60. Chieh / Limitations
(Water above Lake)
Description
Waters difficult to keep within the Lake's banks:
The Superior Person examines the nature of virtue and makes himself a standard that can be followed.
Self-discipline brings success; but restraints too binding bring self-defeat.
Analysis
Cultivating the proper disciplines and the proper degree of discipline are the concerns of this hexagram.
By limiting options, you may give more attention to priorities.
One who is all over the map is no less lost than one without a map.
Avoid asceticism, however.
Deprivation is not wise discipline.
The key here is regulation, not restriction.
Changing Lines
Line 1
Roaming his own garden and courtyard, he never strays out the gate.
No mistake.
Line 2
Pacing his own garden and courtyard, he refuses to pass out the gate.
Misfortune.
Line 3
He without self-restraint today forges the shackles that hobble him tomorrow.
Line 4
He is most content in frugality and simplicity: the highest success.
Line 5
He travels easily with economy and simplicity.
This brings merit.
Line 6
Self-discipline teetering toward self-destruction.
An empty martyrdom.
Turn back.