Right Approach to I Ching 6.1.3.5>41

[amelie]

Right Approach to I Ching 6.1.4.5>41

Okay, i am promising myself as I type this that this will be the last question that I send to the online clarity group for a while. I fear I am in danger of making this an addiction, which is actually the point of the query that I'd like to get feedback on...

I am both fascinated by, and leery of, divinatory tools. On good days, I've used them as less of a "What will happen" sort of way, but more of " What is really at issue here?" or "How did I get where I am?" or "How does my perspective affect where I can go?"...Sort of a psychoanalytical tool on the psycho-spiritual level, if you will.

At the same time, I'm highly susceptible to becoming obsessed with wanting to know what will happen. Not so different from a lot of humans on this planet, I suppose.

Only recently, some therapists working with my 8 year old son have theorized that his challenges with making friends and interacting with groups stem from limitations around tolerating even the most minimal levels ambiguity or uncertainty. When I think of that in context to my own life and immediate family members, I see a LOT of genetic connections.

Like my son, I'm also a bit obsessive-compulsive...When I go into something, I go into it whole hog.

Until recently, the I Ching has been something I've steered clear of, despite the fact that one of my favorite thinkers (CG Jung) has written extensively upon it. Its symbolism felt so alien to my education and orientation that I've found it daunting.

And then I found this website....TA DA! Hordes of people weighing in, lists of resources, contextual stories, different discussion threads...I suppose you could say it has offered me a way "in" that seemed accessible. The complexity is organized in a way that feels more approachable. (So, my compliments to Hilary for creating such a unique resource, as well as those that feed it to make it such a multifaceted discourse for learners like myself. )

And yet...the desire to use the I Ching to micromanage my own expectations about the future is so strong. And I do worry that I'm casting WAY too much, and about the same thing over and over again.

So my question is "What is right attitude toward the I Ching vis a vis fear of unhealthy obsession?"

The response that I got was Hex. 6.1.4.5>41. I can see that 41 is telling me to "reduce"....number of readings perhaps. The changing lines in Hex 6, although generally auspicicious, are less clear...

I got the idea of asking this question in the face of a larger debate that I've been reading about on the site regarding a divergence of opinion from "diviners" about what the "shared reading" section is intended to serve...Giving answers vs. a coaching resource....This is issue is extremely relevant to me personally...How serendipitous!

I'd like to steward this interest healthily, because it is just SO RICH...Perhaps I could even stick with it long enough so that I can get to the point of giving back. Thanks in advance to anyone who would like to add to the pot...

 

[pink_mandolin]

some thoughts & ideas!

Hi, I read tarot and runes! I discovered the i-ching last year! Great to meet you!!

I think the Yi is saying that this inner conflict your having with yourself, you just need to reduce that. I think what your describing and seeing in a negative way is something that can help you actually read the I-ching better! If you analyse the lines and the meanings well you will become more adept at it! practice makes perfect and all that!From what I read I think your worried about perfectionism, that is how I understood it

You can see it as a gift or a curse , I'm inclined to see it as a gift!

I Read your answer as CONFLICT REDUCTION! (sorry I didn't mean to shout that i'm playing with the buttons )

The lines are telling you how to do this.

Line 1- Not perpetuating the situation, the matter is small. Have a talk. Eventually good fortune. There is a conflict about something that matters little. One does not take the situation any further, it is not worth it. Talking will improve the relationship. Things will go well eventually.

To me this means, enjoy the Yi, talk about it, use it, its not worth bringing this conflict- what you see as wrong in how you use it to a huge issue- mountains out of mole hills

Line 4- One cannot win this conflict. Returning immediately changes one's fate. Persisting peacefully brings good fortune. Not engaging in conflict, as there is no way that one can win. This saves one from an unpleasant fate. Things go well by going on peacefully.

I read this as stop worrying or judging yourself, get on with things peacefully, approach the Yi in a peacefull way, enjoy, relax and trust what it says, put your faith in and you won't feel conflicted! When you trust the oracle you are trusting yourself which reduces any conflict you feel! The need to over analyse just fades!

line 5- Conflict as a source of good fortune. Arguing the case will resolve the situation to full satisfaction.

Your arguing will help you come to a space where you are comfortable with reading the Yi I think, this questioning your going through- and posting it on here will help you in reducing your inner conflicts with reading and the future!

The thing is, I've always been aware of my own susceptibility to becoming obsessed with wanting to know what will happen...

welcome to the world of oracles D Power at your finger tips use it wisely! :bows: But most of all accept, trust and relax! That way it becomes easier rather worrying too much about the details and then chastising yourself for worrying about worrying about the details

Also if your obsessing about the answers your getting, I think (from personal experience) its perhaps because your not fully understanding the answer the 1st time or at least fully accepting what the yi is giving you! I have a solution for this!

Solution (that I use) read one hexagram on the issue your obsessing over, relax, take a deep breath, write down what you get then go away and completely forget about it for a few hours or a day even! Instead of asking more and more questions and hexagrams! know that everything you need to know is there your just not fully seeing/understanding eveything from it yet! Simply work on what you have! and don't add more to the mix! Its easy to obsess and chase easy quick answers especially when you are worried or stressed about something. I always think obession is a reaction to stress! well it always is in my case (I'm no psychologist )

I hope thats of some help!

 

[amelie]

Yes, thanks pink_mandolin. I'm disposed to be so self critical, it was nice to get the benefit of your suggestion to "relax" a bit! It felt right, in fact.

 

[pink_mandolin]

Yup!

The Yi is very intelligent I think it addressed your issue with reading it and your relationship with the Yi rather than a universal problem of obsessed I-ching fans! Although thanks to your question you will and have helped others already! So well done for having the courage to post it!!

Hillary! I think we need a new section for I-ching addictees!

Puts her hand up and says "I am an addict" hehe I'm only joking Amelie! I really understand the Obession aspect, don't give yourself a hard time! Its good to be interested in new things, if you really love/enjoy the I-ching have fun and use it to its full capacity and your own advantage! Some people base their whole lives around the i-ching! To some it is a lifelong learning or even an academic pursuit! Its exciting and easy to become fanatical about it!

The thing with obessions! the more you worry about it the more you stress out and the more obsessed you become! So its a vicious cycle, not worth getting further into! I think thats your 6 to 41. Obviously if it becomes a dangerous or harmful obession, seek help immediately from caring professionals who can help!

Anyway welcome to the forum! Look at this way, better to be slightly obessed with the i-ching thats productive than something like scratch cards= debt or alcohol or well, the list is endeless in my opinion, i'm sure others will let you know what they think!

Also trust your own judgement! There's no one better to advise you!

 

[meng]

I think Pink Mandolin is on the mark. (sorry for the earlier misspelling)

And I really appreciate your candor and clarity, Amelie. It's refreshing.

I think developing an ongoing rhythm with Yijing involves a lot of corrections. But ya know I don't see them as always being corrections. Sometimes it's a more open view of what I am seeing, and in that sense it's like cleaning my eye glasses each day. It doesn't have to be tension inducing.

Creative tension can be good though. 6 can be good too. You contend with things that have never quite felt right to you, even as a child. Or, you contend with what you believe is wrong. 6 isn't wrong, and 6.5 is very good: finding arbitration to settle disputes.

So imo, it's ok to be critical of yourself, and want to know what's going on all around you, and it's ok to contend with some things to change them for the better.

I think the bigger thing is just what part you see yourself playing in all that? Or parts? I know that when my readings get to be too much about me, I get lost in it, just as you've described. But when I observe it in a detached way, I can see more parts of the whole. And that view is toward 41, where the self becomes smaller to allow the whole to appear greater.

 

[pink_mandolin]

serendipitous

I know that when my readings get to be too much about me, I get lost in it, just as you've described. But when I observe it in a detached way, I can see more parts of the whole. And that view is toward 41, where the self becomes smaller to allow the whole to appear greater.

Meng I quite agree, I think being able to step back is a huge important part and it nips the obessive questioning in the butt (or is it bud? ) As to step back you need patience! Anyway I never saw 41 like that before! So when your conflicted a good thing would be to step back! Be detached!

I'm thinking 6 could be see as a lack of patience when reading & perhaps 41 as more patience, reducing the flow of the reading to see it more clearly!

So by using conflict as a source of inspiration & growth and reducing your view when your reading the I-ching you can get a pretty good readingo! or at least feel comfortable in reading

Ps. i just learned a new word!! serendipitous, using it in every sentence (I have no idea what it means, off to google it!)

 

[pink_mandolin]

Serendipity is the effect by which one accidentally discovers something fortunate, especially while looking for something entirely unrelated.

Thats amusing, I accidently discovered something fortunate! This new word in your post!

 

[amelie]

Thanks to you both...so not all or nothing, simply stretch a bit...ha, ha, yes, that is growth.