Hexagram 52: Keeping Still
Outer trigram (upper)
Cấn
Mountain · Earth
Inner trigram (lower)
Cấn
Mountain · Earth
Judgment
艮其背，不獲其身，行其庭，不見其人，无咎.
Translation
Stillness: it comes to rest in the back, so one is no longer ruled by bodily desire; walking through the courtyard without noticing the people there. No blame.
Commentary
Both the upper and lower trigrams are Mountain — mountain upon mountain, standing firm and unmoving. Stillness settled in the back — the one place that sees neither what lies ahead nor what lies behind — keeps a person free from temptation, so the mind is no longer pulled about by outward things. Walking through the courtyard without dwelling on the people there means moving through life without being distracted.
Line Readings
Line 1 (yin)
初六：艮其趾，无咎，利永貞.
Translation
Stillness begins at the toes. No blame. Favorable to hold to what is right over the long term.
Commentary
At the very bottom, this line stops before the first step is even taken, avoiding the temptation to move in the wrong direction. Holding to what is right over time brings lasting benefit.
Line 2 (yin)
六二：艮其腓，不拯其隨，其心不快.
Translation
Stillness settles in the calf, but it cannot rescue the one following behind — the heart is not at ease.
Commentary
This yin line is centered and wants to hold still and stay upright, but it is dragged along by line 3 above it, and so cannot come to the aid of line 1 following behind. The heart feels unsettled at not being in control of its own movement.
Line 3 (yang)
九三：艮其限，列其夤，厲，薰心.
Translation
Stillness is forced at the waist, splitting the body at the ribs — danger, and the heart burns with inner turmoil.
Commentary
This yang line sits at the joint between the two Mountain trigrams, like the waist of the body. Forcing stillness so rigidly here splits the upper and lower halves apart — a dangerous state that leaves the heart in tormented distress.
Line 4 (yin)
六四：艮其身，无咎.
Translation
Stillness settles through the whole body. No blame.
Commentary
This yin line is correctly placed. Stillness of the whole body means governing oneself so that outward circumstances no longer dictate one's actions. No blame.
Line 5 (yin)
六五：艮其輔，言有序，悔亡.
Translation
Stillness settles in the jaw — speech becomes measured and orderly. Regret disappears.
Commentary
This yin line is centered and holds the position of honor. Stillness at the mouth means speaking with care and order rather than carelessly, and whatever regret existed fades away.
Line 6 (yang)
上九：敦艮，吉.
Translation
At the very top, stillness has become deep and fully matured. Good fortune.
Commentary
This yang line stands at the furthest extreme of the hexagram, having brought its stillness to full maturity and depth — reaching the highest state of inner calm. A very good outcome.