Newbie giving it a shot--52 to 23?

[cassiopeia]

Hello all. I've been working with the Iching on and off for years but have only begun to take it seriously. I have been impressed by these forums--by the thoughtfulness present in the answers as well as the true spirit of collaboration and search for truth.

Well, I have a question if anyone would be willing to answer? It is regarding a reading I just did. I have a lot of anxiety and possibly OCD and asked how I could best improve these conditions. I have been wondering about medication, therapy, etc. I got Hex 52 then the 3rd line is the line that I was supposed to read then it changed to 23. Now, I got kind of freaked out and this is the problem with anxiety--sometimes I have anxiety around my relationship w/ my boyfriend. So I read this as meditate..and then break up with your boyfriend--which might be kind of silly, I don't know. I mean, I guess if I'm anxious about my relationship (really any relationship I'm in) breaking up would relieve me of the anxiety, but I have a feeling I'd be even more anxious about being broken up! However, perhaps because of my anxiety blinding me, I can't seem to get a more accurate read on the second Hexagram. Is there a non-relationship reading to #23--one that might be more in line with ideas for relieving myself of anxiety and OCD tendencies? Thank you!!!

 

[ace]

Wow ... this is the MOST perfect answer for your question.

How I could best improve these conditions (anxiety/OCD)? 52. 3 > 23

First, I would say you should probably see a doctor/therapist/psychologist/counsellor and not try to deal or diagnose this on your own. And, depending how difficult the anxiety and/or OCD is in your life, you will probably need support, either therapy or medication to deal with them. It just depends on how severely they are presenting in your life. This is something you should work out with a trusted professional.

Second, your reading. LISE (52.3) "A life with too many rules, limits, dogma’s and fixed values is not alive". This is an interesting perspective of OCD, as this disorder can be a lot about rules/self-imposed limits/boundaries, do's and don't, and if/thens. For anxiety, the ability to discern real threat from perceived threat becomes greatly muddled, and LISE (52.3) says "Tao is not written down anywhere, your heart is the only one who knows – if your heart has enough freedom". Anxiety can create a life lived on a postage stamp, and can foster a complete distrust of the self. So, "the heart knows" but "does not have freedom". Anxiety can steal freedom.

I think the fan yao has the answer to the question: LISE (23.3) says, "To be yourself, living your own life, making your own decisions, YOU HAVE TO BREAK AWAY FROM ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE (INSIDE) WHO TELL YOU HOW TO LIVE. Or even without saying anything, expect you to live according to their views. Even if you choose an absurd life - so what? It is your life".

Dysfunctional anxiety and OCD can have very very very strict rules about how you MUST live and behave: thought patterns, affect patterns, behavioural patterns, response patterns, interpersonal patterns, etc (52.3). It can create a standstill in living because of all of the rules and fear. It is your life, and you have to live it, but not through the proxy of anxiety or OCD because then it can become OCD's or anxiety's life and no longer your own life (23.3). A mental health professional can help you through this maze.

Wishing you the best!!

 

[gato]

52.3 Apparently you are very tensed (worried), but nothing else.