A Newbie Extending Gratitude and Appreciation ......

[richlovejoy]

Hello Friends!

I only recently came across this website and immediately signed up as a friend. I am extremely grateful and appreciative for such an invaluable resource in understanding and discussing the I Ching - especially for a newbie like myself! Every time I am on the site, either looking in the hexagram index or browsing through the various posts, I often wonder where would all the countless souls like me be without such an informative and supportive community of like minded individuals trying to navigate their way through life. Thank you so very much for this forum and I am very much looking forward to my own I Ching readings (once of course my "time of abundance and prosperity" arrives

Sincerely,
RichLoveJOy

 

[bruce]

Welcome, RichLoveJOy. Hope you continue to hang out. Hilary has indeed provided one fine forum for us all to obsess on our favorite subject.

 

[richlovejoy]

Thank you Bruce for the warm welcome I was wondering, do you ever get to the point where you think using the I Ching causes you more confusion when trying to figure out a situation and/or problem in your life?

 

[bruce]

LOL! That's a great question!

Yes, I definitely think there's a phase or phases of confusion that a "chinger" typically goes through that wouldn't have been there if he/she had never heard of the oracle. It goes hand-in-hand with hexagram 4: If the youth didn?t ask, he/she wouldn?t become confused. So it?s a choice whether to enter or defer the teaching. There?s lots of teachings, lots of ways to evolve. If our vibe is as the Yi?s, it?s likely it will in some way become a meaningful part of our life.

 

[richlovejoy]

Thank you Bruce ...... I am doing my best to be in "vibe" with the Yi's and challenging myself not to give up. I try and keep the thought in my mind that this has been around for over 3,000 years and knows a heck of a lot more about life than I ever will (even if I don't like the answers it gives sometimes). )

 

[bruce]

That's how I figure it too, RichLoveJOy.

 

[bruce]

but...

For me, anyway, though the mystery of antiquity brings its own romance, there?s something entirely living going on in and with Yi, and ?it? is us. That?s part of the common vibe I was talking about. It?s not something we try to do, but something we are compelled to become.

 

[richlovejoy]

Bruce - You expressed what I was trying to say much more eloquently than I ever could have ...... and yes, you are exactly right. Depending on an answer I am given or my inability to translate its meaning to my particular question, I feel that maybe I should pack my book away and not bother asking for any further guidance - just "go with the flow" of my life but I always feel drawn to it that subconsciously I know it's good for me but yet ...

 

[bruce]

Thanks, RichLoveJOy.

I'm not sure I understand the conflict you seem to have over this. There's no one right way: to use/study the IC, or not. Unless perhaps there is some religious conflict? Or does it have to do more with maintaining a calm state of mind?

Care to elaborate a little?

 

[richlovejoy]

I don't think its really a conflict - and certainly not a religious one! I think it's more a feeling of frustration when I can't seem to understand fully what the IC is telling me. But then again, I am assuming that I wouldn't have any frustration if I could in fact maintain a calm state of mind. Do you have any technique or affirmation that helps you to maintain a calm state of mind?

 

[bruce]

Well, I do know that trying too hard can obscure the obvious.

There's ground work to be laid here. That probably includes some reading material and more hands-on experience with the oracle. 'Fraid I know of no shortcuts.

Do you enjoy reading, or are you more of a dive in and sink or swim kind of person?

 

[richlovejoy]

Yes, I do agree with that I actually started using the IC a year and a half ago then put it aside and only have now just come back to it. I originally used Dr. Joseph Murphy's interpretation of the IC then I cam across the IC by Stephen Karcher which I thought would better help with interpreting the hexagrams and what they were trying to say to me. And yes, I enjoy reading quite a bit (especially since going through my own personal crisis in the summer of 2003. I read a lot, just about anything that had to do with finding one's life purpose; healing from within, etc etc Authors ranging from Sylvia Browne to James Redfield to Dr. Jospeh Murphy. When I got home tonight, I asked the IC a couple of questions (using the oracle on this website) - 1. How can I develop the skill to access what I already know and I got 7 w/ no moving lines. 2. was how can I best fulfill my life's purpose and I got 1 w/ no moving lines. The last one was 3. can you help me find my life's purpose and Does it have something to do with children? I got 18 w/ moving 5 chaning to 57. So now I am more perplexed and/or confused than before I asked the questions. I will spend some more time reading through the threads already posted on this website and if after that I still feel unsure, I will start a thred for each one in hopes of someone being able to provide me with further insight into them. Wish me luck!

 

[bruce]

Excellent questions and answers on these readings. I'll lay back awhile on your other threads so you can receive input from others.

Good luck! It's been a pleasure.

 

[richlovejoy]

Really? Excellent answers?? Please, by all means - if you'd like to share your insights now they would certainly be most appreciated!

 

[bruce]

I'll be tied up awhile, but I'll check back to see if others have something to contribute. There's several good interpreters on this site.

I'm bidding on eBay for a power conditioner for this computer. I think our electricity here is generated by mice on bikes, and this machine is constantly freezing and crashing. Wish me luck!

 

[richlovejoy]

Yes, I agree with you - there are some amazing interpreters on this site! Mice on bikes - now THAT's funny! Not only do I wish you luck I say Godspeed!

 

[bruce]

(I know this bidder?s going to ante up in the final minute.) Meanwhile...

This isn?t in-depth, but I think enough to spur your own thinking.

1. How can I develop the skill to access what I already know and I got 7 w/ no moving lines.

The same way you prepare for any meaningful endeavor: a new class, a new job, a vacation, a camping trip. The Boy Scouts motto is ?be prepared?. The idea of order is implicit, if the undertaking is going to succeed, so someone (in you) must lead: the general. Not only is discipline important, so is generosity toward the troops ? strong morale and a ?can do? attitude. And, they must work together as a single unit.

2. How can I best fulfill my life's purpose and I got 1 w/ no moving lines.

Your life is a result of two things: the womb and the seed. This refers specifically to the seed, the Yang force, the positive in a circuit. This is the opposite of just letting things happen and bearing the consequences. This is assertiveness. This is how you can best fulfill your life?s purpose.

3. Can you help me find my life's purpose and Does it have something to do with children? I got 18 w/ moving 5 changing to 57.

The first step (in the here and now) to find your life?s purpose is, to come to terms with your past, painful as that process can be. There?s some undoing to be done, probably some forgiveness (if not forget-ness) ? anything that would hinder your moving forward toward your purpose must be dealt with.

This happens over time, gently but perseveringly. Wind wears away mountains, in time. There is also the idea of being what are you naturally are, what LiSe calls Seals Bestowed. To find these seals you will have to uncover them, or at least remove what prevents them from arising.

(back to auction)

 

[micheline]

Dear Rich,
Wow, I havent heard anyone mention Dr. JOseph Murphy for a long time..I used to have some of his audio tapes and I loved that guy.He had such a great voice. Never knew he did an I ching interpretation.

Your question about how to develop the skill to access what you already know........7.0.....great answer! The army....put all your resources together and charge ahead! forward march. a great mission to be accomplished, with discipline and perserverance.

Your 1.0 reading about fulfilling your purpose is very similar....lots of creative energy to move forward.
Have you read anything by Carol Adrienne? She wrote Finding YOur Life Purpose. I took a course with her at the Open center in NYC and it was wonderful.

If you are confused by I Ching readings, I would suggest amassing a stock pile of interpretations, including the ones you can access online.....on Brad's website and LiSe's.....and then when you get a response you can look at many sources to understand your guidance. When you have many texts to look at, the responses begin to resonate for you. Each hexagram has an essence ....which then works in tandem with your own heart and wisdom.
Best of luck to you....and BTW, the answer about working with children.......18.5 could be quite apt for that.....chldren often need to work on what has been "spoiled" by their upbringing...and this is maybe accomplished by steady, gentle influences (57) of those who work with them.

Micheline

 

[bruce]

umm, seed was an incorrect metaphor.. sperm sounds sorta... spermy. But you know what I mean.

 

[richlovejoy]

Thank you Bruce for your insights - they are most appreciated ) I have done a lot of work and believe I have come to terms with my past - specifically my upbringing. I forgave my father for his sexual abuse of me and forgave my mother for allowing and encouraging it to happen in the first place. I believe I have made peace and forgiven both of them. I forgave them by coming to the conclusion that (most) people do the best they can with what they know at the time. But also in the back of my mind is my belief that life is truly about choices and he choose to abuse me and she chose not to protect me from it. It's like when I read about someone who is in jail for abusing a child and when asked why they did it; they simply say - "well because I was abused". What I could never understand about that was if they took the time to remember how they felt when they were the ones being abused in their childhood, they would automatically realize that they would never want anyone to have to go through something like that so all the more reason NOT to be an abuser as an adult. Maybe somewhere inside of me, I still feel betrayed that I wasn't protected. I am not sure but you've provided me with the insight to explore this further. Thanks again BTW, how did you make out on ebay? Also, do you have LiSe's website?

Micheline,
Yes, Dr. Murphy's book is Secrets of the I Ching originally published in the 60's. His "Power of the Subconscious Mind" is also an amazing book. And yes, I have read Carol Adrienne's book - the purpose of your life and still have it on hand. I think I'll pull it out know that I am a little more clear and have a different perspective then when I first tried to read it. As per both of your insights, I guess I'll be busy "getting my army prepared to forge ahead". I was wondering, in your response to 18.5 turning to 57 - do you mean that (maybe) by me working with kids (in a steady and gentle way) that will help me to "heal what has been spoiled in me" ??

 

[bruce]

I?m glad you found it helpful. Wishing you the best for your journey!

LiSe

 

[bruce]

Oh, I won!

The mice will not be happy.

 

[jerryd]

Bruce I have a Cat,named NIC....send by parcial post C.O.D. TO: Nic in Australia care of Bush Ranger Bob....LOL He will take care of the overload.

 

[bruce]

Jerry, is he one of the new performance enhancing motivational type cats? Or does he just eat 'em? And what's your PayPal account name?

 

[jerryd]

Bruce, any thing he does not consume will be graceously returned for a refund of the purchase price less postage!
He functions well by instictivey refusing any modern upgrading through implantation of cybernetics, old fashioned I know but he seems to like it that way. Pay Pal account access
Number= 28.2.3>>44 King Nicholas 1st/esq\neut.gender

 

[jerryd]

Sorry Bruce, gave you an invalid pay pal #

use this one and get better service
25.2.3>44

 

[bruce]

lol King Nicholas

Hey, good reading! Thanks

Hopefully the power conditioner will take care of the mice's inconsistent rpms. One can always hope. ?sides, you?d get lonely without King Nicholas 1st/esq/neut.gender.