Hexagram 43 - Breakthrough (Resoluteness) - KUAI

Show determination in staying within appropriate boundaries. Experience a significant advance. Refrain from reverting to negative patterns.

Summary

In Chinese, it represents breaking through obstacles to reach one's goals. The hexagram is composed of the lower trigram of Water (Kan) and the upper trigram of Fire (Li), which symbolise the power of purification and transformation. The key takeaways from the Judgment and image are to be persistent and persevere in facing obstacles, as this will ultimately lead to success.

Interpretation

The hexagram is composed of the trigrams of Heaven above and Thunder below, and its Judgment states: "Breakthrough. One must resolutely make the matter known at the court." The image associated with this hexagram is Thunder breaking through the earth, symbolising the power and potential for Breakthrough under challenging situations.

In the interpretation of the I Ching, Hexagram 43 represents a situation where one faces a challenging obstacle or a complex problem requiring decisive action. The hexagram advises one to be resolute in one's actions and communicate clearly and honestly to resolve the situation. The symbol of Thunder breaking through the earth also suggests that this Breakthrough may come through force or power.

From a historical and cultural context, this hexagram is closely related to the concept of "mandate of heaven" in ancient Chinese philosophy. The mandate of Heaven is the belief that the ruler of a country holds the mandate to rule by the will of Heaven and that if they lose the mandate, they will lose their power. The hexagram 43 is also closely related to the concept of justice, and the ruler must act justly to maintain Heaven's mandate.

On a deeper level, it can also be interpreted as a sign of the need to break free from old patterns and habits holding one back. The hexagram encourages one to be open to new possibilities and ways of thinking and to take bold action and risks to achieve one's goals. The hexagram also speaks to the importance of resoluteness, the quality of being firmly committed to one's goals and not allowing oneself to be swayed by distractions or setbacks. To achieve success, one must be willing to take risks and push through obstacles. This requires persistence and determination and the ability to act decisively and with purpose, even in the face of uncertainty or opposition.

Moreover, Hexagram 43 offers guidance on how to achieve a Breakthrough by following the correct path resolutely. By emotionally disengaging from situations that tempt us to react emotionally, we can remove obstructions and clear the way for success. By recognising and resisting negative emotions such as anger, frustration, and overconfidence, we deprive our ego of energy and give others' egos nothing to compete with. By staying determined to follow this discipline, we can invoke the power of the Creative that always acts to help those who unselfishly follow the good.

When we achieve a Breakthrough, and our situation improves, a new sort of resoluteness needs to be undertaken: to guard against intervening in others' affairs and not allowing ourselves to slide back into the habits of mind that led to our problems. It is essential to avoid becoming rigid and proud and to continue modestly, determined to stay balanced and on course. It's a powerful symbol of the potential for breakthroughs in difficult situations. It offers guidance on achieving success through resoluteness, determination, and the willingness to take risks and push through obstacles. The hexagram reminds us to be open to new possibilities and ways of thinking and to stay committed to our goals even in the face of uncertainty or opposition.

Sage Advice

Cultivate a strong self-awareness and trust in your inner guidance. This requires a deep level of introspection and reflection and the willingness to let go of external distractions and attachments. It also involves the courage to face your fears and to push through the obstacles that may be holding you back from achieving your goals. However, it is vital to maintain balance and perspective and avoid becoming too attached to any particular outcome or expectation.

In addition, the hexagram reminds us to remain open to receiving help and guidance from others when needed. It is essential to seek out mentors, advisors, and allies who can provide support and encouragement along the way. At the same time, it is crucial to maintain a sense of humility and to avoid becoming too dependent on others for validation or direction. Ultimately, the key to achieving breakthrough success lies in cultivating a deep understanding of inner strength and resilience and maintaining a steady, focused, and persistent approach to overcoming obstacles and achieving one's goals.

Line 1

Speaks of the potential dangers of overconfidence and exuberant enthusiasm. It warns us to be cautious and not to let our ego lead us astray, as we may end up making a mistake that could cause danger. This could mean we may tackle a situation with too much enthusiasm or become too lenient in our approach to dispersing alienation. Instead, the I Ching advises us to be resolute in our actions, to withdraw from others, and to "bite through" the obstacles we face. We must resist the demands of our ego, which may push us to go beyond our limits or try to resolve everything at once. Instead, we must go forward only as far as we can travel in a spirit of calm and equanimity. This line reminds us of the importance of staying grounded and not allowing our ego to take control of our actions. By staying calm and resolute, we can break through the obstacles we face while avoiding the potential dangers of overconfidence and exuberant enthusiasm. We must remain mindful and aware of our actions, ensuring we do not let our ego lead us astray.

Line 2

Be vigilant and aware of potential threats, even as you move forward. This allows you to approach any situation calmly and quickly and avoid being caught off guard. The second line advises against complacency and overconfidence, urging us to maintain a state of alertness and preparedness at all times. By doing so, we can be better equipped to handle any challenges that come our way and avoid being taken by surprise.

Line 3

Advises against hasty actions or decisions in a situation that appears to demand them. The line suggests that the superior person should be firmly resolved to resist the urge to take action and instead remain patient until a clear and calm understanding of the situation is achieved. This requires a certain level of self-discipline and an ability to resist the pressure of external or internal influences. In practical terms, this line might suggest that when faced with a difficult decision or problem, it is essential to reflect and gather information before taking action. It is vital to resist the temptation to act impulsively or to give in to pressure from others. Instead, one should remain firmly resolved to wait until the situation becomes more apparent and a sense of truth is established. This line suggests that in some situations, it may be necessary to ask for help or guidance from others who may have more experience or expertise in dealing with similar problems. This requires humility and a willingness to admit that one does not have all the answers. By remaining resolved to seek help and guidance, the superior person can avoid making hasty decisions that may lead to further problems.

Line 4

Warns against the dangers of forcing our will on a situation out of restlessness, which can lead to misfortune. Instead, we should allow ourselves to be led like a quiet lamb by the shepherd of inner truth. This means relying on our inner sense of what is right and allowing the right thing to come of itself rather than trying to memorize what to say or forcing a particular outcome. To do this, we must maintain inner emptiness and avoid listening to the clamouring of our emotions or pretending to know the correct answer in advance. Following our inner truth and being led like a lamb, we can avoid the pitfalls of overbearing resoluteness and find proper balance and harmony.

Line 5

Emphasises the importance of firm resolution when dealing with habits or patterns of behaviour that may be holding us back. These habits are like weeds, solid and difficult to uproot. It is necessary to maintain our inner independence and balance, even in the face of the demands and expectations of others. Walking in the middle path, neither giving up on ourselves nor others, is free of blame. It is crucial to avoid becoming overly critical or judgmental of ourselves or others. Instead, we should persevere in doing what is right, accepting life as it comes and working towards our goals with determination and resilience. If we have a habit of indulging in behaviours or thought patterns that are inferior or harmful, we must break the habit now. We can overcome obstacles and achieve our goals by staying focused on what is right and proper and avoiding distractions or temptations that may lead us astray.

Line 6

Cautions against premature celebration or complacency in a seemingly resolved situation. While a Breakthrough may have occurred, it is essential to remain vigilant and firm in upholding the principles of equality and justice to ensure the matter is fully resolved. It is not enough to say the right things but to live by them consistently. Holding onto grievances or seeking immediate results from the force that heals and corrects only hinders progress. Instead, a steady devotion to correct behaviour is necessary for proper completion.