Six Doors · No. 11
第11卦 泰 Tài · Peace
Essence: Heaven and earth commune; build while the flow lasts.
I
Judgment
Heaven and earth are in communication: influence flows down, energy flows up, and things simply work. Use this rare alignment to build structures that let the prosperity last. Flow and blockage trade places in time—reinforce the banks while the river is kind.
II
Trigrams
Upper
坤 Earth
Lower
乾 Heaven
III
The lines
- Line 1Pull one reed and the whole root system comes with it; your advance carries your kind along—go.
- Line 2Bear with the rough, wade the river when it must be waded, forget no one distant, favor no faction—that breadth is what this position asks.
- Line 3No plain runs level forever, no road runs outward only; when the built-in hardship arrives, hold your ground and your word.
- Line 4Come down lightly from your height, drawing near to neighbors on sincerity rather than wealth.
- Line 5The one above bends to join with the one below, as a king gives his daughter in marriage; that humility seals the blessing.
- Line 6The wall crumbles back into the moat it was dug from; when the cycle closes, do not fight it in the field—tend your own core.
IV
All the doors
Every single-step transition available from where you stand.
- Line 146 升 · Pushing Upward
Rise by steady accumulation, one step after another.
- Line 236 明夷 · Darkening of the Light
The light is wounded; veil yours to keep it alive.
- Line 319 临 · Approach
The rising tide approaches; use it, knowing it turns.
- Line 434 大壮 · Great Power
Strength peaks; only right use keeps it from turning on you.
- Line 55 需 · Waiting
The rain will come; wait nourished and unhurried.
- Line 626 大畜 · Great Taming
Great power held in check; stored force deepens into skill.
V