The I Ching Speaks!



     12.  P'i / Standstill [Stagnation]

          ----------
          ----------     above     Ch'ien The Creative, Heaven
          ----------
          ---- ----
          ---- ----     below     K'un   The Receptive, Earth
          ---- ----

     The Judgement

          Standstill. Evil people do not further
          The perseverance of the superior man.
          The great departs; the small approaches.

     The Image

          Heaven and earth do not unite:
          The image of Standstill.
          Thus the superior man falls back upon his inner worth
          In order to escape the difficulties.
          He does not permit himself to be honored with revenue.

     The Lines

          Nine in the fourth place means:
          He who acts at the command of the highest
          Remains without blame.
          Those of like mind partake of the blessing.

     ()   Nine in the fifth place means:
          Standstill is giving way.
          Good fortune for the great man.
          "What if it should fail, what if it should fail?"
          In this way he ties it to a cluster of mulberry shoots.


     23.  Po / Splitting Apart

          ----------
          ---- ----     above     K^en    Keeping Still, Mountain
          ---- ----
          ---- ----
          ---- ----     below     K'un   The Receptive, Earth
          ---- ----

     The Judgement

          Splitting Apart. It does not further one
          To go anywhere.

     The Image

          The mountain rests on the earth:
          The image of Splitting Apart.
          Thus those above can ensure their position
          Only by giving generously to those below.