I CHING - THE BOOK OF CHANGES

Introduction

On September 14, 2004, transiting Mars (action) conjunct the New Moon (new beginning) formed favorable aspects to the natal Sun (confidence) and the progressed Mercury (communication) in my western astrological birth chart. These beneficial transits gave me the good energy and enthusiasm to start a new project -- adding "I Ching - The Book of Changes" to my website. 

With an indescribable joy, I took out this out-of-print book titled "The I Ching" (in Chinese edition which I purchased in 1984) from my bookshelf and began this significant project during my spare time: Doing the charts and tables, writing these Chinese characters in traditional form (with Chinese writing brush), and translating the  profound meanings of sixty four (64) Hexagrams (that are the essence of the I Ching) into English.  

In Chinese, the character "I" (pronounced as "yee") has several meanings: easy, change, or exchange.  The character "Ching" (pronounced as "Jean") means scripture, classics.  Together, "I Ching" means that The Book of Changes can be easily understood according to the meanings of the character(s) that represents each Hexagram. The I Ching was one of the fundamental books of Confucianism and Taoism, and is also one of the most important books in the world's literature.

Fu Hsi, the legendary emperor of China, is said to be the founder of the  I Ching, which offers advice, and has been used as an oracle.  The I Ching draws on just two basic elements represented by Yin (broken line) and Yang (unbroken line), and from there results in 64 hexagrams.  The model of the 64 hexagrams is said to conceptualize all the worldy situations that arise from every response or action.

The ancient Chinese discovered the secrets and understood the working of the cosmos.  They knew a great deal about the universe and mankind.  They described the forces of the cosmos as "Chi" (energy) which was then divided into Yin and Yang -- the Moon and the Sun,  dark and light,  negative and positive, and female and male, etc. It was through the complex and continuous interaction of Yin and Yang that all things visible and invisible came into being. Yin and Yang complement each other.  Each exists together in balance, each containing part of the other. 

 Some of those ancient knowledge was preserved in the I Ching.  It is the most popular spiritual resources and oracles in Chinese, and has a growing influence in western countries.  This treasure is over 4,500 years old. Today, the cosmic principle remains unchanged.  We can learn and benefit from  the I Ching.

The most astonishing characteristic of  "I Ching" is that it does not seek that which is eternal and unchanging; rather it explains that change itself is the fundamental principle of the universe.  Thus, the ancient Chinese discovered eternal timelessness in constant change.  The basis of I-Ching is the polarity between the two principles, Yin (female) and Yang (male).  All things and events are the result of the interaction between these two fundamental principles of the cosmos, and they explain the nature of human beings.  The world-famous I-Ching (or the Book of Changes)  which dates back to pre-Confucian times, is the oldest Chinese text dealing with philosophy, cosmology and prophecy.  This book should be consulted in connection with a concrete, previously unanswered question.

Consulting the I Ching can not change your fate, can not bring you good luck.  However, it can help you understand the situations, empower yourself  with confidence and courage to overcome obstacles, and also help you attain the inner peace to make better decisions during the difficult situations regarding your family, career, or close relationship.  However, it is up to the inner you and your spiritual wisdom to take the proper action.  Thus, the I Ching is more than an ordinary book of divination.  It is also a Book of Wisdom - Wisdom of Life.

Not everyone is equally fitted to consult  the I Ching.  The procedure is regarded as mysterious and serious, and it requires one with a clear, tranquil, and spiritual mind that is receptive to the cosmic influences.  It takes a lot of good "Chi" (energy) to create a Hexagram. Different people who obtain the same Hexagram  might take different actions that lead to different results because of their different situations and different outlook of  life.

If you consult the I Ching for someone else, you will need to understand his/her background in order to give a reasonable advice.  Just like a doctor who needs to know the medical history of his/her patients before giving any advices.

There are two devices for creating  Hexagrams:  Yarrow stalks or coins.  Using 50 yarrow stalks was the traditional, professional way.  Here, I use  three coins because it is easy, popular and less complicated.  Everyone can practice it.  It is absolutely prohibited  if one continues tossing three coins for the same question until a lucky Hexagram is obtained. 

Remember the rules: 

(1)  Be sincere and in good faith.  (2)  No nonsense or silly questions.  (3)  No questions of bad intention, or negative thoughts in mind.  (4)  One Hexagram for one question.  (5) The same question can be asked only ONCE.  (6)  One needs to be in a quiet room alone with a clear and tanquil mind when consulting the I Ching.  The perfect time is after a brief meditation, or  immediately after waking.  Upon awakening, one feels rested and calm which helps with the meditation.

 The Use of  "I Ching - The Book of Changes"

I Ching - The Book of Changes was a collection of linear signs (broken and unbroken lines) to be used as oracles.  The broken line ( ----- ) represents Yin, and the unbroken line ( ____ )  represents Yang.  The Eight Trigrams, also called Ba-Gua, (each consisting of 3 lines, either broken or unbroken) were conceived as images (resulting from the complex and continuous interaction of Yin and Yang) of all that happens in the heaven and on the earth.  In the universe, nothing stays the same, everything is constantly undergoing changes.  Therefore, these Eight Trigrams are images that are constantly undergoing changes, just as transition from one phenomenon to another is continually taking place in the physical world.

In order to achieve a still greater multiplicity, these Eight Trigrams were mixed and intermingled into every possible combination.  As a result, a total of sixty four combinations (8 x 8 = 64) was obtained.  Therefore, the deep roots of the 64 combinations are in the Eight Trigrams.  Each of these 64 combinations (called Hexagrams) consists of six lines, either broken Yin line, or unbroken Yang line.  A number was assigned to each Hexagram that represents an unique situation and image.  Each Hexagram was represented by corresponding character(s) that implies its meanings, and they can be easily understood.  Some of these characters are of antiquity and no longer being written or spoken in modern times.

Both of the Yin and Yang lines can further be divided into OLD (changing/aging) Yin/Yang lines and YOUNG Yin/Yang lines.  The YOUNG Yin/Yang lines are lines of less strength and they remain unchanged. The OLD Yin/Yang lines are capable of changing/aging because of their increasing strength.  The OLD Yin/Yang lines need to be changed into their opposite if they appear in the first Hexagram.  Thus, the OLD Yin will be changed to YOUNG Yang,  and OLD Yang will be changed to YOUNG Yin.  And, a new Hexagram is created.

Hexagram No. 1 - Hexagram No. 16

Hexagram No. 17 - Hexagram No. 32

Hexagram No. 33 - Hexagram No. 48

Hexagram No. 49 - Hexagram No. 64

According to the theory of the I Ching, in every Hexagram, the fifth line is regarded as the highest position.  The strength of the sixth line starts to decline. One should control one's greed,  stop on the fifth line (highest position), and not try to continue extending upward unlimitedly.  One should expand his/her horizons through charity and return some resources to the universe.  A successful leader is one who not only keeps good contacts with the authority figures, but also maintains open communications with co-workers, and  takes good care of his subordinates.

When obtaining a lucky Hexagram, one should not be just sitting there and waiting for the good fortune to drop in.  One should work even harder to make dreams come true.  When obtaining an unlucky Hexagram, one should stay calm to bring out one's inner strength and spiritual wisdom within to turn the crisis into an opportunity for growth in a new direction. The great opportunity is where the crisis, or suffering is. 

The first Hexagram represents the present, and the new Hexagram usually (not always) represents the future.  It  takes  a lot of  practice to learn  to combine the profound meanings of both Hexagrams and apply it to the real life issues.

For those familiar with the I CHING, mine will open some new insights and discoveries in a manner different from others.  For those  new to the I CHING, enjoy learning this inexhaustible source of wisdom.

 Whatever your goals and objectives are, I wish you a peaceful, harmonious and fulfilling life.  

(By Spring Liao, 10/18/2004)