Keeping Still (Gèn)

Judgment

艮其背，不获其身，行其庭，不见其人，无咎。

Plain Meaning：Keeping still at the back, losing sight of self; walking the court unseen—stillness in its place, no blame.

Image (Great Commentary)

兼山，艮；君子以思不出其位。

Line Texts

• 初六艮其趾，无咎，利永贞。

  Stillness in the toes—halting at the very start; lasting correctness furthers.

• 六二艮其腓，不拯其随，其心不快。

  Stillness in the calves—unable to save the one it follows; the heart is not glad.

• 九三艮其限，列其夤，厉薰心。

  Stillness forced at the waist, the spine strained—danger scorches the heart.

• 六四艮其身，无咎。

  Stillness of the whole body—no blame.

• 六五艮其辅，言有序，悔亡。

  Stillness of the jaws—orderly words; remorse disappears.

• 上九敦艮，吉。

  Generous, solid stillness—fortune.

Symbolism

Mountain upon mountain: stillness and knowing when to stop.

Life Lesson

Move when it is time, stop when it is time; peace comes from knowing your bounds.

Modern Application

Brake when overheated; focus on your own lane, resist overreach.

Words of Caution

Forced suppression, unlike natural restraint, wounds body and mind.