______
__  __
__  __
__  __
__  __
______ Hexagram Twenty-Seven:  
       I / Providing Nourishment

Beneath the immobile Mountain
the arousing Thunder stirs:
The Superior Person
preserves his freedom
under oppressive conditions
by watching what comes
out of his mouth,
as well as what goes in.

Endure
and good fortune will come.
Nurture others in need,
as if you were feeding yourself.
Take care
not to provide sustenance
for those who feed off others.
Stay as high as possible
on the food chain.


Hexagram Twenty-Seven/Line One:
You ignore your own succulent dinner
to crave the dish set before another.
Misfortune.


Hexagram Twenty-Seven/Line Two:
Climbing steadily toward nourishment,
you stray from the hill path
to gather wild fruit.
You wander toward disaster.


Hexagram Twenty-Seven/Line Three:
You gorge yourself on tempting sweets,
devoid of nutritional value.
Such heedless compulsiveness
carries longlasting consequences.


Hexagram Twenty-Seven/Line Four:
Climbing to the summit
to obtain nourishment for others,
you are as alert as a tiger
ready to spring.
This is the correct path.


Hexagram Twenty-Seven/Line Five:
Unspeakable delights
tempt maddeningly from the far bank.
You must not cross this stream.


Hexagram Twenty-Seven/Line Six:
Others depend on you for sustenance.
If you are aware of the great responsibility
such a position carries,
all will share good fortune.
You may cross to the far shore.

Copyright 1995-1996 Roger Norton Consulting. All rights reserved.