SKETCHES

SKETCHES INSPIRED BY THE BOOK OF CHANGES

RESOURCES

A text as ancient as the I Ching is not easy to understand. It helps to compare several translations and commentaries side by side. In the overview below, I refer to the sometimes differing chapter titles used by the various authors.

AH = Alfred Huang wrote The Complete I Ching, an original translation from Chinese into English. A classic and extremely readable work.
RW = Richard Wilhelm lived in China as a missionary in the early 20th century. He translated the I Ching into German. For a long time, this was regarded as the most authoritative translation in the West.
JB = Jack Balkin wrote The Laws of Change. A book with the clarity of a legal scholar, which he in fact is.
JJ = Julie Tallard Johnson wrote the I Ching for Teens. Unconventional, original, and not only for teens.
DM = Deng Ming-Dao wrote The Living I Ching. Excellent structure and poetic.
RR = Richard Rutt wrote Zhouyi with the subtitle Translation with Commentary of the Book of Changes. Indispensable historical perspective.
SD = Sarah Denig wrote The Everyday I Ching. The influence of Carl Gustav Jung, who wrote the introduction to Richard Wilhelm’s I Ching, shines through.

*

LOCATION

In the photo that starts every post, you can see one of the three stamps shown below. They indicate where the photo was taken, and therefore also where the story is set. From left to right: Dalfsen – Nazaré – indoors.

*

INTRODUCTION

reading and writing

THE RED MARK

A fascinating red mark. Some say it stands for ‘chameleon’. Maybe they are the sun’s rays? It is printed on the cover of a well-known translation of the I Ching, a text dating from the Bronze Age. The imagery used in it still holds great appeal for both existing and potential readers. And this is despite archaic phrases and cryptic chapter titles such a…

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZENDPeter den Dekker

macro in micro

WITHIN ONE SINGLE GRAIN

… I still return to China frequently, but as a traveller I remain even more of an outsider than before. On what is likely to be my last trip for the time being, in 2013, I slip away from the obligations of the group I am travelling with and spend a few days at the Taoist Bai Yun Guan, the Temple of the White Cloud, on the outskirts of Beijing. I had bee…

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZENDPeter den Dekker

macro in micro

WINDOW ON THE WORLD

Without going outside, you may know

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZENDPeter den Dekker

sitting and reading

AN IDEAL PLACE TO READ

The I Ching is not light reading that can easily be consumed in between other activities. You should therefore read the book in the quiet of your study. Don’t have one? Then pop it in your bag, hop on your bike or drive out of town, and find a lovely spot by the water. Sit back and relax, open the book, and the images and words will come to you more eas…

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZENDPeter den Dekker

chapter 1. INITIATING

Initiating (AH) / The Creative (RW) / The Dynamic (JB) / Initiation (JJ) / Heaven (DM) / Active (RR) / The Creative Force (SD)

chapter 2. RESPONSE

Responding (AH) / The Receptive (RW) / The Receptive (JB) / Mother Earth (JJ) / Earth (DM) / Earth (RR) / Responsiveness (SD)

chapter 1 & 2. Initiating & Response

is being rewritten …

A MOVIE WITHOUT END

is being rewritten …

THE NAVEL OF THE WORLD

is being rewritten

LINES AND ARROWS

chapter 3. BEGINNING

Beginning (AH) / Difficulty at the Beginning (RW) / Difficulty in the Beginning (JB) / Difficulty at First (JJ) / Sprouting (DM) / Massed (RR) / Difficulty In The Beginning (SD)

CLOUD NUMBER NINE

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZENDPeter den Dekker

PRIMORDIAL SOUP

THE IMAGE of two trigrams: Water above, Thunder below. A thunderstorm, moisture, an electrical discharge, creation, a beginning.

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZENDPeter den Dekker

chapter 4. PLAY

Childhood (AH) / Youthful Folly (RW) / Youthful Inexperience (JB) / Youthful Energy (JJ) / Youth (DM) / Dodder (RR) / Inexperience (SD)

MEANDER

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZENDPeter den Dekker

PLAYING NOT ALLOWED

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZENDPeter den Dekker

chapter 5. WAITING

Needing (AH) / Waiting - Nourishment (RW) / Waiting (JB) / Waiting (DM) / Waiting (RR) / Waiting (SD)

PATIENCE

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZENDPeter den Dekker

hoofdstuk 6. CONFLICT

Contention (AH) / Conflict (RW) / Conflict (JB) / Crossroads (JJ) / Dispute (DM) / Dispute (RR) / Conflict (SD)

CONTRAST

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZENDPeter den Dekker

WARRING STATES

Water below, Heaven above. Water sinks ever deeper, Heaven rises ever higher. As a result, they lose sight of one another. They drift apart and no longer understand each other’s story. The image of dispute and conflict.

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZENDPeter den Dekker

LAWSUIT

THE IMAGE: Heaven above, Water below. Water always seeks the lowest point. Raindrops fall to earth and sink into it. Water becomes part of a dark, invisible world. And it is in water that things hide. Invisible and unfathomable, what is concealed causes fear. Above is the

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZENDPeter den Dekker

chapter 7. MULTITUDE

Multitude (AH) / The Army (RW) / The Army (JB) / Spiritual Warriors (JJ) / Armies (DM) / Troops (RR) / The Army (SD)

chapter 8. UNITY

Union (AH) / Holding Together (RW) / Union (JB) / The Sacred Dance of Love (JJ) / Joining (DM) / Joining (RR) / Joining the Right Group (SD)

chapter 9. STARTING SMALL

Little Accumulation (AH) / The Taming Power of the Small (RW) / Small Accumulation (RB) / Starting Small (JJ) / Smallness Tames (DM) / Farming: Minor (RR) / Exercising Restraint (SD)

1:1 SCALE

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZENDPeter den Dekker

chapter 10. WALK

Fulfillment (AH) / Treading (RW) / Treading (JB) / Caution (JJ) / Walking (DM) / Stepping (RR) / Treading Carefully (SD)

FOOTPRINTS

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZENDPeter den Dekker

chapter 11. ADVANCE

Advance (AH) / Peace (RW) / Peace (JB) / Peace of Mind (JJ) / Prospering (DM) / Great (RR) / Overall Harmony

chapter 12. STANDSTIL

Hinderance (AH) / Standstill (RW) / Standstill (JB) / Boredom (JJ) / Clogging (DM) / Bad (RR) / Stagnation (SD)

chapter 13. LIKE-MINDED

Seeking Harmony (AH) / Fellowship with Men (RW) / Fellowship with People (JB) / Lovers, Friends and Like-minded People (JJ) / Kindred (DM) / Mustering (RR) / Cooperating with Others (SD)

STACKING

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZENDPeter den Dekker

LIBRARY

THE IMAGE of two trigrams: below Fire, above Heaven. The sun shines on the earth and from its surface heat rises. Thermals carry water vapour, which, when enough altitude is reached, condenses and forms clouds. The energy released from this further amplifies the thrust.

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZENDPeter den Dekker

THE CLOUD

THE IMAGE of two trigrams: Fire below, Heaven above. The sun shines on the earth, and heat rises from its surface. This thermal current carries water vapour, which, when it reaches a sufficient height, condenses and forms clouds. The energy released in this process further intensifies the upward movement.

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZEND

chapter 14. GREAT HARVEST

Great Harvest (AH) / Possession In Great Measure (RW) / Great Possession (JB) / Inheritance (JJ) / Great Holdings (DM) / Large (RR) / Outstanding Good Fortune (SD)

WESTFIELD SEEK-NO-FURTHER

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZEND

THOUSAND BANANAS

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZEND

INHERITANCE

THE IMAGE of the whole hexagram: five continuous lines and one broken line. It is located at the fifth position of the hexagram, the centre of the upper trigram. This is the central position, that of authority, of leadership, and so it is now occupied by a receptive line. The community sketched here can flourish because the leader is humble and can listen. He or she is receptive and sensitive to the wishes and needs of the community members. There is no tendency to draw all attention to oneself – what a relief – and under the motto that when everything is well organised, you don't notice anything about any organisation, everything seems to run like clockwork. Is that what Lao Zi was referring to, with the phrase 'if nothing is done, nothing is left undone'?

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZENDPeter den Dekker

chapter 15. MODEST

Humbleness (AH) / Modesty (RW) / Modesty (JB) / Being Grounded (JJ) / Humility (DM) / Rat (RR) / Modesty (SD)

A HIDDEN MOUNTAIN

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZENDPeter den Dekker

THE OVERVIEW EFFECT

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZEND

FIFTYSIX KILOMETER

THE IMAGE of the two trigrams: the Earth is above, a mountain is below. A mountain under the earth – the image of modesty.

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZEND

chapter 16. INTENSITY

Delight (AH) / Enthusiasm (RW) / Enthusiasm (JB) / Intensity (JJ) / Delight (DM) / Elephant (RR) / Thinking Ahead (SD)

ELEPHANT

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZEND

chapter 17. FOLLOWING

Following (AH) / Following (RW) / Following (JB) / Getting What You Want (JJ) / Following (DM) / Pursuit (RR) / Being Adaptable (SD)

TIKTOK

THE IMAGE: above the lake, below the thunder. The lake leads; the Thunder follows. Of the eight trigrams, the Lake is the most delicate. It represents reflection, mirroring and humour, playing the role of the youngest daughter within the family. Thunder, on the other hand, represents sheer power. One thunderclap is the epitome of initiative and awakening. In the family, the Thunder takes the place of the eldest son.

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZENDPeter den Dekker

chapter 18. DECAY

Remedying (AH) / Work on what has been Spoiled (RW) / Remedying (JB) / Mend what is Broken (JJ) / Poison (DM) / Mildew (RR) / Dealing with Decay (SD)

RENEWAL

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZENDPeter den Dekker

MYCOPHOBIA

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZEND

KIMCHI

Ten days of controlled decay. Chinese cabbage, pak choi, rutabaga, ginger, garlic, turmeric, a pear, rice flour, gochugaru - Korean red pepper, spring onion, bell pepper and salt. Kimchi.

Acht is meer dan Duizend

chapter 19. APPROACHING

Approaching (AH) / Approaching (RW) / Overseeing (JB) / Something Approaches (JJ) / Arrival (DM) / Keening (RR) / Moving toward your Goal (SD)

MICRO-ADVENTURE

THE IMAGE of the two trigrams: above the Earth, below a Lake. A deepening in the Earth's surface. Water has gathered in this, as it always seeks the lowest place. Water conforms exactly to the receiving form of the earth. Like wine to the bottle, tea to the glass. Is a more perfect rapprochement possible?

Acht is meer dan DuizendPeter den Dekker

chapter 20. OBSERVING

Watching (AH) / Contemplating (RW) / Viewing (JB) / You Really Are what You Think (JJ) / Beholding (DM) / Observing (RR) / Taking an Overview (SD)

OVERVIEW

Below is the rewritten version of the article that appeared in August 2024.

Acht is meer dan Duizend

LISTENING

THE IMAGE of the entire hexagram: an open gate. A gate that offers a view of reality. Open eyes. Listening ears. Can they perceive reality as it is? And not just the soundbites, but especially the voices that are not too loud? Listening to what is said, but also to what is left unsaid?

Acht is meer dan Duizend

RELATIVE

Below is the completely rewritten version of an article that appeared in August 2024. It has been translated from Dutch into English with DeepL. It will be manually edited and streamlined soon.

Acht is meer dan DuizendPeter den Dekker

THE GATE

THE IMAGE of the entire hexagram: a door, a gate, a passageway. It provides access to the next space, which may be completely unknown. Pay close attention. Observe.

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZENDPeter den Dekker

chapter 21. BITING THROUGH

Eradicating (AH) / Biting Through (RW) / Biting Through (JB) / Removing Obstacles (JJ) / Biting (DM) / Biting (RR) / Getting Down to Essentials (SD)

chapter 22. BEAUTY

Adorning (AH) / Gratie (RW) / Adornment (JB) / Beauty And The Beast (JJ) / Adornment (DM) / Bedight (RR) / Adornment (SD)

is being rewritten …

chapter 23. SCATTERING

Falling Away (AH) / Splitting Apart (RW) / Splitting Apart (JB) / Falling Apart without Losing It (JJ) / Splitting (DM) / Flaying (RR) / Doing Away with the Old (SD)

chapter 24. RETURNING

Turning Back (AH) / Return (RW) / Return (JB) / A Tuning Point (JJ) / Returning (DM) / Returning (RR) / The Turning Point (SD)

STURGEON

THE IMAGE of the two trigrams: Earth above and Thunder below. In the depths of the earth, something begins to stir. Germination of seed, the growth of first roots and the irresistible pushing up of plants. The first announcement of spring. Earth over Thunder: the image of returning.

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZENDPeter den Dekker

DAWN

This post has been translated from Dutch into English with DeepL. It will be manually edited and streamlined soon.

Acht is meer dan DuizendPeter den Dekker

SOLAR TERMS

This is a sequel to:

Acht is meer dan DuizendPeter den Dekker

BREAKFAST-RITUAL

On this first day of January, I wish you a very happy and healthy New Year. Perhaps a return to a simpler life is in store for you. That may not sound very appealing, a simpler life, it sounds incredibly boring. But let's be honest, would you prefer a future full of complexity an…

Acht is meer dan DuizendPeter den Dekker

chapter 25 INNOCENCE

Without Falsehood (AH) / Innocence (RW) / Innocence (JB) / Truth (JJ) / Innocence (DM) / Unexpected (RR) / Innocence (SD)

chapter 26. ACCUMULATION

Great Accumulation (AH) / The Taming Power of the Great (RW) / Great Accumulation (JB) / Practice Under Fire (JJ) / Great Restraint (DM) / Farming: Major (RR) / Controlling your Resources (SD)

chapter 27. JAW

Nourishing (AH) / The Corners of the Mouth (RW) / Nourishment (JB) / Food for the Soul (JJ) / Nourishing (DM) / Molars (RR) / Nourishing (SD)

SCALLOPS

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZENDPeter den Dekker

SOUL FOOD

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZENDPeter den Dekker

chapter 28. GREAT EXCEEDING

Great Excess (AH) / Preponderance of the Great (RW) / Greatness In Excess (JB) / Extraordinary Times (JJ) / Great Excess (DM) / Passing: Major (RR) / Overload (SD)

chapter 29. DARK

Darkness (AH) / The Abysmal (RW) / The Abyss (JB) / Living the Tao (JJ) / Pit (DM) / Pit (RR) / Danger (SD)

2 x SLEEP

THE IMAGE: twice the Water trigram. Water occupies a special place in Taoist thought. Nothing is as soft and yielding as water, wrote Lao Zi, yet it overcomes everything that is strong and solid. It always seeks out the lowest places, places that are despised and avoided by others. Without any preconceived plan, it un…

Acht is meer dan DuizendPeter den Dekker

WAKE UP!

Behind you, you hear hurried footsteps. You turn round and get the fright of your life! There he is, running straight towards you. You’d made up your mind to avoid him at all costs today. So you start running. Faster and faster you go. And then you spread your arms and make some sub…

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZENDPeter den Dekker

RAIN AT NIGHT

This is a follow-up to WAKE UP!

Acht is meer dan DuizendPeter den Dekker

FOUR FACES

This is a sequel to RAIN AT NIGHT.

Acht is meer dan DuizendPeter den Dekker

NORTH

Since when did we actually start talking about the Far North and the Deep South? And what’s the connection with the Near East and the Wild West? Without doubt, somewhere in their midst you will find the navel of the world.

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZEND

chapter 30. LIGHT

Brightness (AH) / The Clinging (RW) / Radiance (JB) / Flaming Rainbow (JJ) / Brilliance (DM) / Oriole (RR) / Shedding Light on Things (SD)

chapter 31. RESONANCE

Mutual Influence (AH) / Influence - Wooing (RW) / Mutual Influence (JB) / Attraction (JJ) / Feeling (DM) / Chopping (RR) / Mutual Attraction (SD)

MUTUAL ATTRACTION

THE IMAGE: above the Lake, below the Mountain. Could two things be more different than a lake and a mountain? One is the epitome of immobility and seriousness, the other cheerfully reflective. One towers above everything and everyone, the other lies hidden in the shade and shelter of the valley. A massive stone mass opposite transparent, rippling water.…

Acht is meer dan DuizendPeter den Dekker

chapter 32. LONG LASTING

Long Lasting (AH) / Duration (RW) / Enduring (JB) / The Web of Life (JJ) / Constancy (DM) / Fixing (RR) / Perseverance (SD)

WIND AND WEATHER

THE IMAGE of two trigrams: Thunder above and Wind below. Thunder represents the eldest of the three sons. Wind represents the eldest daughter. Whereas the previous chapter describes the attraction between two young people, the hexagram of this chapter depicts the mature relationship between two older people.

Acht is meer dan DuizendPeter den Dekker

STORAGE

THE IMAGE of two trigrams: below Heaven, above Fire. The sun is high in the sky. The dry warmth of late summer, the harvest is brought in. What is the net of a life of experimentation and experience? What is the payoff, and how can it be passed on to the next generation? A human life condenses into a single story. From years of research and trial and error, only the essentials remain in memory. Miscounts and mistakes pave new paths.

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZENDPeter den Dekker

chapter 33. WITHDRAWAL

Retreat (AH) / Retreat (RW) / Retreat (JB) / Backing Off (JJ) / Withdrawal (DM) / (RR) / Retreating (SD)

RETREAT

THE IMAGE of two trigrams: below a Mountain, above the Heaven. If you seek silence and solitude, leave the city. In the mountains, under a dark starry sky, you will find what you need. A small hut where you can retreat for a while from the noise and bustle.

Acht is meer dan DuizendPeter den Dekker

chapter 34. GREAT STRENGTH

Great Strength (AH) / The Powe of the Great (RW) / Great Power (JB) / Authentic Power (JJ) / Great Vigor (DM) / Big Injury (RR) / Great Power (SD)

chapter 35. ADVANCE

Proceeding Forward (AH) / Progress (RW) / Progress (JB) / Improvement (JJ) / Advancing (DM) / Advancing (RR) / Progress (SD)

chapter 35. STRAIGHT AHEAD #1

PROGRESS

Since the Enlightenment, we knew what we had to do. Straight ahead. No more medieval winding paths, the time of fools was over. Railway tracks made the world small and set the clocks everywhere to the same time. Electric light dispelled the night.

Acht is meer dan DuizendPeter den Dekker

chapter 36. DARKENING OF THE LIGHT

Brilliance Injured (AH) / Darkening of the Light (RW) / Darkening of the Light (JB) / A Time of Darkness (JJ) / Smothered Light (DM) / Crying Pheasant (RR) / Keeping a Low Profile (SD)

chapter 37. FAMILY

Household (AH) / The Family - The Clan (RW) / The Family (JB) / The Family And The Gang (JJ) / Family (DM) / Household (RR) / The Family (SD)

TEA AND COOKIES

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZENDPeter den Dekker

GOOD-HUMOURED

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZENDPeter den Dekker

STELE

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZENDPeter den Dekker

chapter 38. ESTRANGEMENT

Diversity (AH) / Opposition (RW) / Opposition (JB) / Misunderstandings (JJ) / Estrangement (DM) / Espy (RR) / Opposition (SD)

ARCHAEOLOGY

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZENDPeter den Dekker

chapter 39. OBSTACLE

Hardship (AH) / Obstruction (RW) / Obstruction (JB) / Between a Rock and a Hard Place (JJ) / Hindered (DM) / Stumbling (RR) / Facing Obstruction (SD)

FERRY

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZENDPeter den Dekker

chapter 40. LIBERATION

Relief (AH) / Deliverance (RW) / Deliverance (JB) / Freedom (JJ) / Releasing (DM) / Unloosing (RR) / Release From Obstruction (SD)

LADDERS

THE IMAGE of the hexagram: above is the thunder, below is water. A liberating thunderstorm. After a period of built-up tension, the heavens break open. Rain and wind, thunder and lightning bring refreshment after the stuffiness. The breaking of a dam. The solution after obstruction. Chapter 39. Obstacle is followed by Chapter 40. Liberation.

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZENDPeter den Dekker

chapter 41. DECREASE

Decreasing (AH) / Decreasing (RW) / Decrease (JB) / Disappointment (JJ) / Decrease (DM) / Deminishing (RR) / Decrease (SD)

chapter 42. INCREASE

Increasing (AH) / Increasing (RW) / Increase (JB) / Opportunity (JJ) / Increase (DM) / Enriching (RR) / Increase (SD)

chapter 43. BREAK-THROUGH

Eliminating (AH) / Break-Through - Resoluteness (RW) / Resolution (JB) / Breakthrough (JJ) / Decisiveness (DM) / Skipping (RR) / Determination (SD)

chapter 44. ENCOUNTER

Encountering (AH) / Coming to Meet (RW) / Encounter (JB) / Encounters (JJ) / Copulating (DM) / Locking (RR) / A Meeting of Opposites (SD)

chapter 45. GATHERING

Bringing Together (AH) / Gathering Together (RW) / Gathering Together (JB) / Gathering Together (JJ) / Collecting (DM) / Together (RR) / Gathering Together (SD)

chapter 46. GROWING UPWARD

Growing Upward (AH) / Pushing Upward (RW) / Ascending (JB) / Becoming (JJ) / Rising (DM) / Going Up (RR) / Pushing Up (SD)

chapter Exhaustion47. EXHAUSTION

Exhaustion (AH) / Oppression (RW) / Oppression (JB) / Exhaistion (JJ) / Distress (DM) / Beset (RR) / Being Restricted (SD)

chapter 48. REGENERATION

Replenishing (AH) / The Well (RW) / The Well (JB) / Well-Being (JJ) / Well (DM) / Well (RR) / The Wellsprings of Life (S

GARDENS

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZENDPeter den Dekker

chapter 49. REVOLUTION

Abolishing the Old (AH) / Revolution (RW) / Revolution (JB) / Coming-of-Age (JJ) / Reform (DM) / Leather (RR) / Total Transformation (SD)

REVERSE

THE IMAGE of two trigrams: below is the fire, and above is the lake. The natural movement of water is downwards; that of fire, upwards. The two therefore meet in the middle. The water of the lake can extinguish the fire. And the fire can vaporise the water of the lake. It is an image of transformation, an image of change.

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZENDPeter den Dekker

NOWHERE - EVERYWERE

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZENDPeter den Dekker

chapter 50. EMBRACING THE NEW

Establishing the New (AH) / The Cauldron (RW) / The Cauldron (JB) / The Cauldron (JJ) / Cauldron (DM) / Cauldron (RR) / The Cauldron (SD)

chapter 51. SHOCK

Taking Action (AH) / The Arousing (RW) / Shock (JB) / The Thunderers (JJ) / Thunder (DM) / Thunder (RR) / Shock (SD)

chapter 52. KEEPING STILL

Keeping Still (AH) / Keeping Still (RW) / Keeping Still (JB) / Being Still (JJ) / Stilling (DM) / Cleaving (RR) / Living in the Present (SD)

coming soon ..

KEEPING STILL

A cupboard you can live in. A cupboard that was originally made to store all your belongings. A storage easily turns into a heap or mountain. Probably. I’ll spare you the trouble of peeping inside the cupboard by keeping the doors and drawers closed, but assume that it can hold an enormous amount of junk. It was already in the house when we rented it. T…

Acht is meer dan DuizendPeter den Dekker

SITTING

Is he a parking warden? Is he keeping an eye on the building site across the street? Every day when I take the short walk to the square, he’s sitting there. Whatever he’s doing, he’s a master at sitting. That much is clear to me. We didn’t exchange a word at first, but later on these days, the image of him sitting came back in my mind

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZEND

chapter 53. GRADUALLY

Developing Gradually (AH) / Development - Gradual Progress (RW) / Developing Gradually (JB) / What’s the Rush (JJ) / Gradually (DM) / Settling (RR) / Gradual Development (SD)

chapter 54. SUBORDINATE

Marrying Maiden (AH) / Marrying Maiden (RW) / The Marrying Maiden (JB) / Being Undermined (JJ) / Marrying Sister (DM) / Marriage (RR) / Playing a Subordinate Role (SD)

chapter 55. ABUNDANCE

Abundance (AH) / Abundance (RW) / Abundance (JB) / Abundance (JJ) / Plentiful (DM) / Thick (RR) / Abundance (SD)

chapter 56. GUEST

Travelling (AH) / The Wanderer (RW) / The Wanderer (JB) / The Traveler (JJ) / Traveler (DM) / Sojourner (RR) / Stranger in a Strange Land (SD)

chapter 57. PENETRATING

Proceeding Humbly (AH) / The Penetrating (RW) / Gentle Influence (JB) / Running a Marathon (JJ) / Wind (DM) / Food Offerings (RR) / Gentle Influence (SD)

WIND OF CHANGE

Acht is meer dan DuizendPeter den Dekker

chapter 58. JOY

Joyfull (AH) / The Joyous (RW) / Joy (JB) / The Art of Happiness (JJ) / Exchange (DM) / Satisfaction (RR) / Joy in Communication (SD)

RECOGNISE

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZENDPeter den Dekker

FACE

Acht is meer dan DuizendPeter den Dekker

CATOPTRICS

THE IMAGE of two identical trigrams: Lake below, Lake above. Water reflects water. A mirror within a mirro

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZENDPeter den Dekker

chapter 59. DISPERSING

Dispersing (AH) / Dispersion (RW) / Dispersion (JB) / Forgiveness (JJ) / Spreading (DM) / Gushing (RR) / Obstacles Fade Away (SD)

FLUSHING

THE IMAGE of the two trigrams: wind above, water below. The wind blows across the surface of the water. Ripples form. Wind gusts from varying directions make wave patterns intersect. Some foam and splashes here and there. Wind over Water: the image of scattering and dispersion.

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZEND

WILD SNAKE PLANTS

THE IMAGE of the hexagram: below is water, and above is wind. Wind blowing across the surface of the water. It creates ripples, waves, wave patterns and currents. Wind and water carry heat and cold, dust and sand, smells and seeds. Without the movement of wind and water, there would be no exchange and dispersion.

ACHT IS MEER DAN DUIZENDPeter den Dekker

chapter 60. DISCIPLINE

Restricting (AH) / Limitation (RW) / Limitation (JB) / Reasonable Limits (JJ) / Regulation (DM) / Juncture (RR) / Self-Control (SD)

BOILING DOWN

Acht is meer dan DuizendPeter den Dekker

chapter 61. INNER TRUTH

Innermost Sincerity (AH) / Inner Truth (RW) / Inner Truth (JB) / Trusting your Intuition (JJ) / Confidence Within (DM) / Trying Captive (RR) / The Power of the Inner Truth (SD)

chapter 62. LITTLE EXCEEDING

Little Exceeding (AH) / Preponderance of the Small (RW) / Exceeding Smallness (JB) / Small Steps (JJ) / Small Crossing (DM) / Passing: Minor (RR) / Attention to Detail (SD)

chapter 63. IT’S DONE

Already Fulfilled (AH) / After Completion (RW) / After Completion (JB) / Fulfillment (JJ) / Already Across (DM) / Already Across (RR) / Mission Accomplished (SD)

*

chapter 64. BACK TO SQUARE ONE

Not Yet Fulfilled (AH) / Before Completion (RW) / Before Completion (JB) / Change Is the Rule of Life (JJ) / Not Yet Across (DM) / Not Yet Across (RR) / Nearly Home and Dry (SD)