{"id":1730,"date":"2012-03-16T18:38:39","date_gmt":"2012-03-16T17:38:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.no2do.com\/synopse\/?page_id=1730"},"modified":"2025-07-07T17:42:14","modified_gmt":"2025-07-07T15:42:14","slug":"gen-the-mountain","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.no2do.com\/synopse\/en\/trigrams\/gen-the-mountain","title":{"rendered":"Gen, the Mountain"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What does Gen <\/em>stand for?<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Gen, the Mountain<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

To become still. To allow things to happen. To let go. All of that is Gen<\/em>. To feel oneself. Just take a moment to truly feel. To sense. To actually perceive the situation. To perceive everything. And then: Rethink things. Completely anew. Come up with a completely new solution with… a beginner’s mind<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Usually, we go through our daily routines without much thought. We wake up, brush our teeth, get dressed. Breakfast and off to work<\/em>. We neither notice the toothbrush nor the breakfast sandwich, and we only truly wake up when we are sitting at our desks reading emails. At some point, we developed this routine, it worked, and since then, we have been going through the motions. If something unexpected happens, an exceptional situation, we might notice what we are doing. Because something does not work. And then, we might begin to examine elements of our routine and question whether the standard solution is still effective. Because perhaps the problem to be solved has changed in the meantime. Or the problem is the same, but there are now better possibilities…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Einstellung Effect<\/em>: Negative Consequence of Mechanized Thinking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Einstellung effect<\/em>, a phenomenon in which the mind operates in a mechanized state, automatically applyin<\/a>g a previously developed standard solution without thoroughly examining the current problem, has been recognized in scientific circles (Wikipedia<\/a>). It is considered a negative consequence of past experiences in problem-solving. The fact that a solution was success<\/a>ful in the past tempts individuals to apply that solution again and again. This obscures the view of the problem itself, the problem in the here and now, the new problem that often only superficially resembles the old one. Consequently, the standard solution fails to truly address the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, we have the opportunity to assess the effectiveness of our problem-solving routines on any given day, even in the absence of exceptional circumstances. However, fate sometimes graciously presents us with these extraordinary situations. It is during such moments that we embark on a process of decluttering and discarding waste. Not only in the material realm, but also shedding useless emotions, thoughts… And, of course, standard answers and standard solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seeing the World Anew with a Beginner’s Mind<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ultimately, this process leads us to a state of complete emptiness<\/a>. And suddenly we rediscover something profound: the beginner’s mind. Known as Shoshin<\/a> in Zen Buddhism, it embodies an attitude of being a beginner: open, enthusiastic, without prejudice or preconceived notions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gen<\/em> is associated with the functional circuit<\/a>s of the Large Intestine (LI)<\/a> in the classics of Traditional Chinese Medicine (see King Wen’s Later Heaven<\/a><\/em>). Corresponding references can be found here: Phase Element Metal: Large Intestine<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following the Path of the Dao: What Is?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the model<\/a> of Following the Path of the Dao<\/a>, Gen<\/em> belongs to the dynamic landmark point<\/a>s<\/em>. In Gen<\/em>, the dynamics arise from a strong Yang<\/a> line following receptive Yin (two Yin lines in Zhen<\/em> or three Yin lines in Kun<\/em>): a positive vibration that generates momentum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Questions for self-exploration may include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n