ABSTRACT
The theme of benevolent influence arises from the images associated with the primary trigrams, that is, the Mountain with a lake at its summit. the gentle 'willingness' of the mountain to sacrifice its peak so that the lake can form and reflect Heaven gives another focus for reflecting on how, at its best, influence works to the benefit of all. Relationships based on mutual attraction are at their most dynamic when the flow of energies is reciprocal and there is a true affinity that underlies what may be considered more circumstantial reasons for attraction. The dynamic represented by the hexagram is, in effect, driven by desire, but mutuality – the benefit gained from give-and-take – is also suggested. This hexagram is about getting on in the world, growing up, making a relationship with 'reality', with work, ambition, and human interactions of all sorts.
