Hexagram 41 of 64
損
Decrease
Sǔn
Upper Trigram
艮
Mountain
Keeping Still, Resting
Mountain · Youngest Son
Lower Trigram
兌
Lake
Joyous, Open
Lake · Youngest Daughter
The Judgment
Decrease combined with sincerity brings about supreme good fortune without blame. One may be persevering in this. It furthers one to undertake something. How is this to be carried out? One may use two small bowls for the sacrifice.
What appears as decrease from without is often increase within. Reducing outer consumption to nourish inner depth — offering from sincerity rather than abundance — is the highest form of decrease. Even a simple offering given with genuine heart reaches heaven.
The Image
At the foot of the mountain, the lake — the image of Decrease. Thus the superior person controls their anger and restrains their instincts.
The lake shrinks at the mountain's foot, giving its waters to nourish what is above. The wise person decreases the excess energies of emotion and instinct to feed the growth of inner clarity.
The Six Lines
Line 1
Going quickly when one's tasks are finished is without blame. But one must reflect on how much one may decrease others.
Completing your own work swiftly to help others is good. But be mindful of how much you ask others to give up on your behalf.
Line 2
Perseverance furthers. To undertake something brings misfortune. Without decreasing oneself, one is able to bring increase to others.
Maintaining your own integrity while helping others is the most sustainable form of service. Self-depletion is not required.
Line 3
When three people journey together, their number decreases by one. When one person journeys alone, they find a companion.
Three is an unstable number; the third is always superfluous. Aloneness, paradoxically, attracts genuine companionship.
Line 4
If one decreases one's faults, it makes the other hasten to come. No blame.
Inner self-improvement — decreasing one's own faults — is the most effective way to attract genuine help and relationships.
Line 5
Someone does indeed increase them. Ten pairs of tortoises cannot oppose it. Supreme good fortune.
When heaven itself sends increase, nothing can stop it. Receive this gift with gratitude and without resistance.
Line 6
If one is increased without depriving others, there is no blame. Perseverance brings good fortune. It furthers one to undertake something. One obtains servants but no longer has a separate home.
Increase that comes to you without taking from others is pure gift. Act on it. The increase spreads outward, creating community.
For contemplation and self-reflection only. Not a substitute for professional advice.