Chapter Two: The Beauty of Change
The beauty of change—the transformation between yin and yang, strength and gentleness—is what we need to explore. As stated in the Great Commentary (Upper) of the Book of Changes: “In Heaven, it takes form as images; on Earth, it takes shape as matter; thus, change and transformation become manifest.” We have already discussed this at length: “Therefore, the strong and the yielding grind against each other; the eight trigrams stir and agitate. Thunder and lightning rouse them, wind and rain nourish them. The sun and moon revolve, bringing cold and heat. Through the mutual interaction of strength and gentleness, change arises.”
Later, in the Great Commentary (Lower), it says: “The mutual interaction of strength and gentleness contains change within it.” This means that all transformation arises from the interplay of yin and yang, the friction and mutual influence between strength and gentleness. What does this interaction drive? It drives the transformation of the hexagram positions. Each hexagram consists of six positions, and their changes result from the continuous interplay and mutual transformation of yin and yang—one yielding, one firm. Thus, the beauty of change is primarily manifested here.
The Book of Changes is not distant from the Dao. It ceaselessly shifts and flows, moving through the six positions without fixed form, ascending and descending without constancy. Strength and gentleness exchange places; there is no rigid rule—only adaptation to change. The Dao itself is dynamic and unceasing. The Shuogua(Discussion of the Trigrams) states: “Observing the transformations of yin and yang, the hexagrams were established.” All of this arises from the mutual grinding, stirring, and transformation of strength and gentleness.
In truth, we have always been seeking this in our writing, but previously it was executed naturally through experience alone. Now, having discussed it, you will consciously apply it—and that makes all the difference. Guided by this thinking, I aim to make these profound theories accessible through concrete examples, especially since time is limited. As you organize this process, grasp this principle and embody it in practice.
The beauty of change between strength and gentleness manifests in the rhythm of opening and closing. The Great Commentary (Upper) states: “Change is the image of advance and retreat.” Progress and withdrawal drive each other forward. Observe how hexagrams contain inverted forms (zonggua), returning forms (fugua), and transforming forms (biangua)—each hexagram arises this way. “Closing is called Kun (Earth); opening is called Qian (Heaven). The alternation of opening and closing is called transformation. Endless coming and going is called penetration.” This is the rhythm of opening and closing.
This beauty of change—the transformation of Heaven and Earth—is described: “In Heaven, it takes form as images; on Earth, it takes shape as matter; thus, change and transformation become manifest. Therefore, the strong and the yielding grind against each other; the eight trigrams stir and agitate. Thunder and lightning rouse them, wind and rain nourish them. The sun and moon revolve, bringing cold and heat. All things transform between Heaven and Earth without excess. Change and penetration align with the four seasons; nothing surpasses the four seasons in transformation. The changes of Heaven and Earth are emulated by the sages.” This “emulation” (xiaoxiao) refers precisely to the transformation of the lines (yaobian).
Grasp this point firmly. If you can sense the transformation of the lines within your brushwork as you emulate this process, you will have truly mastered the brush method of the Book of Changes.
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