace and composure. 

Summary

The title of this hexagram is "The Receptive", and it represents the passive, receptive power of the Yin principle in its original state before the Yang principle has modified it. The Judgment for this hexagram is: "The Receptive brings about sublime success, Furthering through the perseverance of a mare."

Interpretation

The hexagram represents the essence of material and earth and the nurturing principle. It symbolises the female aspect of nature and is characterised by receptivity, absorbency, resilience, and darkness. This contrasts the hexagram of Ch'ien, the Creative, which represents the masculine aspect of nature and is characterised by radiance, outpouring, and light. When these two principles come together, they give birth to and nurture life.

This hexagram also represents the idea of following guidance and being receptive to the Higher Power. It is a reminder to focus on cultivating humility, receptivity, and patience and to let go of concerns about others or worldly ambitions. It is a time for solitude and introspection, to focus on purifying the heart and mind, and to ensure that a sincere pursuit of the good guides one's actions.

In this hexagram, the key to success is adaptability, flexibility, and the ability to receive and nurture. It symbolises the feminine aspect of life, the earth, and the ability to accept and grow. It serves as a reminder to focus on one's capacities to nourish, support, and accept without seeking recognition. It is also a time to listen rather than talk, assist rather than initiate, and follow Sage's guidance.

Sage Advice

Focus on humility and receptivity. This hexagram represents the idea of the young shoot and the need for flexibility and openness to grow and flourish. The I Ching advises being humble and receptive to new ideas and perspectives and avoiding stubbornness and rigidity to progress and adapt to new situations. The key takeaway from the Judgment is to be modest and receptive and to avoid being too arrogant or pushy.

Line 1

The crunch of hoarfrost beneath our feet reminds us of our tendency to doubt the path that life is taking us on. When we question the natural flow of events, we often try to steer them in a direction that suits our desires. But this resistance only leads to frustration and stagnation. Instead, we must embrace humility and trust in the unknown. Hoarfrost also symbolises our reliance on traditional defences such as fear, doubt, and anger to protect ourselves. These defences stem from a lack of faith that following the true and the good will ultimately bring harmony and justice. We must actively work to rid ourselves of these negative influences, as they only serve to hold us back. Through contemplation, we realise that those who seek only to promote their comfort and self-interest can cause others to mistrust us. But by selflessly following the good, our inner doubts and fears will gradually melt away, allowing us to impact those around us positively. To achieve this, we must closely monitor and control our thoughts. The earlier we return to quiet reliance on moral principles, the better.

Line 2

Every situation presents us with the raw materials we need to shape our ideas and bring them to fruition. By remaining open and unencumbered by preconceptions, we can perceive the appropriate responses to any given circumstance. It allows us to act in a straightforward and significant way - staying within the boundaries of justice and moderation and avoiding excess or self-aggrandisement. Our actions should always be in harmony with the natural order of things. By remaining innocent and modest, we avoid overstepping our bounds and becoming too invested in our desires. Instead, we can trust in the beneficial action of the Creative to complete what we initiate. The key is to do less, not more. By allowing others the space to perceive and react to the truth, we can make solid progress in solving our problems and improving our relationships.

Line 3

Highlights the importance of humility and sincerity in our actions and words. It is crucial to let go of the desire for recognition and focus on the essentials of what we say or do. We should strive to serve others to the best of our ability without worrying about how it reflects on us. In doing so, we also must be mindful of not losing our reticence, which is an essential ingredient of receptivity and modesty. When we get caught up in the egotistical enthusiasm of having an influence, we risk isolating ourselves and undermining our influence. We must be content to achieve our work from a background position and allow others to discover the truth for themselves. Even if an eclipse develops in our influence on others, we should accept it as part of the learning or teaching process and trust others to learn from their mistakes. Ultimately, the key is to let go of our vanity and hold steadfast to the inner truth.

Line 4

Caution is necessary. Treading carefully is crucial. A misstep can trigger the dark forces and lead to dire consequences. Our previous actions may have contributed to this, or we may have been misunderstood. Being caught in this situation is like being trapped in a tied-up sack. The false dragon, driven by fear and irrationality, is at play. A confrontation will only incite hatred and retaliation. Instead, we must maintain a neutral stance, avoiding any appearance of surrender. We can navigate this treacherous path with the least harm by remaining reserved.

Line 5

Speaks of the virtue of humility and the power of gentle persuasion. Wearing a yellow garment symbolises discretion and reliability, representing the idea that we should only engage with those who are receptive to us and withdraw when they are not. This can lead to misunderstandings, but true devotion to the good means not being concerned with others' reactions. Through steadfastness and "gentle penetration," our actions will ultimately earn respect, even if it is grudging at first. The key is to focus on doing the work of the Sage rather than seeking to have an influence.

Line 6

The dragons of our mind may clash in the meadow of our thoughts, causing a fierce and bloody battle. The black and yellow blood symbolises the duality of darkness and light within us. It is crucial to acknowledge and listen to our inner fears and doubts but not to let them consume us. When we give in to these negative emotions, we weaken our willpower and lose sight of receptivity and acceptance. However, when we detach from the unknown and strive to take action, we set ourselves on a dangerous and self-destructive path. We must practice humility and restraint in our thoughts and actions to avoid this.