When should one ask again?

[Marinaflsenda]

Hi all,

There is a question about Yi divination.
When should one ask again about the same question?

Normally, I ask again when I´m waiting for something to happen (for example, when Yi gives you 5 hexagram or a similar one) and I´m running out of patience and I can´t wait for "the thing" to happen (having in mind that I´ve asked for something that I want to happen quickly, like a response from a job or someone special to call me,... etc).

Could you give some advice about Yi timing?

Thanks.

Marina.

 

[Liselle]

Marina, do you mind if I move this to Exploring Divination? It would be a better fit there since this isn't a specific reading where you asked the oracle a question.

When to ask again...it varies, but a couple of things might be if something in the situation changes or when you think you understand the first reading but still have another question.

When not to ask again is, for instance, when it's too fast. Like: cast a reading, decide in 10 seconds that you don't know what it means, then ask the same question over again, or ask Yi what it meant. (I have done both of those. )

The followups might very well make sense eventually and you'll see how the whole series fits together. But if you don't understand the first one right away, it's not terribly likely you'll understand the 2nd one either, and now you have two confusing readings.

If I had to make just one suggestion, from experience, it would be that you make yourself do the thing you said you have trouble with - wait as the situation plays out. Keep the reading in mind, and watch for things in real life that match it.

This can be quite interesting and even fun! A good way to develop a feel for it, without any pressure, is with daily and weekly open readings: "What should I be aware of today?" or similar. Then you have no choice but to carry it around with you as things happen - Trojina adorably says "like a boiled sweet" - and you come to see how it works.

 

[Marinaflsenda]

Marina, do you mind if I move this to Exploring Divination? It would be a better fit there since this isn't a specific reading where you asked the oracle a question.

When to ask again...it varies, but a couple of things might be if something in the situation changes or when you think you understand the first reading but still have another question.

When not to ask again is, for instance, when it's too fast. Like: cast a reading, decide in 10 seconds that you don't know what it means, then ask the same question over again, or ask Yi what it meant. (I have done both of those. )

The followups might very well make sense eventually and you'll see how the whole series fits together. But if you don't understand the first one right away, it's not terribly likely you'll understand the 2nd one either, and now you have two confusing readings.

If I had to make just one suggestion, from experience, it would be that you make yourself do the thing you said you have trouble with - wait as the situation plays out. Keep the reading in mind, and watch for things in real life that match it.

This can be quite interesting and even fun! A good way to develop a feel for it, without any pressure, is with daily and weekly open readings: "What should I be aware of today?" or similar. Then you have no choice but to carry it around with you as things happen - Trojina adorably says "like a boiled sweet" - and you come to see how it works.

Hi @Liselle ,
Thanks, really useful, maybe this is also good to cultivate my patience, something I have a lack of.
And thanks for changing the post to the right place

 

[moss elk]

Hi all,

When should one ask again about the same question?

I only ask the same question when some aspect of things has changed to a degree that some factor in the current Now is significantly different than in the previous Now. Or a year later to see if it is still a good time to do the thing I didn't do yet.

The puppy just got back from the groomer...
Shall I trim the dogs very short bangs now?
(4un: you're being foolish)
Should I trim the dogs mop top now?
(5un: no he's cute that way, enjoy him.)
Should I free the dog from his mangey knotted mobile prison duster suit now?
(30: you got it)

Normally, I ask again when I´m waiting for something to happen (for example, when Yi gives you 5 hexagram or a similar one) and I´m running out of patience and I can´t wait for "the thing" to happen

5 teaches us how to enjoy the meantime. It's a developed skill. Or a forgotten innateness.
And/Or something like that.

Keep in mind that 5 un means that you do not have to take ANY direct action on the matter at the time.
That is a really liberating thing.

If you tend to worry and obsess much, you can ask a question after getting a 5 un that
will, in time, help you worry less and to trust 5 un. Something along the lines of
'what must happen before this?' Or 'how will I recognize it is the right time'

Then stop asking. Stop worrying. Pour that energy into something else. Anything else.
You may not understand that answer until afterwards, or you might.
And that's OK.

Babies are born knowing nearly nothing but warmth, pain, cold, shock, and calm in that order.
Then we learn lifelong.
At the end of our lives, no matter the amount of knowledge and experience we've obtained,
there will always be more information in the universe that we do not know, than we do.
So, It's only important to know what's important.

 

[surnevs]

The initial question has also been explained in the Commentaries:

" 53. The Yi is a book which should not be let slip from the mind. Its method (of teaching) is marked
by the frequent changing (of its lines). They change and move without staying (in one place),
flowing about into any one of the six places of the hexagram. They ascend and descend, ever
inconstant. The strong and the weak lines change places, so that an invariable and compendious
rule cannot be derived from them ; it must vary as their changes indicate.
54. The goings forth and comings in (of the lines) are according to rule and measure. (People)
learn from them in external and internal affairs to stand in awe.
55. (The book), moreover, makes plain the nature of anxieties and calamities, and the causes of
them. Though (its students) have neither master nor guardian, it is as if their parents drew near to
them.
56. Beginning with taking note of its explanations, we reason out the principles to which they point
We thus find out that it does supply a constant and standard rule. But if there be not the proper men
(to carry this out), the course cannot be pursued without them. "

[James Legge, The I Ching, The book of China, Appendix III, sect. II, Chapter VIII. page 399. Tynron Press, Scotland 1990]

(Highlighting mine)

 

[Marinaflsenda]

I only ask the same question when some aspect of things has changed to a degree that some factor in the current Now is significantly different than in the previous Now. Or a year later to see if it is still a good time to do the thing I didn't do yet.

The puppy just got back from the groomer...
Shall I trim the dogs very short bangs now?
(4un: you're being foolish)
Should I trim the dogs mop top now?
(5un: no he's cute that way, enjoy him.)
Should I free the dog from his mangey knotted mobile prison duster suit now?
(30: you got it)


5 teaches us how to enjoy the meantime. It's a developed skill. Or a forgotten innateness.
And/Or something like that.

Keep in mind that 5 un means that you do not have to take ANY direct action on the matter at the time.
That is a really liberating thing.

If you tend to worry and obsess much, you can ask a question after getting a 5 un that
will, in time, help you worry less and to trust 5 un. Something along the lines of
'what must happen before this?' Or 'how will I recognize it is the right time'

Then stop asking. Stop worrying. Pour that energy into something else. Anything else.
You may not understand that answer until afterwards, or you might.
And that's OK.

Babies are born knowing nearly nothing but warmth, pain, cold, shock, and calm in that order.
Then we learn lifelong.
At the end of our lives, no matter the amount of knowledge and experience we've obtained,
there will always be more information in the universe that we do not know, than we do.
So, It's only important to know what's important.

Yes. I suffer because I want things Now (as most human beings, I think), and sometimes is difficult to enjoy lafe when you are expecting something to happen. I am trying, though Thank you for your answer. In the past, anyway, I used to ask Yi when I was extremely worried and I just said "Could you tell me something to give me peace?" And Yi always says something nice.

 

[hilary]

I only ask the same question when some aspect of things has changed to a degree that some factor in the current Now is significantly different than in the previous Now.

That’s my usual answer to this question, too. The interesting part is what counts as a change and how long it takes. Sometimes I can come back to a question years later and realise nothing has really changed at all, however much I wish it had. Sometimes there is an instantaneous change of attitude, everything changes, and then what looks like the same question 10 minutes later could be a completely new one.

In the past, anyway, I used to ask Yi when I was extremely worried and I just said "Could you tell me something to give me peace?"

It's surprising how many questions turn out to boil down to 'How can I cope with this now?' - or 'Help?!?' for short.

 

[moss elk]

It's surprising how many questions turn out to boil down to 'How can I cope with this now?' - or 'Help?!?' for short.

There may have been a time or two in my life when my question was as specific and articulate as "Aaaah! This!? Waaa??'

And I received a good answer.

 

[hilary]

"Aaaah! This!? Waaa??'

A comprehensive and excellently-formed question. I'll probably use it myself.

 

[Marinaflsenda]

Hahahaha, I´ll let you know

 

[blewbubbles]

I like the two built-in checkpoints. Hexagram 4: don't ask again, and Hexagram 8: ask again.
In Marinaflsenda's case, if you want to ask again out of impatience, it relates to hexagram 4, youthful folly. When the student keeps asking the same question, the teacher stops answering. In the case of hexagram 8, unity, closeness, friendship, you are urged to ask again but with a purpose: to examen yourself, weather you possess fundamentality, perseverance, and constancy. I think these two rules should always be kept in mind when you want to ask again.