Hexagram 52The eight pure hexagrams · Mountain
KênKeeping Still
Mountain (Gen) · Mountain (Gen)
The image
Mountains standing close together: The image of KEEPING STILL. Thus the superior man Does not permit his thoughts To go beyond his situation.
This hexagram in one line
The image of this hexagram is the mountain, the youngest son of heaven and earth. The male principle is at the top, because it strives upward by nature; the female principle is below, since the direction of its movement is downward. Thus there is rest because the movement has come to its normal end. In its application to man, the hexagram turns upon the problem of achieving a quiet heart. It is very difficult to bring quiet to the heart. While Buddhism strives for rest through an ebbing away of all movement in nirvana, the Book of Changes holds that rest is merely a state of polarity that always posits movement as its complement. Possibly the words of the text embody directions for the practice of yoga.
Core Meaning
The core judgment of this hexagram.
Mountain stands still
Hexagram Judgment
KEEPING STILL. Keeping his back still So that he no longer feels his body. He goes into his courtyard And does not see his people. No blame.
True quiet means keeping still when the time has come to keep still, and going forward when the time has come to go forward. In this way rest and movement are in agreement with the demands of the time, and thus there is light in life. The hexagram signifies the end and the beginning of all movement. The back is named because in the back are located all the nerve fibers that mediate movement. If the movement of these spinal nerves is brought to a standstill, the ego, with its restlessness, disappears as it were. When a man has thus become calm, he may turn to the outside world. He no longer sees in it the struggle and tumult of individual beings, and therefore he has that true peace of mind which is needed for understanding the great laws of the universe and for acting in harmony with them. Whoever acts from these deep levels makes no mistakes.
Upper and Lower Trigrams
- Mountain (Gen)
- Mountain · Stillness
- Mountain (Gen)
- Mountain · Stillness
Lines
What each of the six positions expresses.
Classics
Tuan CommentaryThe reasoning behind the judgment.
Keeping Still means stopping. When it is time to stop, then stop. When it is time to advance, then advance. Movement and rest do not miss the right time; his path is bright and clear. Keeping Still means stopping where one should stop. Above and below are in opposition, they do not give to each other. Thus one no longer feels his body; he goes into his courtyard and does not see his people. No blame.
Keeping Still means stopping. When it is time to stop, stop; when it is time to advance, advance. Movement and rest do not miss the right time; the path is bright and clear. Stopping where one should stop.
Great ImageThe image itself, read as a picture of the situation.
Mountains standing close together: The image of KEEPING STILL. Thus the superior man Does not permit his thoughts To go beyond his situation.
The heart thinks constantly. This cannot be changed, but the movements of the heart—that is, a man's thoughts—should restrict themselves to the immediate situation. All thinking that goes beyond this only makes the heart sore.
Further
Related hexagrams
Related Guides
- Hexagram HealthHexagram 52 (Keeping Still [Mountain]) in Health: I Ching Guidance for Wellbeing and VitalityWhat does Hexagram 52 (Keeping Still [Mountain]) suggest about health and wellbeing? True quiet means keeping still when the time has come to keep still, and going forward when the time has come to go forward. In this way rest and movement are i... Explore how the I Ching frames the balance of energy, rest, and renewal.
- Hexagram StudyHexagram 52 (Keeping Still [Mountain]) in Study: I Ching Guidance for Learning and GrowthWhat does Hexagram 52 (Keeping Still [Mountain]) teach about study and learning? True quiet means keeping still when the time has come to keep still, and going forward when the time has come to go forward. In this way rest and movement are i... See how the I Ching guides intellectual growth, skill development, and the discipline of deepening knowledge.
Frequently asked questions
What does Kên / Keeping Still mean in the I Ching?
True quiet means keeping still when the time has come to keep still, and going forward when the time has come to go forward. In this way rest and movement are i...
How should I study Hexagram 52 on this page?
Start with the judgment and image, then read the line statements in sequence. Keeping the toes still means halting before one has even begun to move. The beginning is the time of few mistakes. At that time one is still in harmony with primal innocence. Not y...
How can this hexagram be applied in a modern reading?
Keeping Still means stopping. When it is time to stop, stop; when it is time to advance, advance. Movement and rest do not miss the right time; the path is bright and clear. Stopping where one should stop.
Test this hexagram against your question
A hexagram page is useful for study, but a real reading starts from your situation. Choose a question and cast directly.
Original text from the I Ching; translation based on Richard Wilhelm's German version.