Hexagram 10 – Lü / Treading

The Image of Heaven Over Lake

My contained power of restraint
Is released and I tread
Into manner
And mode of expression.

Using a creative spirit
With joy and humor
I develop personality.
I accept my varying and
Unequal character traits
By giving them expression
In appropriate ways.

Moving with strength
While treading carefully
I handle unknown dangers
Allow my thinking to be led
By deeper intuitions.
I protect myself
While pleasing others
As I walk with the
Mask of a tiger.

Nine in the First Place

Tiger like
I move surely
on the path
… alone.

Nine in the Second Place

Looking straight ahead
I go deeper
Into my dark tiger-self
As my instincts show the way.

Six in the Third Place

I stumble
And do not see clearly
when I am swallowed
By my persona.
In the weakness of fear
My mask of aggression
Engulfs me.

Nine in the Fourth Place

I feel the strength
Of powerful animal instincts
Taking care not to confuse
Myself with the tiger.

Nine in the Fifth Place

I am aware of my wildness
And move with it.

Nine in the Last Place

Success in movement
Is like a hunt
Or a dance.
Power is in the process.
Quality of performance
Is the result of the care
In each step taken.
The tiger
The path
And I are one.

Tags: Hexagram 10, I Ching