How can the teaching of a military strategist and the Chinese art of astrology be intertwined?
When it comes to fundamentals and applications, both systems share similarities. Both are over 2,500 years old, but they remain timeless in their relevance to modern times. A military strategist like Sun Tzu argues that one must always be prepared in battle, as can be read in his brilliant mantra:
“Know yourself; know your enemy and your victory will be assured. Know heaven; know earth and your victory will be complete.”
How is this related to Chinese astrology? In one of the systems of Chinese astrology, a person’s destiny is sealed at birth in a set of pillars known as “The Four Pillars of Destiny.” Accompanying these four pillars is a set of lucky pillars that chart the course of a person’s life at 10-year intervals. Together these pillars formed the letter of our destiny and by reading this letter, we can predict what destiny awaits us in life and see in the same way as Sun Tzu’s The Art of War, it can be said that “be forewarned is to be armed. “
According to “The Art of War”, the five important virtues that a general must have to be successful in battle are: wisdom, courage, sincerity, benevolence and discipline.
Based on “The Four Pillars of Destiny”, a person’s destiny is governed by five important elements, namely resources, self, production, wealth and influence.
The five virtues and the five elements are mutually reinforcing as follows:
Resource of wisdom
Courage
Sincerity output
Benevolence Wealth
Influence of discipline
By wisdom, we mean that a general must use his resource element, which is his thoughts, intuition, knowledge and experience to design his strategies. If your resource element is weak, you won’t be able to plan wisely.
By courage, it is understood that the general must be strong and courageous when facing adversity. You have to show strength to overcome challenges and obstacles on the battlefields. If your ego element is weak, you lean toward cowardice and risk capture.
Out of sincerity, it is perceived that the general must show honesty in his communication and be able to convey his message in an incisive, heartfelt and convincing way. If your Exit element is weak, you lack persuasive prowess and you will find it difficult to gain the trust of your men.
Out of benevolence, the general is seen as generous with his wealth and willingly shares his spoils of war with his men, cares for them, and appreciates their efforts and toils. If his element of wealth is weak, his men will lose confidence in him and thus become demoralized to keep fighting.
For discipline, the general will have to exert his influence over his men through leadership by example. He will have to be strict with his men so that orders are carried out consistently and he will not hesitate to punish if his reports fail in their duties. If your element of influence is weak, your men will not be loyal to you and may rebel against your control.
“So, you are destined to be a five-star general?” Stay connected for part 2.