Hexagram 52
Stop, be still, stop when enough is enough
The wisdom of the Gen hexagram lies in the word "stop." It tells us that in this noisy world, knowing when to stop and how to stop is far more important than knowing how to move forward. The real strength is the unshakable tranquility like a mountain in the heart.
Trigram Structure
䷳, Gen above, Gen below
Palace：艮
Key Themes
Stop, be still, stop when enough is enough
The wisdom of the Gen hexagram lies in the word "stop." It tells us that in this noisy world, knowing when to stop and how to stop is far more important than knowing how to move forward. The real strength is the unshakable tranquility like a mountain in the heart.
If you touch your back, you won't get your body. Walking through his court, he didn't see his person. No blame.
Mountain ranges, rocks, gate (place where entry and exit stop).
Meditation cushion, door, stop sign, mountain.
The wisdom of the Gen hexagram lies in the word "stop." It tells us that in this noisy world, knowing when to stop and how to stop is far more important than knowing how to move forward. The real strength is the unshakable tranquility like a mountain in the heart.
Gen his toe, no blame, and Yongzhen.
Guidance
Stop at the toes; no fault; beneficial for long-term maintenance.
Modern Insight
This is the beginning of stopping. You stop at the very beginning, before any action is taken. This is the most fundamental and wisest stop. By stopping at the source, you avoid all subsequent troubles.
Gen his calf, do not save his follow, his heart is not happy.
Guidance
Stop at the calf; cannot save what follows; heart is not happy.
Modern Insight
You stop at the calf, but the upper body continues to move. This is an incomplete stop, causing internal conflict. This line warns: stopping must be complete; partial stopping will only bring inner turmoil.
Gen his limit, lie his back, fierce in his heart.
Guidance
Stop at the waist; lying on the back; danger in the heart.
Modern Insight
You stop at the waist, but your heart is still restless. This is stopping the body but not the mind. This is the most dangerous state because external stillness cannot suppress inner turmoil.
Gen his body, no blame.
Guidance
Stop the body; no fault.
Modern Insight
You have achieved true stopping. Your body and mind are both still. This is the ideal state of the Gen hexagram—complete tranquility, naturally bringing no fault.
Gen his cheek, words are orderly, regret is gone.
Guidance
Stop at the cheeks; words are orderly; regret disappears.
Modern Insight
You stop at the source of speech. You know when to speak and when not to speak. Your words are orderly and appropriate. This is the wisdom of stopping speech, naturally making regret disappear.
Gen Geng, auspicious.
Guidance
Stop at the top; auspicious.
Modern Insight
This is the highest realm of stopping. You have reached the peak of tranquility. Your stopping is not passive avoidance, but active cultivation. This is the ultimate wisdom—knowing when to stop and achieving perfect stillness.
