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I Ching hexagram 52, Gen
Hexagram 52

Gen

Keeping Still

Classical name: Kan

When you receive Hexagram 52, Gen, the I Ching turns your attention to keeping still. Stillness. Below is its judgment, its image, and the meaning of each changing line.

The Judgment

Stillness. When resting is like that of the back, and he loses all consciousness of self. Walking in his courtyard, he does not see any of the persons in it. No error.

Classical (Legge)When (one's) resting is like that of the back, and he loses all consciousness of self; when he walks in his courtyard, and does not see (any of) the persons in it — there will be no error.

The Image

Mountain upon mountain. Gen. The centered one does not go in his thoughts beyond the duties of the position in which he is.

Classical (Legge)(Two trigrams representing) a mountain, one over the other, form Kan. The superior man, in accordance with this, does not go in his thoughts beyond the (duties of the) position in which he is.

The Changing Lines

Six at the beginning

He keeps his toes at rest. There will be no error. It furthers to be persistently firm and correct.

Classical (Legge)He keeps his toes at rest. There will be no error; but it will be advantageous for him to be persistently firm and correct.

Six in the second place

He keeps the calves of his legs at rest. He cannot help the one above whom he follows, and is not satisfied in his mind.

Classical (Legge)He keeps the calves of his legs at rest. He cannot help (the subject of the line above whom he follows), and is not satisfied in his mind.

Nine in the third place

He keeps his loins at rest. The ribs are separated from the body below. The situation is perilous, and the heart glows with suppressed excitement.

Classical (Legge)He keeps his loins at rest. The ribs are separated (from the body below). The situation is perilous, and the heart glows (with suppressed excitement).

Six in the fourth place

He keeps the trunk of his body at rest. There will be no error.

Classical (Legge)He keeps the trunk of his body at rest. There will be no error.

Six in the fifth place

He keeps his jawbones at rest, so that his words are all orderly. Occasion for regret will disappear.

Classical (Legge)He keeps his jawbones at rest, so that his words are (all) orderly. Occasion for repentance will disappear.

Nine at the top

He keeps himself at rest with generous goodness. There will be good fortune.

Classical (Legge)He keeps himself at rest with generous goodness. There will be good fortune.

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