 Clarity's I Ching Newsletter: Issue 45 "Telling the future by looking at the past assumes that conditions remain constant. This is like driving a car by looking in the rear view mirror." Herb Brody |
™Letter from the Editor— Dear Subscriber, At the time of writing, I am waiting with interest to hear whether David Cameron of imagesofone.com will withdraw his new I Ching software...
Let me explain. I'm on the mailing list for imagesofone.com, so I received notification when 'Prova Lifedivination I Ching plus' software was launched. Thinking of reviewing it in the newsletter, I hurried to download the sample report from the software, and the free trial.
The first thing I noticed was that the tools used to create the constellation of hexagrams of context were lifted straight from Stephen Karcher's Total I Ching. Then I recognised the translations: partly copied from Wilhelm Book I, and partly copied from Bradford Hatcher's outstanding free I Ching book.
No, Bradford had not been consulted - this is plagiarism, pure and simple, and he is not pleased. He's asked for the software to be withdrawn, and has yet to receive a reply. What grates, for me, is that this was done by an apparently 'spiritual' company. What were they thinking - what did they expect?
I went through the fantastically laborious process of downloading and installing the free trial, but find that on my computer, at least (Windows XP), it can't generate reading reports at all. Exit program, pursued by a database error (or three). It feels to me as though the software was cobbled together in a great hurry from whatever the authors could grab, with the bare minimum of investment in time, money or research.
For instance, it looks as though they didn't actually understand that you only read the text for the moving lines, not for all six of them. Which is a shame, as knowing which line to read in the sample reading provided might have given them food for thought.
This sample reading is ostensibly about someone's trip to Europe, but I assume it was done mainly with the launch of the software in mind. The I Ching answered with Hexagram 42, changing at the 6th line to Hexagram 3. And the text for the 6th line, the core of the reading (in Wilhelm's translation and comments), is:
'He brings increase to no one.
Indeed, someone even strikes him.
He does not keep his heart constantly steady.
Misfortune.
The meaning here is that through renunciation those in high places should bring increase to those below. By neglecting this duty and helping no one, they in turn lose the furthering influence of others and soon find themselves alone. In this way they invite attacks...'
It's still only a few days since the software was launched, so I don't yet know what 'Images of One' will decide. If they have the integrity and courage to withdraw the software with sincere apologies to Bradford, I'll be very happy, impressed and full of admiration. I'll let you know what happens.
Synchronistically, the character Wilhelm translates as 'constantly steady' is actually the name of Hexagram 32 - the subject of this issue's brilliant guest article from LiSe. I hope you enjoy it!
Warm wishes,
Hilary "Hilary,
I've noticed several people making comments in your newsletter regarding a relationship between I Ching and Christianity. I work in a large Baptist university library and we have many books on I Ching. Last year I took a class (not a university class) in I Ching. I didn't know what it was; so I checked out several of the library's books on I Ching to supplement my study and understanding. One book in particular addresses the question of I Ching and Christianity and it put my mind at ease that the I Ching and Christianity are not in conflict. May I recommend Embracing change : postmodern interpretations of the I Ching from a Christian perspective, by Jung Young Lee (Scranton : University of Scranton Press, c1994, ISBN: 0940866234).
Warm regards,
Darlene Youts"
(In response to Kyobo's question in the last issue: is the I Ching a 'religion'?)
"What do you understand by religion?
If you mean a real relationship and communication with a divine source... then I Ching does it for me!
The concept we have of religion often varies from person to person.
I'd say more than a religion it's a perception of truth and a guide into a higher, much wiser knowledge of yourself, others and the world as a whole, through its often mystifying transformation.
There's an intangible network at work in the universe. I Ching sharpens our perception of it.
Laura"
"Hello Kyobo,
Do not be afraid. Only be very afraid of the question that you want to ask but never do.
The I Ching is the foundation or basis of ALL religions. This I believe completely. I conduct my "Readings" as if talking to the creator, God, Tao, etc...
I would like to tell you about my experience. I wanted so much to find the truth of whether a religion was correct, or if not how correct would religion be. I will state that I was a religious in the Roman Catholic Church for over 20 years. I taught many classes on Catholic dogma, and traditions. Anyway, about ten years ago I began my quest and I met the I Ching. It began to talk with me as if I was a Friend, guest, son, student.
We actually conversed, sometimes we even laughed together. After these past few years I have come to the conclusion that the truth is in the I Ching.
I am not much of a Catholic any more, I have followed the old saying Confucius said late in his life,"If I had years added to my life I would spend fifty studying the I Ching" so I have agreed with Confucius and now I study the I-Ching. I guess that is my religion.
Sincerely in all humbleness
Jack"
™DIY Corner: Medical Diagnosis from the I Ching?— "Dear Friend
Is it possible to get a correct medical diagnosis using the I-Ching?
Robert"
Dear Robert,
Thank you for the excellent question! The answer is yes, provided you have the medical expertise to understand the answer. That means that for me, and for anyone who isn't medically qualified, the answer is actually 'no'.
I certainly wouldn't put any faith at all in the books that claim to provide universally-applicable diagnoses that you can just read off the page for each hexagram and line. In the first place, one-size-fits-all interpretations don't connect with your own inner knowledge, and so they are of very little help on any subject. And secondly, the oracle was never, from its earliest days, intended as a substitute for the hard work of acquiring knowledge and skills.
The same applies to readings about other 'expert' areas, such as legal matters or investments: the more expertise you have, the better you will be able to understand the answer. For an expert, the I Ching's advice can lead to great successes - but someone who lacks the means to interpret it correctly could easily get into all kinds of trouble.
So in conclusion - if you need a medical diagnosis, find a good medical practitioner. If you need help in assessing the integrity and skills of a practitioner - by all means, ask the I Ching.
by LiSe Heyboer
Yi Jing, Book of Sun and Moon Hexagram 31 When King Wu had conquered the Shang, he could not sleep at night. He was worried and full of fear, because he had 'not yet ascertained Heaven's protection'. He decided to build a new city in which the sacrifices to Heaven would be valid again, and entrusted Tan, the duke of Zhou, with the planning and execution of this work. Tan asked the tortoise-oracle and found a site for the new city at the river Luo. The new city was called Luo-Yi. King Wu died and his successor, king Cheng, built the city, and so another name for this city is Cheng-Zhou. Cheng and Xian, the name of hexagram 31, are written almost the same, and are interchangeable.
This city was never used as capital by Cheng, it was only a place for sacrifices, a home for the ancestors. Here, the sacrifices to the ancestors could be brought, in new temples, where all the wrongs of the past no longer existed. If Wu only conquered the Shang, without honouring the goodness and greatness they had also brought in the past, the spirits would not help him. New life relies on the benevolence and support of all spirits involved, of past and present. And being a descendant of a Shang daughter, they were his ancestors too.
 Xian is also the personal name of Da Yi from Tang, the founder of the dynasty of Shang. Tang the completer: the one who brought all together. Xian2: together, all, unite, case or cover, complete, fully, generally, act together, union, harmony, universal, continual, everywhere, to move, to touch, influence, transform, dissatisfied, resent. Name of the music of certain emperors, salt, salty. Xiang you (unite have): have under control (the 9 provinces). Cheng2: to bring to completion, succeed.
It is only permitted to influence someone, in order to make him/her do something, or to make a connection, if the influence is aimed building at a city with a temple. Or in order to found a state, a solid lasting structure together. Influence for personal ends, for selfish wishes, to take advantage: these are all evil.
In the Mawangdui YiJing, this hex is called Qin1, meaning 'pay respect; obey with respect, imperial'. When this respect is missing, then the other meaning of xian emerges: wounding with the mouth.
Hexagram 32
When this centre has been built, it needs ‘sanctifying’, steadying, so it will endure.
People plough a circular furrow around new cities, or circumambulate them, or enclose them within a city wall. Lovers share rings, the king is crowned, the shaman draws a circle around the patient. The circle and the spiral are symbols of time, of the endless succession of identical moments.
 On the right a boat between two shores: gen4 , or a moon between two lines: geng4 (3). If it is a moon, the meaning is 'crescent moon', but the usual meaning is 'continuing from one point to another, circling round' and hence 'stable, fixed, perpetual'. The two lines (not very visible in '2') are an old form of shi4, altar, their meaning is 'connected with religion'.
According to Waley, this might be a rite performed at the first appearance of the new moon and intended to make a favourable condition of affairs 'last through' the lunar month. More generally: for every auspicious omen that is not only for one act, but for an undertaking of a more permanent nature, it is necessary to fix the good fortune, so it will last through the entire period for which it is required.
Waley: 'We have some evidence that the typical stabilising rite consisted in drawing concentric circles or a spiral round the omen-objects'. In old script the element on the right (2 and 3) is often written as a spiral or two concentric circles between two lines.
Heng2: Constant, regular, persevering, lasting, continual, (loan for:) increasing moon, spread out, everywhere; the name of the spirit, which revives and protects the Huan river, the river which flows past the Shang capital.
In the Mawangdui Yijing: Heng wo, ‘steady us’. Wo is a weapon used to sacrifice victims, it is ‘us’ (‘us’ Shang, ‘us’, a group conducted by the king to war or the hunt), our territory, a benefice (from spirits, rain, harvest). So I think 'heng wo' means to steady the good things coming to us, our good fortune.
As for fixing an omen, I think this ‘succession of identical moments’ might be a clue. Fixing an insight so firmly in one’s mind that every time this same situation arises, one immediately has the same reaction. Or this insight comes back, and one knows what to do.
Fixing the omen
31 and 32 are inseparable. 31, an influence accompanied by respect: both respect for the other person (or other influence), and also respect for your own dedication to it, taking it really seriously, will initialize a sacred (lasting, true, rich) structure.
And 32: a structure can be made solid and lasting through an endless repeating of this original act of influence: giving it a deep imprint, changing your paradigm for good. Repeating it makes the imprint, but a changed paradigm will also cause it to be repeated endlessly in the rest of your life, whenever there is a need for it.
When you consult the oracle with respect (taking its answer seriously, not asking superficial questions, not bending the answer towards your own wishes, not limiting it to human time), then you create a sacred base for your own tao.
You fix the omen by making it part of your soul, so that when you need a solution for a comparable situation, you know. Your soul immediately gives the right answer - like someone who has trained himself and can use his skill in many different situations.
Hilary, in a mail: “Stephen Covey says that what you do comes from your personal paradigm, and if you try to change the routine without changing the paradigm, sooner or later the original patterns will come back. When I asked Yi how to fix its answers, it said 31, unchanging. If this means making a permanent, new place for the influence to enter, it actually starts to make sense.”
"The way we see (our paradigm) leads to what we do (our attitudes and behaviours); and what we do leads to the results we get in our lives. So if we want to create significant change in the results, we can't just change attitudes or behaviours, methods or techniques; we have to change the basic paradigms out of which they grow. When we try to change the behaviour or the method without changing the paradigm, the paradigm eventually overpowers the change.”
Stephen Covey et al, First Things First
Just one off-site link, but a good one:
The quality of the articles on this site (and further posts by their author to the Midaughter I Ching list at Yahoo) have persuaded me to get myself a copy of Carol Anthony's new book. Do have a look for yourself.
As usual, there's far too much good stuff at the I Ching Community for me to link to it all. But here are some good places you might enjoy:
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