What this change means
Water and heaven drift apart as the four middle lines move, and quiet stillness gives way to a dispute. Two unchanging lines in the new figure point the way. In 6 Conflict, action won't settle the matter; cleverness beats force, and letting events run their course while seeking wise advice helps you out. Its first line says gossip may swirl, and standing firm is still your wisest choice. Its top line warns that insisting on being right now will only make you lose. So keep the mountain's calm. Stand your ground without escalating, let the talk pass, and resist the urge to win the argument. Your stillness here is a strategy, not a surrender. Silence and steadiness will outlast the noise.
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 6 Conflict, which stays still
Even if the situation invites gossip, holding firm is your best move.
Not dragging the matter out. A few words against; in the end, good fortune.
- Line 6 of 6 Conflict, which stays still
Insisting on being right at this moment will only make you lose.
Perhaps a belt of honor is bestowed; before the morning is out, it is stripped away three times.
- The judgment of 52 Abiding
It's a time of stillness, of staying centered and steady: that's the best way forward in your present situation. Sometimes you need to stop, calm and confident, and wait for outer conditions to show you it's time to act. Don't go beyond what's happening now. There's no action, only a harmonious stillness, and staying that way brings success.
Still at the back; the body is not reached. Walking in the courtyard; its people are not seen. No fault.
- Line 2 of 52 Abiding
Right now you can only see to stopping yourself in the right place; you can't make sure others do the same.
Still the calves. It cannot come to the aid of what it follows; the heart is not glad.
- Line 3 of 52 Abiding
The stillness you need now can't be forced. It has to come from a calm heart and unhurried breathing.
Still the waist; the flesh along the spine is torn. Danger: the heart is smothered.
- Line 4 of 52 Abiding
You're able to stay calm and trust that the universe will take care of things.
Still the trunk. No fault.
- Line 5 of 52 Abiding
You need not only to stay still and calm but also to keep quiet, because careless words could put you at risk.
Still the jaws; words come in order. Regret vanishes.
- 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.
The trigrams
The way back
6 Conflict → 52 Abidinglines 2, 3, 4, and 5
Other transformations of Abiding
- 38Oppositeslines 1, 2, 3, and 4
- 61Inner Integritylines 1, 2, 3, and 5
- 1Activitylines 1, 2, 4, and 5
- 25Innocencelines 1, 3, 4, and 5
- 19Fleeting Successlines 1, 2, 3, and 6
- 34Great Manifestationlines 1, 2, 4, and 6
- 51Shocklines 1, 3, 4, and 6
- 40Clearing Obstacleslines 2, 3, 4, and 6
- 5Inactionlines 1, 2, 5, and 6
- 3Initial Obstacleslines 1, 3, 5, and 6
- 29Waterlines 2, 3, 5, and 6
- 49Renewallines 1, 4, 5, and 6
- 28Excesseslines 2, 4, 5, and 6
- 45Meetinglines 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.