From Zhi Ji to Shen Ji — Exploring the Meaning of Book of Changes from the Perspective of Moral Practice

The common saying “it’s now or never” (機不可失) implies the importance of seizing opportunities as they may not come again. However, in reality, it is almost impossible to recognize when a significant opportunity presents itself and when a turning point may occur. Through the understanding of its deeper wisdom implied by the variant character “Ji” (幾, the earliest indications of changes), further explanations can be found in Yi Jing (Book of Changes, 《易經》) regarding this notion of opportunity (Ji, 機).

According to the Yi Zhuan (Companion to Changes, 《易傳》), “Signifying the slight beginnings of movement, ‘Ji’ (幾) is the earliest indication of good fortune or ill.” (幾者，動之微。吉凶之先見也) “Ji” precedes fortune or misfortune, offering people a glimpse into the potential outcomes based on the changes in hexagrams and trigrams (卦爻, Gua Yao) during divination (占筮, Zhan Shi). Before an event unfolds, this divination allows us to anticipate the results and adjust our actions accordingly, guiding us in decision-making. In short, “Ji” indicates the early signs of a phenomenon or an event, and the initial signs of changes, still in its embryo, barely perceptible.

Therefore, understanding the concept of “Ji” is crucial for grasping the essence of the Book of Changes. It is not about random foresight or prophecy, but rather about the diviner’s intuitive judgment through the signs presented by the hexagrams and trigrams, leading to a non-scientific or non-experiential understanding of future events. Knowing the earliest indications of changes is not just about foresight in time but also about anticipating the outcomes of events, serving as a guide for our actions. The principle “seeing the signs and acting accordingly” (見幾而作) emphasizes the practical wisdom derived from the Book of Changes, and directs us to manage the external changes and developments in advance. It is easier said than done, so there is another saying in the Book of Changes that goes, “He who predicts the subtle changes of things possess spirit-like wisdom” (知幾其神).

During the Song Dynasty (960-1279), the philosopher Zhou Dunyi (周敦頤, 1017-1073) put forward a creative interpretation of “Ji”, shifting from the external aspect of “Zhi Ji” (知幾, knowing the earliest indications of changes) that is hard to grasp, to the internal aspect of “Shen Ji” (慎幾, managing the earliest indications of changes through self-awareness). Therefore, “Ji”, the earliest indication of changes, no longer refers to the moment when the external changes are about to happen, but emphasizes the moment when our inner consciousness senses external stimuli and is about to act but has not yet started. This crucial moment of internal consciousness, between action and inaction, represents a different understanding of “Ji”. Regarding this internal aspect of “Ji”, Zhou Dunyi stresses starting from the inception of our actions or intentions, focusing on the very beginning of the subjective consciousness, maintaining a cautious attitude towards subtle matters, and consequently advocating the way of “Shen Ji”.

It is important to note that our inner consciousness, before making decisions, is inherently pure and straightforward. However, as consciousness is about to make us take actions, it touches upon the beginning of “Ji”. By emphasizing “Shen Ji”, Zhou Dunyi warns us that if our inner consciousness, at this crucial moment, does not get restrained but influenced by emotional or material desires, impure thoughts may arise, leading to differences between good and evil, and then may resulting in good and ill luck in actions. In essence, our mind should not be focused on whether we can know the earliest indications of changes (Zhi Ji), but on maintaining a cautious attitude towards them (Shen Ji), which is an expression of our moral consciousness, and the internal foundation that enables us to uphold moral values in our actions.

It is important to note that our inner consciousness, before making decisions, is inherently pure and straightforward. However, as consciousness is about to make us take actions, it touches upon the beginning of “Ji”. By emphasizing “Shen Ji”, Zhou Dunyi warns us that if our inner consciousness, at this crucial moment, does not get restrained but influenced by emotional or material desires, impure thoughts may arise, leading to differences between good and evil, and then may resulting in good and ill luck in actions. In essence, our mind should not be focused on whether we can know the earliest indications of changes (Zhi Ji), but on maintaining a cautious attitude towards them (Shen Ji), which is an expression of our moral consciousness, and the internal foundation that enables us to uphold moral values in our actions.