#33 Tun / Retreat & #34 Ta Chuang / The Power of the Great

#33 Tun / Retreat – Heaven (Ch’ien) over Mountain (Kên)

#34 Ta Chuang / The Power of the Great – Thunder (Chên) over Heaven (Ch’ien)

#33 Heaven over Mountain

#34 Thunder over Heaven

Theme:  A Time to Retreat : A Time to Stand Strong

Aspect	#33 Tun Retreat	#34 Ta Chuang The Power of the Great
Situation
Symbolically	The mountain rises toward far away heaven.	Thunder rises with the strength of heaven.
Socially	A hostile and inferior force is on the rise.	Great power is a means, not an end.  Inappropriate actions will generate chaos.
Individually	A sage rises above and withdraws from inferior intents.	While now blessed with great power, ensure that actions are honorable.
Response
Symbolically	Heaven retreats upward out of reach of the mountain.	Thunder’s movement is in harmony with the movement of heaven.
Socially	Do not confront or become emotionally entangled with the opposing force.  Be content with small actions directed at eventual resurgence.	When justice and greatness are united, actions are in accord with heaven and earth.
Individually	The superior one retreats into one’s own thoughts and remains detached from the inferior.	The superior person avoids doing anything that is not in harmony with what is right.
Outcome
Symbolically	Heaven remains out of reach of the highest mountain.	The union of strength and motion produces The Power of the Great.
Socially	By avoiding engagement, vengeance, and hatred, one preserves resources for future counter-movement.	Actions that are in accordance with the times can improve relations and implement good works.
Individually	Through dignified reserve and detachment one forces the inferior to a standstill.	By using one’s strength for the good of others, one strengthens one’s own spirit.
The Lines
Top Line	Detached from the situation, one proceeds without guilt or doubt and is blessed with good fortune.	If one recognizes that neither advance nor retreat is now possible and yields, complications are avoided.
5th	One effects a friendly but resolute retreat and is not drawn into irrelevant discussions.	Dispense with stubborn attitudes now that all is won and nothing remains to be proven.
4th	Abruptly seize the moment to retreat.  Hesitation and emotional turmoil at such times leads to suffering.	The less one’s power shows externally, the more lasting is the effect toward one’s goals.
3rd	Surrounded by inferiors one is both insolated from further difficulty but also held back from retreating.	One who boasts of power risks dangerous entanglement.  Concealed power is more effective now.
2nd	While retreating, cling tightly to what is right and don’t be swayed.	Don’t be over confident in successful advance – use restraint and do what is right.
Bottom Line	One is too close to the adversary – don’t draw attention by taking action.  Keep still.	Advancing by force leads to misfortune at this time.
Recap
#33 – Retreat:  Now is a time to retreat from rising darkness.  Retreat is not the same as flight.  Flight is simply a reaction aimed at saving oneself – some might call such action cowardly and weak.  Retreat is the strategic action of the strong which leads to eventual success.  In retreat one does not simply abandon the field.  Instead, one recognizes the right time to withdraw while making it difficult for the opponent to advance.  We do not abandon our principles, but save ourselves and prepare for the countermovement. #34 – Great Strength:  This is an auspicious time – what one says is heard, what one thinks is felt, what one does is followed.  One must not forget to ask what is right and honorable.  Although great power has been amassed, danger may result from taking action too hastily or applying too much strength.  Don’t let power degenerate to mere force.  The superior person unites great power with justice and correctness to achieve actions that are in harmony with the established order.

#33 Tun / Retreat

#34 Ta Chuang / The Power of the Great