Reading
Reaching an impasse, there is exhaustion.
The earthly realm seeks the celestial, but heavenly energy has not passed through. Contentions will lead to extremes—do not be deterred by weariness. Do not let conduct be affected—preservere, with firmness and correctness, and there may yet be good of it. Do not exhaust the mind, and there is joy—random thoughts do not occur to Great People, so they are not influenced by circumstance. Instead, polish and refine. Gather yourself in difficulty, as you do in ease—joyful in trouble. The Way is perilous, so step firmly, and be prepared for risk—the superior person will sacrifice their life to their purpose. This is sincerity. This is blameless.
Translation Reference
Judgment
Oppression. Success. Perseverance.
The great man brings good fortune. No blame.
If one has something to say, it is not believed.
Times of distress are the opposite of success. But they can lead to success if they meet the right person. When a strong person comes into distress, they remain cheerful despite all danger, and this cheerfulness is the foundation of later success. It is the constancy that is stronger than fate. Whoever lets themself be broken inwardly through exhaustion has of course no success. But in whomever distress only bends, it generates a force of counter-action that certainly comes to light in time. Yet for this no petty person is capable. Only the great man brings good fortune and remains without blame. Of course, outwardly, influence is at first denied him, since his words have no effect. Therefore in times of distress it is important to be inwardly strong and make few words.
Image
In the lake there is no water: the image of Exhaustion.
Thus the noble one stakes their life in order to follow their will.
When the water has flowed down out of the lake, the lake must dry up and exhaust itself. This is fate. This is the image of adverse fates in human life. In such times one can do nothing but take one's fate upon oneself and remain true to oneself. It is a matter here of the deepest layer of one's actual being; for only this is superior to any outer fate.
Commentary
Above is the lake, the water beneath it. The lake is empty and exhausted. The thought of exhaustion comes out in another way too: above, a dark line that holds down two light lines below; below, a light line is clamped between two dark. The upper hexagram belongs to the dark principle, while the lower belongs to the light principle. Thus everywhere the noble are suppressed by the petty and held within bounds.
Changing Lines
Line 1: Entering the dark valley, sitting on a tree stump, unseen for years.
Weakness here is self-destruction; follow the powerful yang lines to avoid resignation. Those who give up at the slightest difficulty, will never make it out of the valley.
Commentary
When one comes into distress, it is above all important to be strong and overcome the distress inwardly. But if one is weak, then distress overwhelms one. Instead of continuing forward, one remains sitting under a bare tree and comes ever more into darkness and melancholy. Thereby the situation becomes only more and more hopeless. This attitude is the consequence of an inner blindness that one must absolutely overcome.
Line 2: Stand up straight amongst the larder.
Sustenance is lacking. There will be hardship, but the Dao provides to those who stay true. There is success after adversity. Maintain sincerity, and there will be no blame.
Commentary
Here it is an inner distress in which one finds oneself. Outwardly all goes well; one has to eat and drink. But one is exhausted by the commonplaces of life, out of which no way out shows itself. Yet from above help comes. A prince, the princes in ancient China wore scarlet knee-bands, is seeking capable helpers. But there are still obstacles to overcome. Therefore it is important to meet these obstacles in the invisible through sacrifice and prayer. To set out unprepared would lead to misfortune, although it is not morally wrong. Here one must overcome an adverse situation through inner patience.
Line 3: Meeting with thorns, not seeing your partner, caught up on rocks.
A very inauspicious line. Acting arbitrarily, pretending to follow the Dao, only leads to exhaustion. Honour teachers, and respect companions—there's no real constriction here at all.
Commentary
Here is shown a man who is restless and undecided in times of distress. First he wants to go forward; there he meets obstacles that, however, mean distress only if one proceeds against them in an unthinking manner. He wants to go through the wall with his head and as a result feels himself oppressed by the wall. Then he leans on things that have no hold in themselves and are therefore questionable for the one who leans on them. Now he turns back undecidedly and withdraws into his house, but only to discover, to new disappointment, that his wife is not there.
Confucius says of this: "When someone lets themself be oppressed by something that should not oppress them, their name will certainly come into shame. When they lean on things on which one cannot lean, their life will certainly come into danger. Whoever is in shame and danger is approached by the hour of death; how then can they still see their wife?"
Line 4: Moving cautiously, there will hardship, but with a good ending.
The aim is misplaced towards strengthening weak lines, but good can be unearthed. When things are difficult, try a little more. The lines suggest you have everything needed to move through this to re-established joy. It could be slow and painful, but you have the resources.
Commentary
A well-to-do man sees the distress of those below and would very much like to help. But he does not grasp quickly and energetically where it is needed, but begins the matter hesitantly and measuredly. Then he meets with obstacles. Powerful and rich people of his acquaintance draw him into their circles. He must join in and cannot withdraw from them. Therefore he finds himself in great embarrassment. But the distress is temporary. The original strength of the nature makes up for the mistake committed, and the goal is reached.
Line 5: In leisure and satisfaction, the nose and feet are cut off.
You are well aimed in the Dao, though your spiritual and earthly purpose is stifled. Make yourself small and humble, and continue doing the right thing, and it is only a matter of time before the Dao is fulfilled, and the impasse is overcome. Enter with sincerity.
Commentary
It is someone who has the welfare of people at heart, oppressed from above and below (this is the meaning of the cut-off nose and feet). One finds no help from the people whose duty it would be to assist in the rescue work (the ministers wore purple knee-bands). Yet things develop gradually for the better. Until then it is important, in strong inner collectedness, to step before God and to pray and sacrifice for the welfare of the whole.
Line 6: Vines and creepers hold you fast and straight.
You know if you move, you'll find reason to repent, because you're ignorant of causes and conditions. Do not pretend—pretending to be great is to suffer without the opportunity to withdraw. Seek out help and teachers, and only act after true understanding. Repentance will break the standstill, and you will join the Great Path.
Commentary
One is oppressed by bonds that let themselves easily be torn. The oppression approaches its end. But one is still undecided. One is still influenced by the former state and thinks one will have to regret it if one moves. But as soon as one comes to insight, lays aside this spiritual attitude, and takes a strong resolve, one succeeds in becoming master of the oppression.