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Keeping Still

艮 (Gèn)

Hexagram #52

Hexagram Structure

6
Yin Line
5
Yin Line
4
Yang Line
3
Yin Line
2
Yin Line
1
Yang Line

Upper Trigram

Mountain

Lower Trigram

Mountain

Core Essence

Keywords

stillnessmeditationrestraintfocus

Meaning

Represents the power of stillness, meditation, and focused restraint.

Guidance

Practice stillness and meditation. Sometimes the best action is no action.

Classical Texts

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.

艮：艮其背，不获其身，行其庭，不见其人，无咎。

Image

Mountains standing close together: the image of Keeping Still. Thus the superior man does not permit his thoughts to go beyond his situation.

兼山，艮；君子以思不出其位。

Hexagram Story & Origin

The Keeping Still hexagram symbolizes the wisdom of stillness and focus. 'Gen' means mountain, symbolizing stillness and stability. Confucius said 'Knowing when to stop leads to stability,' embodying the wisdom of the Gen hexagram. The Gen hexagram teaches us: we should learn to stop at the right time, think in stillness, and accumulate strength in stopping. Sometimes stopping is for better progress.

Detailed Analysis

**Hexagram Composition:** Upper Trigram: Mountain Lower Trigram: Mountain **Judgment Analysis:** 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. 艮：艮其背，不获其身，行其庭，不见其人，无咎。 **Image Wisdom:** Mountains standing close together: the image of Keeping Still. Thus the superior man does not permit his thoughts to go beyond his situation. 兼山，艮；君子以思不出其位。 **Modern Application:** In today's society, the wisdom of Keeping Still can guide us: • Practice stillness and meditation. Sometimes the best action is no action. • Keywords: stillness, meditation, restraint, focus • Core Concept: Represents the power of stillness, meditation, and focused restraint.

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