[Stones and Stories]Letting Go Means Fulfillment... The Philosophy of Saseok

Knowing How to Let Go
Leads to True Rewards

In Baduk, Saseok (捨石) is a concept different from Saseok (死石), which means already dead stones. It is not stones that are already dead, but stones waiting for death. Among the black and white stones placed on the board, it is the loneliest fate. The dictionary meaning of Saseok is stones placed in a position to die, considered as sacrificed for strategic purposes. In a world that values only victory and defeat in a binary way, Saseok is not a well-regarded existence. To be destined to wait for death, how sad a situation it is.

However, Baduk is not just about what is visible. If you view Saseok merely as stones to be discarded, you cannot fully grasp the profound world of Baduk. The philosophy of Saseok, where sacrifice means fulfillment, must be understood to truly enter the world of masters.

In fact, just by observing how one treats Saseok, you can distinguish between a master (Gosu) and a novice (Hasu). A master knows how to utilize Saseok. They create new space and plan for the future by using Saseok. For a master, Saseok is not a stone to be discarded but a stepping stone to victory. When you erase the word obsession from your mind, the path becomes clear. Only then does the true value of Saseok emerge.

On the other hand, novices are reluctant to give up Saseok. They overextend themselves to avoid even the slightest loss, which leads to trapping themselves in the snare of defeat. Sacrifice means fulfillment, but if you refuse to sacrifice, fulfillment is hard to expect. Many people never properly grasp the philosophy of Saseok even after playing Baduk their whole lives. How easy is it to give up the greed inside oneself?

The unfortunate behavior of falling into the trap of obsession is also commonly seen in politics. Acting to avoid losing even a single thing, but in reality, foolishly losing everything. The attitude of being unable to choose progress, trapped in the illusion that moments of applause will last forever.

The righteousness of the past does not guarantee the validity of the future. If you are stuck in the interpretive framework of the past, it is difficult to properly understand the waves of change. You must know how to give in order to embrace the new. What would happen if you boldly offer what you once considered your own possession, opening the way for others to embrace it as well? At first, it may feel regrettable and empty, but someday it might return as a harvest that more than fills the empty space.

Ultimately, both Baduk and politics are processes of moving people's hearts. In front of someone who approaches with an attitude of giving up vested interests, others' prejudices inevitably lose their power. Sacrifice begets fulfillment, and since humans cannot go against that...