Interpreting my first reading

[planetary]

Hello! I just did my very first reading and thought I'd share.

I've been long interested in the Yi Jing, and have amassed quite a few books and implements over the past 15 or so years, read a little here and there -- but never put them to use. Well, at least some of that changed today, when, in following Hilary's beginner course, I picked up a few coins and just did it. (Side note: massive thanks to Hilary!)

Question: How can I fruitfully approach the Yi Jing?
Method: three coins
Consulting: The Complete I Ching by Huang
Answer: 27.1.5 Yi (Nourishing) changing to 20 Guan (Watching)

I wrote down a page of notes as I read the primary hexagram's overview, the two changing lines, and the relating hexagram's overview. Some points which stood out:

• Uh... I assume that hexagram 27 is a different 'yi' than the 'yi' in the title of the book? Still, on some level, when I saw that word, I was a little surprised. Like the Yi Jing was winking at me, or something.
• 27 - Nourishing. "When things are in their childhood, they should not be neglected without nourishing." So: approach by paying attention. This should be an ongoing steadfast thing, taken with care and regularity -- not something I dive into, unto exhaustion, then set aside. "Pay attention to what's in your mouth" -- suggestive, might refer to what I choose to pay attention to at this early delicate stage. Pick the right texts and approaches, perhaps?
• 27.1 - Risk of falling away. Commentary suggested using your own resources and not relying on the toil of others. This is not something where there should be shortcuts. Don't simply collect books and fancy implements (guilty!) but put in the work yourself.
• 27.5 - Risk of increasing. "The advice is to remain steadfast and upright; good fortune will be derived from the action of devotedly following the sage." ...I interpret 'the sage' as the Yi Jing, here. ...But I'm not sure.
• 20 - Watching. Guan means watching, observing, examining, contemplating. The decision reads, "Being sincere and truthful, reverence appears." And Huang adds, "the purpose of watching is keeping alert."

In a nutshell, I suppose the main message I’m getting is: Don’t do this lightly. But if you do, do the work to find nourishment from the Yi Jing. Be steadfast and sincere and truthful. Pay attention, and you might find something worthy of devotion and reverence.

One final thought. I might not have chosen the best first text to use for a reading. Seems rather advanced, in some ways. Maybe I should focus more on the actual text and less on the commentary.

Would be delighted to hear your thoughts.

Thanks!

 

[thehaajk]

Hello planetary. Line 1 often sounds harsh, but I can't remember a time it really ended up bad for me, it's mostly a slight scolding: "don't expect me to do everything for you," which is what I think it's saying in this case.

Line 5 is you trying something new by approaching it, and perhaps it's saying just sit with it a bit, and not try to over-extend yourself.

20 is the context, and it's basically saying to observe. Inspect your readings.

The change pattern (don't worry about trying to figure these out at this point) are Yang - 3, Yin - 50. 3 is about beginnings (which is what is happening here), and 50's advice is to let things cook.

I'd say to fruitfully approach the I Ching: start a dialogue, don't expect it to do all of the heavy lifting, and sit with your readings and keep it simple for a while. Let yourself get acquainted with it, and I'm sure you'll have good results. That's definitely how it's worked for me.

 

[planetary]

Thank you very much for your thoughts!

 

[Trojina]

planetary I noticed you recently introduced yourself in CC and wondered if that is where you meant to post this ? This here is the free forum, Hilary seldom comes here so in a way you lose out by using this free forum rather than the one you paid to join.

Maybe you meant to post here but it's quite common for new people to mean to post in CC, where they will get H's input, but come here instead and so sadly lose out a bit. If you would prefer the thread to be in CC I imagine it can be moved there.


When I have pointed this out before some people thought I was saying 'you're doing it wrong/using the forum wrong'. That's not my intention, I just think it's a shame if you lose out accidentally by not realising this is the free bit where you are unlikely to get the benefit of Hilary's input. If you fully intended to post in the public free part then ignore what I've said.

 

[Trojina]

Hello! I just did my very first reading and thought I'd share.

I've been long interested in the Yi Jing, and have amassed quite a few books and implements over the past 15 or so years, read a little here and there -- but never put them to use. Well, at least some of that changed today, when, in following Hilary's beginner course, I picked up a few coins and just did it. (Side note: massive thanks to Hilary!)

Question: How can I fruitfully approach the Yi Jing?
Method: three coins
Consulting: The Complete I Ching by Huang
Answer: 27.1.5 Yi (Nourishing) changing to 20 Guan (Watching)

I wrote down a page of notes as I read the primary hexagram's overview, the two changing lines, and the relating hexagram's overview. Some points which stood out:

• Uh... I assume that hexagram 27 is a different 'yi' than the 'yi' in the title of the book? Still, on some level, when I saw that word, I was a little surprised. Like the Yi Jing was winking at me, or something.
• 27 - Nourishing. "When things are in their childhood, they should not be neglected without nourishing." So: approach by paying attention. This should be an ongoing steadfast thing, taken with care and regularity -- not something I dive into, unto exhaustion, then set aside. "Pay attention to what's in your mouth" -- suggestive, might refer to what I choose to pay attention to at this early delicate stage. Pick the right texts and approaches, perhaps?
• 27.1 - Risk of falling away. Commentary suggested using your own resources and not relying on the toil of others. This is not something where there should be shortcuts. Don't simply collect books and fancy implements (guilty!) but put in the work yourself.
• 27.5 - Risk of increasing. "The advice is to remain steadfast and upright; good fortune will be derived from the action of devotedly following the sage." ...I interpret 'the sage' as the Yi Jing, here. ...But I'm not sure.
• 20 - Watching. Guan means watching, observing, examining, contemplating. The decision reads, "Being sincere and truthful, reverence appears." And Huang adds, "the purpose of watching is keeping alert."

In a nutshell, I suppose the main message I’m getting is: Don’t do this lightly. But if you do, do the work to find nourishment from the Yi Jing. Be steadfast and sincere and truthful. Pay attention, and you might find something worthy of devotion and reverence.

One final thought. I might not have chosen the best first text to use for a reading. Seems rather advanced, in some ways. Maybe I should focus more on the actual text and less on the commentary.

Would be delighted to hear your thoughts.

Thanks!

My first impression from 27.1 is don't abandon confidence in your own capacity to judge what's right for you. This may even be advising you not to become too subservient to the Oracle. You asked how to approach and I feel Yi might be saying "Come to me walking, not on your hands and knees, not begging. Come with yourself just as you are, don't assume I am way above you, trust yourself and don't hand everything over to me". You aren't, in short, sitting at the feet of the Oracle, it sounds an odd thing to say but you are in sense equal. You must not let go of your magic tortoise.

Line 5 is a line of letting things settle for you in relation to the Oracle. Don't rush headlong into subserviency, don't rush at all. hexagram 20 also reflcts this. You can just watch how Yi interacts with you, see what happens. Look at how Yi feeds you or not.

 

[planetary]

Trojina, thanks for your thoughts!

I posted this before I was convinced to join, so all's well.