Transformation · lines 1, 2, 4, and 5
Inaction becomes Success in Small Matters
What this change means
Thunder sounds over a mountain: the first, second, fourth and fifth lines move, and two still lines of 62 Success in Small Matters now speak. The third warns that carelessness and excess bring trouble. The top line says that chasing goals out of reach for now will cost you whatever you put into them. Both narrow the frame, and both are worth taking seriously.
So the waiting of 5 Inaction doesn't end in a leap. It ends in small, careful steps. This is a time for modest achievements that match your present means, not for proving how far you can go. Pay attention to details, keep your efforts within your resources, and let bigger plans wait. Watch for overreaching out of impatience after a long delay, since that's exactly the mistake this change describes.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 3 of 62 Success in Small Matters, which stays still
Carelessness and excess bring trouble.
Unless one goes beyond in guarding oneself, someone following will do harm. Misfortune.
- Line 6 of 62 Success in Small Matters, which stays still
If you insist on chasing goals that are out of reach for now, you'll lose whatever you put into them.
Not meeting it, goes past it. The bird in flight falls into the net. Misfortune. This is called calamity and ruin.
- The judgment of 5 Inaction
It's time to wait, not to act. Waiting doesn't mean standing still, though: it's a good time to prepare for the active period that's coming. A calm, relaxed attitude will lead you to success: look at the conditions without lying to yourself, and stay alert so you know when it's time to act. Destiny follows its own course.
There is sincere trust. Shining success. Constancy brings good fortune. It is favorable to cross the great river.
- Line 1 of 5 Inaction
You still have control over the situation. It's time to act in a relaxed way, while keeping an eye on what's happening.
Waiting on the outskirts. It is favorable to hold steady. No fault.
- Line 2 of 5 Inaction
Stay calm even if gossip comes up.
Waiting on the sand. A few words against; in the end, good fortune.
- Line 4 of 5 Inaction
Any kind of action will only make things worse.
Waiting in blood. Coming out of the pit.
- Line 5 of 5 Inaction
It's important to keep your goal, but relax, rest and watch without acting.
Waiting with wine and food. Constancy brings good fortune.
- The judgment of 62 Success in Small Matters
This isn't a time for great things; it's a time for small achievements. Recognizing that will help you live in step with the moment. Trying to go beyond your present means and resources will lead you astray and waste your efforts.
Success. Constancy is favorable. Small things can be done, not great ones. The flying bird leaves its call behind: it is not fitting to rise, it is fitting to descend. Great good fortune.
The trigrams
The way back
62 Success in Small Matters → 5 Inactionlines 1, 2, 4, and 5
Other transformations of Inaction
- 45Meetinglines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 2Passivitylines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 51Shocklines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 20Observinglines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 33Leaving Behindlines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 6Conflictlines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 25Innocencelines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 52Abidinglines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 4Immaturitylines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 27Nourishmentlines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 50The Vessel of Nourishmentlines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 30The Flamelines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 38Oppositeslines 3, 4, 5, and 6
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.