20 Looking - The I Ching

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This hexagram’s form in nature is a high tree from which one can see into the distance. The ideogram is directly “a bird’s eye view”, in both meaning and visual image. A bird sitting upon a high tree looking down. For human’s, this is a watchtower with a great view. The hexagram depicts this tower directly.

Judgment: The vantage point offers a clear perspective, but it is not the place to make hasty movements from. This is where we form our judgment and craft a strategy.

1 When we see through the eyes of a child, we see a world full of wonder. This is good for most people, but wisdom needs to be  more strategic. A childish perspective can be good, but a childish decision can be catastrophic.

2 Peeping is looking into the private. There are vast differences between a “Peeping Tom” and the idea that Ancestors or Gods are watching our every move, Yet both are profoundly uncomfortable - one violates purity, the other enforces it.

3 Now the hexagram turns its eye inward, like Hamlet. Only from a “high” spiritual tower can we clearly assess our own life. It is nearly impossible to grasp life when we are in the midst of it.

4 Returning to the material world, we now look out upon the country. From this knowledgeable perspective one can give excellent advice to a King.

5 A wise person can look at any life well lived and feel nothing should have been done differently. They may not have led a perfect life, but they are wise enough to see the necessity of it all.

6 Many people with a bit of wisdom can see other peoples lives as well lived, but it is a masterful work to look at one's own life without regret.

While the perspective of the hexagram is very human, the corresponding Tarot card offers an entirely divine image of this dynamic. The Last Judgment shows the Apocalypse; God, from his perfect point of view has passed judgment on the earth. This is “Looking” with the eyes of an Angel rather than a bird, as such even greater judgments and decisions are made. A less fearful deity that strongly corresponds to this hexagram is the Buddhist goddess and Bodhisattva Guanyin, her name contains the name of the hexagram. 觀世音 “Seeing all Sounds”. She, like the Christian Mary, is “Our Lady of Mercy”. She sees all tears and feels mercy for all.

Let us then look upon ourselves and others with sensible judgment and with mercy.