Out of focus

[sliponshoe]

last night i consulted the i-ching and the answers it gave me seemed just nonsensical and there was no way they were related to my questions. i asked the same questions today and the answers seemed to make more sense.
i wonder if it had to do with the fact that i was very tired last night? is it a bad idea to consult the oracle when you're tired because you just can't focus well enough on the questions?

[jte]

Hi, Slip

I'm not sure that there's a definitive answer to your question, but IMO results speak for themselves in the situation you describe.

I personally always take at least a short time to relax and clear my head of surface thoughts before I consult. I do find that this helps me focus on the situation and on framing the question well. This may help with the getting the reading part, too in ways that would be hard to understand/define, not sure about that one...

- Jeff

[frank]

Hi Sliponshoe,

Can't agree more with Jeff here... Get a good night sleep so you will be up rise and shine next time you ask something to the Yi... Perhaps the YI refered to that in his or her's latest answers as well, where you thought he / she was talking about your dreams, desires, job wishes, relationships, etc... Usualy the Yi is also talking about a certain state the questioner is in when he / she suits it to tell you :-D...

I can say from my own experience that the Yi always gives answers, but YOU (I) interpreted them... and yes I too am way to anxious, sleepy, etc about things from much time to much time, and the Yi then just answers me with hexagram 52 or so :-D.

Here's a good excercise...
Hold the breath...
1....
2....
3....
and ask again... :-D.

Hug,
Frank

[anne]

Hello
In my limited experience the first reading you get is the one that's going to give you the most information. It may take working on, meditating about, thinking through and maybe reading a couple of different Yi Jing translation. Look at all aspects of the hexagram, the trigrams the inner meanings the changing lines and their hexagrams-maybe you have already and if so I apologise, but I do recognise the feelings of frustration when receiving a hexagram and it isn't the answer I wanted and it also seems to make no sense. They are often the most useful ones...
I have found when i repeat the question, even in disguise, I do get a reprimand from the Yi-maybe Hexagram 4, and then I am really back to square one...

[lagunader]

Hi Sliponshoe
Frank put it well. I always either get the answer or realize that The I Ching is addressing what really is going on, in particular an emotional state that is unrelated to the question. On occasion the meaning of the reading (or advice) is clear after a good night sleep, explained through a dream or quiet reflection and meditation. I can count on one hand, if that ,the number of times the reading did not clarify itself. I had a reading that became obvious two years afterwards!!I seem to have found what works for me to insure an access to my subconscious,access the Sage , whom I call my best friend and guardian. I have made essential decisions against the better judgement of my ego ,based on crystal clear readings , sometimes repeated, and when looking back I can only say ,thank God I did...The I ching
blows me away !!

[sliponshoe]

rings true. thanks! i'll keep that in mind!