Zeng Shiqiang on I Ching: The Ancient Wisdom of the Universe
Prof. Zeng Shiqiang interprets I Ching wisdom: how to view the world through I Ching thinking, how to find unchanging principles within change.
Zeng Shiqiang on I Ching: The Ancient Wisdom of the Universe
Editor's Note
Professor Zeng Shiqiang (1935-2018), the father of Chinese-style management and a renowned I Ching scholar. He combined profound I Ching wisdom with modern management, creating a unique system of management philosophy. This article is compiled from Professor Zeng's numerous lectures and dialogues.
I. I Ching is Not Superstition, It is Wisdom
Q: Many people think I Ching is fortune-telling. What do you think?
Zeng Shiqiang: This is a huge misunderstanding!
I Ching is the crystallization of Chinese wisdom, the oldest philosophical classic in the universe. It speaks of the laws of change, not fortune-telling.
"Yi" has three meanings:
First is "Change" (Bianyi)
Everything in the universe is changing. Yesterday is different from today, morning is different from evening. This is an objective law.
Second is "Invariance" (Buyi)
Although everything is changing, some things remain unchanged.
For example: the sun rises in the east and sets in the west—this law doesn't change. As you sow, so shall you reap—this cause and effect doesn't change.
Third is "Simplicity" (Jianyi)
The great way is simple. I Ching appears complex, but it actually speaks of simple principles.
II. Yin and Yang are Not Opposites, They are Unity
Q: What exactly are Yin and Yang?
Zeng Shiqiang: Westerners speak of opposition, Chinese speak of unity.
Yin and Yang are not opposed; they are complementary. Without Yin there is no Yang, without Yang there is no Yin.
It's like the palm and back of your hand—two sides of the same thing.
Day and Night
Day is Yang, night is Yin. But there is also Yin within day—at noon when it's hottest, Yin energy begins to emerge.
Night also has Yang—at midnight when it's coldest, Yang energy begins to emerge.
This is "Yang within Yin, Yin within Yang."
Man and Woman
Man is Yang, woman is Yin. But men also have a gentle side, and women also have a strong side.
Therefore, husband and wife should tolerate each other and learn from each other—it's not about who conquers whom.
Hard and Soft
Hard is Yang, soft is Yin. But too hard and it breaks easily; too soft and it becomes incompetent.
Therefore, Chinese people speak of "combining hardness with softness"—be hard when it's time to be hard, be soft when it's time to be soft.
Q: What practical value does this have?
Zeng Shiqiang: The value is immense!
When you understand the principle of Yin and Yang, you won't go to extremes.
Don't be arrogant when you succeed, because Yang at its extreme must become Yin—success contains the seeds of failure.
Don't be discouraged when you fail, because Yin at its extreme must become Yang—failure harbors the possibility of success.
This is the wisdom of I Ching, helping you maintain equanimity amidst change.
III. About Change
Q: I Ching speaks of change, how should we respond to change?
Zeng Shiqiang: I Ching tells us the laws of change, enabling us to:
First, Anticipate Change
"Treading on frost, solid ice arrives." When you step on frost, you know ice is coming.
When you see the signs, you must foresee what follows.
Second, Adapt to Change
When change comes, don't resist it—adapt to it.
Autumn comes, leaves must fall. Can you stop them from falling?
It's the same with people—when it's time to change, you must change. But change must have principles; it's not about changing randomly.
Third, Guide Change
A higher level is to guide change.
When the situation is bad, through your efforts, you can turn it in a good direction.
This is "Man can triumph over Heaven"—when a person settles down, they can overcome fate.
Q: Can you give an example?
Zeng Shiqiang: Take business management for instance.
Markets are changing, consumers are changing, technology is changing. If you don't change with them, you'll be eliminated.
Nokia was once so powerful, but because it didn't change, it was replaced by smartphones.
But change also needs principles—you can't make phones today, run a restaurant tomorrow, and sell clothing the day after.
You must change based on your core competitiveness, innovating around your main business.
IV. About Time and Position
Q: I Ching emphasizes "time" and "position." What does this mean?
Zeng Shiqiang: "Time" and "position" are the most important concepts in I Ching.
Time: Timing
When to do what is very important.
Sow in spring, harvest in autumn—this is natural timing.
If you insist on sowing in winter, can you harvest?
Life is the same—study when it's time to study, work when it's time to work, marry when it's time to marry.
It's not that you can't change, but going against timing comes at a cost.
Position: Place
Whatever position you're in, you must do and say what's appropriate for that position.
In the family, if you're a parent, you must fulfill parental responsibilities; if you're a child, you must fulfill filial obligations.
In the company, if you're a leader, you must act like a leader; if you're an employee, you must do your job well.
"Not in that position, not planning that policy"—it's not about being irresponsible, it's about each person doing their part.
Coordination of Time and Position
The best state is when "time" and "position" coordinate.
When the timing is right and the position is right, success comes easily.
If the timing is wrong, or the position is wrong, no amount of effort will help.
That's why Chinese people say: "Right time, right place, right people." All three must align to achieve success.
V. About Fortune and Misfortune
Q: I Ching speaks of fortune and misfortune. How is this different from fortune-telling?
Zeng Shiqiang: The fortune and misfortune in I Ching doesn't predict your fate, but tells you:
Acting according to laws brings fortune; acting against laws brings misfortune.
Fortune and Misfortune are Dynamic
Fortune can become misfortune, misfortune can become fortune.
"When misfortune reaches its extreme, fortune comes"—when things are at their worst, the best times are approaching.
"When fortune reaches its extreme, misfortune comes"—when things are at their best, be prepared for them to turn bad.
Fortune and Misfortune are Relative
What's fortunate for you might be unfortunate for others.
What looks like misfortune now might be fortune in the long run.
So don't be attached to fortune or misfortune—see the laws behind them.
How to Seek Fortune and Avoid Misfortune
I Ching tells you how to seek fortune and avoid misfortune:
Follow the Right Path: Walk the right path—though it may be slower, it's safe.
Know When to Advance and Retreat: Advance when it's time to advance, retreat when it's time to retreat.
Value Accumulation: "A family that accumulates goodness will have blessings to spare." Do more good deeds ordinarily, and naturally you'll have good returns.
VI. Chinese-Style Management
Q: You are the father of Chinese-style management. How does I Ching apply to management?
Zeng Shiqiang: Western management emphasizes systems; Chinese management emphasizes human relationships. Both should be combined.
Manage Others by First Managing Yourself
"If you set a good example, orders don't need to be given; if you don't set a good example, orders won't be followed."
When leaders do well themselves, subordinates will naturally follow; if leaders can't do well themselves, orders are useless.
Flexible, Not Slick
Chinese people value flexibility, not slickness.
Slickness means having no principles, trying to please everyone.
Flexibility means having principles, but with adaptable methods that make everyone comfortable.
Give People Face
Chinese people especially value face.
When criticizing someone, save their face; when praising someone, do it in front of everyone.
This isn't hypocrisy—it's respect for people.
Harmony in Diversity
A team needs different voices, but ultimately must reach consensus.
"The gentleman is harmonious but not identical; the petty person is identical but not harmonious."
True harmony embraces differences, it doesn't eliminate them.
VII. About Fate
Q: Is a person's fate predetermined?
Zeng Shiqiang: This is a big question.
I Ching tells us: Destiny is fixed, Fortune is dynamic.
Destiny: Innate Conditions
What family, era, and country you're born into—this is destiny, it cannot be changed.
It's like playing cards—what cards you get is fixed.
Fortune: Acquired Effort
But how you play these cards is your fortune.
If you get good cards but play them poorly, you still lose. If you get bad cards but play them well, you can still win.
Methods to Change Fortune
Accumulate Virtue: Do good deeds, help others, and your luck will get better and better.
Learn: Improve your abilities, and your choices will increase.
Build Connections: Widely form good relationships, and your benefactors will increase.
Mindset: Maintain a positive attitude, and your energy field will improve.
So don't blame bad fate—ask yourself if you've put in the effort.
VIII. I Ching and Life
Q: How can ordinary people learn I Ching?
Zeng Shiqiang: When learning I Ching, don't start with divination—start with principles.
First Step: Read the Classic Text
First read the text of the "Zhou Yi." Though difficult to understand, you must read it.
It doesn't matter if you don't understand at first—just get an impression.
Second Step: Read Interpretations
Read interpretations by scholars through the ages, such as "Zhou Yi Zheng Yi" and "Zhou Yi Ben Yi."
I also have the "Wisdom of I Ching" series that you can refer to.
Third Step: Practice
Most importantly, apply the principles of I Ching to your life.
When encountering situations, think: If using I Ching thinking, how should I handle this?
Fourth Step: Internalize
Gradually you'll discover that I Ching speaks of great principles of life.
It's not metaphysics—it's practical wisdom.
Q: What are the benefits of learning I Ching?
Zeng Shiqiang:
See Far: Because you know the laws of change, you can foresee the future.
See Openly: Because you know everything is changing, you won't be too attached.
See Accurately: Because you know the importance of timing and position, you can seize opportunities.
See Lightly: Because you know fortune and misfortune are relative, you won't worry about gains and losses.
IX. Final Advice
Q: Please give some advice to modern people.
Zeng Shiqiang: Modern people are too busy, too rushed.
I want to say:
First, Slow Down
"Haste makes waste." The more you rush, the easier it is to make mistakes.
Take it slow—it's actually faster.
Second, Think Clearly
Before doing anything, think clearly: Why do it? How to do it? What are the consequences?
Sharpening the axe doesn't delay the woodcutting.
Third, Hold Fast to Fundamentals
No matter how things change, some things must not change:
Integrity must not change, conscience must not change, moral bottom lines must not change.
If you hold onto these, no matter how things change, there won't be major problems.
Fourth, Pass On the Culture
I Ching is a treasure left by our ancestors—we must pass it on well.
You don't need to all become I Ching experts, but at least understand the basic principles.
It would be a pity if Chinese people don't understand Chinese culture.
Afterword
Professor Zeng Shiqiang devoted his life to promoting traditional Chinese culture, especially I Ching wisdom. His lectures were accessible and humorous, bringing the profound I Ching into ordinary people's lives.
The Professor often said: "I Ching is not for fortune-telling, it's for changing your fate."
The method to change your fate is right there between the lines of I Ching, and in our daily practice.
May all readers gain wisdom from I Ching and find balance in life.
This article is compiled from Professor Zeng Shiqiang's numerous lectures, preserving the Professor's unique conversational style to more authentically convey the essence of his thought.
