Hexagram 20
Contemplation
觀
Upper
Wind · 巽
the gentle, penetrating
Lower
Earth · 坤
the receptive, yielding
Contemporary judgment
Contemplation. A time for deep observation rather than action. What you need to see is already present; the task is to quiet yourself enough to perceive it. The superior person uses this pause to align their inner life with what is true, and so becomes an example without needing to speak.
Image
Wind blowing over the earth. The ancient kings visited the regions of the world, observed the people, and offered instruction.
Counsel
Step back and look. Do not act from reactivity; look until you truly see the shape of the situation. Your example now influences others more than your words. Align yourself with what is true, and let that alignment do its quiet work.
The six lines
Numbered from the bottom upward; displayed here from first to sixth.
Line 1
A six at the beginning means: Boyish contemplation. For a lowly person, no blame. For a noble one, humiliating.
Line 2
A six in the second place means: Contemplation through the crack of the door. The perseverance of a woman is furthering.
Line 3
A six in the third place means: Contemplation of my life decides between advance and retreat.
Line 4
A six in the fourth place means: Contemplation of the light of the realm. It is favorable to act as the guest of a king.
Line 5
A nine in the fifth place means: Contemplation of my life. The noble one is without blame.
Line 6
A nine at the top means: Contemplation of his life. The noble one is without blame.
Contemporary sections are original app interpretations. Line text comes from the CC0 translation in jesshewitt/i-ching.