Where do I start with I Ching?

[mario]

Hello there
I started using I Ching six months ago and have been impressed by it from the very beginning. Although the power of the Oracle is obvious even to a layman like myself I am aware that there are hidden depths of meaning I don't understand. Does one learn to understand I Ching mainly by consulting it oneself or would you suggest joining a study group/master who could help towards a more complete understanding of the Hexagrams. I live in London UK.

[hilary]

Hello Mario,

Mmmm yes, the I Ching works, doesn't it? And on more levels than one. I still find it almost alarming at times...

For me, learning the I Ching so far has been about 70% personal experience, and the rest made up from learning from more experienced diviners and a good variety of solid translations. (See the recommended books page (http://www.onlineClarity.co.uk/html/recommended_books.html).) Getting more than one translation frees the mind so you can begin to develop your own understandinng - Ritsema and Karcher's word-for-character translation is especially good for this!

I don't actually know of any study groups (though I've wondered what I could provide by way of I Ching 'tutoring' online - seminars? private email? what do you think?). There are several very good I Ching mailing lists, though - try Midaughter (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/midaughter) or I Ching/ Yijing (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IChing_YiJing). Both are active, friendly, and full of very knowledgeable people.

Enjoy!

[richard]

Ive been using the I Ching for about 10 years and am still amazed at its accuracy. Ive learned a lot from the Wilhelm/Baynes "Book of Changes" and I also highly reccommend R.L.Wing's "The Illustrated I CHing" for the beginner. There is even a workbook that goes with it. As for study groups, Ive never been to one but it would probably be a good thing.

Richard

[keith]

I do know that if you are asking questions about personal things,it is very easy to misconstrue the answers or fail to apply them properly to the situation. Discussion with someone else not so intimately involved in the situation would help see it in a more objective light.
Another mistake I have made is to ask too many questions on the same area before digesting the first answer thoroughly.

[santosh]

Hai everybody, This is santosh from India. Actually I started off with Reikei which led me Feng Shui ( Qi Concepts) and now Feng Shui is pushing me ( I'm happy) to I Ching. I am just a few days old to this but would join you actively after a few days of indepth study. I think only then all the discussions would make any meaning at all. Now I have jumped into the sea and shall thus learn to swim. Thank u all once again

[chinuajin]

Greetings, Santosh!
Seems that I'm approaching this whole sphere the opposite direction, having started with studying the I Ching over 30 years ago, and am just now looking into Feng Shui and Reiki http://www.onlineclarity.co.uk/i_ching_discussion/clipart/happy.gif (I'm also an Agnihotra Practitioner, but that's another kettle of fish ;)

I hope that the I Ching will prove as useful a Friend to you as it has to me through the years (as I'm certain it will). I use the term "Friend" because that's really what the "I" has become to me through the years... steadfast, unswerving, and always ready to offer good advice, if asked.

The early days of studying the I Ching can be a bit daunting... the ancient Symbology can seem overwhelming at first (at least, they were for me, a ten-year-old kid in the U.S. in 1968 ;)

I started out learning the Yarrow-stalk Method (which I still prefer, when Time allows...), it not only allows me the space to meditate on my Question, but also acts as a sort of filter to strain out unneeded questions that would be just as well divined by simple thought and Common Sense http://www.onlineclarity.co.uk/i_ching_discussion/clipart/happy.gif

I highly suggest that you spend some time learning the stalk-method first, then try the coin and other methods. They all work, but the Yarrow stalks will "get you in deeper" than any method I know. Meeting the Oracle Halfway I've found very helpful, at least starting out.

This marvelous, ancient Oracle feels like a wise Grandfather to me, now... I hope your delvings prove as enlightening!

Chinuajin