38. Kuí 睽
OPPOSITION, DISHARMONY, CONFRONTATION
Key Concepts:
polarization, misunderstandings, incompatibility, alienation, internal conflict, discord, quarrel
Try to resolve contradictions within yourself or with others. If you manage to reach a balance, a lot of energy will come.
Above is the trigram Li (Fire), below is the trigram Dui (Lake). The metaphorical image of this hexagram is two women in one house, who are in a state of conflict. Each considers herself the better hostess, and reconciling their positions seems impossible, as both believe they are right.
Fire rises upwards, and water flows downwards, so Fire and Lake have no foundation for achieving harmony. The two forces are opposite each other, and therefore they are in a state of conflict, avoiding each other. This lack of communication can be expressed as simple indifference or as a more destructive refusal to agree on anything.
Forewarning us of this tendency, Kui advises us to make attempts to reconcile opposing forces, whether they relate to our internal discord, disagreements with other people, or a group of people. We should seek harmony through a variety of approaches and strategies. If we are part of the conflict, we should reconsider our attitude towards the situation.
On the other hand, harmony is a dynamic balance of opposites, and if you manage to find a union of opposing forces – you gain a powerful energetic resource, to which much is accessible. Opposites need each other, but their confrontation only weakens and oppresses, to reconcile them and find common ground means to show wisdom and deep understanding of the situation. The hexagram may also indicate that there is discord in your inner world, as they say "the head and the heart look in different directions", but resolving this internal conflict is within your power.
Fire rises upwards, and water flows downwards, so Fire and Lake have no foundation for achieving harmony. The two forces are opposite each other, and therefore they are in a state of conflict, avoiding each other. This lack of communication can be expressed as simple indifference or as a more destructive refusal to agree on anything.
Forewarning us of this tendency, Kui advises us to make attempts to reconcile opposing forces, whether they relate to our internal discord, disagreements with other people, or a group of people. We should seek harmony through a variety of approaches and strategies. If we are part of the conflict, we should reconsider our attitude towards the situation.
On the other hand, harmony is a dynamic balance of opposites, and if you manage to find a union of opposing forces – you gain a powerful energetic resource, to which much is accessible. Opposites need each other, but their confrontation only weakens and oppresses, to reconcile them and find common ground means to show wisdom and deep understanding of the situation. The hexagram may also indicate that there is discord in your inner world, as they say "the head and the heart look in different directions", but resolving this internal conflict is within your power.
I Ching Talking
Not within your power is the beginning, but within your power is the end
Hexagram Line Descriptions
Regret vanishes.
When you lose a horse, do not chase after it.
It will return on its own.
If you see an evil person, there will be no slander.
Do not try to solve current problems by force
You meet your master in a narrow alley.
There will be no slander.
A chance encounter will lead to establishing
a strong connection
You see the cart dragged back and its oxen detained.
The man inside has his hair and nose cut off.
Not within your power is the beginning, but within your power is the end.
After difficult first steps, through willpower
you will achieve success
Disharmony and solitude.
If you meet a great man
and the connection with him is truthful,
though the situation is terrible, there will be no slander.
Your isolation will decrease after you meet a kindred spirit
Regret vanishes.
This messenger will bite through the hide.
If you move forward, then how can there be slander?
Try not to underestimate those who wish you well
Disharmony and solitude.
You see a pig covered in mud.
You see that demons fill the entire chariot. At first, you draw your bow against this, but then you put it aside.
If not for the robber, there would have been a marriage.
If, moving forward, you meet rain,
then there will be happiness.
Erroneously not trusting those friendly (useful to you) people,
you will end up in solitude