33. Retreat (遁)

Dùn is pronounced tú kùn. Dùn means retreating and withdrawing. In this hexagram, the two yin lines are gradually growing, and yang must retreat and withdraw; hence it is Retreat (遯). It is the hexagram of the sixth month.

Although yang should retreat, Nine in the Fifth Place is in its proper position and has the resonance of Six in the Second Place below, as if there is still something that can be achieved.

But since the two yin lines are gradually advancing from below, the momentum makes retreat unavoidable; therefore its divination is that if the noble person can retreat, then even though his person withdraws, his Way finds success.

For the petty person, it is advantageous to remain steadfast, and he must not encroach upon and press yang simply because of his gradual growth. 'The small' refers to the yielding yin and petty persons.

The divination of this hexagram resembles the first and second lines of Standstill (Stagnation).

The success is explained through the single line of Nine in the Fifth Place. Zhǎng is pronounced dīng zhàng. 'Advantageous for the small to be steadfast' is explained through the two yin lines below.

When yin is just gradually growing, dealing with it is difficult; hence the significance of its time is especially great.

Yuǎn is pronounced yuán wàn. The body of Heaven is boundless, while the height of the mountain is limited; this is the image of Retreat. Sternness is the constant manner by which the noble person preserves himself, so that petty persons naturally cannot draw near.

Retreat. The Sequence of the Hexagrams says: Duration means long-lasting. Things cannot dwell long in their place; hence it is received with Retreat. Retreat means withdrawing. Long duration entails departure by mutual necessity; this is why Retreat follows Duration.

Retreat means withdrawing, avoiding, and departing. In this hexagram, there is mountain beneath heaven: heaven is above and its yang nature advances upward; a mountain is high and raised, yet though high, its body keeps still.

The mountain has the image of encroaching upward yet stops without advancing, while heaven advances upward and departs; the lower encroaches while the upper departs, mutually departing in retreat, hence carrying the meaning of retreat and departure.

Two yin lines arise below; as yin grows toward fullness, yang wanes and retreats. As petty persons gradually flourish, the noble person retreats to avoid them; hence it is Retreat. Retreat is the time when yin waxes and yang wanes, and the noble person retreats into hiding.

When the noble person retreats into hiding, he unfolds his Way; when the Way is not compromised, it finds success. This is why Retreat has success. In affairs, there are also cases where retreat and withdrawal lead to success.

Although it is a time when the way of petty persons flourishes, it is indeed good for the noble person to perceive the subtle beginnings and retreat; yet matters are not uniform, and one must ebb and flow with the times without dogmatism.

When yielding yin is just growing and not yet overwhelmingly abundant, the noble person still has the way of lingering and exerting effort; one cannot practice great steadfastness, yet it is still advantageous to maintain small steadfastness.

When the way of petty persons flourishes, the noble person's retreat is the very success of his Way. The noble person retreats into hiding in order to extend his Way.

This discusses the way of dealing with Retreat; from 'the firm is in its proper position and finds resonance' onward, it discusses how the time and the hexagram talent still hold room for action.

Although it is a time of retreat, the noble person's dealing with it does not require an absolute retreat. The fifth line, with the virtue of firm yang, occupies the central and correct position, and moreover responds to Six in the Second Place through centrality and correctness.

Although it is a time of waxing yin, with talent such as this hexagram possesses, one should still ebb and flow with the times; if one can exert effort, one will exhaust all sincerity to support the Way, rather than simply retreating into hiding without action.

Hence it says 'acting in accord with the times.'

When yin is growing, one cannot practice great steadfastness, but it is advantageous to maintain small steadfastness because the growth of yin must be gradual and cannot become overwhelming at once; the noble person can still maintain small steadfastness in his Way.

What is called 'small advantage in steadfastness' means supporting it so that it does not immediately perish. Retreat marks the first growth of yin; the noble person perceives the subtle and must take deep caution, yet the sage's intent is not to give up immediately.

Hence there is the teaching of acting with the times and finding small advantage in steadfastness. When sages and worthies look upon all under heaven, even though they know the Way is about to be discarded, how could they sit idly and watch chaos unfold without rescue?

They will surely exert painstaking effort before the extremity is reached, strengthening what decays and obstructing what advances, seeking temporary respite.

If it can be done, it is what Confucius and Mencius deemed worthy of doing, just as Wang Yun and Xie An acted in the Han and Jin dynasties. If there were a way to transform and a principle of success, it would need no further words.

This is the way of dealing with the time of Retreat; therefore the sage praises the significance of its time as great indeed! Whether retreating for long or swiftly, its meaning is great in every case.

There is a mountain beneath heaven: the mountain rises from below and stops, while heaven ascends above and departs from it; this is the image of retreat. The noble person observes this image to keep petty persons at a distance.

The way to distance petty persons: using harsh words and stern looks will only provoke their resentment and anger; it lies solely in dignified composure and awesome majesty, making them feel reverence and awe, so that they naturally keep their distance.

The meaning of Retreat is that retreating leads to success. This refers to the fifth line. 'The firm is in its proper position and finds resonance,' not being obstinate or arrogant. Retreating without obstinacy or arrogance, it can 'act in accord with the times.'

The way of yin is about to grow gradually, while the correct way is not yet entirely extinguished; hence 'it is advantageous for the small to be steadfast.' Great indeed is the significance of the time of Retreat!

There is a mountain beneath heaven: the image of yin growing.

Correct meaning: 'Retreat. Success.' Retreat is the term for hiding, withdrawing, and fleeing. In this hexagram of waxing yin, petty persons are coming into power and noble persons are waning by the day.

At such a time, if the noble person does not withdraw into hiding and escape the world, he will suffer harm. One must retreat before attaining success; hence 'Retreat. Success.'

'Advantageous for the small to be steadfast': the way of yin is only beginning to grow gradually, and the correct way is not yet fully extinguished; hence 'advantageous for the small to be steadfast.'

Correct meaning: 'Retreating and succeeding' explains how retreat achieves success. When the way of petty persons is waxing, the noble person cannot succeed except through retreat; hence 'retreating and succeeding.'

Correct meaning: It cites Nine in the Fifth Place to explain why retreating brings success. This is truly because Nine in the Fifth Place is firm and in its proper position, responding to the second line, and is neither obstinate nor arrogant.

Retreating without obstinacy or arrogance means moving according to the times, which is why retreating brings success; hence it says: 'The firm is in its proper position and finds resonance; it acts in accord with the times.'

Correct meaning: It explains the meaning of 'advantageous for the small to be steadfast.' 'Gradual' refers to advancing by degrees. If the power of yin advanced violently, it would extinguish the correct way at once.

Because the two yin lines grow gradually, the correct way is not immediately wiped out; hence 'advantageous for the small to be steadfast.' Correct meaning: It praises the virtue of Retreat.

To gauge the times, weigh what is appropriate, and withdraw from the world—unless one is a great man who perceives subtle beginnings, one cannot act thus. Its meaning is exceedingly great; hence it says: 'Great indeed!'

The Image says: 'There is a mountain beneath heaven: Retreat.' Correct meaning: 'There is a mountain beneath heaven: Retreat.' The mountain belongs to the yin category; advancing beneath heaven means the mountain's momentum seeks to press upward against heaven.

The nature of heaven is high and distant, refusing to be pressed; this is the image of retreating and withdrawing, hence 'there is a mountain beneath heaven: Retreat.'

Commenting on the note 'there is a mountain beneath heaven' to 'the image of yin growing': accumulated yang forms heaven, and accumulated yin forms earth. The mountain is the high prominence of earth; now pressing upward against heaven, it is the image of waxing yin.

Correct meaning: At this time of retreat, petty persons are advancing and growing, so principle dictates keeping them at a distance.

With insufficient strength to chastise them, one must not show hatred, nor should one treat them with familiarity; hence 'not showing hatred, yet remaining stern.'