Clarity,
Office 17622,
PO Box 6945,
London.
W1A 6US
United Kingdom
Phone/ Voicemail:
+44 (0)20 3287 3053 (UK)
+1 (561) 459-4758 (US).
We know a website for that...Hi,
I'm a little late to the conversation but I just thought I'd contribute my own frustrations with the whole reading-for-others challenge.
I think reading for others using the I Ching is a lot harder than when you're using methods like astrology or tarot cards. With the cards the person can see the pictures too and can get a sense of why you're answering their question as you do. With the I Ching the client most likely hasn't heard of the book and is only confused if you say things like "Bloody tears" and "Nose cut off, no blame." So first of all you need to be able to explain what the I Ching is in a way that creates enough faith and respect to get people to calm down and pay attention.
That one happens on the forum fairly regularly, doesn't it? 'I didn't give anyone permission to talk about that!' I've described it as feeling like being stripped naked in the supermarket. Not necessarily what you thought you were volunteering for.Another tricky thing about reading for others is that it's really a very intimate thing you're doing. People may approach you expecting a fun parlor trick and suddenly the IC's bringing up stuff they've been trying to keep hidden for years. Not a lot of laughs.
Not to mention how to get away with cheating on their taxes (and/or spouse). There's always, 'Sorry, I can't help you with that reading,' or 'I do not think that is a good question to put to Yi.'Or on the other hand they come to you with serious problems and maybe you get lucky and you're able to help. So then what happens? They come to you again with an even more serious problem and pretty soon their asking you if they can get away with cheating on their taxes or when will it be okay to unplug grandma from the respirator? Auuugh!
Indeed we do.But we love it, right?
jm2c.
For me that's a red flag, or at least an amber warning light. Time for a question like, 'What am I giving this person by reading for her?' maybe?Your last point is actually very important - as I have a friend who thinks I am very good at giving her advise based on a reading she did several years ago. Recently she is having romantic issues and thinks that by getting me to interpret her answers will solve all her problems.
I went tp a weekend workshop. We had to relay our experiences and our psychic knowledge. I said that I had used the I Ching for many years. The workshop leader said that really that was insignificant - that was hardly a psychic experience she said.
jm2c.
The problem is there are some people literally telling me it's bullshit.
Anyone care to share how they go about introducing/explaining what the I Ching is in a brief paragraph that doesn't leave the listener staring at you like you're off your meds?
I have a favorite poem.
I sometimes help friends with readings. I find that it helps to remind myself that I can have a dialogue with the person either about the question or about the answer. Its not all up to me to intuitively understand the question and give an answer. For example: if a friend asks: 'What should I do about my situation at work?' I would ask questions or get them talking about the situation at work and why it is an area of concern. In the same way, in going over an answer, I would get them talking about what images come to mind for them in the answer. This back-n-forth dialogue or feedback can also open up further ideas for me to share with them.
I'm feeling like I've missed something, sorry...are you saying that's what you'd say to someone? That the I Ching is a favorite poem of yours?
You might even be doing them a favour if you just neutrally ask them what they think it might be referring to. 'After all, this is your reading, you asked the question, the reply is talking to you, so you're the best person to understand what it says.'
Clarity,
Office 17622,
PO Box 6945,
London.
W1A 6US
United Kingdom
Phone/ Voicemail:
+44 (0)20 3287 3053 (UK)
+1 (561) 459-4758 (US).