I Ching

The Book of Changes (I Ching) states: "Those who discern good fortune and misfortune rely on the words themselves; those who grieve, regret, and sting rely on the intervening principles; those who experience thunder without blame rely on their remorse." This means: ✨Good fortune and misfortune are foreshadowed; ✨Problems arise from small things; ✨Those who can truly resolve them understand the importance of timely reflection and adjustment.

The hexagram Jian (蹇) signifies being trapped between treacherous waters and towering mountains, with no way out. It is listed alongside Kan (坎), Tun (屯), and Kun (困) as one of the four most difficult hexagrams in the I Ching—the one with the most inescapable fate. Jian implies a limp, difficulty in movement—slow to walk and sometimes unsure of which way to go. Interestingly, in the six lines of Jian, the fifth line is in its proper position, while the first line is out of place. This shows that the difficulty of Jian stems from a wrong initial step. One wrong step leads to further difficulties. Every step is taken with utmost effort, but because the direction was wrong from the start, the harder one tries, the deeper one sinks into the predicament. Every step is taken with the best of one's ability, but there is simply no way out.

Those in management positions, especially those who have risen through the ranks, sometimes doubt their own abilities. There's no need for excessive anxiety. The 19th hexagram of the I Ching—the Lin hexagram (#)—explains the principles of management. "Lin" means not only leading others, but also approaching, observing, and taking responsibility. Through the six lines, it's easy to see that management is a process of growth.

The I Ching's Wu Wang hexagram tells us that the best state is "acting without seeking anything in return." When you focus solely on your efforts without worrying about the fruit that may not yet arrive, you gain a sense of inner peace and strength. Whether the Wu Wang hexagram brings good fortune or misfortune depends entirely on your thoughts. Taking things one step at a time may be slower, but it is the most stable path.

The Mingyi hexagram teaches us: - First, conceal your strength; - Preserve yourself; - Wait for a more suitable opportunity. When circumstances are unfavorable, humility is a form of wisdom; longevity is more important than temporary victory.

Being shrewd and capable is never the problem; the problem lies in showing off one's talents without realizing it. Not knowing how to conceal one's abilities easily attracts the envy of others, and over time, one will feel that everyone around them is a villain.

The term "doujin" (同人) in contemporary Japanese popular culture can also refer to non-commercial artistic groups. Whether they are obsessed with anime, cosplay, or niche electronic music, they come together because of pure passion and call their published works "doujinshi" (同人志). This kind of "doujin" born from interest, though unrelated to profit, possesses the most primal and fervent joy. However, upon closer examination, it's not hard to find that the lines 93 and 94 in the hexagram reflect the inevitable situation that arises after people get to know each other deeply: suspicion and defensiveness arising from conflicting opinions or interests in interpersonal relationships.

If a company's boss is unwilling to communicate and only acts according to his own ideas; employees also act independently and do what they want, lacking mutual understanding and cooperation; the final result is often chaos, internal friction, and even collapse - this is the "Fei Gua" in the "Book of Changes", where there is no communication between the upper and lower levels, and the energy is blocked, making it difficult to move forward.

When many people hear the word "scatter," they subconsciously associate it with failure, disintegration, and disintegration. However, the "Huan" hexagram in the Book of Changes reminds us that "scatter" is not an end, but a new beginning. "Dispersion is not an end, but an opportunity for renewal; only after scattering and then gathering can there be new life."

Before undertaking reform, one must clearly understand the situation, recognize oneself, bide one's time, and act only after careful planning. The Ge Gua states: "The gentleman uses the calendar to clarify the times." This means that a true actor will, like a calendar, first clearly understand the timing, rhythm, and situation. Revolution requires not only a clear understanding of the timing and preparation, but also the support of the people and the will to undertake it. Reforming in an orderly manner, without chaos, is the true wisdom that the Ge Gua teaches us.

The "six-two line" of the Sui Gua in the Book of Changes - about a young girl losing her husband - has already been explained very clearly - meaning: if you blindly follow the small interests in front of you, you will eventually miss the direction that is truly wise and has a pattern.

This is just as the first hexagram of the Qian hexagram in the Book of Changes says: "A hidden dragon should not be used." "Forbearance" doesn't mean putting oneself at risk, but rather understanding the meaning of lurking. "Waiting" doesn't mean wasting time, but rather quietly practicing fundamental skills. Before the wind blows, one must remain steady; before things are accomplished, one must first become strong. So, don't rush out; first strengthen yourself. When the wind blows, you will naturally set sail.