Transformation · lines 1, 4, 5, and 6
Clearing Obstacles becomes Inner Integrity
What this change means
Wind blows above the lake: four lines change, and Clearing Obstacles becomes 61 Inner Integrity. The second and third lines of that figure stay still, and the reading turns on them. The second says your integrity draws kindred people who are willing to be generous with you. The third warns that if your security depends on others' approval, your mood will rise and fall with their opinion and you won't savor what you gain. The resulting hexagram says that wholeness within shows on the outside and lets your truth move others. After the obstacles, people may gather around you, and their praise can feel like proof that you're doing well. Don't build on that. Let your sense of worth come from within. The kindred people will stay because of who you are, not because you need them to approve.
What to read, in order
Marked ● is what Zhu Xi's tradition puts at the center for this number of moving lines.
- Line 2 of 61 Inner Integrity, which stays still
Your inner integrity will draw kindred people who are willing to be generous with you.
A crane cries in the shade; its chick answers. I have a fine cup: you and I will drain it together.
- Line 3 of 61 Inner Integrity, which stays still
If your security rests on other people's approval and acceptance, you'll ride emotional ups and downs and won't fully enjoy what you gain.
Meets an adversary: now drumming, now stopping, now weeping, now singing.
- The judgment of 40 Clearing Obstacles
The obstacles have been overcome one by one. You're in a time when balance matters: act quickly and decisively as far as you can, without overrating your abilities. If you feel you need a rest, or even to step back before going on, do it.
The southwest is favorable. With nowhere to go, coming back brings good fortune. With somewhere to go, going early brings good fortune.
- Line 1 of 40 Clearing Obstacles
With the obstacles behind you, take a rest for now so you can recover your strength to keep going.
No fault.
- Line 4 of 40 Clearing Obstacles
It's important to let go of ties and loyalties that can't be trusted and that, if anything, will slow your progress, so you can move forward freely.
Untie your big toe: the friend arrives, and then there is trust.
- Line 5 of 40 Clearing Obstacles
It's time for decisive action that keeps you away from the wrong people and situations. You do this by ignoring them and paying them no attention while you build up your inner strength.
The noble person need only get free: good fortune. There is sincere trust, even before the petty person.
- Line 6 of 40 Clearing Obstacles
Once you've strengthened your inner self, you can get through the obstacles and achieve your purpose with firm, decisive action.
The duke shoots at a falcon on top of the high wall and hits it. Nothing that is not favorable.
- The judgment of 61 Inner Integrity
When you're whole within, it shows on the outside, and you'll be able to do great things and to let your truth move others toward great undertakings.
Piglets and fish: good fortune. It is favorable to cross the great river. Constancy is favorable.
The trigrams
The way back
61 Inner Integrity → 40 Clearing Obstacleslines 1, 4, 5, and 6
Other transformations of Clearing Obstacles
- 36Darknesslines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 49Renewallines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 3Initial Obstacleslines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 5Inactionlines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 39Held Backlines 2, 3, 4, and 5
- 30The Flamelines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 27Nourishmentlines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 26Great Achievementslines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 52Abidinglines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 25Innocencelines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 1Activitylines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 33Leaving Behindlines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 20Observinglines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 57Gentlenesslines 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.