The Book of Changes, a classic work, has been a treasure of Chinese civilization since ancient times, and its profound wisdom is still shining brightly despite the baptism of time. Although its content may seem obscure to many, it is important to dig deeper into it to find its substantial value.
Indeed, the essence of the I Ching can be condensed into three wise sayings that, if deeply understood, are enough to influence and guide a person's life.
Since God blesses, there is no disadvantage
This proverb appears repeatedly in the Book of Changes.
It is often explained that this refers to the protection of the Divine, but in practice this is not an accurate understanding. The "self" here does not mean "from", but emphasizes the meaning of "self".
It reveals to us that only by working hard can we get the favor of fate, and embodies the unchanging truth of "God helps those who help themselves". This point has been verified in the practice of countless sages in history.
For example, Qin Shi Huang Yingzheng, he focused on agriculture and war preparedness at home, and jointly attacked the princes abroad, and finally achieved the hegemony of great unification.
The same is true of Zhou Yu, when he was in the Jiangdong crisis, he wisely determined the situation, united with Liu Bei to fight against Cao, and finally left the eternal story of the Red Cliff War. These are all historical testimonies of self-reliance and self-improvement.
The "Qian" hexagram in the I Ching is also an embodiment of this concept, which tells us to be as self-reliant as the way of heaven. Liang Qichao's explanation further clarifies this point, emphasizing the importance of self-struggle.
There will be afterglow in the house of goodness, and there will be aftermath in the house of inadequacy
This sentence reflects the concept of cause and effect of good and evil. The way a family behaves, whether good or evil, affects its descendants.
The history of the Shandong Mu family is a good example, and their generosity has brought long-term prosperity to the family. This is not only the accumulation of material wealth, but also the inheritance of spirit and morality, highlighting the profound impact of a positive family culture on future generations.
Sima Guang's family motto emphasizes the importance of accumulating virtue and doing good deeds for the long-term well-being of children and grandchildren.
This is not only reflected in material wealth, but more importantly, the accumulation of spiritual level, which is the key to the continued prosperity of the family.
Obey the heavens
"Shun Tian Ying Ren" is "Yi. Another core idea in the Revolution. It's about the importance of adapting to the times and the hearts of people. Whether it was Shang Tang or Zhou Wu, the reason why they were able to achieve great things was because their actions conformed to the way of heaven and the people.
This thinking emphasizes the importance of being in harmony with the laws of nature and society.
Although Zhuge Liang was both wise and brave, he fell short because he failed to grasp the situation. On the other hand, Sima Yi adapted to the times and was finally able to successfully establish his hegemony.
These historical events teach us that great achievements can only be achieved by adapting to the right time, place and people.
The wisdom contained in the I Ching is far-reaching, it is not only an inspiration for individuals, but also a guide for society and families. Its profound philosophy, if deeply understood and put into practice, will have a significant and positive impact on our lives.