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Abundance55
Abundance and prosperity surround you, but be mindful not to let them lead to arrogance or distraction. Stay focused and genuine in the present moment to make the most of your opportunities.
↓ Line 2
Obstacles obscure clarity. Perseverance and sincerity can overcome mistrust and lead to good fortune.
↓ Line 4
Despite obstacles, meeting someone of like mind brings good fortune and clarity.
↓ Line 6
Isolation and excessive focus on personal abundance lead to misfortune and loss of connection.
↓ Controlled Power26
Cultivate inner strength and patience to overcome obstacles. Harness your energy wisely and focus on gradual progress.
55 Abundance
Other titles: Abundance, Fullness, The Symbol of Prosperity, Greatness, Abounding, Richness, Prolific, Fruitful, Luxuriant, Zenith, Affluence, Correct Action, Lucid Behavior, "Generally means that one will have enough for one's needs with a little over. Does not mean large wealth as a rule." -- D.F. Hook
Judgment
Legge: Expansion of Awareness means progress and development. When the king is enlightened there is no need to fear a change. Let him be as the sun at noon.
Wilhelm/Baynes:Abundance has success. The king attains abundance. Be not sad. Be like the sun at midday.
Blofeld:Abundance -- success! The King inspires them. Do not be sad; it is fitting to be like the sun at its zenith. [Abundance in itself is often good; but it is generally followed by the waning of what was abundant; moreover, as we shall see, there can be abundance of darkness, or anything else unpleasant. (The Judgment itself) may be taken as an auspicious omen.]
Liu: Greatness. Success. The king attains greatness, without sadness; he should be like the sun at midday.
Ritsema/Karcher:Abounding, Growing. The king imagining it. No grief. Properly sun centering. [This hexagram describes your situation in terms of profusion and abundance reaching culmination. It emphasizes that exuberantly increasing things to their fullest is the adequate way to handle it...]
Shaughnessy: Abundance: Receipt; the king approaches it; do not be sad. It is proper for the middle of the day.
Cleary (1): Richness is developmental. Freedom from worry when the king is great is suited to midday.
Cleary (2):Richness is success; a king attains this. Do not worry. Take advantage of the sun at noon.
Wu: A sage king will attain abundance. There is no need to worry, for he knows the expedience of observing the midday sun.
The Image
Legge: The superior man, in accordance with this, decides cases of litigation, and apportions punishments with exactness.
Wilhelm/Baynes: Both thunder and lightning come: the image of Abundance. Thus the superior man decides lawsuits and carries out punishments.
Blofeld: This hexagram symbolizes thunder and lightning occurring simultaneously. The Superior Man decides law suits and inflicts the necessary penalties.
Liu: Thunder and lightning coming together symbolize Greatness. The superior man judges lawsuits and imposes punishments.
Ritsema/Karcher: Thunder, lightning, altogether culminating. Abounding. A chun tzu uses severing litigating to involve punishing.
Cleary (1): Thunder and lightning both arrive, abundant. Thus do superior people pass judgment and execute punishment.
Cleary (2): Thunder and lightning both come in richness. Thus do leaders pass judgments and execute punishments.
Wu: Thunder and lightning come together; this is Abundance. Thus the jun zi decides the verdicts and exacts the punishments.
COMMENTARY
Confucius/Legge: The greatness of Expansion of Awareness is due to Movement directed by Clarity. Although the king has attained this state, he must still make it greater. But there is no need for anxiety -- let him be as the sun at noon: let his clarity shine on all under the sky. As soon as sun and moon reach zenith their light begins to wane. The intercourse of heaven and earth alternates between abundance and scarcity. It waxes and wanes according to the seasons. How much more so with men or spiritual forces! [Ritsema/Karcher translate "spiritual forces" [Kuei Shen] as: "The whole range of imaginal beings both inside and outside the individual; spiritual powers, gods, demons, ghosts, powers, fetishes." -- Ed.]
Legge: The written Chinese character denoting Expansion of Awarenessis the symbol of being large and abundant -- a condition of prosperity. In human affairs, prosperity often gives place to its opposite. The lesson of the hexagram is to show how the ruler may preserve the prosperity of his state and people. The component trigrams show Motive Force under the direction of Intelligence. A ruler with these attributes will not fail to maintain the progress and development of his kingdom. He is told not to be anxious, but to study how he may always be like the sun at its zenith, cheering and enlightening all.
It must be noted that a change has been introduced in this hexagram in explaining the symbolism of the lines. Normally, for two lines to have a correct relationship one must be female (magnetic) and the other male (dynamic). Here two dynamic male lines make a proper correlation in the first and fourth places.
In the Image, lightning appears as the natural phenomenon of which Clarity is the symbol in the lower trigram. The virtues of Clarity and Movement are required of the superior man in judging litigation.
NOTES AND PARAPHRASES
Judgment: Don't grieve when the truth hurts: a loss of illusion is a gain in awareness. Once truly attained, enlightenment cannot be lost, it can only be increased.
The Superior Man acts with clarity by accurately evaluating cause and effect. [Or: The objective assessment of any contradiction is the road to comprehending it.]
The fifty-fifth hexagram is very intriguing in that it appears to have a misleading title in the original Chinese, which is usually translated as Abundance,Fullness, Prosperity, etc. All of the internal clues, plus empirical experience with the figure have convinced me that the title Expansion of Awareness is a more accurate description of the forces operating in this hexagram. Here is my reasoning:
First, the component trigrams of Clarity and Movement portray action directed by clear comprehension, as well as awareness itself in motion or expansion. The title of Abundance seems misleading because it suggests a relatively static condition, whereas the combined trigrams in the figure symbolize Clear Movement. These trigrams appear in reverse sequence in hexagram number twenty-one, Discernment, which symbolizes the act of comprehending -- a dynamic function of consciousness described in the Image here as a quest for justice: "Thus the superior man decides lawsuits and carries out punishments." (Wilhelm) Notice also that the message for the superior man in this Image is almost identical with that in Discernment:"Thus the kings of former times made firm the laws through clearly defined penalties." (Wilhelm) The ancient kings can always be taken as symbolic of archetypal forces (the "gods"), so their laws are those of nature, not of humankind. Interpreted broadly, both messages counsel us to: "Comprehend the law of Tao, or suffer the penalties of ignorance." Which is to say: "expand your awareness."
Second, note the message in the Judgment. Most of the translators render this by comparing the king at the peak of his power with the sun at the peak of its illumination at noon. The sun is the symbol of clarity and enlightenment, and the sun at its zenith therefore symbolizes a high point of awareness.
Third, notice that lines two, three and four depict an eclipse of the sun through its waxing, full and waning phases. This suggests ignorance gradually evolving toward comprehension, which is finally attained in line five. The progression in the hexagram is from ignorance to clarity, and then in line six, ignorance within clarity -- i.e., an image of one who remains obtuse while surrounded by the light of illumination.
Fourth, the combined trigrams of shock and light (thunder and lightning) suggest a sudden and numinous illumination: the sort of en-light-enment (expansion of awareness) described by Yogis:
Suddenly, with a roar like that of a waterfall, I felt a stream of liquid light entering my brain through the spinal cord ... The illumination grew brighter and brighter, the roaring louder, I experienced a rocking sensation and then felt myself slipping out of my body, entirely enveloped in a halo of light ... I was no longer myself, or to be more accurate, no longer as I knew myself to be, a small point of awareness confined in a body, but instead was a vast circle of consciousness in which the body was but a point, bathed in light and in a state of exaltation and happiness impossible to describe. Gopi Krishna --Kundalini, the Evolutionary Energy in Man
It is possible that the written character translated into English as Abundance has these associations in Chinese. Unfortunately, the title of Abundance itself does not immediately suggest in the English language the ideas that are integral in the symbolism of the hexagram.
Line 2
Legge: The second line, magnetic, shows its subject surrounded by screens so large and thick that at midday she can see from them the constellation of the Bushel. If she goes and tries to enlighten her ruler who is thus emblemed, she will make herself to be viewed with suspicion and dislike. Let her cherish her feeling of sincere devotion that she may thereby move her ruler's mind, and there will be good fortune.
Wilhelm/Baynes: The curtain is of such fullness that the polestars can be seen at noon. Through going one meets with mistrust and hate. If one rouses him through truth, good fortune comes.
Blofeld: So great is the obstruction that the midday sun appears to him as a tiny star. To advance now would be to invite mistrust and various ills. However, confidence seems to be on the increase -- good fortune!
Liu: The shield is so great that you can see the polestar at noon. Undertakings will lead to suspicion and harm. Only truth can win the confidence of the ruler. Good fortune.
Ritsema/Karcher: Abounding: one's screen. Sun centering: visualizing a bin. Going acquiring doubt, affliction. Possessing conformity, like shooting-forth. Significant.
Shaughnessy: Making abundant his curtain; in the middle of the day one sees the Dipper; in going one gets a suspicious illness; there is a return leaking-like.
Cleary (1): Increasing the shade, seeing stars at midday. If you go on this way you will have doubt and affliction. But if there is sincerity and it is acted on, it will bring good fortune.
Cleary (2): With abundant shade, you see stars at midday. If you go, you will be afflicted by doubt. If sincerity is expressed, there will be good fortune.
Wu: He makes abundance of curtains. His house is so dimmed as if he could see the Dipper with the sun at noon. If he goes to meet with his correlate, he may be suspected. But if he lets his sincerity prevail, it will be auspicious.
COMMENTARY
Confucius/Legge: It is by sincerity that the mind is affected. Wilhelm/Baynes: One must rouse his will through trustworthiness. Blofeld: Presently people's trust will help us to accomplish our will. Ritsema/Karcher: Trustworthiness using shooting-forth purpose indeed. Cleary (2): Expressing sincerity means expressing intention truthfully. Wu: Sincerity can change the impressions of others.
Legge: The magnetic second line is in her correct place in the center of the lower trigram of Clarity. Her ruler is the magnetic and incorrect fifth line whose ignorance doesn't recognize line two's intelligence. If two tries to advance she won't be acceptable to the ruler, and will not be employed. The only way to be useful under such circumstances is to sincerely develop her inner light until it is recognized.
NOTES AND PARAPHRASES
Siu: Intrigues have put a barrier between the chief executive desiring great works and the man capable of bringing them about. The courtiers have usurped the ruler's power. The man should not take energetic action, which will only lead to suspicion and dislike. He must depend upon his sincere devotion to move the ruler's mind in a less obvious way.
Wing: You lack influence in regard to the object of your interest. Obstacles not of your own making stand in the way of your progress. If you attempt to push ahead, you will invite envy and suspicion. There is a possibility of a fortunate outcome only if you are continuously sincere and truthful. Then your influence may reach.
Editor: The image of screens so thick that the stars can be seen at noon is psychologically an eclipse of consciousness by ignorance. The answer or solution is available, but you or someone involved in the matter at hand doesn't see it. Sometimes the line can hint at an estrangement between ego and Self beyond our ability to understand at the moment.
Never in any circumstances should one indulge in the unscientific illusion that one's own subjective prejudice is a universal and fundamental psychological truth. No true science can spring from this, only a faith whose shadow is intolerance and fanaticism. Contradictory views are necessary for the evolution of any science, only they must not be set up in rigid opposition to each other but should strive for the earliest possible synthesis. Jung -- The Symbolic Life
A. Clarity is obscured by ignorance and mistrust. Intelligence unrecognized is intelligence unused. Allow the situation to develop until the way becomes clear.
B. It is not always possible to understand what is taking place below the threshold of awareness -- hold to the precepts of the Work when you are uncertain of your role.
Line 4
Legge: The fourth line, dynamic, shows its subject in a tent so large and thick that at midday he can see from it the constellation of the Bushel. But he meets with the subject of the first line, undivided like himself. There will be good fortune.
Wilhelm/Baynes: The curtain is of such fullness that the polestars can be seen at noon. He meets his ruler, who is of like kind. Good fortune.
Blofeld: So great is the obstruction that the midday sun appears to him as a tiny star. Meeting a prince of equal rank -- good fortune!
Liu: The shield is so great that you can see the polestar at noon. One meets an ignorant ruler. Good fortune.
Ritsema/Karcher: Abounding: one's screen. Sun centering: visualizing a bin. Meeting one's hiding lord. Significant.
Shaughnessy: Making abundant his curtain; in the middle of the day one sees the Dipper; meeting his placid ruler; auspicious.
Cleary (1): Increasing shade, seeing stars at midday. Meeting the hidden master is auspicious.
Wu: He makes abundance of curtains. His house is so dimmed as if he could see the Dipper with the sun at noon. He meets with his equal partner. Auspicious.
COMMENTARY
Confucius/Legge: The position of the line is inappropriate. There is darkness and no light. The good fortune of meeting the first line means that action may be taken. Wilhelm/Baynes: The place is not the appropriate one. He is dark and not light-giving. This means action. Blofeld: The extent of the obstruction is indicated by the unsuitable position of this line. His seeing only a tiny star at midday implies nothing wherewith to lighten the darkness surrounding us. His good fortune in meeting a prince of equal rank indicates that action can now be taken. [We are obstructed by ignorance or stupidity and should not act until someone ready to help us appears.]Ritsema/Karcher: Situation not appropriate indeed. Shade, not brightening indeed. Significant movement indeed. Cleary (2): With abundant shade, the position is not appropriate. Seeing the stars at midday means it is dark and dim. Meeting the hidden master is auspicious in terms of action. Wu: Because his house is darkened, etc.
Legge: The first sentence of line four is the same as line two, until we come to the strange correlation of the two dynamic lines in four and one, and the issue is good. An alternative translation is: "He meets with the subject of the parallel line."
NOTES AND PARAPHRASES
Siu: The eclipse is decreasing. The man gets together with elements with which he has a natural affinity.
Wing: Although your position as been less than ideal, you will finally meet with the right elements to help you achieve your aim. Enthusiasm coupled with wise decisions lead to good fortune.
Editor: The essential image is one of ignorance (darkness) which is dispelled by an alliance or connection. Ordinarily one would not expect to take action when in the dark about the situation in question, but here action is advised in order to dispel the darkness. Because of the unusual correct correlation between two dynamic lines, the image suggests that a highly abstract, "intellectual" association may be called for here.
Nowhere is the basic requirement so indispensable as in psychology that the observer should be adequate to his object, in the sense of being able to see not only subjectively but also objectively. The demand that he should see only objectively is quite out of the question, for it is impossible. We must be satisfied if he does not see too subjectively. Jung -- Psychological Types
A. When you're in the dark, seek help: Take steps to clarify the situation.
Line 6
Legge: The sixth line, magnetic, shows its subject with her house made large, but only serving as a screen to her household. When she looks at her door, it is still, and there is nobody about it. For three years no one is to be seen. There will be evil.
Wilhelm/Baynes: His house is in a state of abundance. He screens off his family. He peers through the gate and no longer perceives anyone. For three years he sees nothing. Misfortune.
Blofeld: There is abundance in his dwelling and a wall around his house; yet, peering through the gate, he sees no one. For three years, he sees nobody -- misfortune!
Liu: One's house is big and luxurious; later it will be overgrown. Someone looks in at the gate and does not see anyone. For three years he sees nothing. Misfortune.
Ritsema/Karcher: Abounding: one's roof. Screening one's dwelling. Peeping-through one's door. Living-alone, one without people. Three year's-time not encountering. Pitfall.
Shaughnessy: Making abundant his room, screening his house, and arching his window; he is alarmed at his having no people; for three years he does not follow; inauspicious.
Cleary (1): Embellishing the room, shading the house; peeking in the door, it is quiet, with no one there, unseen for three years. Inauspicious.
Cleary (2): Making the house rich, shading the home. A peek in the door finds quiet, etc.
Wu: He has his house richly decorated. He uses curtains to shield his home. Peeping through its door, one sees not a single soul. For three years, nobody has been seen therein. Foreboding.
COMMENTARY
Confucius/Legge: She has made her house large -- she soars in her pride to the heavens. She looks at her door, which is still, with no one about it -- she only keeps herself withdrawn from all others. Wilhelm/Baynes: He flutters about at the border of heaven. He screens himself off. Blofeld: He seems to be hovering on the border of the skies. He has deliberately hidden himself. [The whole of this refers to someone who had done very well for himself but who, out of snobbery or for a similar reason, refuses to share his good fortune and therefore remains alone and miserable amidst his splendid possessions.] Ritsema/Karcher: The heavenly border, hovering indeed. Originating-from concealing indeed. Cleary (2): Making the house rich is pride. For one has hidden oneself. Wu: He has made himself feel like flying high in the sky. For he has hidden himself from the rest of the world.
Legge: All the conditions of line six are unfavorable, and she is left to herself without any helpers. Her long isolation undoes her -- the issue is only evil. No one but herself has any confidence in her. She holds herself aloof from others, and they leave her to herself.
Anthony: If, after being helped, as in the fifth line, we seek only to have our own way, or to be master of the situation, we lose all the benefits of acting correctly. If we are to make progress, we must keep our motives pure.
NOTES AND PARAPHRASES
Siu: The man is overwhelmed by his pride as he seeks personal splendor, alienating even members of his own household. He becomes isolated and is undone.
Wing: Your quest for abundance has made you proud. Your desire to maintain it has isolated you. You are out of harmony with the times and out of touch with those close to you. Therefore you have already lost your greatest possessions.
Editor: A "house made large" symbolizes an expanded psyche, or a situation of abundant choice. That this is "a screen to her household” tells us that important aspects of the situation are unrecognized: She "can't see the trees for the forest.” Legge's "still” door is a portal closed to awareness. In short, because of self-chosen isolation, she doesn't take advantage of an abundance of unperceived opportunities. A hermit’s life of renunciation may bring about an expansion of awareness, but it is wasted if one does not take appropriate action in the world. Ironically, the hexagram created when this is the only changing line is number 30, Clarity, offering a clear image of what she is missing in life.
Communication must be radiation and receiving and exchange. Whenever irritation is involved, then we are not able to see properly and fully and clearly the spacious quality of that which is coming toward us, that which is presenting itself as communication. The external world is immediately rejected by our irritation which says, “No, no, this irritates me, go away.” Such an attitude is the complete opposite of transcendental generosity. So the bodhisattva must experience the complete communication of generosity, transcending irritation and self-defensiveness. Otherwise, when thorns threaten to prick us, we feel that we are being attacked, that we must defend ourselves. We run away from the tremendous opportunity for communication that has been given to us, and we have not been brave enough even to look to the other shore of the river. We are looking back and trying to run away. Chogyam Trungpa
A. You are out of touch with reality -- blind to the light which surrounds you, too myopic to see your options.
26 Controlled Power
Other titles: The Taming Power of the Great, The Great Nourisher, Taming the Great Powers, Great Accumulating, Great Accumulation, Great Storage, Nurturance of the Great, Great Buildup, Restraint of the Great, Restraint by the Strong, Potential Energy, The Great Taming Force, Energy Under Control, Power Restrained, Sublimation, Latent Power
Judgment
Legge: Controlled Power means being firm and correct. If its subject doesn't enjoy his family revenues at the expense of public service, there will be good fortune. It will be advantageous to cross the great stream.
Wilhelm/Baynes: The Taming Power of the Great. Perseverance furthers. Not eating at home brings good fortune. It furthers one to cross the great water.
Blofeld: The Great Nourisher favors righteous persistence. Good fortune results from not eating at home. It is a favorable time for crossing the great river (sea). [I.e. going on a long journey, perhaps abroad.]
Liu: Taming the Great Powers. Persistence benefits. Not to eat at home is good fortune. It is of benefit to cross the great water.
Ritsema/Karcher: Great Accumulating. Harvesting Trial. Not dwelling, taking-in. Significant. Harvesting: wading the Great River. [This hexagram describes your situation in terms of an overriding concern that defines what is valuable. It emphasizes that bringing the variety of things under the control of this central idea is the adequate way to handle it...]
Shaughnessy: Great Storage: Beneficial to determine; not eating at home is auspicious; beneficial to ford the great river.
Cleary (1): In Nurturance of the Great it is beneficial to be chaste. It is good not to eat at home; it is beneficial to cross great rivers. [This hexagram represents incubation nurturing the spiritual embryo. On this path, it is beneficial to still strength, not to use strength. Therefore it says: “it is beneficial to be chaste.” Chastity here means quietude. Stilling strength is nurturing strength. It is good to be still, not active – if one is still, this preserves strength; if one is active, this damages strength. This is the work referred to as “nine years facing a wall.”]
Cleary (2): Great Buildup is beneficial if correct, etc.
Wu: Restraint of the Great indicates prosperity and perseverance. It will be auspicious not to have meals at home. It will be advantageous to cross the big river. [The character chu in the present context has two meanings: one is to accumulate and the other to restrain.]
The Image
Legge: Heaven in the midst of the mountain -- the image of Controlled Power. Thus, the superior man studies the words and deeds of ancient men in order to build his virtue.
Wilhelm/Baynes: Heaven within the mountain: the image of the Taming Power of the Great. Thus the superior man acquaints himself with many sayings of antiquity and many deeds of the past, in order to strengthen his character thereby.
Blofeld: This hexagram symbolizes the sky visible amidst the mountain peaks. The Superior Man, acting from his profound knowledge of the words and conduct of the wise men of old, nourishes his virtue. [The arrangement of the component trigrams suggests glimpses of the sky among the peaks of the mountains. This points to something very far off and thereby indicates the advisability of setting out for some distant place. This is a time for going from home and giving concrete expression to our appreciation of what others have done for us or for the public good.]
Liu: Heaven within the mountain symbolizes Taming the Great Powers. The wise man studies ancient knowledge to improve his character.
Ritsema/Karcher: Heaven located-in mountain center. Great
Accumulating. A chun tzu uses the numerous recorded preceding words going to move. [A chun tzu] uses accumulating one's actualizing-tao. [Actualize-tao: ...ability to follow the course traced by the ongoing process of the cosmos... Linked with acquire, TE: acquiring that which makes a being become what it is meant to be.]
Cleary (1): Heaven is in the mountains, great accumulation. Thus do superior people become acquainted with many precedents of speech and action, in order to accumulate virtue.
Cleary (2): …Leaders build up their virtues by abundant knowledge of past words and deeds.
Wu: Heaven is within the mountain; this is Restraint of the Great. Thus the jun zi accumulates his virtue by remembering past words and deeds.
COMMENTARY
Confucius/Legge: The trigrams that compose Controlled Power show the intelligence of Strength and Mass renewing their virtue every day. A dynamic line is in the highest place, displaying the worth of talent and virtue -- his is the power that keeps Strength in restraint and displays the will necessary to the hexagram. Talents and virtue are nourished because he refuses to confine his power within his immediate family. Heaven in the second line responds to the ruler in the fifth, thus it is favorable to cross the great stream.
Legge: Controlled Power symbolizes both restraint and the accumulation of virtue. What is restrained accumulates its strength and increases its volume to become a great reservoir of force. The Judgment teaches that if one is firm and correct in this endeavor he may then engage in public service and enjoy the king's grace.
The dynamic line in the highest place is line six who is above the ruler and has all of heaven in which to move. This, plus the power to suppress the strongest opposition, shows how he is supported by all that is correct.
Concerning the Image, Chu Hsi says: "Heaven is the greatest of all things, and its being in the midst of a mountain gives us the idea of a very large accumulation. This is analogous to the labor of the superior man in learning, acquiring and remembering, to accumulate his virtue."
NOTES AND PARAPHRASES
Judgment:Controlled Power is willpower. The ego renounces selfish indulgences to work for the good of the whole. With such a spirit, great transformations are possible.
The Superior Man studies the precepts of the Work to increase his comprehension and fortitude.
The essential image to remember in this hexagram is that of Mount Everest holding down Heaven itself: raw power is controlled by the sheer mass of Keeping Still. Thus we see that Controlled Power is Willpower -- arguably the most potentially creative force in the universe, because used correctly it can accomplish anything.
The will is, curiously, not recognized as the central and fundamental function of the ego. It has often been depreciated as being ineffective against the various drives and the power of the imagination, or it has been considered with suspicion as leading to self-assertion (will-to-power). But the latter is only a perverted use of the will, while the apparent futility of the will is due only to a faulty and unintelligent use. The will is ineffective only when it attempts to act in opposition to the imagination and to the other psychological functions, while its skilful and consequently successful use consists in regulating and directing all other functions toward a deliberately chosen and affirmed aim. Roberto Assagioli –Psychosynthesis
An extreme example of this is illustrated by Cleary’s commentary on the Judgment where he says: “This is the work referred to as “nine years facing a wall.” The reference is to Bodhidharma (the patriarch who brought Zen Buddhism to China), who meditated facing a wall for nine continuous years until he attained enlightenment.
"If its subject doesn't enjoy his family revenues at the expense of public service, there will be good fortune” is an image of the ego renouncing its illusions of free choice. Psychologically, inner complexes will drain energy from the situation unless the ego has the will to control their manifestation. Every line except the sixth depicts some kind of restraint of power -- only in the top line is the energy available for use. It is significant that the superior man is advised to study the ancient wisdom, for it is in the Mysteries, the Perennial Philosophy, that one discovers the secrets and applications of the will. In other contexts (for example, a question about business matters), this can refer to making connection with sound and established practices.
In the larger philosophical sense, we see that the evolving illusions of every age insure that the masses will remain attached to the wheel of birth and death -- continuously repeating endless variations of the same basic lessons. When each individual is finally ready to escape from these cycles, it is only within the ancient and eternal template of the Work that transcendence can be found.
The analogies between religious ideas in Jewish mysticism that are hundreds of years old and the scientific findings of modern psychology can be explained only by the archetypal structure of the psyche. Man's images and ideas concerning the mysteries of being fall into the timeless patterns arranged by the archetypes of the unconscious; his meditations are determined by them. Within the setting of his culture and his time, he creates new forms for the expression of age-old truths. A. Jaffe -- The Myth of Meaning
Through contact with the Self, negative cycles can be broken and positive cycles begun, but it always requires a mountain's worth of Controlled Powerto make it happen.