Transformation · lines 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6
What Lasts becomes Observing
What this change means
Five lines move, every one except the first, and wind now passes over the earth: What Lasts becomes 20 Observing. Look before you act. Right now others take inspiration from you, and you also need to watch those who inspire you, so things can unfold at the right moment. With five lines changing, the single unmoving line of the new figure carries the guidance. It says stopping at appearances doesn't help; go beyond simple looking and connect the facts. So pause the forward drive long enough to understand. Study the situation in depth, notice patterns, ask why things are as they are. Then let your next actions grow out of that understanding. Lasting progress depends on seeing clearly, and seeing clearly takes more than a glance.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 1 of 20 Observing, which stays still
It doesn't help to stop at appearances when you observe something. Go beyond simple looking: connect the facts.
Looking like a child. For the petty person, no fault; for the noble person, distress.
- The judgment of 32 What Lasts
This moment asks you for action, not stillness. It asks you to have clear goals to head toward and to act in line with them. That way you'll achieve things, and your achievements will keep growing and will last.
Success. No fault. Constancy is favorable. It is favorable to have somewhere to go.
- Line 2 of 32 What Lasts
Right now your enthusiasm and passion are greater than outside circumstances. Staying that way will gradually overcome the stillness and move you toward success.
Regret vanishes.
- Line 3 of 32 What Lasts
If you let outside circumstances grow bigger than your dreams and projects, they'll end up gaining power over you.
Not making one's virtue last; perhaps shame will follow. Constancy brings distress.
- Line 4 of 32 What Lasts
Motivation and enthusiasm aren't all you need to achieve something; you also need to find the places where those dreams can flourish.
No game in the field.
- Line 5 of 32 What Lasts
Right now your achievements will depend on your ability to be bold and open yourself to new paths.
Making one's virtue last, with constancy. For the wife, good fortune; for the husband, misfortune.
- Line 6 of 32 What Lasts
If you're always acting without giving yourself time to reflect and rest, you'll end up exhausted and stuck.
Shaking duration. Misfortune.
- The judgment of 20 Observing
Observe before you act. Right now you're a source of inspiration for others, and at the same time you need to observe those who inspire you. This will let things unfold at the right moment, and perfectly.
Hands washed, the offering not yet made. There is sincere trust, solemn and grave.
The trigrams
The way back
20 Observing → 32 What Lastslines 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6
Other transformations of What Lasts
Make your own cast
The answer changes with the question. Toss the coins and see which lines move for you.