Expand Your Network, Build Connections: Insights from “It Is Beneficial to See the Great Person” in the I Ching

In the hexagram and line statements of the I Ching, the phrase “It is beneficial to see the great person” (利见大人) appears repeatedly. This is no coincidence, but an extremely important principle for life and career.

“It is beneficial to see the great person” does not simply mean “meet powerful people.” Rather, it reminds the consultant: at critical stages of life, you must proactively enter higher-level circles and build connections with people who have more experience, broader vision, and greater influence.

Whether in entrepreneurship, the workplace, business collaboration, or upgrading your social circle, the I Ching emphasizes again and again: connecting upward is the key to breaking through bottlenecks.

Why Does the I Ching Repeatedly Emphasize “It Is Beneficial to See the Great Person”?

Many people mistakenly believe success comes from individual effort alone. But the I Ching points out:

One person’s perspective is limited
One person’s resources are limited
One person’s experience is limited

When life enters a critical phase, what truly determines a breakthrough is the people you meet.

Thus, the I Ching treats “seeing the great person” as a required course.

1. In Times of Difficulty: You Need Higher-Level Connections Even More (Hexagram Jian – Obstruction)

Hexagram Jian: “It is beneficial to see the great person; going onward brings achievement.”

Hexagram Jian represents:

Difficulty
Obstacles
Limited action

Yet the hexagram statement says: It is beneficial to see the great person.

This reveals an extremely important business and workplace law:

When you are stuck, going it alone is often ineffective; you must rely on higher-level wisdom and resources.

In reality, this means:

Entrepreneurial bottleneck → seek a mentor or investor
Career promotion stuck → gain leadership support
Business blocked → seek high-level advice

The insight of the I Ching is very practical: Breakthroughs in adversity often come from help at a higher level.

2. Gathering Resources: Your Circle Determines the Height of Your Career (Hexagram Cui – Gathering Together)

Hexagram Cui: “It is beneficial to see the great person. Success.”

The theme of Hexagram Cui is just two words: gathering.

It describes:

Team building
Resource convergence
Organization formation

The hexagram statement again emphasizes: It is beneficial to see the great person.

Why?

Because true resource aggregation often requires:

Endorsement from authority figures
Support from leadership
Involvement of key people

This is the core logic of modern business:

Your circle determines your resources; resources determine success.

3. Long-Term Development: Learn Upward and Leverage Momentum (Hexagram Xun – The Gentle)

Hexagram Xun: “It is beneficial to see the great person.”

Hexagram Xun symbolizes:

Moving with the current
Sustained influence
Long-term development

In long-term careers, the I Ching reminds us:

Continuously learning from higher levels is key to long-term success.

Truly outstanding people all share one thing:

Mentors
Role models
High-level social circles

Connecting upward is essentially continuous cognitive upgrading.

4. Conflict and Crisis: Authority Mediation Is Even More Necessary (Hexagram Song – Conflict)

Hexagram Song: “It is beneficial to see the great person.”

Hexagram Song represents:

Conflict
Disputes
Contradictions

In conflict, the I Ching advises not to fight, but:

It is beneficial to see the great person.

This means:

Seek an arbitrator
Seek authoritative opinions
Rely on higher-level coordination

The same applies in modern enterprises:

Resolution of major conflicts often comes from higher-level decisions.

5. Success Stage: Continue Entering Higher Circles (Hexagram Qian – The Creative)

Hexagram Qian: “The dragon appears in the field; it is beneficial to see the great person.”

Hexagram Qian: “The flying dragon is in the heavens; it is beneficial to see the great person.”

Even in the success stage, the I Ching still reminds:

It is beneficial to see the great person.

This shows:

Success is not the end, but the beginning of entering a higher level.

The more successful your career, the more you need:

Higher-level collaboration
Bigger platforms
Broader resources

Successful people are always upgrading their circles.

How to Apply “It Is Beneficial to See the Great Person” in Real Life?

1. Career Development

Proactively learn from excellent leaders
Gain support from key people
Participate in higher-level projects

2. Business and Entrepreneurship

Find mentors and investors
Join industry communities
Build strategic partnerships

3. Interpersonal and Social Circle Upgrading

Enter higher-quality social circles
Attend industry events
Walk with outstanding people

Your circle determines your future.

The 64 Hexagrams of the I Ching: 64 Life Lessons

The 64 hexagrams of the I Ching are not mystical predictions, but 64 life lessons.

“It is beneficial to see the great person” is one of the key lessons that appears repeatedly:

Life breakthroughs are inseparable from human connection.

WENSINGS INTERACTIVE’s I Ching Deduction System

WENSINGS INTERACTIVE proposes:

Every I Ching consultation is a course selection.

Its unique system includes:

Previous Hexagram: Past trends
Middle Hexagram: Current state
Future Hexagram: Future direction

The three hexagrams form a Direction Hexagram System that helps consultants:

See the direction clearly
Understand the situation
Take action

👉 Learn more: I Ching Consultation

Conclusion

“It is beneficial to see the great person” is not about power tactics, but wisdom for growth.

When you learn to connect upward, enter higher circles, and walk with outstanding people, your life will naturally rise to a new height.

This is the timeless, practical insight of the I Ching.

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