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15 Modesty
Levelling, Even-Out

In a context of self-restraint we utilise trust.

"CH'IEN : think and speak of yourself in a modest way; respectful, unassuming, retiring, unobtrusive; yielding, compliant, reverent, lowly. The ideogram: words and unite, keeping words close to the underlaying facts."ERANOS p223

Image :

"[With self-restraint comes trust] : Modesty. In the centre of the earth, a mountain : Modesty. One reduces the many to augment the few, and assesses things for an even distribution."

Class: Integrating

Commentary :

Cooperative Format : In hexagram 15 we are at a moment where the use of 'acceptable' appearance is required despite our inner desires. This is a time for avoiding excess by keeping things 'grounded'; words to facts. This functions within the context of worth and beauty. (words + facts = value. words or facts alone are 'valueless'; they only serve as 'meaningless' ideals). By maintaining this relationship (a 'level' head) it acts as a gateway into the future. Hexagram 15 is the specific form of hexagram 25

(All four hexagrams (10,15,19,33) cover the concept of deference and advancement which correlates with the overall concept of development found in their base trigrams)

Oppositional Format : Hexagram 15 reflects the total erradiction of difference; the insistance of sameness and so 'perfect order' where the 'perfection' is what is highlighted.

Structural Relationship (Being) : Hexagram 15 is the opposite of hexagram 10, in that 15 reflects modesty as compared to conduct; levelling all as compared to levelling some/one; humbling as compared to reservidly 'pushing it'.

Temporal Relationship (Doing) : The goal of 15 - hexagram 19 (or 'how do I 19? - 15' - How do I get the high to defer, the low to approach? - focus on levelling all, on applying 'total' modesty - no highs, no lows, use one to 'fill in' the other)

Five-Phase Relationships : The trigram of Mountain reflects Filtration (through personal discernment). The trigram of Earth reflects Filtration (but through given rules, faith). The relationship is expressed in the concept of levelling-out.

15 is the goal of 36 (or 'how do I 15? - 36' - How do I level all? Uncompromisingly hide/put-out any 'light')

Extended Commentary

Referring to the Quality Matrix below, the general raw context from which hexagram 15 emerges is best described by analogy with the general nature of hexagram 52. As we step 'in' to the hexagram the base line is described by analogy to the general nature of 22 Fascading (Grace). This under-exaggerated meaning of hexagram 25, of covering something up, is tied to the bottom line of hexagram 15. The development of the qualitative expression of 15 passes up through the lines such that at line 5 the best analogy is to the expression of hexagram 53 Maturing where the process of maturity, of 'gradual development', rounds all edges before we reach the peak of the hexagram expressed in line 6 as the 'refined' expression of hexagram 15.

Pair 10/15

Root Vertical Binary

Quality Matrix

Root Horizontal Binary

Balance Matrix

10 06 25 12 01 44 13 33

58 47 17 45 43 28 49 31

09 05 26 11 01 43 14 34

09 05 26 11 01 43 14 34

61 59 42 20 09 57 37 53

60 29 03 08 05 48 63 39

61 60 41 19 10 58 38 54

61 60 41 19 10 58 38 54

38 64 21 35 14 50 30 56

54 40 51 16 34 32 55 62

37 63 22 36 13 49 30 55

37 63 22 36 13 49 30 55

41 04 27 23 26 18 22 52

19 07 24 02 11 46 36 15

42 03 27 24 25 17 23 51

42 03 27 24 25 17 23 51

58 47 17 45 43 28 49 31

10 06 25 12 01 44 13 33

57 48 18 46 44 28 59 32

32 59 28 44 46 18 48 57

60 29 03 08 05 48 63 39

61 59 42 20 09 57 37 53

59 29 04 07 06 47 64 40

40 64 47 06 07 04 29 59

54 40 51 16 34 32 55 62

38 64 21 35 14 50 30 56

53 39 52 15 33 31 56 62

62 56 31 33 15 52 39 53

19 07 24 02 11 46 36 15

41 04 27 23 26 18 22 52

20 08 23 02 12 45 35 16

16 35 45 12 02 23 08 20

Overall, the worst 15 can do is express itself with a quality analogous to under-exaggeration of hexagram 52 (blocking/discernment). At best it expresses itself with qualities analogous to those expressed by over-exaggeration of the qualities of hexagram 58.

The Traditional Single Changing Line Comments:
Line 1
"If one enters the flow of something in a modest manner success can come just as easily."
Line 2
"Following the middle path in a modest manner and without pretense influences many."
Line 3
"Distinguishing oneself and yet remaining modest attracts the respect and support of others rather than their envy. This enables one to complete many things."
Line 4
"A point of transition where things start to become profitable. To be seen as modest is advantageous."
Line 5
"When danger threatens, in any form, one must ensure that one's surroundings, including the people, are secure. This is done in a quiet way, becoming excessive serves no purpose but to show weakness."
Line 6
"The ultimate in modest behaviour is the willingness to forcefully discipline oneself and one's own."

Transformative methods

By introducing this hexagram as context, you can change a state described by any other hexagram into a state described by hexagram 52. To make a state associated with another hexagram transform into this state, introduce hexagram 52 as context.

It is important to remember that, when using transformative methods, the more lines requiring change, the more energy required when attempting to introduce a different context. It may therefore be of benefit to work on existing changing lines and achieve your goal in steps rather than attempt, for example, a six-line change all at once.

Context as Push

To 'go with the flow', any hexagram that is changing into hexagram 23 reflects an influence of 15 on that hexagram in that the 'flow' is in hexagram 15 and as such this reflects the need to adapt to that flow and so take-on the properties and methods of 15.

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