Estrangement or Opposition

We talked about how in "Star Wars" and "The Matrix" the lead players did not initially recognize their own dark side. Dark side is sometimes a misnomer, it is simply the other side, although the term fits well in the aforementioned movies. In the same way, we are all "estranged," or in "opposition" to our other side. And by being "estranged" to our other side, we are not at peace with ourselves. There was an old Star Trek show too, that captured this theme where two equal but opposites, in eternal anger went into a space time continuum where they would fight each other continually, til the end of time, neither one ever gaining an advantage over the other. We too, do this with ourselves. So in hexagram thirty eight we see in the final line where we see our "inner being" as a "pig covered with dirt." We of course do not realize consciously that this is what is going on but on a deeper level it is. Our conscious and our subconscious want two different things and fight with each other and the result is a life that is out of balance and creates mayhem in our lives, and events and situation that we do not want. We do this because we are at war with ourselves, and we do not realize our true nature, that of being "one" with the universe.

In line three we see that it is in our nature often to think that "everything is conspiring against us." We see ourselves "checked and hindered in our progress." It always seems like something outside ourselves is creating a problem for us, and we rail and fight against circumstances, and try all the harder to "control" our environment, including the people around us. But the commentary goes on to say, "however, he must not let himself be misled: despite this opposition, he must cleave to the man with whom he knows he belongs." In other words, instead of fighting against circumstances, and other people, which is really a fight with ourselves, we must cling to that deeper part of us that knows that every curse is a blessing in disguise. When we cling to the man (I Ching, Tao, deeper self, heavenly Father, whatever you want to call it) with whom we know we belong, our isolation, our tension, our anger, and our bitterness melts away. Then the commentary says, "Thus, notwithstanding the beginning, the matter will end well."

First of all, we must forgive ourselves, then we must forgive others, (hexagram forty) and ultimately, we must forgive God, for that is against whom all accusations are ultimately directed whether we consciously know it or not, and all great spiritual teachings inform us that we must give up our weapons against God. Not some God up in the sky, but the unity that is all of us. The text of line six says, "First one draws the bow against him, Then one lays the bow aside." We must give up our struggle, as the old saying goes, "Let go and let God..." In this way we "bite through the wrappings" that are causing separation (line five). The commentary says, "When such a companion thus reveals himself in his true character, it is one's duty to go to meet him and to work with him. We must find wholeness within our lives. We must give up our struggle, it is the only way. We must learn to trust, which is the way of the inner self, we must give up control, which is the way of the ego. Let go. Find your inner self.