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State of mind for consulting the Yijing?
- Thread starter noxlux
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Not really but a few drinks of Absinthe help...
Jokes aside, my advise is that you should be at your calmest state of mind. This is a state where your mind can concentrate on the question and be more receptive to an answer. Thus, meditation helps towards that goal.
You must also be mindful of situations where your emotions can rule your discernment. For example, I wouldn't advise you question the Yi about your couple when you just had an argument with her/him (and this happens a lot around here...
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dobro p
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I'd like to agree with the first part of what Luis said, and qualify the second part of what he said.
Not trance, but a clear, calm state of mind is very useful, because then you're in a good state to be receptive to what your own mind suggests to you as the interpretation of what the Yi gives you. So, the Yi might say 'prince shoots hawk on wall top', and if you're in a good mindstate, it'll be easier for you to figure out what part of your life than line is referring to. But I'm talking about interpretation here, not the actual casting of the coins.
As for emotion running high at the moment of throwing the coins, I've had very good results with that. When there's a lot of energy running through the system, the Yi often seems to give me a dramatically clear and useful hexagram/line to help me.
Not trance, but a clear, calm state of mind is very useful, because then you're in a good state to be receptive to what your own mind suggests to you as the interpretation of what the Yi gives you. So, the Yi might say 'prince shoots hawk on wall top', and if you're in a good mindstate, it'll be easier for you to figure out what part of your life than line is referring to. But I'm talking about interpretation here, not the actual casting of the coins.
As for emotion running high at the moment of throwing the coins, I've had very good results with that. When there's a lot of energy running through the system, the Yi often seems to give me a dramatically clear and useful hexagram/line to help me.
rosada
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I was just reading Wilhelm's comments on 43.2 earlier and it seems like a suitable answer for this question:
What state of mind when approaching the oracle?
43.2
Readiness is everything.
I find I get my clearest, most helpful answers when I've thought about the situation from every angle I can on my own first before going to the Yi. When all the known particulars are upper most and fresh in my mind then the obscure comments of the Yi don't seem so vague. It's as if when I know what the puzzel pieces are, then the I Ching can show me how to put them together.
So I say to get the best possible guidance from the oracle, go as far as you can on your own first. Oh, and this is especially true when it comes to asking a second question. If the first answer doesn't make sence, I try to stay with it until it at least makes some sort of sence before confusing the situation even more with a second question.
Also 43.2 leads to 49. Revolution. Revolution seems to be one of the few hexagrams that doesn't caution the usual stay calm, stay centered, do nothing, let change emerge, but actually says Yes! Today is The Day! So maybe it would be useful to explore all the roads that lead to 49 as this would show how to get from anywhere to the point of seeing Shift Happens.
What state of mind when approaching the oracle?
43.2
Readiness is everything.
I find I get my clearest, most helpful answers when I've thought about the situation from every angle I can on my own first before going to the Yi. When all the known particulars are upper most and fresh in my mind then the obscure comments of the Yi don't seem so vague. It's as if when I know what the puzzel pieces are, then the I Ching can show me how to put them together.
So I say to get the best possible guidance from the oracle, go as far as you can on your own first. Oh, and this is especially true when it comes to asking a second question. If the first answer doesn't make sence, I try to stay with it until it at least makes some sort of sence before confusing the situation even more with a second question.
Also 43.2 leads to 49. Revolution. Revolution seems to be one of the few hexagrams that doesn't caution the usual stay calm, stay centered, do nothing, let change emerge, but actually says Yes! Today is The Day! So maybe it would be useful to explore all the roads that lead to 49 as this would show how to get from anywhere to the point of seeing Shift Happens.
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hilary
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The only requirement I know of when consulting is that your question should hold your attention. Asking about a safe subject while trying not to think about the scary one, for instance, doesn't work. But emotional intensity isn't a problem - anything but, in fact.
But like Dobro says, there could be a distinction between the moment of casting coins and the time spent interpreting. Puzzling over the problem yourself and choosing a question uses one set of mental muscles - opening yourself to see answers in images uses something completely different. I've never done anything special to try to access that, and I'm not sure what to call it. Which isn't enormously helpful of me, sorry. Someone please do better...
But like Dobro says, there could be a distinction between the moment of casting coins and the time spent interpreting. Puzzling over the problem yourself and choosing a question uses one set of mental muscles - opening yourself to see answers in images uses something completely different. I've never done anything special to try to access that, and I'm not sure what to call it. Which isn't enormously helpful of me, sorry. Someone please do better...
martin
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Must be something like hexagram 2?
dobro p
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angels_goldenrose
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Hilary! I notice that The Yi always answers the scary question i'm trying avoid no matter how I try and put a nice safe face on it! So I've stopped doing that and I'm being as honest as the Yi is honest with me! The yi's like a friend who always see's the best for you! is honest and see's right through you! lol no facades! :bows:
hilary
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Hm, yes, something like. The initial confusion part certainly fits (even when you translate it as 'taking the lead, confusion'). And maybe when seeds land on the earth and start to germinate, it has the same, 'Where the heck did that come from?' feeling.
No facades - right. It's a very inconvenient oracle that way. Oh, and Trish, I'm glad you're putting that smilie to such good use in your signature!
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