My Walk with Hexagram 10
So, I decided to really dig into Hexagram 10 from the I Ching recently. Not just read about it, but actually try to live it for a bit, see what happens. It all started when I pulled it during my morning routine. Things felt a bit tense at work, like I was walking on thin ice around a particular project manager. This hexagram, the one they call “Treading” or something like that, felt spot on.
The main vibe I got was: Watch your step. Behave properly. Simple, right? But putting it into practice took effort. My first step was just observing myself more. How did I talk to people? Was I rushing? Was I really listening?
I started focusing on the details of my interactions, especially with this manager. Here’s what I consciously tried to do:
- I made sure to prepare thoroughly before any meeting with them. No winging it.
- I practiced active listening, really letting them finish before I spoke. Harder than it sounds!
- I chose my words carefully, trying to be clear and respectful, even when I disagreed.
- I avoided any office gossip or complaining, especially about the project or the manager. Just kept my head down and did my work.
- I double-checked my emails before sending them, making sure the tone was right.
It felt weirdly formal at first. Like wearing shoes that were a bit too tight. There was this one time in a team meeting where I really wanted to jump in and correct someone, but I remembered the “treading carefully” thing. I held back, waited, and found a more appropriate moment later to bring up my point privately. It actually went over much better than if I’d just blurted it out.
The key feeling during this time was awareness. Hyper-awareness, almost. Like being very conscious of the ground beneath my feet, making sure each step landed safely. It wasn’t about being fake, but about being mindful of the situation and the potential consequences of missteps. It’s like that image associated with it – treading on a tiger’s tail without getting bitten. You gotta be careful, respectful of the power there, but still move forward.
Did it magically solve everything? Nah. The project manager is still… themselves. But things definitely smoothed over. The tension eased up because I wasn’t adding any fuel to the fire. By focusing on my own conduct, my own steps, I managed to navigate that tricky path without causing a blow-up. It wasn’t about changing them, it was about managing myself within that environment.
So, my takeaway from practicing Hexagram 10? It’s a really practical reminder. Sometimes progress isn’t about big leaps, but about careful, deliberate steps and paying attention to how you conduct yourself, especially when things are delicate. It’s about getting through the situation with integrity and without getting metaphorically bitten. Definitely something I’ll keep in my mental toolkit.
