夬
Hexagram 43: KUAI
BREAKTHROUGH (RESOLUTENESS)
A breakthrough. Do not be
drawn back into bad habits.
The arrival of the hexagram Kuai indicates that a long-awaited change is at hand. A difficulty that has oppressed you over a long period is now about to dissolve. It is important to respond in the proper way.
There is a temptation on obtaining relief to fall into the traps of the ego: pride at having dispersed the trouble, self-righteousness about having triumphed through correctness, anger at one who we think was the source of the problem, or a desire to remain free of all difficulty in the future. None of these responses is appropriate to the situation at hand.
What is needed now is resoluteness: a firm commitment to continuing the battle for good and to the self-examination that makes all good things possible. This is not a time to lapse back into negative mental habits and enjoy the “vacation” provided by the breakthrough. Do not rest on your laurels, but push forward, deepening your inner strength and your resistance to the influence of inferiors, both in yourself and others. Strengthen those around you by setting an example of self-improvement and self-correction. Great progress and good fortune are available now to one who makes proper use of the opening.
FIRST LINE
Resistance is still present. Go forward only as far as you can travel in a spirit of calm and equanimity. Ignore demands of the ego to triumph or resolve everything at once.
SECOND LINE
Remain watchful for unanticipated dangers at all times. Thus you are never surprised and can greet any event with poise and readiness.
THIRD LINE
The situation attempts to provoke you to act. Do not be drawn in. Do nothing until a quiet sense of truth is established.
FOURTH LINE
Restlessness encourages you to force your will on the situation. This brings misfortune. Allow yourself to be led like a quiet lamb by the shepherd of inner truth.
FIFTH LINE
If it is your habit to indulge in what is inferior, break your habit now. Persevere in what is right, accept life, and you will succeed.
SIXTH LINE
The situation seems resolved but may not be. Only a steady devotion to correct behavior brings the desired completion.
Further guidance from the
Wei Wu Wei Ching
Forget all ideas
of accomplishing something—
in your practice and everywhere
else. Everything is already
accomplished.
If this sounds
like a tricky idea to you,
the flaw is in your understanding
of reality, not in reality
itself.
Allowing nature
to manifest is the way
of the Way. By setting aside
our ambitions and leaving
the Way to the Way,
we perfect
the Way.
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