First Post--hoping for deeper understanding

[maiajay]

Hi everyone,
This is my first post to this board, though I have been reading the hexagram archives regulary and find many of them helpful. What a wonderful forum--the generosity with which so many of you share your wisdom is humbling.
I am not new to the I Ching but do consider myself a beginner in terms of understanding the subtleties of the various translations. My beloved father, who transitioned from this plane March 9, 2006,was a life-long student of the I Ching and I was exposed to the oracle at a very young age. I worked with it for some years in my 20's, intermittently wihen I was in need of counsel. After his crossing I started to consult again regulary, for various reasons, one being that I often feel him close by when I do.
Not sure why today is that day that I am compelled to post as I have considered it many times in the last couple of months...Perhaps my frustration levels, both with the condition I am dealing with and with my lack of clarity around the Yi's responses to my questions, have just reached a point....
A bit of background on the situation about which I have been consulting the Yi (and boy have I been consulting...) In breif, I have been experiencing a rare (and frankly, bizarre) physical condtion for the past three months. I want to emphasize that it is not life threatening and that I have been to the doctor and received their diagnosis. It is what the western medical profession calls a "self-limiting condition" which means that it clears up on its own...Statistics say sometime within a year, though there are rare cases where this persists indefinitely. I also want to add that I am relating to this condition multi-dimensionally and from different angles. I feel that this showing up physically is an expression of a much deeper process that is occuring within me and I vasciallate between accepting that it may just need to run its course and feeling so challenged by it that like there must be something(s) that I can do to help it along.
All of that said, today I asked the Yi several questions. If any of you feel inspired to respond and assist me in understanding these readings I would feel so appreciative.

What do I need to know about this condition to support it in resolving?
53.4.6 changing to 31

What can I do to help myself with this situation?
25.2 changing to 10

Why is this condition persisting?
56.1 to 30

Until this completes, how can I cope?
9 no changing lines

With thanks in advance to any who respond,
maiajay

[listener]

Hi everyone,
What do I need to know about this condition to support it in resolving?
53.4.6 changing to 31
It needs to run its course naturally, and right now you are at a plateau. Ultimately, it will resolve itself completely. embrace this fact.
The "attraction factor" implied in 31 seems to be something you are aware of already.

What can I do to help myself with this situation?
25.2 changing to 10
Don't try to help yourself with this, and don't get snagged by it. Just keep your balance and ride it out.

Why is this condition persisting?
56.1 to 30
It's part of a journey, temporary..you're confused by it, but dwelling on it too much keeps it alive. keep moving

Until this completes, how can I cope?
9 no changing lines
what do you do when you want to go out and play but it keeps drizzling? Find some pleasant pasttimes, tend to the small details in your life, pay attention to your dreams

With thanks in advance to any who respond,
maiajay

Good Luck and best wishes

[maiajay]

Thanks, for "Listening," Listener,
I'd seen your name on the board but now it has a new meaning for me
I guess those responses are pretty clear, huh? Every day with this feels like a test, so I am challenged to accept what I am being told, but it is also good to know that I have been hearing the Yi all along, just not really liking it...I have kept hoping, especially on really difficult days, that there is some key to this that I am just missing.
Still I feel VERY comforted by the surety in your interpretation that this is temporary...(And of course time is relative...)
Can you say a little more about the "attraction factor?"
Peace,
maiajay

[listener]

Hi Maiajay,
Well, the "attraction factor" is just a speculation on my part. You said it seemed to you as if the condition were indicative of something on a deeper level.....and I suppose everything we encounter in the physical world has a counterpart in the unseen realms. Does a secretly "pissed-off" person attract bladder problems? Maybe! I don't think it always so easy to connect the dots.

BUt in these reponses, it seems to me that what you experience is some kind of natural unfolding that needs to be let to run its course. I had a friend who was on very healthy cleansing diet and she broke out in a terrible rash all over her body. It looked awful, but she accepted it as her body's way of eliminating toxins. simultaneously, she experienced "blistering emotions" about her marriage. BUt she let it all pass, didnt get embroiled in any unnecessary marital battles, and kept steady with her diet, and eventually, she came through with clear skin again and a less tense relationship.

your reply to "why it persists" is pretty clear. The wanderer in line one is impatient to know everything at once, and 30 says this adds fuel to the fire. The wanderer needs to be patient and humble, repsectful of the process he is in. And 25 is telling you to be innocent about the underlying causes, in other words...don't try to figure it out, let it be for now.
53.6 is a good line to embrace too. You will come out ahead of the game. the natural devlopment of this will be cause for you to celebrate.

I think your readings are straightforward and thats such a good thing!

Thats really nice too that you feel close to your dad when using the I Ching. A very nice connection.

Peace to you!

[rosada]

I am seeing 56.1 as indicating some sort of parasite, like a "Wanderer" that some how has found your body to be a compatible host and is requiring you to give it much more attention than you would think a teensy bug deserves.
30. "Care of the Cow" suggests to me that you have to give more care to your physical body than you ordinarily might.

I do not think you can just ignor the condition and keep moving, rather it looks as though you do need to stop and take care of yourself. Have you spread yourself too thin lately, like are you over tired or is your immune system compromised so that an ordinarily minor infection is not so easily thrown off?

[rosada]

What can I do to help myself with this situation?

25.2 Do as your doctor has advised without too much concern about immediate results.

10. Your doctor knows how to "discriminate between high and low," ie. what is serious and what is passing, "And thereby fortifies the thinking of the people" so what he tells you should calm your mind.

[rosada]

How can I cope?

9.Refine the outward aspect.

This condition isn't going away immediately, so do what you can to make life easier in small ways. And don't ignor your outward appearance, especially when you aren't feeling all that great on the inside.

[rosada]

53.4.6 > 31

What do I need to know about this condition?

53.4 Though this condition does not diasppear immediately, it is still possible for you to have a good life.

53.6 The way you handle your condition may serve as an inspiration for others.

31. Encourage people to approach you by your readiness to receive them.
Others may have this same issue. By joining a chatgroup or simply being willing to discuss your condition openly you are providing a real service.

[willowfox]

Hex 53.4,6 says that although it is a real problem now, it is only temporary and it will clear up.

Hex 31 by being patient you will slowly recover.


Hex 25.2 this suggests that you concentrate on the here and now and help yourself to get well.

Hex10 it says to take care of yourself.

Hex 56.1 the 'bug' is still very active in your body but your body is putting up resistance.

Hex 30 suggests that the 'bug' is interfering with you immune cells, clinging to them and trying to invade.


Hex 9 self control and patience are what you need right now.

[maiajay]

Thank you both, Listener and Rosada, for your replies,
For now I am taking solace in 53 as it does seem encouraging...progress, even if gradual, is progress...I also do relate to the idea that I will eventually share this experience with others and that perhaps I will be of support. Right now, I have been staying off the forum related to it as it upsets and scares me. Many people get on anti-anxiety medication as the condtion relates to the vestibular system and equilbrium. So many are on drugs and trying to get off them and they don't help except to mask symptoms--so the forum is not a place I frequent. Still once I am through this, and have perspective, I will want to offer support to others if I can.

...In terms of 56, it has a kind of vulnerable feel to me. When I get it I feel like it is saying you are on your own in a strange place...just try to blend in...It kind of feels sobering. Like a reality check. Both of your takes on it were interesting...the part about not trying to hard to figure it out--as that is surely something I've been doing...and then the parasite...Well, kind of fits with the clearing...though in literal terms I'm pretty sure I don't have a parasite at present..(have had one before, though).

Rosada, the suggestions about rest and taking care of myself don't really fit--as rest and relaxation are high priorities for me--and well integrated into my life. re. your comments on taking the doctor's advice, there is one type of physical therapy that they prescribe for this condition, as it is the only thing they know of to suggest. It has variable results but if I understood your interpretation, you feel the Yi is saying it is good advice to follow...?

I have been getting messages that suggest it is time clear out and release what is old and no longer serving me--especially in terms of beliefs and ways of thinking. I feel like the reading corroborates that this condtion is in part about just that. I may still pursue the physical therapy and even some other gentle modalities, but I will try to relaxa bit knowing that there is purpose in what is happening and that it will indeed run its course...
Peace,
maiajay