13. Tóng Rén 同人
FELLOWSHIP, ASSEMBLY IN THE FIELD, THE COMMON IN MAN, LIKE-MINDED, KINSHIP
Key Concepts:
companionship, community, like-minded, seeking harmony
Openly discuss your doubts, find like-minded people and those with whom you do not share a path. Build on common values and shared goals.
Above is the trigram Qian (Heaven), below is the trigram Li (Fire). The metaphorical image of this hexagram is tongues of flame rising to the heavens, like the spirits of people, as if seeing their reflection in the sun and stars. Just as one spark is easier to extinguish than a bonfire, so the human spirit soars higher faster if it is united with other people.
A real community is much more than just a mass of people, so Tong Ren emphasizes the importance of those who can lead and are able to set a goal that unites people. Unions depend on the commonality of interests, goals, and actions. We need to remember that we are all born from one source and the sun illuminates us all equally.
The main enemies of any human community are the struggle for power, suspicion, secrecy, and concealment, hence Tong Ren is called 'Assembly in the field (on the wasteland)', in a place that is open both physically and spiritually. Secret doubts and unconstructive attitudes need to be brought out into open discussion, where they can be corrected and rectified. Creating such communities will not eliminate difficulties, but with the preservation of group unity, difficulties can be met boldly, with hope for ultimate success.
Moreover, the image of assembling a group of people in the wasteland indicates the search for the principle of true community, for in the wasteland there is nothing to strive for or achieve. The true motives and desires of people will easily manifest, and it will become clear who is a supporter and who is an opponent of such a union, who can be trusted and relied upon, and who is better to allow to move on independently. The city is aside, and one should emerge into it after the group has gained true unity. Remember that the right unification of people means revealing the strengths of each, not striving for uniformity of thoughts and actions, not breaking everyone to fit oneself. True union is built on common values and achieving shared goals.
A real community is much more than just a mass of people, so Tong Ren emphasizes the importance of those who can lead and are able to set a goal that unites people. Unions depend on the commonality of interests, goals, and actions. We need to remember that we are all born from one source and the sun illuminates us all equally.
The main enemies of any human community are the struggle for power, suspicion, secrecy, and concealment, hence Tong Ren is called 'Assembly in the field (on the wasteland)', in a place that is open both physically and spiritually. Secret doubts and unconstructive attitudes need to be brought out into open discussion, where they can be corrected and rectified. Creating such communities will not eliminate difficulties, but with the preservation of group unity, difficulties can be met boldly, with hope for ultimate success.
Moreover, the image of assembling a group of people in the wasteland indicates the search for the principle of true community, for in the wasteland there is nothing to strive for or achieve. The true motives and desires of people will easily manifest, and it will become clear who is a supporter and who is an opponent of such a union, who can be trusted and relied upon, and who is better to allow to move on independently. The city is aside, and one should emerge into it after the group has gained true unity. Remember that the right unification of people means revealing the strengths of each, not striving for uniformity of thoughts and actions, not breaking everyone to fit oneself. True union is built on common values and achieving shared goals.
I Ching Talking
For like-minded people - first cries and screams, then laughter. Great troops are defeated, and there will be a meeting.
Hexagram Line Descriptions
Like-minded people are at the gates.
There will be no slander.
A group of people gathers, a unifying idea is needed.
Like-minded people are in the ancestral temple.
Regret!
There is no point in keeping the indifferent on your side.
Hide the weapons in the thickets.
You will ascend the high hill, but you will not rise for three years.
Backstage maneuvers are pointless, be open and honest in dealing with people.
Having climbed the city wall, do not decide to attack. Happiness.
On the eve of success, a period of calm observation is necessary.
For like-minded people - first cries and screams, then laughter. Great troops are defeated, and there will be a meeting.
A good sense of humor helps reduce explosive confrontation. Remember the goal you all pursue together.
Like-minded people on the outskirts.
There will be no regret.
The time for action has come. Let everyone show their strength.