What to Do When One Pit Follows Another: Kan Hexagram – Keep Calm Amidst Perils

Some people’s lives feel like one pit after another.

You finally claw your way out of one, barely brushing the dirt off your clothes, and there’s another one right ahead.

You think you’ve reached flat ground, look down—and you’re still in a pit.

That’s exactly what the Kan Hexagram (坎為水 / The Abysmal Water) describes.

1. The Image of Kan: Two Layers of Water Stacked Together

Kan Hexagram has Kan above and Kan below—water on top, water below.

What’s the nature of water? It flows downward, seeps into every crack, and takes the shape of whatever holds it.

Two layers of water stacked together mean *Xikan* (Double Danger): one peril follows another, layer upon layer, with no end in sight.

The *Xiang Commentary* (象傳) says: "Water flows on repeatedly; this is Xikan. The Junzi (Superior Person) thereby maintains constant virtue and practices the work of education."

Water keeps coming, wave after wave. What does a Junzi do? Instead of blocking the water, they hold fast to their own virtue, and keep learning and practicing without stop.

The character *xi* (习, "practice/repeat") is crucial here—like the *xi* in "practice" and "review."

Fall into enough pits, and you’ll gain experience.

2. The Core of Kan: Wei Xin Heng (Sustaining a Free Heart)

The Hexagram Judgment of Kan says: "Xikan; there is sincerity and trust (有孚); the heart is penetrating (維心亨); action is worthy of honor (行有尚)."

Four phrases, each with its own purpose.

Xikan—you are in the midst of repeated danger. That’s a fact; it can’t be changed.

You fu (有孚)—you must have integrity and faith. There must be something unshakable in your heart.

Wei xin heng (維心亨)—the key is that your heart must remain open and unblocked. If your heart closes up, you’ll truly be trapped.

Xing you shang (行有尚)—in this state, every step you take deserves respect.

Wen Laoshi thinks the three characters "wei xin heng" are the most critical.

What does it mean for the heart to be "open"?

It means even when you’re in danger, your heart doesn’t panic. You know where you are, where you’re heading, and what you need to do.

Your body can be trapped, but your heart must never be.

3. Why Some People Sink Deeper and Deeper

There are two types of people who fall into pits.

The first type panics the moment they fall. In their panic, they thrash around—and the more they thrash, the deeper they sink.

The second type stays still first, looks around, finds their bearings, and then takes it step by step.

The first type isn’t just unlucky—their heart loses its balance first.

Nine out of ten decisions made when your mind is in chaos are wrong.

You lose money, so in a rush you borrow more to win it back—and end up losing even more.

You have a falling out with someone, so in a fit of anger you say cruel things—and the relationship is completely destroyed.

Your career hits a rough patch, so in desperation you switch directions—and end up accomplishing nothing.

Kan Hexagram tells you: the more danger you’re in, the calmer you need to be.

This doesn’t mean lying down and doing nothing. It means steadying your heart first, then figuring out a way forward.

4. Three Practical Tips from Kan Hexagram

First, admit you’re in the pit.

Many people’s first reaction when they fall into a pit is "This can’t be happening." Refusing to accept reality wastes a huge amount of time in denial.

The very first character of Kan Hexagram is *xi* (习)—you first have to admit: I’m in a pit right now, and there might be more than one.

Only when you admit it can you start finding a way out.

Second, find that "unshakable" thing in your heart.

"You fu" (有孚)—you need a belief that never wavers.

It could be confidence in your own abilities, a sense of responsibility to your family, or a goal you’ve always wanted to achieve.

The more chaotic things are on the outside, the more you need an anchor inside.

Third, keep moving even when you’re in the pit.

"Xing you shang" (行有尚)—even if you walk slowly, even if you’re not sure of the direction, you can’t stop.

Stopping in the pit only leads to more despair. Keep moving, and you’ll have a chance to find the exit.

5. The Deepest Line of Kan Hexagram

"Wei xin heng (維心亨)."

These three characters are the very lifeblood of Kan Hexagram.

The outside can be dangerous, but the inside must not be. The outside can be dark, but the inside must not be.

When your heart is open, the path opens up. When your heart gives up, it’s truly over.

Wen Laoshi has met people who were in desperate straits but still had light in their eyes. It’s not because they were lucky—it’s because their hearts always stayed open.

Final Thoughts

Kan Hexagram isn’t a "good luck" hexagram. It won’t tell you "tomorrow everything will be better."

What it tells you is this: tomorrow might still be full of pits, but your heart doesn’t have to be trapped.

When pit after pit comes your way, what matters is whose heart stays steadier.

When your heart is steady, the path is there.