Transformation · lines 3, 5, and 6

What Lasts becomes Conflict

Starting hexagram
Resulting hexagram

What this change means

Heaven and water move in opposite directions as the third, fifth and top lines change, and steady purpose runs into a dispute. The judgments share equal authority. What Lasts would have you stay on course and keep working. The resulting hexagram, 6 Conflict, describes a conflict that action can't solve. Cleverness works better than force, and the way out is to accept that you can't resolve it now, let events run their course and seek advice from someone wise. So persistence here means not forcing. Keep your direction, but stop pushing against the resistance. Think through how this began, get counsel, and let time do some of the work. Your aims can survive the dispute if you don't spend them on winning it.

What to read, in order

Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.

  1. 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.

  2. The judgment of 6 Conflict

    A conflict is arising that can't be solved by action; cleverness works better than force. Recognizing that you can't resolve anything right now, letting events take their course, and seeking the advice of someone wise in this area will help you get out of the conflict.

    There is sincere trust, but it is blocked. Caution: stopping halfway brings good fortune; going all the way to the end, misfortune. It is favorable to see the great person. It is not favorable to cross the great river.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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 trigrams

Below Wind Water
Above Thunder Heaven

The way back

6 Conflict → 32 What Lasts
lines 3, 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.

Toss the coins