The I Ching or Book of Changes

I first discovered the I Ching at the age of 19. It was described in a short story I read as an ancient Chinese book of divination. Well, who doesn't want to know the future? So I looked it up in the Murray State library. Their copy had an introduction by Carl Jung, in which he interviewed the book, employing divination to enable the book to answer questions about itself, thereby making its own case for its efficacy as a tool of divination. That was probably a completely original idea. I doubt anyone ever asked the Oracle at Delphi or the runes or a pile of goat entrails "why should I believe you?", much less got cogent answers in reply. Anyway, I admired Jung for his writings on what he termed "synchronicity", and felt I had seen this force at work in my own life, and here he seemed to offer this book as proof of his theory. Sold me. The I Ching (or "Book of Changes") is thought to date back to the second or third millennium B.C., and posits that there are but 64 different situations in human life, and but 6 permutations of each of those situations. What could be simpler? That there are only 64 basic life situations may seem a rather limiting worldview, but it is uncanny how specifically accurate an I Ching reading can be, despite these limits. The authors of this tome actually made an 8 X 8 grid of every situation that could possibly arise in human life, and all one need do to find his place on that grid at any given moment, is to insert himself into the matrix of synchronicity via a random event, such as the fall of three coins. How those coins fall will reveal your situation, and the stage of that situation where you are currently at (pardon the preposition). It is helpful to read an impartial and dispassionate description of what you are going through, to read the natural evolution of this situation, and advice to help you achieve the best outcome, or meet the impending disaster, as the case may be. Once it told me, and I'm paraphrasing here: "Hey, if you had asked me 6 months ago, maybe I could have told you something. Now you'll just have to take what's coming. No, there is no way out." I tried rephrasing my question, hoping for a less scary answer. "Stop asking me," it said, "or you're going to get your feelings hurt." When I once again tried rephrasing the question for a more favorable answer, it called me a fool, and went on to say that I deserved what was coming, that I had brought this disaster upon myself, but that apparently disaster and utter ruin were the only ways a very stupid person like myself would ever learn anything. That hurt, alright. The I Ching is also a fascinating read for anyone interested in Eastern philosophies. The commentary draws heavily on Taoist and Confucian thought. Ancient kings and wise men have written commentaries on this book, which was ancient even to them, and through the ages these commentaries have also become part of the book. Their language is quite poetic and thought-provoking. I got my current copy cheap, at Amazon. There's tons of translations available, but this is the one with the introduction by Jung. There's an extensive section called "The Material", of commentaries on the text, which can be of some aid in one's use and understanding of the book.

Aeons ago, a friend who is a Buddhist Monk recommended the Baynes translation of the I Ching to me. My well-worn copy became lost during my last move, and I was happy to find it here at a decent price. There is a bit of a learning curve, but I find the readings inspiring and informational to daily life. Whatever other methods of spiritual/metaphysical insight one may also deploy, adding the I Ching to that might offer some additional inspiration and insight.

I have tossed the coins for over fifty years. I look at the I Ching as an oracle (wise person). My two daughter and I have a tradition of doing our ai Ching every New Year’s Day. I have given my grandson a copy with instructions to respect the IChing, to ask your question thoughtfully, interpret the readings as guidance and mining your own inner wisdom. Look deeply…

Anyone who is serious about studying the I Ching (Yi Jing) should most definitely have this book in their library. I purchased this book back in 1982 and to this day it is my "go to" when consulting the Yi. Some may find it a bit cryptic, but I see this book as a classic, and the closest English translation to the Mandarin. This Oracle system is over 5,000 years old, but it is very accurate if you take time to understand the manner in which is speaks to you. I've conducted several workshops using this book and my students have found it to be quite enlightening. The book I purchased in 1982 is a bit worn so having a new one is a fun addition to my collection of I Ching books.

As always, Deng delivers depth in an approachable and practical way without sounding pedantic. This translation has become a go to reference and guide for me!

Its pretty complex. Not for begginers...

I didtn order this book because of its notoriety for being a predictions book. I chose the book because the book chose me. It arrived in mint condition. Although I am the first to admit I am far from scholarly. However, yes it is a long indepth body of work. THat being said, THe book fell open to a specific more than once and from there I began to read. IT struck something deep and profound in me. I was cautious because of other reviewers who said it was an itense read and hard to decipher. I must say I did not find that to be the. And in all things can choose to take on board specific information I believe has a correlation to my own specific questions and ponderings. The rest I can discard. It is calle free will. I was interested in purchasing the book because its an extensive piece of work by a westerner into chinese culture. A fitting document of mans first introspection into his own existence and how he sees himself in the world. Although I have had problems sourcing yarrow stalks to begin the true works. But in the meantime I plan to invest as much of myself into learning what the book has to offer. ITs a new year, its a new read. And so far reading It hasnt made my brain hurt, unlike other reviewers. I believe the truth always presents itself to those who are open AND searching for it. Very Highly recommended. arrived in mint condition and ahead of the suggested delivery date.

I am a devoted advocate of the I Ching. I first discovered it almost by accident when I had just graduated from university. What drew me to it was the introduction to it by Carl Jung, the great psychoanalyst. I recommend his introduction to it to enable you to see it in a modern light, and to help you understand why it works. And it does work. I have proved it for myself time and time again. I have also kept track of my consultations over the years, and reviewing them am amazed at how perceptive they can be, especially if you are at a "stopping point" on something and simply are not sure what to do. The book itself, as its translator is the first to admit, is not easy to "read". Its 64 hexagrams are sometimes cloudy and imprecise, but there are plenty of interpretations to help you grasp the essential meaning for yourself if you are casting the coins or yarrow stalks. I must confess that I was so taken with the book that I followed the ancient Chinese instructions of how to gather and use yarrow stalks, which seems like gentle madness to a modern, but is actually a recipe for concentrating your mind on the task at hand. This book and its translation by Hellmut Wilhelm is regarded as the fundamental translation, but if you don't understand it, don't worry. There are plenty of other translators and philosphers who have tried their hands at the I Ching, and in their translations you will find one or more that explain things for you. And today it's easy to get into the I Ching. Simply go on line to www.ichingonline.com to put it on your computer with lots of backup assistance. Buy the book, but use it online. You'll be glad you did.