I Ching

It is a fine irony that after completion of a project or great enterprise, there is still much left to do. Completion is merely a pause in the cycle of creation and decay, a momentary stillpoint for the swinging pendulum of life. Though completion does imply a period of restful pause – one which usually has been well-earned – it is not an actual end, but rather a uniquely harmonious flat spot in the constancy of change and movement.

The image of After Completion is that of a kettle of water boiling over a fire. When the forces are balanced, the water boils properly; but if the pot is too full, it may boil over and put out the fire; or, if the fire is too hot, it may evaporate all the water. In the equilibrium which follows the completion of an arduous task, the current forces must be watched carefully to assure that a proper balance is maintained.

After Completion is also the time for fine tuning, for refinements and embellishments of what has already been accomplished.

Even if we enjoy a rewarding situation at the moment, the laws of the natural world dictate that influence and success must eventually decline. Don’t let current good fortunes prompt careless or relaxed attitudes. Whatever is successful or already established needs to be carefully tended and maintained, without trying to expand it. What is incomplete should be finished, and brought to fruition without delay.

Take satisfaction upon completion, but do not dwell on it. To do so brings a kind of completion to your own influence and capability.

1. In the period following the completion of a major undertaking, the momentum of previous effort still prevails, and there is a tendency to continue onward. Be careful at such moments, for once a project has reached its proper end point, continuation for its own sake brings misfortune. Pressing ahead after completion threatens to bring collapse even to past successes.
2. If a kind of stagnation has seeped into the current situation because of past success, your talents may be hidden – either by circumstance, or by efforts of those in positions of power. When this happens, it is important not to try to attract attention to yourself through immodest behavior. Be patient. That which is rightfully yours, in the end, cannot be denied.
3. After the completion of a great enterprise, be wary of the urge to expand. Allow victories some time to settle in, and approach new steps with the same determination and attention to detail that have sustained past efforts. If success has brought new responsibility into your life, try to delegate it properly by choosing people of talent and ability to work with you.
4. During times of harmony and prosperity, certain small imperfections will eventually show themselves. While it is important not to over-react, the prudent will take decisive action to eliminate small problems before they are allowed to become large ones.
5. In spiritual and religious matters, prosperity and calm often breed pomp and ostentation. It is vital to remember that wealth is not a sign of divine judgment: mankind sees what is manifest in the material world, but spirit notices only at what is held in the heart. In times of prosperity, it is vital to retain humility and preserve goodness of heart. Ornate religious displays devoid of true spirit are like gaudy, empty carriages rattling in the wind.
6. When one has scaled a dangerous cliff, there is a natural tendency to look back, and revel in the drama of overcoming it. But lingering may present a greater danger; what has been safely in the background (or in the past) may be gaining on you.
   Now is the time to focus on forward movement. Don’t hesitate, nor allow yourself to be complacent or self-congratulatory. If you pause right now, greater risks could quickly mount up. This is a time of opportunity, but one where seemingly stable circumstances conceal negative influences. A failure to move forward quickly now would cause you to fall back – perhaps into hazardous circumstances.