Hexagram 61, Line 3

The Line Text

Interpretation

This line portrays a state of profound emotional and psychological instability caused by dependence on an external factor. The "opponent" (敵, dí) is not necessarily an enemy, but rather a counterpart, a rival, or any external person or situation to whom you have surrendered your inner authority. Your sense of self and well-being has become entirely contingent on this other. When they are favorable, you are joyful and advance ("sing," "beat the drum"). When they are unfavorable, you are sorrowful and retreat ("weep," "stop"). This erratic fluctuation reveals a loss of your own center. The principle of Inner Truth (Hexagram 61) is about finding a stable, authentic core within. This line has lost that core, making it vulnerable and reactive. The commentary points out that the "position is not appropriate"—a yin (receptive) line is in a yang (active) place, signifying weakness and indecision where strength and initiative are needed. This structural imbalance is the root cause of being so easily swayed by external influences.

Guidance for Action

Your primary task is to reclaim your inner sovereignty. Identify the "opponent" in your life—the person, situation, or goal that dictates your emotional state. Acknowledge the unhealthy dependency you have developed. You must consciously withdraw your energy and focus from this external source and redirect it inward. Stop reacting and start acting from your own principles. Cultivate emotional consistency by grounding yourself in your own values, not in the approval or disapproval of others. Instead of oscillating between advance and retreat, establish a steady course based on your own inner truth. The path to stability lies in self-reliance and building a resilient inner center that is not shaken by the whims of the outside world.

For Love & Relationships

In a relationship, this line points to a volatile and often codependent dynamic. Your happiness is completely tied to your partner's moods, words, and actions. The relationship swings between ecstatic highs ("singing") and devastating lows ("weeping"). This is an exhausting and unsustainable pattern. You may feel like you are walking on eggshells, constantly adjusting your behavior to manage your partner's reactions. The guidance is to find your sense of self-worth outside of the relationship. You must establish healthier emotional boundaries and stop allowing your partner's state to define your own. True inner truth in love comes from two whole individuals sharing a life, not from one person deriving their entire existence from the other.

For Career & Business

This line describes a work situation where your motivation and morale are completely dependent on an external figure, such as a volatile boss, a competitive colleague, or a fickle client. One day, a word of praise has you energized and productive ("beating the drum"); the next, a minor criticism or setback leaves you demoralized and wanting to give up ("stopping"). You have lost your professional anchor. To remedy this, focus on your own standards of excellence and professional ethics. Let your work be guided by your commitment to quality and your long-term goals, not the daily drama of the workplace. Find your validation in the integrity of your own efforts rather than seeking it from an unreliable external source.

For Financial Matters

In financial matters, this line warns against emotional, reactive decision-making. You are allowing the market's volatility or the advice of a financial "opponent" (like a guru or market noise) to dictate your actions. You buy enthusiastically when the market is "singing" (FOMO) and sell in a panic when it is "weeping" (fear). This "drumming and stopping" approach is a recipe for losses. The solution is to disconnect from the emotional rollercoaster. Develop a sound, long-term financial strategy based on your own research, risk tolerance, and goals. Trust your plan and stick to it, resisting the urge to make drastic moves based on short-term news or feelings. Financial well-being is built on stability and discipline, not on reacting to an unpredictable "opponent."