I Ching and mistrust in the markets

As I was watching the market mayhem today and reading about Germany’s decision to ban certain types of short selling I reflected about my recent post on I Ching hexagram 38. Opposition and how it could be applied to that decision. The markets seemed just to be regaining some poise following the announcement of the bailout for the Euro when Germany announced the ban on short selling. The markets interpreted this as a sign of panic or as a sign that the German Government knew something the market didn’t and investors promptly started selling off again. Having just written that post, I saw in this another example of misunderstanding and mistrust in a situation of ‘opposition’:

If we think, in pursuing our path, that everything is going against us, and we suspect that we are not getting the help we need, this hexagram tells us that we are mistaken; we are being helped, although we don’t realize it. We should not allow ourself to become isolated through mistrust.

The Germans would have been far better off not trying to support the Euro through ‘force’ for what they have attempted has had the opposite effect and has merely created more distrust and misunderstanding:

Fire and water never mingle. It is the same with enlightenment and worry. We cannot see with clarity as long as we are subject to restless fears. Opposition (misunderstanding) occurs because of mistrust, doubt, fear, or anxiety. Events which appear evil may provide the only means by which matters may be clarified and corrected. Before clarity can be attained mistrust must be eliminated by refusing to listen to our arguing ego.

The underlying problem, the truth of the problem, is not about controlling speculation, but about reducing debt and about the solidarity of the EEC in taking the necessary action. Address the underlying truth and there will be no need to use force.

If we are in a situation of opposition to someone because of misunderstanding, we inwardly go in opposite directions. This cannot be rectified by frontal attacks or brusqueness, or by wooing them. Mistrust bars this. We must simply go on our own way in dignity, and depend on the power of truth to gently penetrate through.