11 - THE NINE GROUNDS - The Art of War
by Stanley Bronstein on August 21, 2008
CHAPTER 11 - The 9 Grounds - Part 1 of 1
Ground
Ground - Land having an indicated character. The foundation or basis on which a belief or action rests; reason or cause.
Previous Posts On The Art of War
While each one of these posts is designed to be read separately and independently of each other, it would be useful if you read the previous posts on The Art of War, all of which can be found by clicking here, if you have not already done so.
More From Sun Tzu
There is dispersed ground, light ground, contested ground, connected ground, junction ground, heavy ground, spread-out ground, enclosed ground and death ground.
What Do These Quotes Mean?
Dispersed Ground - This is land where people battle over it to no great effect.
Light Ground - If you enter another’s territory, but not deply, it is light ground.
Contested Ground - If you obtain it is advantageous. Yet, if another obtains this same ground, it would also be advantageous for them. This is contested ground.
Connected Ground - If you are able to ago and another is able to come. This is connected ground.
Junction Ground - This is the area where the grounds of other meet up. The one who arrives first will have the advantage.
Heavy Ground - If you enter another’s territory deeply, this is heavy ground.
Spread-out Ground - If you have to move through mountains, forests, swamps, etc. (i.e. roads that are difficult to move along), this is spread-out ground.
Enclosed Ground - The entrance ways and exit ways are narrow. In other words, a place where you are closed in and vulnerable to attack from smaller forces, this is enclosed ground.
Death Ground - If you are in a situation where you have no choice but to fight to live or die, this is death ground.
More From Sun Tzu
In dispersed ground, do not do battle.
In light ground, do not stop.
In contested ground do not attack.
In connected ground, do not cross.
In junction ground, join with allies.
In heavy ground plunder.
In spread-out ground move.
In enclosed ground strategize.
In death ground, do battle.
How Can This Advice Be Applied?
While The Art of War was written in a military context, the above advice applies in countless real life situations.
The first thing you must do is assess your situation. Compare it to the 9 grounds listed above.
For example, are you in a business situation where you feel you have no choice but to fight to survive or give up and effectively die (go out of business)?
The second thing you must do once you have determined what type of ground you are in is to take the appropriate action listed above.
For example, if your business is on death ground, then you know you have no choice but to fight to survive, so that is exactly what you must do.
Recommended Reading
Laws of Positioning #1 - Position Yourself To Be Alive (in this case, aware)
Laws of Positioning #14 - Position Yourself To Be Conscious
Laws of Positioning #96 - Position Yourself To Be A Victorious Warrior
Tomorrow
Next, we will discuss Attack By Fire, Chapter 12 in The Art of War.
Until next time, take care, my dear friends.Mr. Achievement
Stanley F. Bronstein
Attorney & CPA
August 26th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
The learned Chinese takes the “Death Ground” to heart. We often quote “shi di” and practice it in real life. Recently, a friend quit his cushy corporate job to go full time into internet marketing. He said he wanted to burn his steady income bridge so there is no turning back from the obstacles and challenge. He is putting himself into death ground. A phoenix will then rises from the ashes.
August 27th, 2008 at 4:35 am
Vivienne:
I’ve done that on more than one occasion myself. When you make it impossible to go backward, you have no choice but to go forward.
Another variation of it is what I like to say:
To insure success, eliminate all possibility of failure.
Stanley Bronstein
MrAchievement