Great Power

Great Power. Perseverance furthers.

Great power is not about domination. It is about alignment with what is right. Thunder in heaven — the most powerful force in nature, but one that follows the laws of the sky. The superior person does not tread upon paths that do not accord with established order. Power without principle is destruction. Power with principle is creation. The question is not how much power you have. It is what your power serves.

Hexagram 34, Da Zhuang (Great Power), depicts Thunder in Heaven — the most dramatic display of natural force. But the judgment is surprisingly restrained: perseverance furthers. Power alone is not enough; it must be directed by principle. The image of the superior person who does not tread upon paths that do not accord with established order is a warning against the misuse of power. Great power requires great discipline, or it becomes great destruction. The I Ching describes the present moment with such precision that the next natural movement becomes visible. Understanding the pattern you are in is the first step toward wise action.