Introducing the I-Ching by Fredda Laurel

Introducing the I-Ching
by Fredda Laurel

THE I-CHING is an ancient form of divination dating back to Confucius, over 5000 years ago. Confucius also used it as a form of divination.

It is an Oracle and manual used for character development by both Confucians and Taoists. It is the first book in the Chinese library. Richard Wilhelm, a Protestant Christian missionary, first brought it to this country in 1924. He was the first individual to introduce Western culture to the I- Ching from a view of the Chinese. The book gained greater credibility and prominence when Carl Jung, the famous psychologist, wrote the preface to the book. This made Westerners aware of it as one of the great Spiritual texts. It is believed that use of the I Ching is a way to connect with Higher Universal wisdom. When one uses the I-Ching for guidance, they receive help to acquire inner balance. Gradually, by following the I-Ching, ones connection to Inner Truth is reestablished. The result is that old inharmonious patterns are overcome. The approach when using the I-Ching should be modest. This helps draw help from forces of the Universe to achieve ones goals.

The I-Ching is of such importance that until recently every educated Chinese (and Japanese) person had to memorize it. The goal of the I Ching is self-development. Using the I Ching as a form of self-development allows one to overcome those qualities and aspects which feed the ego and obstruct ones highest and best aspects. The name, ‘I Ching’ comes from ‘I’ (which means changing, or lizard like, according to Wilhelm). This implies attainment of Inner Power and Self Command ‘Ching’ is the term applied to all Chinese Classics. The I Ching resolves inner conflict by pointing out Higher Cosmic Law. *Helps recognize and validate our feelings as a repository of Inner Truth. When we are in harmony, power of Heaven comes to help us on our path. When we use I-Ching for guidance, we receive help to acquire inner balance needed to keep attuned to inner truth. The answer comes through this connection, and our trust in it becomes what Eastern philosophers call ‘enlightenment’. The Sage is The Teacher we contact when we consult the I-Ching. The I Ching consists of 64 six lined figures called ‘Hexagrams’ of six lined figures. It gives meaning to life.

In using I-Ching for self development, learning to hold on to essential and let go of trivial. Allows us to change fate by adapting to demands of time. This draws help from forces of the Universe to achieve our goals.

When it is used to resolve questions of doubt about important issues, the I-Ching acts as a guide.

Acceptance of thoughts not in harmony with heaven occurs through formative years. When false self displaced, splitting of personality is healed. All conflicts are eradicated. We allow ourselves to be a conduit through which the I-Ching or Higher Power can be expressed. The true self is strengthened through self-development. This occurs in order that it can once again lead the personality. Not many recognize that the feelings of dissatisfaction experience from day to day come from not having followed a path that is true to ourselves. This is just another trap devised by the ego. Often we are made to undertake change only after we have crashed into the great realization that our life has yet to find its meaning. All this has been necessary for learning and the development of our humility. We see that this is a life for learning and for expanding our spirituality; that light and dark enable us to see the higher vision. The I-Ching is a lantern given us for this search.

Our job at this juncture is to undertake self- development. The work of self-development, in connection with the I-Ching, is to resurrect inner truth from its repressed condition, and to reinstate it as an un programmed mind that is tuned in to our inner feelings, and reacts responsibly to the situation of the moment. Because we make an effort to be true to ourselves the Higher Power helps us.

Through sacrificing our ego’s cry for action, we turn matters over to the Sage or higher power. We are thus helped. Each confrontation with our fears and doubts occurs in such a manner that we are able to defeat them as self-development occurs. We become open and unstructured by meditation. This is done through the Sage. Working on our Inner nature develops the power of inner. Being firmly centered in our inner truth gives rise to spontaneously expressed external actions. This is the way the Sage awakens our understanding through our everyday lessons with the I Ching.

INNER CORRECTNESS and balance activate what the I Ching calls ‘the helpers’. They are the good and great elements not only within us, but also others. ONCE AROUSED THEY necessitate inner assent needed to achieve changes. When we understand the I-Ching’s principle of following and allow ourselves to be led by the Sage, we find we are guided toward new ways of doing things. Often we receive help

INDIVIDUAL GOALS. The idea of keeping an open mind and heart permeates n the I Ching. *Keeping an open mind changes vibrations or molecules in an entire area.

A JOB TO DO – Anyone drawn towards self-development finds his path advances the great spiritual evolution of the universe. The work is achieved through withdrawal of decadent customs and attitudes.

PERSONALITY - Purification occurs when we sacrifice all ego aspects of our personality as impurities.

ENLIGHTENMENT. Lightening ourselves of our fears is what enlightenment means. Enlightenment progresses in levels. Growth through successive stages of becoming ourselves cultivates a number of virtues: Simplicity, Sincerity, Serenity, Gratitude and Perseverance and Modesty. Our job is to put the world in order. This is done through putting ourselves in order. This makes us responsive to Divine Will. This being responsive enables humans to be responsive to Divine Will, giving them the capacity to further mankind.

HOW TO CONSULT THE I-CHING

Overview

We will be using the “coin” method of consultation, rather than the “yarrow” or “stick” method. Coins are randomly tossed to create an I-Ching hexagram, and the hexagram is then looked up in an I-Ching translation and its interpretation read.

To create the hexagram, three coins are shaken and lightly tossed onto a table. We then read the displayed ‘face’ of the coins and assign each ‘face’ a value. Next, we add up the total value of all the coins and draw the next line in the hexagram. This process is repeated six times, once for each line of the hexagram.

The Process

Here are some tips for you to remember:

If a coin is laying HEAD side up, we give it a value of 3.
If a coin is laying TAIL side up, we give it a value of 2.
If the total value of your three coins is ODD, we draw a SOLID line.
If the total value of your three coins is EVEN, we draw a BROKEN line.

Shake the three coins and drop them in a random fashion.
Count up the value of the coins, remembering that HEADS equal 3 and TAILS equal 2. Write down the resulting number. For example, if three heads are thrown, the resulting number is nine.
Starting at the bottom of your hexagram and moving upwards, draw a SOLID line if your total value from step two is ODD, or a BROKEN line if it is EVEN.
If you threw down three heads or three tails, this means you need to mark your line as changing. If your line is solid, draw an O in the middle of it. If your line is broken, draw an X in the middle of it. See the example below.
Repeat steps 1 through 4 until you have a total of six lines.
If you had any changing lines (as in step 4), create a 2 nd hexagram by coping your first hexagram but changing those lines into their opposite where marked. See the example below.
Now look up your hexagrams on the chart (Kua). Remember, use lines 6, 5 and 4 to make up the ‘upper trigram’ and lines 3, 2 and 1 to make up the ‘lower trigram.’
When reading your interpretation from your translation of the I-Ching, be sure to read the image and judgment. Some points to remember:
If you had no changing lines in your hexagram, you should also read the text for each ruling line of the hexagram. The ruling lines are written on the copy of the Kua that is included in these notes.
If you did have changing lines, be sure to read the text for each of those lines as well.
If you had changing lines in your hexagram, then read the interpretation of the first hexagram as a reflection of your current state. The interpretation of the second hexagram reflects how the situation/question is evolving.

Example

Toss #	Coins	Coin Values	Total Value	First Hexagram	Second Hexagram
6	Two tails, one head	2 + 2 + 3	7	-----------	-----------
5	Three heads	3 + 3 + 3	9	-----O-----	---- ----
4	Two tails, one head	2 + 2 + 3	7	-----------	-----------
3	Three tails	2 + 2 + 2	6	---- X ----	-----------
2	Two heads, one tail	3 + 3 + 2	8	---- ----	---- ----
1	One head, two tails	3 + 2 + 2	7	-----------	-----------

Below are THE EIGHT TRIGRAMS WHICH MAKE UP THE 64 Hexagrams, on which the I Ching is based.

Creative-Father

Chien

Heaven Sun

Receptive-Mother

Kun

Earth Dark Power

Eldest Son

Chen

Thunder Shock

Middle Son

Kan

Water Abysmal

Youngest Son

Ken

Mountain Keeping Still

Eldest Daughter

Sun

Wind Penetrating

Middle Daughter

Li

Fire The Clinging

Youngest Daughter

Tui

Lake The Joyous

There are many books on the I-Ching. They will provide you with further instructions, as well as a detailed description of the 64 hexagrams which are given in the I Ching (and serve as the guide for doing readings. A few of my favorites are:

The I Ching or Book of Changes by Wilhelm/Baynes

The I Ching The Book of China by James Legge

The Everyday I Ching by Sara Dening

I Ching Wisdom Volume One: Guidance from the Book of Answers by Wu Wei

How To Use The I-Ching by Stephen Karcher

A Guide to the I Ching by Carol Anthony

I Ching for Beginners by Mark McElroy

The Philosophy of the I Ching by Carol Anthony
(A Good Reference Book)

The I Ching and You by Diana Ffarington Hook
( A Good Reference Book)

©2007 Fredda Laurel

Fredda Laurel is a practicing and teaching Intuitive, psychic, Clairaudient (intuitive hearing), Clairvoyant (intuitive seeing), and Tarot reader. She is ordained in the Spiritualist religion and is also a Reiki Master.

One of her most enriching experiences occurred shortly after moving to Denver, Colorado when she was given the opportunity to take an 18 month I-Ching course from Howard Badhand, a Lakota Sioux Medicine Man. Her own I-Ching courses and readings have been in high demand ever since.

Fredda is also available for readings on Soul2Soul HERE.

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