{"id":1012,"date":"2012-03-16T16:33:52","date_gmt":"2012-03-16T15:33:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.no2do.com\/synopse\/?page_id=1012"},"modified":"2025-07-07T17:41:49","modified_gmt":"2025-07-07T15:41:49","slug":"li-the-fire","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.no2do.com\/synopse\/en\/trigrams\/li-the-fire","title":{"rendered":"Li, the Fire"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What does Li <\/em>represent?<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Li, the Fire<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Li, the fire<\/em>, represents our ability to differentiate facts, influences, demands, emotions – in essence, the abundance of the world rushing towards us. Without this ability to separate the clear<\/em> from the unclear<\/em>, we would be overwhelmed by the chaos of diversity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, in order for us to differentiate, we require a criterion. A criterion by which we discern, keeping what we perceive as important and beneficial, and letting go of what we do not desire<\/a>. What would that criterion be? An insightful phrase can be found in the classics of Traditional Chinese Medicine: “What is good for me to maintain purity in the system?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My Well-Being as the Criterion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Here we have our criterion, and it is: For me<\/em>. Myself and my well-being are the criteria by which we should discern. This initially sounds good and straightforward, but upon closer examination, it proves to be challenging. Because this criterion requires that I truly sense myself, identifyin<\/a>g where I<\/em> end and where you<\/em> begin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How well do I know myself and my needs? Can I perceive my needs as they arise? Am I willing to give them space, to fulfilled them? No, this does not advocate for selfishness, but for self-care. It is akin to the safety instructions on an airplane: First, you secure your own oxygen mask, then you assist the other passengers. The simple reasoning behind this instruction is that if I am not (or no longer) doing well, I am of no use to anyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And What About Us<\/em><\/em>? Does This Us<\/em> Also Include Me<\/em>?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

These considerations become very tangible when it comes to human interaction, to walking a shared path. I must know who I<\/em> truly am and what this I<\/em> needs, in order to advocate for it. Because if I don’t know that, how can collective decisions also encompass me<\/em> and my<\/em> desires?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the classics of Traditional Chinese Medicine, we find various descriptions related to the functional circuit<\/a> of the Small Intestine (see also King Wen’s Later Heaven<\/a><\/em>: the Small Intestine (SI)<\/a> is associated with Li). These descriptions emphasize the ability to differentiate and provide the overall system with what is beneficial: Phase Element Fire: Small Intestine<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following the Path of the Dao: What Do I Want?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the model<\/a> Follow the Path of the Dao<\/a>, Li represents one of the two test point<\/a>s. A test point is a tipping point where a movement can abruptly and dynamically change its direction. In the context of the model, Li shifts the focus from the relationship with the world to the relationship with oneself: My ability navigate the external world largely depends on how well and compassionately I treat myself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the spirit of self-exploration, the following questions can be formulated:<\/p>\n\n\n\n