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Sunday, May 31, 2009
Darkening of the Light, Line 4:
"He
penetrates the left side of the belly.
One gets at the very heart of the darkening
of the light,
And leaves the courtyard."
You will become very
close to the "dark" person. Or, you will be in the very center of a vortex of negative energies.
From this position, you will be able to see this situation, job or relationship
for what it truly is - and it's not good.
You are advised to leave these circumstances
quickly, and close the gate behind you.
We'll look at what the future holds tomorrow.
9:20 pm edt
Saturday, May 30, 2009
No. 36,
Darkening of the Light:
"Darkening
of the Light. In adversity
It furthers one to be persevering."
" . . . here a man of dark nature is in a position of authority and brings harm to
the wise and able man." Wilhelm
Who is the Yi warning you about?
Sounds like a boss to me, but it could anyone, man or woman, who has some authority or power over you. Or it could be that
you are in the midst of a group that is dominated by negative energies.
"A
correct attitude is most important. If we fight against the darkness, we are swallowed by it and suffer great misfortune.
If we try to persuade others that they must return to the light, we exhaust ourselves in vain." Brian Browne Walker
Do you need to display a "correct attitude?" The Yi may have
some specific advice on how to do that in our one changing line, Line 4, tomorrow.
.............................................................................................
10:12 pm edt
Friday, May 29, 2009
No. 21, Biting
Through:
“Biting Through has success.
It is favorable to let justice be administered."
Have you been avoiding the advice of the main message, afraid of what The Arousing/Shock might be?
The message about the future is: "There are times to avoid confrontations, to sublimate deep feelings, or to retreat
and await a more opportune moment for action. This is not one of those times."
R.L. Wing
Wing calls this hexagram Reform. The Yi is saying: An obstacle is blocking your
path. It may be, as the main message suggested, your own refusal to see things as they really are.
Whatever it is, there will
be only one way forward: Bite the bullet. Do what has to be done. You know what that is.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
The Arousing
/ Shock, Line 6:
“Shock
brings ruin and terrified gazing around.
Going ahead brings misfortune. If it has not yet touched one's own body But has reached one's neighbor first, No blame. One's comrades
have something to talk about." This line
brings a little hope: the lightening strike may not hit you directly. The current
economic situation is the most obvious analogy to this one: Impending layoffs are announced. You and your coworkers
are in shock. What will you do? How will you survive? If they get the ax first, and you don't, there is no blame in that for you. (Feeling somehow
at fault in a situation like this is very common. There's even a name for it - survivor's guilt.) But don't
just collapse in relief. Go back to the main message. What lesson is this shock trying to teach you? In the example
above, the message would be that you need to downsize and economize now, so you are better able to deal with
any reversals that may come your way later. We'll look at the future reading tomorrow.
9:41 pm edt
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
No. 51, The Arousing
/ Shock:
“Shock brings success.
Shock comes --- oh, oh! Laughing words --- ha, ha!
The shock terrifies for a hundred miles,
And he
does not let fall the sacrificial spoon and chalice." Look out - a big shock is coming.
"A person may receive
this hexagram when he has experienced [or is about to experience] an unsettling event, which has shaken his confidence in
the ordinary ways he has been relating to his life."
"The shock is to make him aware that these ordinary ways, which he has been taking for granted as
correct, have failed to help him in the given situation."
"The severity of the Cosmic shock corresponds to the degree needed
to wake the person up." Anthony/Moog
What's it going to take to wake you up? Are you learning the lesson the shock is trying
to teach you?
We have one changing line, Line 6, which we'll look at tomorrow.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
No. 53, Development / Gradual Progress:
"Development. The maiden
Is given in marriage. Good fortune.
Perseverance furthers."
We tend to get this message when we are impatient. It
may well be that, having successfully passed through the dangerous situation that was signaled by the main message, Conduct/Treading, you think you are entitled to see the results you want now.
"While we desire rapid
progress - we want to change someone's mind today, achieve all our goals immediately - sooner or later we must come to understand that the only lasting progress is gradual progress.
This message comes to urge you to accept this fact and adjust your attitude and actions accordingly." [Brian Browne
Walker]
Take it easy. Grow like tree.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Treading / Conduct, Line
4:
"He treads on the tail of the tiger.
Caution and circumspection Lead ultimately to good fortune."
Your
current goal likely involves some danger. Careful and cautious progress is advised - again.
Wilhelm's translation of this line says, "Here one is sure of ultimate success, which consists of achieving one's purpose,
that is, in overcoming danger by going forward."
Ultimate good fortune
having been assured, we'll look at the future tomorrow.
Treading / Conduct, Line
3:
"A one-eyed man is able to see,
A lame man is able to tread. He treads on the tail of the tiger.
The tiger bites the man. Misfortune.
Thus does a warrior act on behalf of his great prince."
Now is the time to stop and
make an honest assessment of the course you are taking.
You can still keep moving forward,
but . . .
Your risk is greater under these circumstances. Do you want to
end up sacrificing your goals for someone else's?
One more line of specific advice, Line
4, tomorrow.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Treading / Conduct, Line
2:
"Treading a smooth, level course.
The perseverance of a dark man Brings good fortune."
Line 2,
like Line 1, advises a simple, straightforward path in a situation that calls for caution.
Stay out of the limelight. Keep moving forward, even if the way seems dark
and lonely.
Detachment and acceptance are the key now. Avoid any entanglements
or conflicts.
More advice coming from the Yi in Line 3 tomorrow.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Treading / Conduct, Line
1:
"Simple conduct. Progress without
blame."
In a situation that calls for caution - like the one you're in now - the simple, straightforward path is the
best course.
Have you identified
the "wild, intractable person" the Yi warned you about? Scheming and plotting is not the way to get the better of
him.
"If you can be content with simplicity, you can make progress without
blame." [Wilhelm]
We'll look at the advice Line 2 has to add tomorrow.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
No. 10, Treading / Conduct:
"Treading. Treading upon the tail
of the tiger. It does not bite the man. Success."
You are in a situation that calls for considerable caution.
The tiger is most likely "a wild, intractable person." [Wilhelm] Is it your boss? Your mother?
Your crazy neighbor? Whoever it is, it's someone you have to step lightly around. Modern English translation: Don't
yank his/her chain.
Take note: You
cannot avoid contact with this person altogether. But
by Treading carefully, and not stepping on his "tail" too hard,
you will be able to continue on your own path without harm. And that is success.
The Yi has a lot more to say about how you should conduct yourself
- we received four changing lines! We'll look at the first, Line 1, tomorrow.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Union / Holding Together, Line
4:
"Hold to him outwardly also.
Perseverance brings good fortune."
The Yi senses that you may have entered into a relationship,
but are not totally committed. Don't be half-hearted.
Go public. Demonstrate your support. This is the course that will bring you good
fortune. We'll look at the future of this Union
tomorrow.
No. 8 Union / Holding Together:
"Holding together brings good fortune.
Inquire of the oracle once again
Whether
you possess sublimity, constancy, and perseverance;
Then there is no blame.
Those who are uncertain gradually
join.
Whoever comes too late
Meets with misfortune."
What is most important
now is your relationships with others.
However, the Yi advises you to ask sincerely
whether you are up to the tasks of leadership. If the answer is yes, proceed.
Are you hesitating about joining with others in a new enterprise? This reading also points out that common experience
is what binds people together. Those who have been together "from the beginning" will always be closer.
If you wait too long, you may be shut out.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
No. 5,
Waiting / Nourishment:
"Waiting.
If you are sincere,
You have light and success. Perseverance brings good fortune.
It furthers one to cross
the great water."
"The rain will come in its own time. We cannot make it come; we have to wait for it." Wilhelm
It appears that you have learned that you must live within your Limitations. This
future reading indicates a life-enhancing change is coming. But you cannot rush it.
The important thing is how you wait. Fear that it won't happen, anxious anticipation, wanting it to happen sooner, will all
cloud the atmosphere.
Is there some change that you are obsessing about? The Yi
advises strength and confidence while remaining patient.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Limitation, Line
3:
"He who knows no limitation
Will have cause to
lament.
No blame."
In 1994, self-help and motivational author Dr. Dwayne Dyer wrote How To Be A No-Limit Person.
By 2007 he had progressed to Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life; Living the Wisdom
of the Tao Te Ching.
With Line 3, the Yi is
telling you: There is no such thing as "no limits."
As a student of the I Ching, it won't take you 13 years to figure that out. Then you will have no "cause to lament."
We'll
look at the future of Limitation tomorrow.
Friday, May 15, 2009
"Limitation. Success.
Galling limitation must
not be persevered in."
As you Approach and Grow in the future, you will have to
live within your Limitations.
"The most ancient and basic concern of mankind is that of regulating
production and consumption within the dictates of nature." R.L. Wing Everything has a limit, and to ignore
these natural limits results in disaster. As your energy grows, this hexagram may come as a caution against letting yourself be overwhelmed by possibilities.
Channel your energies appropriately. We'll look at our one changing line, Line 3, tomorrow.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
No. 19, Approach / Growth:
"Approach has supreme success.
Perseverance furthers.
When the eighth month
comes,
There will be misfortune."
"This hexagram as a whole points to a time of joyous, hopeful progress." [Wilhelm]
"This hexagram signals the approach of powerful beneficial influences."
[Walker]
What more could you want? The Yi, of course, includes
a word of caution: Although it is now "spring," don't forget, the seasons always change. Fall and winter are
inevitable.
Use this time of abundance wisely, so that it will carry you
through times of less opportunity.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Youthful Folly / Inexperience, Line 6:
"In punishing folly
It does not further one
To commit transgressions.
The only thing that furthers
Is to prevent transgressions."
In your Inexperience, you may head down the wrong path. Can
you admit your missteps?
The Yi is telling you: You are being shown
the error of your ways. Pay attention, and make the necessary corrections.
"He who will not heed will be made to feel." [Wilhelm]
We'll see
where the future goes tomorrow.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Youthful Folly / Inexperience, Line 1:
"To make a fool develop
It furthers one to apply discipline.
The fetters
should be removed.
To go on in this way brings humiliation."
In mastering a situation that is new to you,
you should apply some discipline to the learning process.
However, too much
discipline, or sticking to a rigid curriculum, will not bring about the enlightenment you seek.
You must combine a disciplined approach to the problem with the freedom to find the right answer.
What situation are you facing that requires a more balanced approach?
We'll look
at Line 6 tomorrow.
Monday, May 11, 2009
The Daily Yi
No. 4,
Youthful Folly / Inexperience:
"Youthful
Folly has success.
It is not I who seek the young fool.
The young fool seeks me.
At the first oracle I inform
him.
If he asks two or three times, it is importunity.
If he importunes, I give him no information.
Perseverance
furthers."
"To
put it bluntly, this hexagram signifies that at this moment in your life, you need help." Chris Marshall
You are facing a situation that is new to you. Do not be embarrassed about asking
for help.
The Yi does have quite a bit to say about how you should ask: Ask your question, then pay attention to the answer.
In sum, there are no stupid questions, but don't keep asking once you get the answer, just because it's not
what you want to hear.
We received two changing lines, Lines 1 and 6, with
some specific advice. We'll look at Line 1 tomorrow.
.................................................................
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please send an email to susanlee@bookofchanges.org with "Opt Out " in the subject line. Copyright 2009.Susan Lee
Sunday, May 10, 2009
No. 17, Following
/ Adaptability:
"Following has supreme
success.
Perseverance furthers. No blame."
The Yi gave us this message not long ago. Receiving it again as a future message tells us that Adaptability
is still important.
Wilhelm explains
this hexagram: "In order to obtain a following one must first know how to adapt oneself.
If a man would rule he must first learn to serve, for only in this way does he secure from those below him the joyous assent
that is necessary if they are to follow him."
Yesterday's Line
5 advised that it is okay to accept and function in a subordinate role for now.
Can you adapt to this role in the future?
Saturday, May 9, 2009
The Marrying Maiden / Subordinate,
Line 5:
"The sovereign gave his daughter in marriage.
The embroidered garments
of the princess
Were not as gorgeous
As those of the serving maid.
The moon that is nearly full
Brings
good fortune."
The main message cautioned you about sacrificing
too much in order to maintain a relationship.
Line 5 comes as a reminder that you don't have to be
"one up," either. Overcome any need to assert your status or position.
Good fortune will come your way if you can accept and function in a subordinate role for now.
We'll look
at the future tomorrow.
9:49 pm edt
Friday, May 8, 2009
No. 54, The Marrying Maiden / Subordinate:
"The Marrying Maiden.
Undertakings bring misfortune.
Nothing that would further."
Are you thinking
of - or desperately hoping to - take a relationship to a higher level?
This hexagram often comes as a warning:
You are in danger of sacrificing too much.
The Yi advises you to step back and give this some dispassionate
thought. Don't focus solely on what you hope you'll get out of this; look at what you'll have to give, too.
Will there be a balance? "If one
is unable to submit willingly to the demands of the union, it is better to withdraw at the onset, rather than conduct oneself
with dishonesty." McCarver
This message came with one changing line, Line 5. We'll look at it tomorrow.
9:45 pm edt
Thursday, May 7, 2009
No. 62, Preponderance of the Small / Conscientiousness:
"Preponderance of the Small. Success.
Perseverance furthers.
Small things may be done; great things should not be done.
The
flying bird brings the message:
It is not well to strive upward,
It is well to remain below.
Great good fortune."
The situation brought about by Gathering Together will soon be
on the decline. This is natural: What goes up must come down.
However, you may not have reached your goal, and feel you should make one last superhuman push toward the top. The Yi
advises against it.
The most successful outcome will be obtained
by making small, steady steps in the right direction.
Chris Marshall's interpretation sums it up: "The best approach at the moment is to keep
your head down and apply yourself to details."
10:19 pm edt
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Gathering Together, Line 5:
"If
in gathering together one has position,
This brings no blame.
If there are some who are not yet sincerely in the
work,
Sublime and enduring perseverance is needed.
Then remorse disappears."
You may be in a leadership position in this Gathering Together, and that is as it should be.
Some members of the group may not be "sincerely in the work." This will be an extreme test of your steadfastness.
Stay on the path, even if others don't.
We'll look at the future message tomorrow.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Gathering Together, Line 3:
"Gathering
together amid sighs.
Nothing that would further.
Going is without blame.
Slight humiliation."
In this time of Gathering Together, someone is isolated.
If it is you, realize
that you may have to humble yourself to gain - or regain - admission to the group.
Or it may be that no matter what you do, you will not be welcomed into the fold. The Yi assures you that there is no
blame in this. A little humiliation, maybe. But no blame.
Yesterday
I said, erroneously, that Line 3 was the only changing line. We also received Line 5, so we'll look at that tomorrow.
Monday, May 4, 2009
No. 45. Gathering Together:
GATHERING TOGETHER.
Success.
The king approaches his temple.
It furthers one to see the great man.
This brings success.
Perseverance furthers.
To bring great offerings creates good fortune.
It furthers one to undertake something.
By joining others,
and working together toward a common goal, you can accomplish great things.
A strong
and steady center will be needed to keep things in order. Keeping higher principles and goals in mind will be a key
factor in this success.
Group strength can
also be important in preparing adequately for future challenges. A united front and an attitude of "all for one,
one for all" can help all members of the group weather difficult times.
We received
one changing line, Line 3, that has specific advice on Gathering Together; we'll
look at it tomorrow.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
No. 1, The Creative:
"The
Creative works sublime success,
Furthering through perseverance."
The future of Breakthrough is Creativity, the power to make things happen. The
Creative was our future reading reading just a few days ago.
This main
message said that a long-awaited change was at hand. Difficulties were about to dissolve.
The future will now be a " . . . time . . . exceptional in terms of inspiration, energy and will. . . .
The force of this time is the primal directive that propels us into our destinies, regardless of what our reasoning or recalcitrant
minds may think." R.L. Wing
9:12 pm edt
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Breakthrough / Resolute, Line 6:
"No cry.
In the end misfortune comes."
This line is a warning of possible
misfortune. It is not a certainty.
The change that is at hand may seem
like deliverance. However, you will need to remain strong, and behave in a correct manner.
A silent attack could be your undoing.
We'll look at the future of this reading tomorrow.
Friday, May 1, 2009
No. 43,
Breakthrough / Resolute:
"Break-through.
One must resolutely make the matter known
At the court of the king.
It must be announced truthfully. Danger.
It is necessary to notify one's own city.
It does not further to resort to arms.
It furthers one
to undertake something."
"The arrival of th[is] hexagram indicates that a long-awaited change is at hand. A difficulty that has oppressed
you over a long period is now about to dissolve. It is important to respond in the proper way." Brian Browne
Walker
This breakthrough will require resolution on your
part to arrive at a successful conclusion.
What is the proper way
to respond?
"This is not the time to lapse back into negative mental
habits and enjoy the 'vacation' provided by the breakthrough." Walker
We have one changing line, Line 6. We'll see what advice that adds tomorrow.
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What is the I Ching?
The symbol you see above is the bagua, the symbol of the I Ching for 5,000 years
before it was "adopted" as the octagonal logo of the Dharma Iniative in the television series "Lost."
The I Ching, also known as the Yi Jing, or (in English) Book of Changes, is an
oracle; a divination device that forms a pattern reflecting the forces at work
in the Universe at a particular point in time.
This pattern,
when viewed in the context of a concern or question, sends a message of timeless advice and insight.
Richard Wilhelm explained it this way in a footnote to his translation of Ta Chaun - The Great Treatise: "The way in which the
Book of Changes works can best be compared to an electrical circuit reaching into all situations. "The circuit only affords the potentiality
of lighting: it does not give light. "But
when contact with a definite situation is established, the 'current' is activated, and the given situation is illumined." Plug yourself in. -------------------------------
The great Swiss pyschiatrist C.G.
Jung, who was a serious student of the I Ching, said:
"The
I Ching does not offer itself with proofs and results; it does not vaunt itself, nor is it easy to approach. Like a part of
nature, it waits until it is discovered.
"It offers neither
facts nor power, but for lovers of self-knowledge, of wisdom - if there be such - it seems to be the right book. . .
.
"He who
is not pleased by it does not have to use it, and he who is against it is not obliged to find it true. "Let it go forth into the world for the benefit
of those who can discern its meaning." -------------------------------------------
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