4

Inexperience

‘As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being.’

C. G. Jung

Because you lack experience of the issues involved, you feel confused. You don’t know what to do for the best. You need to ask for help. But advice is only useful if you are prepared to listen. This means putting aside any preconceived ideas of your own. There is no shame in not knowing all the answers. Keep an open mind. If you genuinely want to learn, you will get the information you need. INEXPERIENCE can also indicate that there is no point in asking this question. It may be that you already know the answer perfectly well and there is nothing more to be said. Alternatively, as often happens, you have already consulted the I Ching on this point. The answer you received was not the one you wanted. And so you keep on asking in the hope of being given something more to your liking. This is no more acceptable to the I Ching than it would be to a person you kept on pestering with the same question.

An opportunity for personal growth

Be prepared to learn something new and perhaps unexpected. Ideas you cherish may now be turned upside-down. If you are unprejudiced, a new area of understanding can open up to you. When asking for help, you do not have to prove to whoever you are consulting how clever you are. You are there to learn. Nobody will be willing to carry on teaching a person who thinks that they know it all anyway. A far more intelligent approach is to assume that you know nothing. Then you cannot help but learn. Depending on the situation, it may be that you are the one who has been approached for help. If you sense that what you have to say is falling on deaf ears, do not feel obliged to continue. It is of no benefit to you to waste your time in this way.

Further aspects of the situation

SIX AT THE BEGINNING

If you seriously want change for the better, be prepared both to learn and to put those lessons into practice. Otherwise you will just skate across the surface of things and achieve nothing substantial. Exercise self-discipline but not to such an extent that it stops you from enjoying life.

NINE IN THE SECOND PLACE

If someone has made a mistake, do not be judgmental. Put yourself in their place and show some compassion. Remember how difficult it can be to do the right thing. Be patient and tolerant.

SIX IN THE THIRD PLACE

Do not be over-ambitious. Keep calm and be patient. Listen and learn. Proceed one step at a time. Do not compromise your self-respect in an effort to get too much too soon.

SIX IN THE FOURTH PLACE

Be realistic. If you are too proud and stubborn to listen, the result will be humiliation.

SIX IN THE FIFTH PLACE

Because you are open-minded and genuinely willing to learn, you will succeed in achieving your aim.

NINE AT THE TOP

Someone who constantly refuses to learn may need to be punished for their mistakes. This is the last resort. If you are the one who has to exert discipline, be objective and remain emotionally uninvolved. Go only so far as is necessary.