Survival Strategies in Times of Decay
Hexagram 23 (Po/Splitting Apart) depicts a time of dangerous erosion. It illustrates how the force of "Yin" (the Inferior Man or decay) creeps up from the foundation, stripping away the "Yang" (the Superior Man or strength) layer by layer, until it threatens the very core of society.
In such a "winter" of the soul or the state, the I Ching advises against direct confrontation. To fight the overwhelming darkness with force now would be suicidal. Instead, the Superior Man must practice the art of Preservation. It is a time to conceal one's light, adapt to the circumstances, and prudently save energy rather than spending it in a futile battle.
Yet, passivity does not mean giving up. The text suggests a subtle strategy: even within the opposing camp, one must look for potential allies—those who can still be guided toward the good. A wise leader (Line 5), though surrounded by decay, can still turn the tide by leading the masses to submit to the remaining strength, like a string of fish following the leader.
The hexagram concludes with a powerful image of hope: "The Large Fruit Un-eaten" (碩果不食). When the stripping away reaches its absolute limit (Top Line), the decay exhausts itself. The strong Yang element that remains becomes the seed of the future. The lesson is clear: If the righteous can survive the collapse without losing their integrity, they will be the ones to lead the restoration when the cycle inevitably turns.
