Using the I Ching

Well , before I begin this Quest, Let's start with a Poem ,by RUMI.

This Poem Connotes the Essence of an Attitude one may wish to have,regarding Change.


The Guest House


This being Human is a Guest - House
Every Morning a New arrival

A Joy, a Depression, A Meanness,
Some momentary awareness comes
As an Unexpected visitor.

Welcome and Entertain them All!!!
Even if they are a crowd of Sorrows,
Who Violently Sweep your house
Empty of its furniture.

Still,treat each Guest honorably.
He may be Clearing you out for some New delight,

The Dark thought, the Shame,the Malice,
Meet them at the door laughing,and Invite them in.

Be Grateful for Whoever comes,
Because each has been sent as Guide from Beyond.

RUMI


What is the I Ching?

There are So many answers /opinions to this question! The I Ching is an accumulated experience and wisdom, including one's own,of over 2,500 years.
For myself you use the I Ching as a reference, and a Guide. Not really as an Oracle as many do.

I use the I Ching to assist in answering one question:


How can I Best ... Deal with This Situation??

As Ann Rand asked the graduating class of West Point in, I believe, 1966,


Ask and Know the answers to these three questions:

1) Where am I?

2) How do I know this?

3) What am I going to do about it?

So, it is also with the I Ching ,we are asking ,"What is this Situation?"


"Where can it lead to?

The I Ching discusses the transitions and relationships of 64 situations.

64 Hexagrams, which Change,into any of the others. To garner an idea of here we are, where we were,and where we could go,"We throw a Kua, a Hexagram"

You'll See, the process is Profound, I've been studying it for 40 years,

"I've only just Begun"

Next time we will discuss how and what makes up a Trigram and a Hexagram.

For a Preview ,see the "Look Up Table"

See you then.

Bill Swann D.O.