Ming Yi means hiding one's brilliance to deflect unwanted hardship.
What is this about?
This Gua describes what transpired during the reign of the tyrant King Shang. Then, honourable and wise people serving the king lived in darkness, a time of oppression and danger.
Data
36.0 利艱貞
Wounded brightness. Persevere in adversity. Understand that darkness prevails at this time. Mean-spirited and selfish people are in control, wounding the wise and honourable person. Mask your awareness and shield your insight. Be optimistic and look forward to brighter days. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do but sit in the dark and wait.
36.1 初九明夷于飛, 垂其翼。君子于行三日不食。有攸往—主人有言
Yang on Line 1: Righteousness is defeated and flees like a wounded bird with drooping wings. Mourning the defeat, honourable people refuse to eat for three days. No matter what is done, the master will not be pleased. Don't allow troublesome events and unpleasant people to defeat your spirit. Although your principles are being challenged, maintain a positive attitude. To avoid incurring the wrath of the dark-natured person, lay low.
36.2 六二明夷。夷于左股。用拯馬壯，吉
Yin on Line 2: The left thigh is wounded. The strong horse saves his master. It is fortunate. The reign of darkness has disabled you. You are being subjected to groundless gossip. Let your allies keep you.
36.3 九三明夷于南狩。得其大首。不可疾貞
Yang on Line 3: Wounded while launching an attack in the south, he captured the enemy's leader. The full-scale war will be won with patience and perseverance. Here, "south" is equated with darkness. At the beginning of the Zhou Revolution, they battled against southern (and eastern) tribes loyal to the Shang. Confront the unpleasant person oppressing you. Wage war against his mean-spiritedness. Don't be passive. Do something about your dire situation. Persevere, and you will win.
36.4 六四入于左腹，獲明夷之心。于出門庭
Yin on Line 4: Entering the left side of the belly of the enemy, he captured his heart and learned about his evil plans. He escaped through the gate. The Chinese refer to the heart as the mind, where a person's consciousness resides. Hateful people are conspiring against those who disagree with their management. Leave before you get hurt.
36.5 六五箕子之明夷—利貞
Yin on Line 5: Shang King's brother pretended to be insane to protect his dignity. It is advantageous to be firm. He admonished the Shang King for his cruelty and immorality. This irritated the tyrant, who sought to punish his uncle. However, He escaped his sentence by feigning insanity. Hide your wisdom. See no evil, speak no evil, and hear no evil. Be patient.
36.6 上六不明晦。初登于天，後入于地
Yin on Line 6: The master cannot distinguish between brightness and darkness. He may promote you to a sky-high level or plunge you into the ground. King Wen and his son, the Duke of Zhou, understood the Shang King was a poor ruler. When he was pleased, he would promote you to a high position. When he was displeased, he would demote you to the lowest one. When the management is not sound, do not be elated if you’re advanced. Be cautious.
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