Pathfinder
Hexagram 04 Learning
The model of the moment: Here a new unknown is encountered for the first time. It is a necessity for your personal development, child. This situation speaks to both teachers and students; to the circumstance of knowledge being passed from one generation to the next. It is not only the students who learn when an instructor teaches. Teachers can gain from the experience a wider and deeper understanding of their own discipline. The questions of the student can prod the instructor to explore new paths with regards to an old subject, or provide a new perspective previously unavailable to the elder. Usually, however, it is the student who will experience the potential greatest rewards, or worst punishments, that may ultimately result from the relationship. The pupil may be strengthened or weakened by their schooling, depending on the worth of the instructor, and the student's own receptivity to and use of the knowledge imparted. The course usually recommended for such times: Seek help from those who are more experienced. If you are a student, examine yourself carefully before disturbing another with your request. Are you ready to learn? Are you willing to admit your ignorance? Will you use the knowledge properly once you have it? If the answer to all these questions is yes, then steel yourself and plunge into the new experience. Be respectful and attentive to your teacher. Take your lessons seriously. For best results, allow the teacher full rein to mold your understanding. If you are the instructor, remember that this is a time of mistakes on the part of the student. Good teachers tolerate innocent mistakes by sincere pupils. But there is no requirement that educators put up with indolence. If one will not learn, let them go without regret. The world itself teaches those who will learn from no other. Unfortunately, lessons directly from the hand of nature can be much more harsh and frightening than those of a genteel instructor. Nevertheless, the unwilling student chooses such a path for himself.
Fixed (no changing lines);
This is a plateau process or event; the given model will hold true for an extended period of time. Attempts to manipulate events away from the present course could prove frustrating and fruitless, until destiny is satisfied. Consider the following as well as the above: There is an unknown hidden in your psyche that must be discovered before you can go any further. You can be successful in uncovering it, but only through diligence and an open mind.
Changing Lines:
1
Excessive discipline is best avoided in dealing with the very young or inexperienced, but some is necessary. There are signs of progress here.
2
You are responsible for the development of others. Tolerance and kindness will bring success. You may require help.
3
Follow your ideals, to be protected from unscrupulous people or situations. Beware of involvement with those of questionable motive.
4
Frivolity or inattention is not proper in your position, and will bring humiliation or worse. This is a warning.
5
Sincerity and modesty bring success to efforts in seeking enlightenment. But excessive efforts will be turned away. Your inattentiveness to your environment may seem charming to some at the moment. Do not mistake this for anything more.
6
Excessive punishment, especially of one's self, brings no advantage. When such behavior looms, simply take steps to ensure that mistakes similar to that presently agonized over will not be repeated, and realize that mistakes are an essential part of life itself. We can not help but go awry in some cases. After all, life is largely a trial and error process for each of us. Society as a whole actually depends heavily on those mistakes that are noticed and documented, for its very survival and advancement. Much of the body of our science, history, and law is based on careful analysis after the fact of outright mistakes or errors in judgment, made by us or the members of previous generations. As such, the very fabric of our society and well being is based on what we learned from, and made of, our past errors. It is neither wise or just to punish ourselves or others too harshly for the simple act of living.
When all lines are changing;
Only the most rudimentary of learning can be forced upon a person; more advanced knowledge must be fervently desired to be gained.