Six Doors · No. 7
第7卦 师 Shī · The Army
Essence: Collective force needs discipline and a just cause.
I
Judgment
Mobilizing collective force requires a just cause and a seasoned leader. People follow wholeheartedly only when the aim is legitimate and the discipline real. This tests organization and command, not bravado.
II
Trigrams
Upper
坤 Earth
Lower
坎 Water
III
The lines
- Line 1Order comes first: a force without discipline defeats itself before any enemy does.
- Line 2The commander who stands among the ranks, trusted fully from above, brings fortune to the whole campaign.
- Line 3Divided or unfit command carts home its own dead; that outcome is written in the leadership, not the battle.
- Line 4An orderly retreat in the face of superior force is no failure at all.
- Line 5When the field is invaded, respond with cause—and keep command with the experienced, not the rash.
- Line 6Victory won, reward generously with lands and office—but never hand real power to the unworthy.
IV
All the doors
Every single-step transition available from where you stand.
- Line 119 临 · Approach
The rising tide approaches; use it, knowing it turns.
- Line 22 坤 · The Receptive
Strength through receiving; carry everything by yielding.
- Line 346 升 · Pushing Upward
Rise by steady accumulation, one step after another.
- Line 440 解 · Deliverance
The knot loosens; forgive quickly and move on.
- Line 529 坎 · The Abyss
Abyss upon abyss; sincerity flows where force sinks.
- Line 64 蒙 · Youthful Folly
Inexperience seeks its teacher; ask once, in earnest.
V