Greatness is humble

I Ching Notes

The Great Way of the I Ching: Earth Mountain Humility.

Every act of boasting is a depletion of one’s own energy.

This is not metaphysics,

but the energy conservation law revealed by the Earth Mountain Humility hexagram.

This law is simple,

it is about hiding a high mountain within the earth.

A high mountain represents what I have but you do not,

what I possess more of than you,

including wealth,

appearance,

ability,

merits, and so on.

And the earth embodies the virtue of coexistence and equality among all beings,

it is the unity of self and others,

the awareness that should grow together.

Hiding a high mountain within the earth,

means concealing “what I have” under “coexistence.”

All of our “possessions” are fundamentally brought about by coexistence.

Making money is a form of coexistence with clients; getting promoted is coexistence with the organization; ability is coexistence with practice,

even appearance is coexistence with genetics.

If you do not hide,

and insist on elevating your “possessions” above coexistence,

and are arrogant and show off,

then you are dismantling the foundation of “possessions.”

Once this thought arises,

all energy supplying “possessions”

will immediately begin to disintegrate.

First,

once a person becomes arrogant,

their awareness system will crash.

Because they believe that their current possessions already prove their awareness is correct,

and they no longer need to learn or explore,

then once awareness stops,

they will lose the ability to correct errors,

and will run wildly along the path of complacency.

They will continuously dissipate their perception,

insight,

willpower,

in maintaining their persona,

comparing,

struggling,

defending,

doubting in the bottomless abyss.

As this cycle continues,

that person can no longer return to the path of coexistence,

and continue to generate the energy to create “possessions.”

Second,

energy disintegration also comes from external support collapsing.

Because no one wants to be looked down upon,

arrogant people will gradually lose respect,

recognition,

trust,

support from others,

and more frighteningly,

these emotions can further develop into jealousy,

resentment, or even hostility.

Because Heaven has already favored you,

and you have been so biased,

this is unfair; but not only do you not restrain yourself,

you even come out to show off.

So,

how can this not breed others’ dislike for you?

You say, “It’s unfair! My possessions are all earned by myself.”

Then ask yourself: Why can you earn them? Why do you have this courage? Why do you have this wisdom? When you keep asking,

you will realize that life is inherently unfair,

all excellence

is temporarily bestowed by the vast network of coexistence and opportunity.

From this perspective,

arrogance and show-off are just taking advantage and pretending to be humble.

Who would like to be close to such a person? Even if some pretend to flatter,

it is just a disguise and performance after weighing pros and cons.

Therefore,

arrogance and show-off will ruthlessly cut off a person’s energy source from inside out.

This cut is silent,

untraceable,

but it begins an unstoppable exhaustion.

The only solution is to follow the path of humility,

which has two core points:

1. Never stand at the peak of fullness,

so your awareness will not crash,

and your energy will not deplete.

2. Always root your “possessions” in the virtue of coexistence.

That is, not only to be grateful and humble,

but also to benefit others with what you have,

and avoid greed and excess.

Only then can you safeguard the foundation of “possessions.”

This is what the phrase “accumulate more, diminish the few, and balance all things” in the Great Symbol says.

Only by emulating this heavenly rule

can one be smooth and unobstructed,

and everything go well.

So I wish everyone the best New Year greeting: “Great humility.”

The Great Way of the I Ching,

conceal the edge, guard simplicity,

humility as the mind,

compassion as the mind.

Use humility to avoid danger,

and good fortune will follow; do not be arrogant with achievements,

and good results will come; humble virtue will influence others,

and all campaigns will be favorable.

Practice humility,

those in low positions should be humble,

learn with an open mind; those in high positions should be modest,

respect the virtuous and humble the talented.

Show weakness to hide your edge,

when in conflict, actively retreat,

maintain humility to gain noble help.

There is no fairness,

only matching,

great virtue carries all.

The logic of human nature,

avoid arrogance and cultivate humility,

so that energy flows like an endless spring.

Sustainable coexistence,

virtue of coexistence,

harmonious coexistence,

prevent complacency,

rooted in coexistence.

All six lines are auspicious,

a humble gentleman,

self-cultivation with humility,

containing integrity and being steadfast,

Wishing you a happy New Year

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