Water Flows

Early Chinese thought and philosophy found the depth of human psychology, and quickly realized that many of the seemingly insurmountable problems people fact are of their own making.

When persons encounter obstacles in life they must understand that they are "self-made." The Chinese sages advise one should take advantage of the opportunity to self-reflect, analyze the motives that led to the problems, and attempt to remedy the weakness, self-transmutation.

Often people encountering obstacles find that they are from  their own inhibitions, i.e. not having the fortitude to do what they know must be done, even when they know that they have the expertise to get it done.

Self-reflection toward self-transmutation is to recognize your inhibitions/weaknesses, admit they exist and work toward overcoming them.

In the even one hits an institutional wall the sages say to emulate flowing water. Water does not give up and it does not turn back, it builds up gradually until it either flows over the wall, around the wall or through the wall.

It is also wise to gather like-minded folks around you to create a united front that can achieve moving the obstacle and reaching their goals. The I Ching speaks to the five levels or categories of obstacles, and comments on each of them advising one how to "flow like water, etc."