I Ching Hexagram 39 - Chien / Obstruction

• Above K'an the abysmal, Water
•  
• Below Ken Keeping Still, Mountain

Introduction

The hexagram pictures a dangerous abyss lying before us and a steep, inaccessible mountain rising behind us. We are surrounded by obstacles; at the same time, since the mountain has the attribute of keeping still, there is implicit a hint as to how we can extricate ourselves. The hexagram represents obstructions that appear in the course of time but that can and should be overcome. Therefore all the instruction given is directed to overcoming them.

See the James Legge translation of this hexagram.

Judgement

Obstruction. The southwest furthers. The northeast does not further. It furthers one to see the great man. Perseverance brings good fortune.

Judgement Commentary

The southwest is the region of retreat, the northeast that of advance. Here an individual is confronted by obstacles that cannot be overcome directly. In such a situation it is wise to pause in view of the danger and to retreat. However, this is merely a preparation for overcoming the obstructions. One must join forces with friends of like mind and put himself under the leadership of a man equal to the situation: then one will succeed in removing the obstacles. This requires the will to persevere just when one apparently must do something that leads away from his goal. This unswerving inner purpose brings good fortune in the end. An obstruction that lasts only for a time is useful for self-development. This is the value of adversity.

The Image

Water on the mountain: The image of Obstruction. Thus the superior man turns his attention to himself and molds his character.

Image Commentary

Difficulties and obstructions throw a man back upon himself. While the inferior man seeks to put the blame on other persons, bewailing his fate, the superior man seeks the error within himself, and through this introspection the external obstacle becomes for him an occasion for inner enrichment and education.

The Lines

Six at the beginning means: Going leads to obstructions. Coming meets with praise.

Changing only this line creates Hexagram 63 - Chi Chi / After Completion. If we seek to confront current obstructions directly we will find ourselves in greater difficulty. Stop and wait for a better time to act. Legge puts it as "...advance on the part of its subject will lead to greater difficulties, while remaining stationary will afford ground for praise." The resultant hexagram 63, After Completion, shows that if we ignore this warning and proceed on anyway, initial success will be followed by ultimate failure.

Six in the second place means: The King's servant is beset by obstruction upon obstruction but it is not his own fault.

Changing only this line creates Hexagram 48 Ching / The Well. Here we are faced with the duty to confront a dangerous source of obstruction and can not merely choose not to. Its our job or in an area where we must act irrespective of our personal desires. We can only do what we can. Legge's version is "...the minister of the king struggling with difficulty on difficulty" showing that this line has some unavoidable official responsibility that must be discharged, no matter how unpleasant that may be. The resultant hexagram 48, The Well, is a warning that we must strive to complete out duty but that there is a real danger that we will fail to do so, "If one gets down almost to the water and the rope does not go all the way, or the jug breaks, it brings misfortune."

Nine in the third place means: Going leads to obstructions. Hence he comes back.

Changing only this line creates Hexagram 8 - Pi / Holding Together (union). Confronting obstructions proves too difficult so a return to more normal activities is the best course. Legge's version says "...advancing, but only to greater difficulties. He remains stationary, and returns to his former associates." The resultant hexagram 8, Union, asks us to ask the oracle to see if we possess the required attributes that confronting obstructions requires. If we do possess such attributes proceed with confidence to success, else wise nothing good can be expected.

Six in the fourth place means: Going leads to obstructions. Coming leads to union.

Changing only this line creates Hexagram 31 - Hsien / Influence (Wooing). Recklessness is not appropriate when confronting obstruction. This line needs to gather friends and assistants around him to have any chance of success. Legge is equally sure "...its subject could do little of himself". The resultant hexagram 31, Influence, predicts that attracting supporters "...brings about success, for all success depends on the effect of mutual attraction"

Nine in the fifth place means: In the midst of the greatest obstructions, Friends come.

Changing only this line creates Hexagram 15 - Ch'ien / Modesty. This line is similar to the previous one in that an association of friends is required to successfully overcome obstruction. In this line we are called to help rather than the previous line doing the calling. We must not refuse. Legge puts it slightly differently, this line "...shows its subject struggling with the greatest difficulties, while friends are coming to help him." Either way we are going to be involved in a general effort to confront obstructive forces. Then resultant hexagram 15, Modesty, predicts that we will succeed in our aims because we approach the mission with the right attitude and values.

Six at the top means: Going leads to obstructions, Coming leads to great good fortune. It furthers one to see the great man.

Changing only this line creates Hexagram 53 - Chien / Development (Gradual Progress). To gain good fortune here we have to get involved in worldly affairs and assist the general campaign against obstructions. Legge wants the subject of this line to refrain from direct involvement instead "Let him abide where he is, and serve the great man immediately below him" because being directly involved will only increase the difficulties. The resultant hexagram 53, Development (Gradual Progress), predicts a long and slow battle to achieve our goals.

See the James Legge - I Ching Hexagram 39 - Chien / Obstruction translation of this hexagram.