Hexagram 7
By: James Byrd
I.The Oracle
A. Hexagram 7 is called Shi, or Leading. Other common variations are The Army and The Soldiers. The lower trigram is Kan: gorge or water, and the upper trigram is Kun: field or earth.
B. The Judgment
1. The Army. The army needs perseveranceAnd a strong man.
2. Good fortune without blame.
C. The Image
1. In the middle of the earth is water:The image of The Army.
2. Thus the superior man increases his masses,
By generosity toward the people.
II. My interpretation
A. "Discipline"
As with any soldier setting out to complete a mission, do not let personal feelings intersect the command of duty. Always remember Duty First, and then all will farewell. Within the plane of organizational activities, there are leaders and there are followers. If one is to assume the position of leadership at any given moment one cannot come to the table half-stepping when above all, one has been given a position of authority.
Stays on top of your underlings do not let them relax their toes. Ensure that the right people occupy the right positions, do not promote an underling – just because. Have a factual reason to strengthen the base of your rank and file. Remember the weakest link is the weakest link.
When it comes to educating the people as to where they now stand, and on which direction they should begin to move, it will take a leader who must be endowed with a number of qualities, which should include; experience, one who is viable, well-aged, and one who is of firm correctness.
Lastly, the army is an institution centered on discipline, but let us remember that a man of great leadership qualities is fair and just, and should at times, adhere to leniency.
Karcher, S. and Ritesema, R. (1995). I Ching: The Classic Chinese Oracle of Change [The First Complete Translation with Concordance]
Legge, James (2012). The I Ching: The Book of Changes (Sacred Books of China: The Book of Changes)
Reifler, S. (1974) I Ching: The World's Oldest and Most Revered System of Fortune Telling
Van Over, R. (1971), I Ching
Wilhelm, R., and Baynes. C.F. (1967). The I Ching, or, Book of Changes (Bollingen Series XIX)
Wilhelm, Hellmut and Richard Wilhelm (1995). Understanding the I Ching
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