Daily reflection 4.19.21
Apr. 19th, 2021 08:34 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
readoldthingsChapter 8 of The Art of War continues:
Our translator points out that that the Chinese is rather precise here, indicating "to blend thoughts of advantage with disadvantage."
While keeping our goals in mind, we need to be able to adapt to circumstances and willing to roll with the punches. But it isn't enough simply to figure out how to get out of a difficult situation. We need to always be working to turn disadvantage into advantage.
A later commentator elaborates:
I've talked a lot here about how I view the current political situation in the United States as a spiritual conflict, with demonic powers on both sides. My advice up to this point has been to avoid the conflict as much as possible, lest being drawn into the fight against one demon we should find ourselves supporting the other, and still end up diabolists.
Lately, however, I have begun to rethink that approach. Assume that I'm right, that there are demonic elements both on the radical Social Justice Left and the far right that will eventually supplant it. Does that mean we should avoid the conflict? Maybe, but I wonder if, in attempting too much to avoid conflict, we don't end up surrendering ground to demons, and thereby losing anyway. I am starting to see our position as an encirclement-- in which case, we're obligated not just to escape from the enemy, but to effect a counter-attack. More on this as we go on.
Hence in the wise leader's plans, considerations of advantage and disadvantage will be blended together.
If our expectation of advantage be tempered in this way, we may succeed in accomplishing the essential part of our schemes.
If, on the other hand, in the midst of difficulties we are always ready to seize an advantage, we may extricate ourselves from misfortune.
If our expectation of advantage be tempered in this way, we may succeed in accomplishing the essential part of our schemes.
If, on the other hand, in the midst of difficulties we are always ready to seize an advantage, we may extricate ourselves from misfortune.
Our translator points out that that the Chinese is rather precise here, indicating "to blend thoughts of advantage with disadvantage."
While keeping our goals in mind, we need to be able to adapt to circumstances and willing to roll with the punches. But it isn't enough simply to figure out how to get out of a difficult situation. We need to always be working to turn disadvantage into advantage.
A later commentator elaborates:
For instance, if I am surrounded by the enemy and only think of effecting an escape, the nervelessness of my policy will incite my adversary to pursue me and crush me; it would be far better to encourage my men to deliver a bold counter-attack, and use the advantage thus gained to free myself from the enemy's toils.
I've talked a lot here about how I view the current political situation in the United States as a spiritual conflict, with demonic powers on both sides. My advice up to this point has been to avoid the conflict as much as possible, lest being drawn into the fight against one demon we should find ourselves supporting the other, and still end up diabolists.
Lately, however, I have begun to rethink that approach. Assume that I'm right, that there are demonic elements both on the radical Social Justice Left and the far right that will eventually supplant it. Does that mean we should avoid the conflict? Maybe, but I wonder if, in attempting too much to avoid conflict, we don't end up surrendering ground to demons, and thereby losing anyway. I am starting to see our position as an encirclement-- in which case, we're obligated not just to escape from the enemy, but to effect a counter-attack. More on this as we go on.
