41. Decrease
Sǔn — Decrease / Sacrifice
Trigrams
The Judgment
Decrease combined with sincerity brings about supreme good fortune without blame. One may be persevering in this. It furthers one to undertake something. How is this to be carried out? Two small bowls may be used for the sacrifice.
The Image
Mountain above lake — the mountain grows taller as the lake below recedes. The lower is decreased to increase the upper. The wise person controls anger and restrains instincts.
Interpretation
Something must be reduced or sacrificed. This may be material resources, time, comfort, or ego. But decrease undertaken with sincerity is not loss — it is investment. When you simplify, when you give up what is unnecessary, what remains is more concentrated and powerful. Even a small offering made with genuine sincerity outweighs a lavish gift given grudgingly.
Advice
Simplify. Sacrifice what is unnecessary. Reduce to essentials. The sincerity of your offering matters more than its size. Control your excesses and you will find that less becomes more.
Consult the I Ching for your own question
Cast the Coins