The Art of Patience and Nourishment
Waiting in the meadow, on the sand, in the mud, in pools of blood, at a banquet, and in the pit... waiting, and waiting again.
Hexagram 5 (Hsu/Waiting) describes the essential phase of accumulating strength. After the initial struggle of creation (Hexagram 3) and the phase of education (Hexagram 4), we are capable, but the time is not yet right to act.
For entrepreneurs and creators, this offers a critical roadmap for the "growth phase":
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Do Not Rush: Even if your team is trained and professional, you must not advance rashly against danger.
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Nourish the Spirit: The hexagram famously advises us to "wait with wine and food." This means being generous, relaxed, and open-minded. Use this time to build morale and inner strength.
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Use Softness: The strategy is to use softness to overcome hardness. By holding to the center and maintaining correctness, you avoid exhaustion.
Summary: Waiting is not passive; it is active preparation. It is about knowing that you are in a time of accumulation. By remaining calm and cheerful in the face of unpredictable changes, you ensure a harmonious and auspicious result.
