Hexagram 33 - Retreat

 

Retreat

Spiritual influence nourishing all

Small offerings benefit.

 

Structure:

·          Heaven 1 rises above the unmoving mountain 4.

·          Lower trigram keeps still, hampering the retreat.  The upper trigram has strong movement, retreating freely and unhampered.

·          The two bottom weak lines show the harmful forces advancing toward the retreating strong lines.

The hexagram marks the 6^th month of the Chinese calendar (July-August), when the forces of winter already show their influence by the days growing noticeably shorter.  When the darkness of winter approaches, the light naturally retreats to security.

Life evolved within the natural rhythm of the light and dark of day, the transition of the seasons, phases of the moon and tides.  All life follows this natural law and withdraws from the advancing winter. The light properly retreats to security so that the dark cannot encroach upon it.  Withdrawal from overwhelming dangers avoids the futility of resisting what lies beyond our capacities to change. 

It takes a great effort to advance and preserve what benefits life.  It takes only a small effort to destroy it.  When destructive forces press forward, then life must retreat beyond the reach of what harms so that it can survive until conditions improve and life can flourish again.  Through a retreat that is favored by the time, success is achieved.

Retreat from overwhelming hostile forces is a natural law and not human will. Such a retreat is not the forced flight of the weak but the voluntary and strategic withdrawal of the strong, the correct way to behave to not exhaust our strength by resisting the inevitable. The sage knows the dangers that self-cherishing and hostility for others can inflict on life and the Earth and withdraws from great danger when it still has full possession of its power and clarity.

The wise interpret the signs of the time to prepare for a provisional retreat. In times of advancing harm, they know when to strategically retreat and avoid being drawn into a desperate struggle which they would lose. They do not abandon the field to a destructive force but slow it down by showing its resolve in single acts of resistance. The voluntary retreat of the strong does not attempt to force anything but shows perseverance in small matters.

The need to retreat applies to the inner path as well.  Sages recognize the moment their self-cherishing and hostile feelings for others activate.  They gently withdraw from these feelings and refrain from acting in harmful ways. A constructive inward retreat in time is wise.                                                                                                                                        

Understanding the means of a constructive retreat requires discernment.  In such times, sages remain correct but not self-righteous.  They do not force anything nor advance great matters, but rather they benefit others in responding carefully to small things.  Despite the time favoring the advance of what harms, if the negative energy has not extended widely, the sage can still make small positive effects. By being inaccessible as a mountain, the sage brings what would harm to a standstill.

 

Line 1:  The line protects the other lines retreating behind it and uses flexibility and yielding to manage its weak position.  The small and powerless can easily remain obscure by not going anywhere.  They do not retreat as that would create an instability and make themselves known.

Line 2:  While the strong lines retreat and destructive forces press after them, this weak line holds on so tightly and firmly to the retreating lines and  cannot be shaken off.  Because this line so strongly seeks the ways of the spirit, it achieves its goal.

Line 3:  Entanglements with the clinging lower lines hamper this line’s retreat and increase its danger. The line cannot accomplish its goal with such dependents, which makes for an unsatisfactory situation.

This situation represents the path of loyalty to others.  In this path of personal feelings and personal involvement, the line supports its dependents and refuses to abandon them.  While dangerous, no blame attaches to this situation.

Line 4:  When the situation calls for retreat, the wise put aside preferences and retreat, overcoming their self-cherishing and returning to what aligns with the spirit.  Undeveloped people cannot manage personal relationships within the frame of serving the moment. 

Line 5:  The sage recognizes the right time for retreat has come and carries out the retreat in a friendly manner without disagreeable discussions.  Irrelevant considerations do not lead the line astray because it has made an absolute firm decision.  With an unwavering will, the line perseveres in what it must do.

The line holds firmly and resolutely to the spiritual path, preventing self-cherishing and worldly concerns from blocking it.  It associates with what benefits and distances what harms. 

Line 6:  The line has freed itself from self-cherishing and hostility for others, which allows it to retreat freely and cheerfully.  The line knows exactly what to do and carries out its decision without difficulty.  When one clearly sees how to benefit all, the way forward leads to the good as it benefits everyone.