Clarity,
Office 17622,
PO Box 6945,
London.
W1A 6US
United Kingdom
Phone/ Voicemail:
+44 (0)20 3287 3053 (UK)
+1 (561) 459-4758 (US).
Hi Mary,
I'll throw in my 3 pennies, knowing this is not what you want to hear. IMHO, that's just flipping coins. There's nothing in the exegesis of the oracle that talks about such use of the coins in relation with it. The only connection with the Yi is that one uses three coins and the immediate association is that we can construct an hexagram with them.
Having said that, if it works for you, or anybody else, in the decision making process, great. Is all part of the tools we can use with our intuition. However, the notion the practice is somewhat connected to the Yijing should be dispelled.
Sparhawk, maybe I wasn't clear in my humble English. What I wish to clarify is whether or not you guys complement all readings that are not clear by tossing again (after the hexagram is formed) for a Yes or No answer (not question). I asked if you use it to enhance all of your readings. This is not about constructing the hexagrams.
Example (and I'm not asking for clarifications on the following line):
9: 5
"If you are sincere and loyally attached,
You are rich in your neighbor"
Suppose you're not sure who's "you" in the text. Do you use that technique to ask if you're the "you"?
Thanks.
I agree with sparhawk. You could save yourself some trouble and shaking and just flip for heads or tails. Or just accept what you've gleaned for now and mull it over ... ? It's tempting sometimes when you want 'an answer' to be anxious about it. But it won't help.
I think we all can be a bit product oriented in our approach at times. I respect your willngness to experiment and your enthusiasm. Divining the I ching is a bit of a craft, and often a scholarly one. But above all I think it takes time, focus and inner work and receptivity in the right spirit. Understanding may grow by leaps and bounds, but first it must find soil and take root. But here i go again with my own particular brand of mumbo jumbo. Not necessarily understanding what you wanted. Just thought I'd offer that.
Forgot to answer this...
When consulted, the oracle is always speaking to you. So yes, the "you" in the text refers to yourself. Even when it refers to the Junzi (the Superior Man) it should be taken as a clue for a behavior to emulate. I believe it is a mistake to see the Junzi as a detached entity and only something that is spoken of in the third person.
Hi Mary;
If all you want is a Yes or No answer don't "kill"yourself with 3 coins:do it with just one.Heads or tails=yes or no.It works very well for Twoface in "Batman and Robin".
Sergio
Clarity,
Office 17622,
PO Box 6945,
London.
W1A 6US
United Kingdom
Phone/ Voicemail:
+44 (0)20 3287 3053 (UK)
+1 (561) 459-4758 (US).