In this concluding entry on understanding changes we shall look at cyclic changes, the easiest change to understand but most difficult to predict as it involves a factor of time. Man throughout the millenniums has studied cycles – recurrent periods of events and phenomena – to predict future occurrences of same events or phenomena with some certainty not only for benefit but also to give meaning to the world we live in. From the patterns of change, man can with certain accuracy predict trade, investment, financial, economic and weather cycles and the lifetime of each cycle. Nowadays we have a host of professionals such as economists, statisticians, accountants, various analysts and meteorologists to study and predict cyclic changes that affect humanity and possessions.
The hottest topic across the world today is that of the real property cycle where its continuous uptrend for the past few years may come to an end. But when, no one can say with any measure of certainty. If house owners sell too early they may lose some capital gains and if house buyers wait too long, they may not be able to afford further upward revisions in prices. During such times of uncertainty, diviners invariably turn to the Yi for answers and the ability to foreknow the consequences of whether it is timely to buy or sell properties (or other types of investments). Substantial sums can be gained or lost depending on the timing of each investment or divestment; therefore wealthy investors occasionally consult astrologers, Yi diviners, or mediums before they invest in or divest major investments. Otherwise like most investors they have to leave it to fate or chance.
Of the ancients, Chi Jan of Yue (c 500 BC) knew much about cyclic changes. Using his strategies, the Yue state recovered from devastation after ten years and enabled his King Goujian to take revenge against King Fuchai of Wu after another ten years. As the Yue state became wealthy and powerful, the Zhou emperor granted Goujian hegemony over other states. Chi Jan’s colleague, Fan Li later left Yue, using some of Chi’s strategies became very wealthy twice. One of Chi Jan’s advice (which holds true even today) was, “By noting surpluses and shortages, you can tell what will be expensive and what cheap. When prices rise too high, they must fall again; when prices fall too low, they will rise again.” (Records of the Historian)
To predict cyclic changes accurately, Yi diviners need to be familiar with major local and world events. This helps our minds get a clearer picture or awareness of what is actually happening in our surroundings. My late father used to invest in real properties. Since the mid 1970s he had asked me to consult the Yi for him to invest in properties (both local and foreign) on a regular basis. Following the divinations, most were bought at the lows and sold at the highs turning in a profit. In 1982 the Yi kept advising not to sell a three storey shop in a choice location for 550,000 or higher. He had bought it for less than half that price and was eager to take the profits. In 1984 the Yi advised not to buy any more properties. The following year, the shop was sold for a cool 1,125,000, the highest price fetched for similar shops within the location. On my further advice, my father sold all other real properties except the main house. Shortly thereafter the property market collapsed and the country faced a severe economic downturn. Properties sold earlier could be brought back two years later at half the price. Therefore it was crucial and beneficial to understand cyclic changes with the help of the Yi.
In 1983 one consulted the Yi on whether one should return to London to reside there after coming home three years earlier. Yi answered with Hexagram 3 Difficulty in the Beginning changing to Hexagram 24 Return. If I recall correctly, England was in the midst of a recession then. Therefore the Yi was correct once again. By returning to London one could have faced imminent unemployment, therefore by not returning would be the way to master one’s fate?
Only when we understand changes do we know why the Yi is called the Book of Changes. In the Da Chuan / The Great Treatise it is said: “Therefore it is the order of the Changes that the superior man (Junzi) devotes himself to and that he attains tranquility by. It is the judgments on the individual lines that the Junzi takes pleasure in and that he ponders on.” “Therefore the Junzi contemplate these images in times of rest and meditates on the judgments. When he undertakes something, he contemplates the changes and ponders on the oracles. Therefore he is blessed by heaven. ‘Good fortune, nothing that does not further.’”
And finally, “The Creative (Heaven) and the Receptive (Earth) are the real secret of the Changes. Inasmuch as the Creative and the Receptive present themselves as complete, the changes between them are also posited. If the Creative and the Receptive were destroyed, there would be nothing by which the changes could be perceived. If there were no more changes to be seen, the effects of the Creative and the Receptive would also gradually cease.” [W/B]
Heaven and Earth govern time and space. By following the Book of Changes, the Junzi learns to master his own fate through the easy and simple. Is this not how we can grasp the laws of the whole world?
No comments:
Post a Comment