Journeys and Star Gazing

Which game truly mirrors our experience of life? While chess is a formidable contender, Backgammon emerges as the superior choice. Backgammon, with its inherent element of chance, resonates more closely with life itself. As the poet aptly put it, even the most meticulous plans can veer off course. A shrewd backgammon player, much like a strategist in life, anticipates all possible outcomes of the dice. Which move would secure the best position, regardless of how the dice may fall? In Backgammon, you’re not just pitted against your opponent, but also against the capricious nature of the dice, adding a layer of complexity and strategy that is truly engaging.

Some think Backgammon is just luck from one game to the next. But matches are many games long. With the doubling cube, the better player will win the match even after losing some single games. It is like Napoleon beating a general despite losing some battles.

Life, much like Backgammon, is a game of resilience. The dice may sometimes roll in your favour, but chance can just as easily disrupt your plans. It’s about adapting to your current position and the possibilities that lie ahead, even when the universe seems to conspire against you. It’s about making your moves, knowing that even if you lose today, there’s always another day to try again. It’s a lesson in perseverance that both Backgammon and life teach us.

When facing uncertainties in life, I often consult the I Ching. The ancient Book of Changes reveals insights through chance that crystallise into 64 hexagrams. I toss the coins, or if I feel more meditative, I shuffle the yarrow stalks. The resulting hexagram offers wisdom for my situation. I may gain a more appropriate strategy if I’m sensitive enough to such meaningful coincidences. The I Ching helps prepare me for how fortune’s dice may tumble. I follow its advice to better navigate life’s changing tides.