THE LIGHT OF THE WISE

This week I want to share an excerpt from one of my inspirational novels, co-written with my good friend Francesc Miralles: ‘The Light of Alexandria’.

In a story full of action, the the main characters also help us recover and reflect on the teachings of seven influential wise ones in the history of humanity, that is, seven lighthouses of wisdom whose words and example have guided many people through the transformation into the light.

These headlights are Hermes Trismegistus, the I Ching, or Book of Changes, Buddha, Confucius, Lao Tzu, Socrates and Jesus.

Today I wish to focus on the Ten inspirations of the I Ching, the Book of Changes, authored by a Chinese emperor who lived about three thousand years before Christ, and which collects a technique of divination as oracles from even back two thousand years lbefore his own birth. That is, the I Ching dates back to 5,000 BC.

Yet, nowdays it still works as a spiritual lighthouse, a source of learning that emerges from notions like these:

I. The art of living is, solely, to proceed with simplicity.

II. The superior man always perseveres on the road, adapts to the times, but remains firm in his direction and corrects his objectives.

III. Avoid extremes, as they are the cause of all misfortunes.

IV. Never provoke an action if you are not sure of dominating its consequences.

V. Perseverance alone does not ensure success. As much as you are on the prowl, you will not hunt anything in the field where there is no dam.

VI. Change is certain. Calm is followed by difficulties; the departure of evil men is followed by their return. Learn to be happy in the meantime.

VII. He who possesses the power of enthusiasm achieves great things. Not those who doubt. And the enthusiastic friends gather around them like a brooch picks hair.

VIII. Before the start of the great splendor, there must be chaos. Before the brilliant person start something big, he will seem stupid to the masses.

IX. The quiet, solitary man has access to the inscrutable.

X. When the road comes to an end, then it changes. When it does, you can cross it.

Let’s embrace change,

Álex