I Ching

All worthy goals meet resistance of some kind.  When negative forces predominate, a well-timed retreat is necessary in order to stay on the path to success.  Tibetans know this.

Strategic retreat is not to be confused with escape or surrender.  Successful retreat demands quick and nimble movement – taking up a new position before you are damaged severely by the current situation.  You are not admitting defeat by such action, but simply increasing your options, and preserving your resources.  Sometimes it is necessary to slow down, let go or move back temporarily in order to develop countermoves for the future.  Timing is critical, as is positioning after realignment.  Considerations of personal security are critical.

Periods of withdrawal or retreat call for cool-headedness.  It is necessary to keep your wits about you.  Attend to small details while allowing yourself time to contemplate the whole picture.  Be creative; not all progress follows a straight line.  Self-confidence is also essential; small setbacks can easily become defeats if we allow ourselves to become mired in self-doubt or self-pity.

Waves of progress are, by their nature, short-lived.  Learn to attune yourself to the up-and-down cycles of life.  When the wave is behind you, ride it in; when it’s not, lie low.  Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you can “fix” any situation whenever you feel like it.  Some things are bigger than you are.  Hold your pride in check and you will be better prepared to find creative openings.

1. In retreat, positioning is everything.  Avoid being too visible, too near the source of opposition.  If you find yourself positioned in an opponent’s sights, the best tactic often is to keep still, lay low, and hope that the moment passes.  Be extremely careful; any movement now will only be to the opposition’s advantage.
2. This change refers to the situation when someone of integrity is under direct attack, and is being pursued strongly by an opposing force.  In a treacherous situation, movement in the face of critical danger is essential.  Retreating when under attack, rather than engaging in direct confrontation, also has the advantage of gaining sympathy for your cause from others.
3. To be blocked during retreat brings misfortune.  If it has become necessary to retreat from a bad or complicated situation, you have to move.  But sometimes the process of retreat is blocked by hangers-on or incompetents.  Though these are not people you would normally want on your team, in a time of retreat it may be necessary to recruit them.  This strategy will be successful only if you keep in mind that these people are not truly qualified, and must not be allowed to play a prominent role after retreat has been accomplished.
4. By gracefully withdrawing from conflict, you may be able to protect yourself from humiliation and the enduring enmity of others.  Furthermore, you deprive the opposition of an enemy to confront, which in itself can be a successful strategic move.  To gracefully retreat in a heated atmosphere is not easy, however.  This can only be achieved by the exercise of superior character.  So, rise to the occasion.  Proper handling of a setback is a real opportunity for greater progress in the long run.
5. If precisely the right moment is selected for retreat, the withdrawal can be effected quickly and smoothly, and with all the proper amenities observed.  The key is resolute action – and taking advantage of the element of surprise.  Once your mind is made up, move!
6. When all signs point to retreat or resignation, the proper course of action must be followed without regret.  Sometimes great issues resolve themselves; in such cases, it doesn’t help you to remain attached to futile goals and ambitions.  The most successful approach is a cheerful acceptance of fate, and a willingness to proceed along the open road – even if it leads you into unfamiliar realms.  If you can leave them smiling, great success.