the philosophy of the Yi

[Sparhawk]

Ok, I'll tell the dragon to be gentle...

I'll be in the kitchen.

 

[pantherpanther]

Is all and everything contained in 64 hexagrams?

YES ... exactly 64 different hexagrams are needed to explain everything

The philosophy of the Yi is the King Wen order of the 64 hexagrams needed to explain everything :bows:

I posed a rhetorical question as the one that followed, "The laws of how things change in time?" Your specific reference to King Wen order is appreciated. I should learn more about the different orders and how they agree and disagree etc.

I intended to convey I think when I am able to approach the Yi with a positive attitude I am more likely to work with it best . Just as it is often difficult to quiet the mind, it may be so to bring and/or find and maintain enough of the "right" attitude, be in a good state.

This relates to the discussion of "good" and "evil" that several have been enagaged in. I suggest it is from the negative that the positive may appear. In terms of the search for truth our capacity to know Evil measures our capacity to know Good. "The Devil is necessary, " a teacher once said.

The possibility of quieting the mind exists because of the resistance in myself to having a quiet mind. My wish to have a quiet mind or attitude has to confront my resistance to it.

 

[dobro p]

I like the banter at the end of the thread between Luis and Martin. A lot of the best threads have this. It's a sort of letting off steam after a sustained focus on a topic. It sort of balances things out.

 

[meng]

I just happened to read Bradford's hex. 14, and it reminded me of this thread.

 

[gene]

The question has been asked about a fixed set of rules or a situational ethics type situation within the I Ching. Actually both are true. One as much as the other. Each hexagram gives a situational ethics in the image which applies to that particular situation. But in the overall, the ethics delineated in each image always applies. There is the surface context, which is situational, and the deeper context, which is absolute, and does not change. The I Ching, especially in the images, discusses this in a non obvious, esoteric sort of way. On the one hand, ethics change, and we are told about this in hexagram 17. line 1, where the "standard changes," and a new set of rules apply. However, we are also told that the "superior man stands firm and does not change his direction." On the surface it sounds like a contradiction, but one must look below the surface to see the deeper message. The superior man follows an ethics that depends on context, and yet he always acts in a certain, dignified manner. it is a different form of yin and yang, action and inaction. Much could be said about this, and hopefully later, it can be discussed more. But for now, here is my two cents worth.

Gene

 

[solun]

I like the BB Walker book/version and how it refers to things like humility, acceptance, independence, sincerity, proper motivation being for the general good, general universally positive traits that are helpful with - as has been said, 'quiet the mind' - and soul and heart, to see a way ...
I think the I Ching fundamentally for me is about attitude and approach to llife. To gain clarity as much as possible, to address life issues with grace, compassion, innocence - with the sincere intention of beautifying our souls.