Methods of Study

[drfrog]

Hi folks --

Ok. So I'm on Lesson 1 of Hilary's Full I-Ching Course, and am wondering when reading the hexagrams to a question, if I should concentrate only upon the Images, Judgements etc *without* reading the authors interpretations of what it means? Or is it not cheating to read both commentary along with the main stuff?

Thanks,

~ Al

 

[hilary]

Not cheating, no.

But I think it's a good idea to concentrate on Judgement and Image first, find at least the beginnings of your own response, and read interpretations afterwards.
(Assignment 1 will be back to you soon!)

 

[drfrog]

That makes sense, Hilary. That's how I did it for the 1st Assignment.

Suppose it's a bit like fishing: cast the hook, get the bite, and then ask someone else to reel it in for you

 

[bradford_h]

Hi-
Hilary's better with novices than I am, so ths is just two cents worth.
Something written in the old Chinese language has so many possible meanings that every translation represents an interpretation by the translator. You'll never get free of this. What I would do is find at least three GOOD translations that you can resonate with and read all three of these for each reading. Maybe it is a good idea to skip the author's commentary at first. At least the addtional translations will give you more material to study wile staying closer to the Chinese original.