Alright, let’s talk about what I’ve been messing with lately. The I Ching. Specifically, number 20, Guan. Viewing, contemplating, observing – whatever you want to call it.
So, things felt a bit… murky. You know how it is. Couldn’t quite get a handle on a situation at work, felt like I was missing something big. Usually, I just push through, but this time felt different. Decided to slow down and actually consult the old book. Been a while, but felt right.
I did the coin thing. Found three old pennies, washed ’em off. Took a few deep breaths, tried to clear my head, focused on just understanding the dynamics, seeing things clearly. Did the six throws, marking down the lines. Came up Hexagram 20. Guan.
Getting into Guan (Hexagram 20)
First look, the name itself, “Viewing,” seemed pretty spot on. Okay, universe, I get it – I need to look closer. I dug out my old Wilhelm/Baynes translation, the one with the worn cover. Started reading the Judgment and the Image.
Initial thoughts? Honestly, a bit vague at first. “The ablution has been made, but not yet the offering.” Stuff like that. Felt a bit ceremonial, distant. But the core idea, the wind blowing over the earth, observing, being a model for others… that started to click.
- Wind over Earth: Okay, seeing the broad picture, how things influence each other.
- Contemplation: Don’t just react. Watch. Understand the patterns first.
- Being observed: How my own actions look to others, setting an example.
Working With It
This wasn’t just about reading; I had to actually do something with it. So, I started consciously practicing observation over the next few days. At work, instead of jumping into every discussion or immediately offering solutions, I deliberately held back.
Here’s what I did:
- Listened more: Really listened, not just waiting for my turn to talk. Tried to understand why people were saying what they were saying.
- Watched interactions: Paid attention to body language, who deferred to whom, the unspoken stuff.
- Delayed decisions: Where I could, I gave myself extra time to just sit with the information before making a call. I’d literally just sit and think, stare out the window sometimes.
- Considered my own role: Thought about how my own behaviour might be influencing the situation. Was I being clear? Was I perceived as fair? This was the trickiest part, being honest with myself.
What Came Out Of It
It wasn’t like a magic lightbulb suddenly went off. More like a gradual clearing of the fog. By stepping back and just watching, I started seeing the underlying currents I’d missed before. There were some power dynamics I hadn’t clocked, some unspoken anxieties driving certain behaviours.
It helped me figure out a better approach. Instead of forcing my idea, I could see where the actual sticking points were for others and address those first. It also made me more mindful of how I came across – realizing that just bulldozing ahead wasn’t winning any allies, even if I thought I was right.
So, yeah. Guan. It wasn’t about getting a mystical answer dropped in my lap. It was a prompt. A reminder to use my own eyes and brain, but to do it more deliberately, more thoughtfully. To step back onto the tower, metaphorically speaking, and survey the landscape before charging in. Still working on it, always am, but that little exercise with Hexagram 20 definitely shifted my perspective this time around.
