33 Tun: Retreat Chien, the creative, heaven is over Ken, keeping still, mountain. 国际易经网iqing.net▅▅▅▅▅
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The power of the dark is ascending. The light retreats to security, so that the dark cannot encroach on it. This retreat is a matter not of man's will but of natural law. Therefore in this case withdrawal is proper; it is the correct way to behave in order not to exhaust one's forces. In the calendar this hexagram is linked with the sixth month (July-August), in which the forces of winter are already showing their influence. 33660
12182The judgement 国际易经网iqing.netRETREAT. Success. 47901In what is small, perseverance furthers. 国际易经网iqing.netConditions are such that the hostile forces favoured by the time are advancing. In this case retreat is the right course, and it is not to be confused with flight. Flight means saving oneself under any circumstances, whereas retreat is a sign of strength. We must be careful not to miss the right moment while we're in full possession of power and position. Then we shall be able to interpret the signs of the time before it is too late and to prepare for provisional retreat instead of being drawn into a desperate life-and-death struggle. Thus we do not simple abandon the field to the opponent; we make it difficult for him to advance by showing perseverance in single acts of resistance. In this way we prepare, while retreating, for the counter- movement. Understanding the laws of a constructive retreat of this sort is not easy. The meaning that lies hidden in such a time is important. The image Mountain under heaven: the image of RETREAT. 15980Thus the superior man keeps the inferior man at a distance, Not angrily but with reserve. The mountain rises up under heaven, but owing to its nature it finally comes to a stop. Heaven on the other hand retreats upward before it into the distance and remains out of reach. This symbolises the behaviour of the superior man toward a climbing inferior; he retreats into his own thoughts as the inferior man comes forward. He does not hate him, for hatred is a form of subjective involvement by which we're bound to the hated object. The superior man shows strength (heaven) in that he brings the inferior man to a standstill (mountain) by his dignified reserve.
The lines 国际易经网iqing.netSix at the beginning [yin at bottom] means: 46002At the tail in retreat. This is dangerous. One must not wish to undertake anything. 36508Since the hexagram is the picture of something that is retreating, the lowest line represents the tail and the top line the head. In a retreat it is advantageous to be at the front. Here one is at the back, in immediate contact with the pursuing enemy. This is dangerous, and under such circumstances it is not advisable to undertake anything. Keeping still is the easiest way of escaping from the threatening danger. 46592Six in the second place means: 114833081139946he holds him fast with yellow ox-hide. No one can tear him loose. Yellow is the colour of the middle. It indicates that which is correct and in line with duty. Ox-hide is strong and not to be torn. 17382While the superior men retreat and the inferior press after them, the inferior man represented here holds on so firmly and tightly to the superior man that the latter cannot shake him off. And because he is in quest of what is right an so strong in purpose, he reaches his goal. Thus the line confirms what is said in the Judgement: 38407"In what is small" - here equivalent to "in the inferior man" - "perseverance furthers." 40896Nine in the third place means: 114833081139946A halted retreat 国际易经网iqing.netIs nerve-wracking and dangerous. To retain people as men - and maid servants
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Brings good fortune. 16569When it is time to retreat it is both unpleasant and dangerous to be held back, because then one no longer has freedom of action. In such a case the only expedient is to take into one's service, so to speak, those who refuse to let one go, so that one may at least keep one's initiative and not fall helplessly under their domination. But even with this expedient the situation is far from satisfactory - for what can one hope to accomplish with such servants? Nine in the fourth place means: 114833081139946Voluntary retreat brings good fortune to the superior man And downfall to the inferior man. In retreating the superior man is intent on taking his departure willingly and in all friendliness. He easily adjusts his mind to retreat, because in retreating he does not have to do violence to his convictions. The only one who suffers is the inferior man from whom he retreats, who will degenerate when deprived of the guidance of the superior man. 35918Nine in the fifth place means: 114833081139946Friendly retreat. Perseverance brings good fortune. 16569It is the business of the superior man to recognise in time that the moment for retreat has come. If the right moment is chosen, the retreat can be carried out within the forms of perfect friendliness, without the necessity of disagreeable discussions. Yet, for all the observance of amenities, absolute firmness of decision is necessary if one is not to be led astray by irrelevant considerations. 17519Nine at the top means: 14671Cheerful retreat. Everything serves to further.
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The situation is unequivocal. Inner detachment has become an established fact, and we're at liberty to depart. When one sees the way ahead thus clearly, free of all doubt, a cheerful mood sets in, and one chooses what is right without further thought. Such a clear path ahead always leads to the good.