How did you become a student or a specialist of I Ching?

[lanikai]

Hi, my name is Lanikai from east but lives in west.
I joined two of Hilary's open discussion-talking and writing at real time last year, although I was mostly quiet but very impressed by the participants.

My question today is related to my present situation that I came to a point, if I should continue studying I Ching or not.

I have studied I Ching past two years and accumulated some books to read.
At a time, there were many questions in my life.
Therefore I consuted I Ching many times a day,
a week and a month, but now I can remote myself from the reality and could focus on larger issues to ask for I Ching.

I read many insightful and logical comments on I ching Community Discussions and I would like to ask you two main questions, as they will help me convince to continue my study of I Ching.

1) When did you first encounter I Ching and how
or why did you show your interest to it?
2) What is the most convincing, facinating, and
helpful aspects of I Ching that you are still practicing it now?

I noticed that there are many psychologists, therapists and counselors who are among this I Ching community. My question is how some people
who were trained by western psychology and ideas incorporate with I Ching teachings into their pracice.
Obviously many people who do not know about I Ching thinks that it is just some mystical consulting.

I find I Ching teaches me such wisdom how to live life and everytime I consuts it, it facinates me
how it answeres. I appriciate your input. Thanks!

[intenselydavid]

My first encounter was seventeen years ago when a good friend introduced me. For a time I didn't use it regularly but gradually I found it was offering very accurate advice that followed a sequence of learning. Now I use it sparingly because it is so rich in its imagery it persuades you to follow a lifestyle that pushes you to empowerment of the self. I believe it teaches in a unique way. Some translations I find more "severe" than others but I believe we only learn by being shown the errors of our way. Life can be brutal when we are unwise.

What I really like about the "I Ching" is how it persuades you to retain your inner child - modest, honest and instinctive - whilst showing you where wisdom is and where peace of mind can be found.

I have discovered myself appearing to repeat past mistakes and the I Ching appears to mete out its advice in such a way as to make you understand that there is no real repetition but that some errors are almost unforgiveable.

What amazes me is that words written some five or six thousand years ago can still have such an impact on modern life. Perhaps our ancestors really did know something we have, with few exceptions, forgotten.

[jeanystar]

Hi Lanakai, welcome.
You might want to do a *forum search* (in left hand column) and look for the name Cguleff as an author and click on "Some Questions for Friends Area Contributors" ....

This was a thread this past year where a lot of people answered the question you asked about how they started to use the I Ching...and its usefulness to them.
You asked some good questions...good topic, hope you get lots more responses...it is indeed fascinating..... been a lifelong fascination for me. no time to elaborate now, tho! welcome to the forum.
Jeannie

[jerryd]

Hello Lanakia; I am newer than most here and found my way into The Yi trying to sort out conflicting philosophies within western thought. It seems there are answers to be found within this system but at the expense of abandoning all els, I may be a way but perhaps not the way. I have yet to cast an opinion or make a judgement yet. I am a seeker not a conformist so this evaluation may not be of any help to you, Best wishes in you journey. / Jer

[lightofdarkness]

My focus has been on the source of MEANING in general; as such I start in the areas of neurosciences, cognitive science, psychology etc and use the I Ching as one of my examples of a specialisation reflecting universal meanings.

My own material is labeled as ICPlus to emphasise the 'going beyond' the traditional IC perspectives.

See:

http://www.austarmetro.com.au/~lofting/myweb/newindex.html for more.

Chris.

[lanikai]

Hi Everyone,
Thanks for your comments. They help me a lot.
The other day I started writing to Intenselydavid, but something interruped to me and I did not continue getting back to the site.
After everyone goes to bed, I will read yours all and write some little thanks to each.
Sorry for the delay. It is great that I got so many responses and you are all friends through I Ching and Hilary.
Thanks a lot. Lanikai

[lanikai]

Hello, Intenselydavid,
Thank you for offering such thoughts and wisdom that I greatly appriciate. Especially when you
are explaing like ...." it persuades you to follow a lifestyle that pushes you to empowerment of the self."

And you say, "What I really like about the "I Ching" is how it persuades you to retain your inner child - modest, honest and instinctive - whilst showing you where wisdom is and where peace of mind can be found."
I am beginning to understand what you mean in
your comments. That is the part that I feel great benefit from I Ching practice to get back to or disvoer who really I am. Thanks.

Jeannie, thanks for your advice. I will check it out the site.

Jerryd, thanks for your honest comment. I am as biginner as you are. I am in the same boat of
you and I still have a long jurney to take.
I have been so confused and conflicted by western thoughts and logics for so many years,
and I came to a point where I could not figure
them out nor breath well.

So I put the western thoughts on the side, and started searching for eastern thoughts and practices. Then after some years of searching, I seem to have found something that is very core to me. Not only I Ching gives me the most insightful advices to me, but also the process of I Ching consulting and sorting out my questions/mind really made myself who really I am. I hope you understand what I mean. Thanks.

Chris, thanks for your comments. How long have you been practicing I Ching? What is your specialities? I will check your website.
Thank you again.