Hexagram 17 of 64
隨
Following
Suí
Upper Trigram
兌
Lake
Joyous, Open
Lake · Youngest Daughter
Lower Trigram
震
Thunder
Arousing, Movement
Thunder · Eldest Son
The Judgment
Following has supreme success. Perseverance furthers. No blame.
The capacity to follow what is good, to adapt to the time and to the demands of the situation, is not weakness — it is the highest form of responsiveness. Joy follows when movement and openness work together.
The Image
Thunder in the middle of the lake — the image of Following. Thus the superior person at nightfall goes indoors for rest and recuperation.
Even thunder rests within the lake at night. Knowing when to stop, to recuperate, and to follow the natural rhythms of rest and activity is wisdom.
The Six Lines
Line 1
The standard is changing. Perseverance brings good fortune. To go out of the door in company produces deeds.
A willingness to change direction in response to the moment's true call is auspicious. Engage with others and act.
Line 2
If one clings to the little boy, one loses the strong man.
One cannot follow both the petty and the great. Choose carefully what you follow; what you serve shapes who you become.
Line 3
If one clings to the strong man, one loses the little boy. Through following one finds what one seeks. It furthers to remain persevering.
Following the greater good means releasing the lesser comfort. The trade is worthwhile.
Line 4
Following creates success. Perseverance brings misfortune. To go one's way with sincerity brings clarity. How could there be blame in this?
Following the crowd is not always right. When one's own sincerity points in a different direction, follow your own truth.
Line 5
Sincere in the good. Good fortune.
Wholehearted devotion to what is genuinely good — without reservation or calculation — is in itself the finest outcome.
Line 6
One meets with firm allegiance and is still further bound. The king introduces him to the western mountain.
The highest form of following: one who is loyal through every test is finally honored by the highest authority.
For contemplation and self-reflection only. Not a substitute for professional advice.