Gradual Development

Hexagram fifty three reminds us that Rome wasn't built in a day. To accomplish anything of value takes time and effort. Line three however, shows a little bit different twist. The third line is normally in the place of transition, so it is in a difficult situation. Each line wants to move upward into a higher position, and the third line wants to reach into the upper trigram. That is why it is in a difficult position. Line three in hexagram fifty three is a yang line in a yang place and therefore has strength. Nevertheless, the line says, "The woman carries a child but does not bring it forth."

Any creative effort is like a child that we bring forth. Any attempt to accomplish something that requires time and effort is a child that we "bring forth." Here a strong line in a strong place cannot accomplish the task however. Why? Because robbers have come and taken our possession.

All too often we tend to look at the literal meaning only, and not look beyond that. It takes creative effort and meditation to pick up a lines symbolic meaning. Robbers can be mental attitudes that block our effectiveness. Robbers can be that part of our own inner psyche that discourages us, or can find any little reason not to practice on a daily basis. It reminds us of all the little things that need to be done, and gets us carried away doing menial tasks that are not important, and we never get around to practicing the things that we need to practice in order to accomplish something in life. Robbers can rob us of our energy, of our stamina, and of our time. The reason the third line does not accomplish is because it allows robbers to steal its efforts, its time, and all that has meaning. We must put all our effort into accomplishing something of value. Then, as hexagram eighteen line six says, "He does not serve kings and princes, sets himself higher goals.

Gene