Youthful Folly 蒙
Youthful Folly is the spring that has just left the mountain. Admit what you do not know, seek a good teacher, ask once and listen to the answer.
Judgment
Youthful folly is open to success. I do not seek out the young fool; the young fool seeks me. The first question is answered. Asking the same thing two or three times is disrespectful, and then no answer is given. Perseverance is favorable.
Image
A spring wells up at the foot of the mountain; this is the picture of youthful folly. The wise person shapes their character by doing every task with care.
What does Youthful Folly mean?
The mountain is above, water below. The spring has just come out at the foot of the mountain and does not yet know where it will flow. In this situation not knowing is not a fault but the natural state of youth. You are a beginner in something, at the start of the road, or not yet able to see the whole picture. What matters is admitting this and staying open to learning. Do not treat inexperience as something to be ashamed of. Every master was once a beginner, and this first stage is the richest time for learning.
Learning has its own order. The teacher does not chase the student; the student goes to the teacher. You ask your question seriously and listen to the first answer. Asking the same question again and again because you do not like the answer only creates confusion, and this holds true for consulting the I Ching as well. Knowing that you do not know is the first step, but staying there is not enough. Spring water keeps flowing, fills every hollow and then goes on its way. Move forward the same way, patiently, step by step, doing each task completely. Discipline here is not punishment; it gives direction. Learn to trust the word of someone who knows, but keep using your own mind too. Put what you learn into practice right away, because knowledge only becomes yours when you use it.
What to do now
Ask once, listen to the answer and think it over.
Love and relationships
There is inexperience or innocence in the relationship. Get to know your partner through their actual behavior, not through your daydreams. Do not be swayed by show, and do not expect everything to be settled from the first day.
Work and money
You are in a learning phase in a new field. Find a master or an experienced person and listen to them. Before putting serious money into work you do not understand, get the basic knowledge first.
The lines
If a line changed (red) in your reading, read only that line. Lines are counted from the bottom up.
- First line
Discipline is needed to develop the young fool. Setting limits helps loosen the knots, but moving forward through punishment alone brings shame.
- Second line
Bearing with the inexperienced gently is good, and understanding women is good. The son can take charge of the household; patient understanding gives you strength.
- Third line
Do not take a young woman who loses herself on seeing a showy man. Binding yourself by losing yourself gains nothing.
- Fourth line
Stuck inside folly. If you cling to fantasies and ignore reality, a shameful situation follows.
- Fifth line
Childlike folly is a good sign. When you are ready to learn with a pure and open heart, the way becomes easier.
- Top line
Punishing folly. Simply punishing the one who errs is not right; the real aim is to prevent the error.
Trigrams
still, resting
deep, dangerous
Related hexagrams
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