Everyone has the potential to rise to the highest office and attain the most meaningful of accomplishments. It is not just about being clever or lucky; it is about how we nurture the greatness that lies at the core of us.
Thus there is within every human being, the seeds of moral principles, physical awareness, cultural niceties, social awareness, and personal greatness. Inside each of us is the potential to attain the highest logic, the smartest linguistics and the most ultimate of spiritual wisdoms. It is when each of these aspects of the self are carefully nurtured and acknowledged that we have the chance to develop ourselves to the fullest. Paying attention to all eight of these dimensions of the human psyche is what eventually produces a balanced human being, a holistic quantification of the complete personality, one whose potential is truly infinite.
This is the total and comprehensive approach to life that is fast gaining momentum and contributing so much to the hurtling pace of development we are witnessing these days. Never in the known history of mankind has progress of the sciences and technologies been happening at such a speed.
Major breakthroughs happen on a daily basis.
It is even likely that the super quantum computer has already been invented, waiting only for the right time to unveil itself, and when it does, it will forever change every dimension of the human condition. That is when the compilation, organization and analysis of data will take place faster than the speed of light, something no one can actually envisage!
When the human mind, body and spirit are properly nurtured through paying close attention to the 8 aptitudes that define each of us, we are at least preparing ourselves for what is to come! It is important then to reflect on each of these aptitudes as we go about our daily lives.
Better yet is for the younger generation to be made aware of these 8 aptitudes.
This is in fact a very Chinese thing, as these 8 aptitudes are part of the study of the I-Ching with each of the 8 trigrams incorporating the essence of each. In the West, the concept of the 8 aptitudes is incorporated in the groundbreaking and inspiring work of Professor Howard Gardner of the Harvard University School of Education.
When we look at each of the aptitudes, we should be inspired to see beyond the subject matter to reach its core so we can take joy in the various ways we enjoy ourselves and our world. Thus we can go beyond the self and see ourselves in terms of our physical and spiritual selves, in terms of our cultural traditions and moral principles, of the way we speak and communicate, of the way we think and come to conclusions, and also how we view ourselves in the context of our friends and family. Then we can begin to respect ourselves and others; and more importantly, to view ourselves beyond our superficial personas. We can then stay as shallow as we want, or go as deep as we wish!
This is the total and comprehensive approach to life that is fast gaining momentum and contributing so much to the hurtling pace of development we are witnessing these days. Never in the known history of mankind has progress of the sciences and technologies been happening at such a speed. Major breakthroughs happen on a daily basis.
Viewing the world through the lens of the Pa Kua’s eight sides is what will expand the luck consciousness of the human capability to levels of infinity. It is exciting beyond words because then we can rejoice in our individuality, and also take delight in us being social creatures interacting with others.
Luck merges with our logical reasoning; very much like the writer suddenly understanding the logic of Einstein’s theory of relativity, when the Maths genius suddenly has an epiphany of beauty, when the tennis player shrugs nonchalantly at an unfair line call. These are surprising moments when great mental illumination takes place. That instant is when we experience a sudden realization that makes everything very clear!
The human consciousness then naturally embraces the five core values of life and living – the value of kindness, the heroism of courage, the preciousness of integrity, the humility of respect and the dependability of responsibility. It is in embracing these five core attributes that we transform into holistic people.
The eight aptitudes and five core values make our luck a neverending, infinite experience. This is the wisdom of the 8 trigrams that create the 64 hexagrams that make up the I-Ching, the Book of Changes. It has been China’s philosophical base of wisdom for so many centuries.
