Obstruction means difficulty. That Obstruction means difficulty is like The Creative meaning strength; if one took ease as difficulty, the meaning would be incomplete. Obstruction carries the sense of danger and hindrance.
Difficulty at the Beginning is also difficulty; Oppression is also difficulty.
Though both mean difficulty, their meanings differ: Difficulty at the Beginning is initial difficulty before finding passage; Oppression is exhaustion of strength; Obstruction carries the meaning of danger, hindrance, and hardship—each is distinct.
Danger lies ahead: Kan's danger lies in front, and below one stops and cannot advance, which constitutes Obstruction. Speaking of the way to handle Obstruction through the talents of the Gua: the upper is danger and the lower is stopping; seeing danger, one is able to stop.
If one braves danger and plunges forward, there will be regret and blame; hence praising the ability to stop as wisdom.
In a time of Obstruction and difficulty, only being able to stop is good; hence, except for the Fifth and Second lines, all lines treat advancing as a loss and coming back as a gain. 'Not advantageous in the northeast: its way reaches an end.'
In a time of Obstruction, it is advantageous to dwell in level ease; the southwest Kun direction represents compliance and ease, while the northeast Gen direction represents danger and blockage.
Nine ascends to occupy the fifth position and attains the central, correct station, which is advancing and gaining level ground, hence advantageous.
Five dwells in the midst of Kan's danger, yet it is called level and easy because the Gua originally derived from Kun, and by Five going forward Kan was formed; thus it only takes the meaning of advancing and gaining the center, not the meaning of forming Kan.
When in Obstruction one stops further in a perilous place, the obstruction becomes even more severe; hence 'not advantageous in the northeast: its way reaches an end', meaning the extreme of Obstruction.
In a time of Obstruction and difficulty, none but a sage or worthy can rescue the realm from hardship; hence 'advantageous to see the great person'.
When the great person occupies the throne, the merit of rescuing from Obstruction is accomplished: going forward brings achievement. That which can rescue the realm from Obstruction is solely the Dao of great correctness.
The Master further takes the talents of the Gua to explain: except for the first line, all lines of Obstruction occupy their correct positions, hence it is steadfast correctness bringing good fortune.
Although Initial Six occupies a yang seat with yin, residing at the base is also the correctness of yin. By using such a correct Dao to rectify the state, one can overcome Obstruction. 'Great indeed!'
Dwelling in a time of Obstruction, the application of the Dao of overcoming Obstruction is exceedingly great; hence it is said, 'Great indeed!' How could the difficulties of the world be easily smoothed away?
None but sages and worthies can do so, so its application can truly be called great!
Complying with the times and abiding, measuring danger and proceeding, following the way of level ease, and walking the principle of utmost correctness—such is the timely application of Obstruction.