The Study Of I Ching (Yi Jing) And How It Can Help You Take Control Of Your Life
I Ching (Yi Jing) is also referred to as Zhouyi, Book of Changes, and Classic of Changes. It is one of the oldest Chinese books – an ancient method of divination, which is widely used in modern East Asia and Western cultures. It is considered as one of the most influential philosophical books of all time. Billions of people read it, which also makes it one of the most popular books in the world. The main reason behind the huge popularity of this ancient text is the belief that it can help in giving us a better understanding of ourselves and of life as a whole.
Fundamental Cornerstone
The method of I Ching (Yi Jing) is based on the basic concept of the dynamic balance of opposites. As per this concept, one must always be ready to accept the inevitability of change. For this, the evolution of the events must be seen as a process rather than anything else. This basic concept is very much similar to West African Ifá system and Western geomancy, but the method of interpretation is very different. The original credit for the book goes back to five thousand years ago to the legendary safe Fu His, who is considered to have written the major portion of this book. However, it is also true that in so many years, the book has also been through a series of significant changes. Even those in Western culture who do not consider I Ching (Yi Jing) as a system of divination believe that this book plays a very important role in understanding the wisdom and philosophy of Chinese people. They believe that this book can be a great help in exploring the inevitability of change and how to accept it. In Chinese language, “I” can be translated as changelessness or change while “Ching” means book. I Ching (Yi Jing) 2012 also has a great importance when it comes to study of this book. Terrance McKenna, who is considered as all time great scholar of this divination method, had provided a complex theory based on which the December 2012 is going to a great turning point in the history of the Universe. Some people have interpreted as the Judgment Day.
Chinese Symbols
There are specific Chinese symbols that are used to denote sun and moon. The characters derived from these symbols are used to write the symbols for this book. These symbols represent the changes associated with polarity, day, and night. The changes occurring from night to day and vice versa is considered to be in equilibrium and it is considered as an unchanging state. A remarkable thing about I Ching (Yi Jing) is that it can help you view all the changes that are taking place in you and in the Universe you are living in, which can eventually help you understand the principles of existence and the immutable laws. This book can also be used as a wonderful tool to foresee one’s future. Besides giving an overview of what the future holds for you, this book can also help you to make an informed decision on the immediate course of action that you should go for on the basis of the explanation of your current situation in terms of the laws applicable in nature. The book believes that everything in nature and universe is connected to each other and there are certain laws that regulate the changes occurring in the world. Therefore, if you understand those laws and how things are connected to each other, you will be able to analyze the reason that caused the specific situation you are in. Understanding those reasons will put in a much better position to decide who you should plan your further course of action in an attempt to deal with the possible changes that are yet to come. In short, your awareness of these natural laws can make you change your future in a better sense.
The Universe As Seen By This Book
As per the ancient book of I Ching (Yi Jing), the process of change never ceases in the Universe because of the natural and well-coordinated system that this universe actually is. There are certain orders and principles that determine the destiny and nature for human beings. This way, if you study this book, you will be able to look into your specific situation and activities within the larger contexts of harmonious relationship that is there among the cosmos, nature, and human beings.
The Imagery Used In The Book
The images used in the book are the most important part of it. The book has used a total of 64 images, where each image has a specific message and meaning. All the images are related to each other in one way or other. It means if you want to have a complete understanding of the changes occurring inside and outside yourself, you should not only have knowledge about the meaning of those individual images but you also need to be well aware of how those images are co-related to each other. The final interoperation depends upon an array of factors because even an image may change into another in the course of time due to the natural laws that regulate the Universe. These images have been referred to as hexagrams in the book of I Ching (Yi Jing). As per the method mentioned in the book, three specific types of coins are tossed to create hexagrams. The person who tosses the coins asks a question and asks a question. The result is then interpreted on the basis of the hexagrams created by the coins. For example, when the coin lands with one tail and two heads, a broken line is used to record the results. This kind of toss is known as Yin toss. The toss however is considered as a yang toss if the coin lands with one head and two tails. In this case, a straight unbroken line is used to record the results. However, keep in mind that this is a very general overview.
Meanings Of Different Individual Hexagrams
In order to interpret the changes occurring in the Universe, the first thing that you have to do is to get yourself educated on how the meanings associated with the each I Ching (Yi Jing) Hexagram. Following is a brief rundown on it, starting from 64th to 1st. These 64 symbols used in I Ching (Yi Jing) are also referred to as 64 spirits of time.
- 64 - not yet completed
- 63 - already completed
- 62 - small surpassing
- 61 - central return, inner truth
- 60 – moderation, Articulating
- 59 – dispersion, dissolution
- 58 – usurpation, Open
- 57 – calculations, Ground
- 56 – traveling
- 55 – fullness
- 54 – the marrying maiden
- 53 – gradual progress, development, advancement
- 52 – keeping still, bound
- 51 – the arousing (shock, thunder)
- 50 – the cauldron, Holding
- 49 – the bridle, revolution, Skinning
- 48 – the well
- 47 – oppression, exhaustion, entangled
- 46 – pushing upward
- 45 – finished, gathering together, massing, clustering
- 44 – coming to meet, coupling
- 43 – resoluteness, break-through, displacement
- 42 – increase, augmenting
- 41 – decrease, Diminishing
- 40 – untangled, deliverance, taking-apart
- 39 – afoot, obstruction, limping
- 38 – perversion, opposition, polarizing
- 37 – the clan, the family, dwelling people
- 36 – intelligence hidden, brilliance injured, darkening of the light
- 35 – aquas, progress, prospering
- 34 – great maturity, the power of the great, great invigorating
- 33 – yielding, retreat, retiring
- 32 – constancy, duration, persevering
- 31 – feelings, influence, wooing, conjoining
- 30 – the net, the trap, the clinging, radiance
- 29 – repeated entrapment, the abysmal
- 28 – great surpassing, preponderance of the great, critical mass, Great Exceeding
- 27 – providing comfort, security, nourishment
- 26 – potential energy, great storage, the taming power of the great, Great Accumulating
- 25 – pestilence, the unexpected, innocence, without embroiling
- 24 – the turning point, returning
- 23 – flaying, splitting apart, stripping
- 22 – luxuriance, grace, adorning
- 21 – biting and chewing, biting through, gnawing bite
- 20 – looking up, viewing, contemplation
- 19 – the forest, approach, Nearing
- 18 – decaying, work on what has been spoiled, correcting
- 17 – thunder, shake, shock, following
- 16 – excess, enthusiasm,
- 15 – modesty, humbling
- 14 – the great possession, possession in great measure,
- 13 – gathering men, fellowship with men,
- 12 – stagnation, standstill, obstruction
- 11 – greatness, peace, pervading
- 10 – continuing, treading (conduct)
- 9 – small harvest, the taming power of the small
- 8 – alliance, holding together, grouping
- 7 – the troops, the army
- 6 – lawsuit, conflict
- 5 – arriving, moistened, waiting, attending
- 4 – discovering, youthful folly
- 3 – hoarding, gathering support, difficulty at the beginning
- 2 – the flow, acquiescence, the receptive
- 1 – god, the key, strong action
Overall, considering all the above things, one thing is quite evident that the book of changes, by giving you an in-depth understanding of the natural laws and how things are connected to each other, can provide you strength, courage, and direction to confront the changes and challenges of everyday life. It is a practical guide that can provide you a step-by-step solution on how to understand the changes that have occurred and the changes that are yet to come and how to deal with the same in the most efficient manner. I Ching (Yi Jing) thus can help you take full control of your life. Once you understand the method and the concept, you will be able to live your life the right way, ensuring happiness and prosperity in your life and in the life of other people.