HOW DOES THE I CHING WORK? IS IT ITUITIVE OR MYSTICAL?

 

There are two major theories. The psychological/intuitive and the mystical The psychological explanation is that I Ching prediction is purely a matter of intuition. One sees the text, which is quite long and complex, with powerful imagery. From this, the intuition picks the parts and meanings that seem appropriate. This can be done with any written work that is long and has powerful images. Opening the Bible or the complete works of Shakespeare at random will probably do just as well.

There is a flaw in this theory, though, as many regular I Ching users will have noticed. Some oracle lines are remarkably consistent. The longer you use I Ching, the more apparent this becomes. My endeavor is to make more lines like these.

There is another problem, and that is that different people vary in their intuitive powers. In addition, the same person's intuitive capacity changes from day to day. So, using the I Ching intuitively is not going to be reliable for most users.

The mystical theory is that the I Ching oracle lines have an independent meaning of their own, quite independent of the consultee's intuition. How this could happen is a mystery, and so few wish to believe it (most humans fear the unknown). The traditional text appears to support this idea though. It attempts to show the mystical meaning, but in many cases, it has become too obscure or entirely lost over time. However, when one looks back at the real-life experiences and compares it to the traditional text, the meaning often becomes very clear. You may say this is 20/20 hindsight, but the same oracle performs consistently once you have discovered the hidden meaning. My aim is to make all the oracles as accurate and consistent as the very best in the traditional text. In this way, I hope to produce a modern practical oracle to help the everyday person lead a pleasanter and more productive existence.

I am quite sure in my own mind that the second theory is true, and that is why I am writing the stories of my experiences with I Ching predictions. Of course, this is something that cannot be proved by one person. Which is why I am looking for people who will share their experiences of specific I Ching predictions to see if they are similar or otherwise.

If you wish to participate in this fascinating and important study, please contact me at afriendoverseas@protonmail.com. I will tell you which consultation system to use and give you a free persona reading. After the event you have predicted is complete, you will send me a report of what transpired. In this way, we can build up a living I Ching database that will grow and become richer and more insightful as the years go by.

A big thank you to everyone who has clicked on this blog, and I hope you have found this article instructive and enjoyable. With your support, I will continue to post daily. If you follow me at the link below, you will receive updates on all new posts. You will also ensure my enthusiasm to spend time writing and posting is undiminished! 

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Is the I Ching always right?

Was the I Ching written by some divine agency using the human writer as a conduit? If so, it should always give a correct answer. Any apparent discrepancy between the oracle and the result will be caused by misinterpretation of the traditional text. 

On the other hand, if it was written by humans, then there is no such guarantee.

We normally predict the future by looking at the past. This is most likely what the ancients did. They consulted a random oracle, noted the response and observed what transpired. They would have been principally interested in whether the fortune was good or bad. Was the hunt successful, with plenty of game and no injuries? Or was it a disaster—the hunters being attacked and killed by another tribe? They would note what the oracle was and remember it for next time. If it was consistent in meaning over several occasions, they would know they correctly defined its meaning. The result of their efforts was codified into the I Ching we read today. T

I am personally convinced that this is how the I Ching was written, and in this blog, I am attempting to prove it. I am doing this by making predictions and comparing outcomes. The results are posted here, and you can make your own mind up. mind up. Better yet why not try yourself? If you contact me and make a prediction, then your story can be published.

A big thank you to everyone who has clicked on this blog, and I hope you have found this article instructive and enjoyable. With your support, I will continue to post daily. If you follow me at the link below, you will receive updates on all new posts. You will also ensure my enthusiasm to spend time writing and posting is undiminished! 

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HEXAGRAM 50 LINE 4. DEAD HARDRIVE. (Ongoing prediction updated 20 september)

ONGOING PREDICTION UPDATED 20 SEPTEMBER

Hexagram 50. The Cauldron. Line 4 - Lost Data 

 

This is another example of the importance of context in interpreting the I Ching. It also demonstrates the value of a secondary prediction to clarify matters.

One morning, my computer refused to boot. I guessed it was a hardware problem and consulted the I Ching as to how serious this might be. Receiving hex 50, line 4, was not reassuring. This is line means a big problem.

I then asked a second question, "Would I need to buy another computer?". The answer was 20: Contemplation, line 3. which means a long pause. So, I predicted that the problem would be serious but that the computer could be fixed.

The engineer at the computer shop told me the hard drive was dead and no data could be recovered. As it had been 11 days since I had backed up my work, this was lost. However, I only backed up my most essential work, and all my older memories, videos, and photos were gone! Personal history does not bother me much, so I took the loss without getting too upset.

The next morning, the computer was fixed with a new solid-state hard drive for just $38. This worked much better, and I realized the reason why the machine had been so slow was this problem. So, this was a real loss, but it has not hindered my work.

    Line 4 means:

        The legs of the ting are broken.

        The prince's meal is spilled

        And his person is soiled.

        Misfortune.

Context: if a problem has not yet occurred, it will be possible to avoid one. On the other hand, if a problem has already arisen, then it can only be mitigated. In this instance, the latter was the case. By acting quickly and using a reliable engineer, I was able to lose only one day of work. The eleven days of work lost were my own fault, as I had thought it was time to backup, but got distracted and did not do it. So, I was "soiled" somewhat. All the old data I lost could not be helped, as I had no means of backing it all up.

This prediction was made 13 September 2023. UPDATE: 19 September. The fan started getting very noisy. Will the fan last a while? The secondary was 20 line 3. This means to pause. My guess is the fan will keep working for some time to come. 

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THE GREATEST PROBLEM INTERPRETING I CHING - CONTEXT

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THE GREATEST PROBLEM INTERPRETING I CHING - CONTEXT

Context is the great source of misinterpretation, disappointment, and sometimes misfortune. I Ching oracle lines usually have two contexts, but only one is given in the traditional text. For example, hex 22. Grace which is favorable for essential matters only, and one should not expend energy on trivial matters. Hex 23 Splitting apart means there are problems in all cases, and it is unfavorable for any new venture or change of direction. However, if you continue with what you are doing patiently, the problem will pass and all will be well. Only the first context I give here appears in the traditional text. 

HEX 23 EXAMPLE OF CORRECT CONTEXT

HEX 17 EXAMPLE OF CORRECT CONTEXT

There are many other examples I could give.  The consultee assumes the context given in the text refers to what they are planning to do. Often times, it does not and so, they may act when they should wait, and wait when should act. 

To the consultee, it appears the same line is sometimes favorable, sometimes not, and they don’t know why. Their confidence in the I Ching is diminished unnecessarily.

All the examples I give here show context clearly, and in time I hope to have covered every line in this way. To speed up this process, please consider contacting me and making a prediction about a trip or event you have planned. I will interpret your prediction at no charge, provided you promise to tell me your story after the event. Together, we can build a massive database of I Ching stories. Then, when someone wishes to consult, they can view the experiences others had after receiving the same oracle. This will be far more informative than just reading the predictions in the traditional I Ching. Verifying I Ching lines in this way is a most important and noble endeavor guaranteed to earn merit for all who participate.

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Hexagram 44-line 5 TEACHING ENGLISH IN THE MONASTERY

TRADITIONAL TEXT

Hexagram 44-line 5 TEACHING ENGLISH IN THE MONASTERY

I was in Laos, where I had been teaching school. It was the end of spring term and to my dismay, the promised summer school was cancelled at short notice. This left me with no job until September and no guarantee of a fresh contract even then. A Laotian friend of mine asked me if I would like to teach at a local monastery for the summer. There was no money, but I could sleep and eat for free. This seemed like a good stopgap, and so I agreed. I had experience with this hexagram and line, so I had some idea of what to expect.

Hexagram 44 always means there is good fortune at first, but it does not last. This line is the most favorable and the good fortune is the longest and most problem-free.

I was allowed to sleep on the floor in the abbot's chambers. The food was excellent, all specially prepared by local people. The classes were informal, with lots of games and songs. They were a big hit with the kids. I spent a pleasant and relaxing month before it was time to move on. I decided to move to Cambodia, so I was glad to be rested and ready for this big move.

Wilhelm/Baynes: Coming to Meet. The maiden is powerful. One should not marry such a maiden.

My interpretation.

You are dealing with someone stronger than yourself. You should not make any long-term commitments.  

Wilhelm/Baynes: A melon covered with willow leaves. Hidden lines. Then it drops down to one from heaven.

My interpretation.

There is some opportunity that must be taken quickly or not at all. Good fortune for a limited time only. 

Do love the I Ching? Then don't forget, please share, comment and if you wish, contact to me to make your own free personal prediction. Tell your tale and help to verify that the I Ching really works. 

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THE WAY OF I CHING

 Dear friends, I ask you: why do people weaponize all technology for selfishness, greed, and war? Can they not see that following this path only leads us all to disaster? Each new technology is more dangerous than the last. We have evolved from throwing a flaming touch into the hut of a perceived enemy to hurling ever more horrifying weapons. Weapons that kill not just an enemy but millions of innocents

I say this is because they have lost contact with benign Providence and have not heeded her wise counsel and timely warnings.

In my humble state, I have devoted my long life to restoring the connection to providence by means of the I Ching.

The I Ching provides this much-needed connection if it can only be properly understood. To understand the I Ching, we must look to the original source from which its wisdom is derived. It is in the events that occur after a prediction is made that we may define what the true I Ching is. In this way, the common folk, who possess neither powerful intuition, long training, nor second sight, may readily access the wisdom of Mother Random, the Queen of Heaven, as this is the true name of providence. Providence has provided us with the I Ching, so we tell the path of peace and prosperity and shun that of evil and chaos. 

 

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The little stories I write for you here from my experience are but few. I write them so you can see what is needed. Without your help, this work cannot be completed. Many examples of the empirical effects of the predictions are needed. And so I entreat you to make a modest effort to assist me in this great work. All you need to do is contact me, and I will make a free prediction for you, provided you promise to tell me your story. This honorable work will surely make merit for your soul and bring you all the luck you deserve.

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Hexagram 63 AFTER COMPLETION LINE 3. TIED IN THE WRONG PLACE

      

Hexagram 63 AFTER COMPLETION, LINE 3. TIED IN THE WRONG PLACE

TRADITIONAL TEXT

 I like to go to the rice fields close to my place for exercise in the morning, as it is natural and has a panoramic view of the rising sun. I took my motorcycle on the dirt track to get there. Getting there was no problem, but it refused to start on the way back. Pushing the bike on the dirt track was going to be very difficult, so I left it where it was and went to see if someone could help me.

Back home, I met my friend, who said he had a tow rope and was willing to tow me. This sounded better than pushing, so I accepted his offer. I had never been towed this way before, though, and I was not sure where to tie the rope. We attached the rope to the handle bars and started back. It was very difficult to keep the bike straight, but I managed. Corners were the most difficult part, and I was very glad to pass the last one and see the mechanic’s shop ahead of me.
Suddenly, my friend lost control ever so slightly, and his bike pulled to the side. I was thrown off instantly. I hit a low wall with my ribs and thought I was injured, but when I stood and walked around, I was okay. The bike was a bit of a mess, but nothing serious. The mechanic soon got it started. I realize now that I should have tied the rope to the chassis, not the steering, as this accident would most likely not have occurred had I done so.
Wilhelm/Baynes: After Completion. Success in small matters. Perseverance furthers. At the beginning good fortune, at the end disorder.

"Bringing to completion" would be a better title for this tale. A relatively small matter here. It was good fortune to find my friend, but not a good ending.

Line 3. Wilhelm/Baynes: The Illustrious Ancestor disciplines the devil's country. After three years, he conquers it. Inferior people must not be employed.
This is the most powerful line in the hexagram.

At the time of the prediction, I thought it meant, "One should take control of a difficult situation. Act bravely with confidence and beware of danger ("inferior people")."

Looking back, I acted promptly and bravely but failed to see the key weakness. This was where I placed the tow rope. It was stupid to attach it to the steering, and if I had stopped to think, I also could have looked it up on the web, as there is bound to be something about this on YouTube.
In the future, I will combine courage with prudence and check the key details more carefully. Had I done this, then the tow would have been successful.

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HEX 12. STAND STILL, LINE 4 - WHAT HAPPENED TO MY INTERNET?

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Hexagram 12 line 4 What happened to my internet?

TRADITIONAL TEXT

I had been using a rather expensive web service for work. They always collected in cash, and a girl would call each month to arrange a pickup. One month there was no call, then two months went by. I wondered what to do, then she called, but only to tell me the company had gone bust and ask if I wanted to buy the service of the new company she was working for. I assumed it would be turned off quite soon and forgot about the matter. I was mistaken, and it stayed open for another six months before finally getting closed down. I never received any inquiry whatsoever. Providence was generous to me.

Hex 12. Wilhelm/Baynes: Standstill . Evil people do not further the perseverance of the superior man. The great departs; the small approaches.

Contexts: 1. If you receive this hexagram and all is well, it remains so for some considerable time. The same is true if there is a problem - you will be stuck with it longer than you might wish. 

This hexagram represents very stable conditions indeed. Nothing will change for quite some time. Whether this is favorable depends; if you are in a comfortable situation, it is favorable; if not, then waiting for things to change may quite test your patience. The part about "evil people" seems to be mistaken, though.

Line 4. Wilhelm/Baynes: He who acts at the command of the highest remains without blame. Those of like mind partake of the blessing.

If you are a person of good character, then to partake in a blessing is without blame. 

Note: I wrote this after the event. At the time of making the prediction, I was only sure that nothing would change in a hurry and there would be no harm done, as I know this line from before.

Are you are planning a trip, event or any other matter that is of short duration? On condition that you promise to send me the result of your actions, I will send a you a free personal prediction.  You make make a prediction online now. 

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Hexagram 5. WAITING. line 5. CANNOT BE REPAIRED!

Hexagram 5 WAITING, line 5 MY IPAD PRO. 

Hex 5 Traditional text

Here I give an example of how similar-sounding lines in the same hexagram may have quite different meanings.

A while ago, I had an iPad Pro that went dead, and I thought it was the battery. I took it to the local Apple repairman, and he also thought this was the problem. A few days later, he told me it was not repairable and had to be trashed. No data could be recovered either.

Wilhelm/Baynes: Waiting. If you are sincere, you will have light and success. Perseverance brings good fortune. It helps one cross the great water.

The hexagram text is not relevant to the 5^th line, as no amount of waiting will bring success.

Line 5: Wilhelm/Baynes: Waiting for meat and drink Perseverance brings good fortune.

It looks reasonably favorable, and one may expect to have to wait for a while before all is well. Since then, I have had more experience and find this line is always a dead end, at least for the particular avenue you are exploring.

Hexagram 5, line 2: Trouble with my Payoneer account

This was a while back when I was on the road. I was using Payoneer to get money into Cambodia from the UK. This is not always easy, as transfer companies do not like Cambodia. I had a payment that got stuck in processing for a week. I consulted the I Ching as I was worried that my account might have been suspended (as happened with PayPal). I asked, "Is my money safe in Payoneer?"

A month passed by, and numerous emails were received with only empty promises that it would get sorted. In the end, the payment was rejected and sent back to the customer. He resented it, and it went through without a problem.

Line 2. Wilhelm/Baynes: Waiting on the sand There is some gossip. The end brings good fortune.

Line 2 represents a delay and inconvenience, but no serious issue. Yet, it sounds less favorable than line 5. Learning these distinctions between I Ching lines is vital. If you wish to help in this great work, please contact me and make some predictions of your own so I can add them to my database.

 Make an instant I Ching Prediction 

Are you are planning a trip, event or any other matter that is of short duration? On condition that you promise to send me the result of your actions, I will send a you a free personal prediction.  You make make a prediction online now. 

Follow the link above. Press the green "GENERATE BUTTON". You will see a new number between 1 and 384 appear above. 

Mail me afriendoverseas@gmail.com or go to the contact box on the side bar of this blog. Enter your question and number you have received. You may add any details of what you are proposing to do as well.

A big thank you to everyone who has clicked on this blog, and I hope you have found this article instructive and enjoyable. With your support, I will continue to post daily. If you follow me at the link below, you will receive updates on all new posts. You will also ensure my enthusiasm to spend time writing and posting is undiminished! 

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Hexagram 44 I CHING POLITIC PREDICTION – THE WAR IN UKRAINE – HEX 44 LINE6

VIDEO VERSION

 

Hexagram 44 I CHING POLITICAL PREDICTION – THE WAR IN UKRAINE – HEX 44 LINE6

Hex 44 traditional text

Political predictions are good practice to make and insightful, but cannot be relied upon, as this post will demonstrate. This one was made back in March 2022, just as the coflict started. I have a fair bit of experience with this hexagram and line, so I was fairly confident about interpreting it.

Hexagram text: Wilhelm/Baynes: Coming to Meet. The maiden is powerful. One should not marry such a maiden. 

A powerful maiden means your enemy is stronger than they appear to be – in this case, Ukraine. As this prediction is from the Russian perspective. Don’t marry, I would interpret as being, one should not treat them as a friend or compromise.

Line 6: Wilhelm/Baynes: He comes to meet with his horns. Humiliation. No blame.

This line refers to aggression, which is normally to be avoided, but sometimes is inevitable. In this hexagram there is always only a limited time window in which to act while the enemy is still not fully prepared. Not something one would wish to do, but handled well, a good measure of success is possible. So, I predicted that Putin would strike hard, fast, and secure his gains. I thought the odds looked good for Russia. He did not do that though; instead, he went in fast, but not hard, and failed to secure enough of the country to call it a victory. Putin underestimated his enemy and did not use a limited time window to full effect. Would that have made a difference? Well, it is hard to say, but it is also hard to see if he could have been worse off than now. He could have certainly seized some more territory, inflicted more damage on the enemy and if he was careful, held on to it. Then he would have been able to negotiate a peace from a position of strength and the whole conflict could have been wrapped up relatively quickly without massive loss of life. At time of writing, there is a bloody stalemate which could go on for a long time – that is more than humiliating for all concerned.  

The I Ching does not predict what will happen, rather it tells what ‘can’ happen, and more importantly what ‘should’ happen. It seems the I Ching was right and the traditional text was not difficult to interpret. However, it was impossible to predict how well Mr. Putin would assess the situation. That was the problem, everything rested on the decisions of one man, and individuals by their very nature are not quite predictable in their actions.  The I Ching read the current situation well and gave advice for the best course of action. That is all it can do.

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Hexagram 35 PROGRESS. line 6 - WRITTEN OFF TWICE!

Hexagram 35 line 6 

I bought an old Mercedes 280 on impulse. It was a bit of a wreck, but I like the older models and the color blue was nice. I thought I might get it restored. It drove quite well and for a month or two, I rode around in it quite happily. Then, one snowy night, returning home late after visiting a nightclub, I had an accident. I was driving through a green light when someone came straight through the red and hit me on my side door. Fortunately, a plain-clothes cop was driving by and saw it all. He took care of all the details for me. The other car was driven by a German who claimed not to understand the road signs. My car was still just about drivable and got me home. The insurance company called it a write off and paid up in full. However, my friend, the mechanic, had it fixed in no time for a modest fee. It was a bit battered looking, but I kept using it while I considered whether it was worth getting a proper job done. A few more months went by then, as I was making a right turn with my indicators on. Someone tried to overtake and again smashed into the driver's door! Once again, the other car was driven by a foreigner who claimed not to understand our way of driving. The car was drivable, but it was a right off. Once again, the insurance company paid out in full. My friend fixed it again! I drove it a bit longer, then sold it at a loss, but with the insurance money, I had made considerably more than I paid for it.

 

Hex 35 Wilhelm/Baynes: Progress . The powerful prince is honored with horses in large numbers. In a single day, he is granted an audience three times.

 

The hexagram text is somewhat overly positive, as only line 3 indicates any real immediate gain. Most of the lines show progress in preparation rather than fulfillment.

 

Line 6 Wilhelm/Baynes: Making progress with the horns is permissible only for the purpose of punishing one's own city. Being conscious of danger brings good fortune. No blame. Perseverance brings humiliation.

 

Looking back, this reading indicates a strange mix of good and ill fortune. . Buying that car was not the most sensible choice, as I could have been injured in either of those crashes, which both hit the driver’s door. So, although not easy to interpret, the traditional text is quite accurate. I got the same reading for Tutsi Gabot leaving the Democratic Party and going independent. She has become a lot less visible, and her status has dropped since then. She had a deal to work with a Republican called Bolduc to get into the Senate, but he lost big time. His campaign got Hex 50 Line 4, which is always bad. She may like a quieter life, though, for all I know.  My take now on the line is, "Acting forcefully (like paying out cash) is only worthwhile if it is something you really need to do. Better to wait for a more suitable opportunity." again,

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Hexagram 4 Youthful Folly line 5. TAKEN FOR A FOOL - I CHING CASEBOOK

Traditional Text Hexagram 4 line 5 – The job interview (a story by A Friend Overseas)

I was teaching ESL online, but my company went bust, so I had to look for another job. This was just after the new Chinese government rules came in and a lot of companies were in trouble, which meant a vast hoard of teachers looking for jobs. I found it difficult to get even an answer, so when I did finally get an interview I was keen to do my best. There were a lot of questions, technical stuff to work through and even though I prepared quite there was a glitch when I came to the big day. The interviewer was  not friendly and did not offer a second chance, just cutting me off. 

Nevertheless, I persevered and persuaded admin to give me another shot. This time I doubled checked everything with even greater care. I did the interview and passed easily. The interviewer then told me about the job. He apologized and said the salary was not what they advertised, in fact it was less than half (it was not high in the first place). In addition, I thought a company that fragrantly misrepresents itself in an ad might not even pay out at all. So, I had to turn it down.

Wilhelm/Baynes: Youthful Folly has success. It is not I who seek the young fool; the young fool seeks me.. Perseverance furthers.

Well, I was taken for a fool and was the seeker, though I was not successful.

Wilhelm/Baynes: line 5. Childlike folly brings good fortune.

I was acting in an innocent manner,  but there was no good fortune here. However, I only lost a bit of time and getting practice with interviews is a good thing in itself. Perseverance furthers. You can’t always get what you want.

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THE I CHING WE READ IS NOT THE TRUE I CHING

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The I Ching we read is not the true I Ching. The true I Ching is not written in words, but in events and actions. The ancients knew this and carefully compared the oracles with what actually occurred. We know people followed and still follow signs and omens in nature and so the I Ching is a way of summoning an omen to order.

In the early days, the I Ching was almost certainly used for hunting on a daily basis. At the end of each day, the hunters would be able to compare their catch and any other events that took place to the oracle they had received that morning. Over the years, they build up a great store of knowledge which probably forms the basis of the written I Ching we use today.

It is time that we reestablished this tried and tested methodology. To do this I am looking for people who are prepared to make predictions about short-term events where the results are definitive and real. Then to let me know the results so I can add them to my database. I already have a large number of stories, but as they all relate to my life, they may not properly represent the experiences of others. In addition, I am old and my life is not that exciting – I don’t do much. I need the stories of those who have more active lives to give good examples. Nevertheless, I will be adding stories from my life to this group so you may see the kind of thing I am trying to achieve.

How much better it would be if instead of merely reading the traditional text and more recent commentaries, one could peruse many real-life examples from the lives of others.

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 HEXAGRAM 1, THE CREATIVE LINE 2 SNITCH!

 

I had been staying in a small, pleasant expat resort. There was a guy called George from California living there too. I knew him a bit; he seemed nice enough, but he was a bit crazy—sort of bipolar crazy. This didn’t seem to be too serious, though. When he told me he was moving into the bungalow next to mine, I casually asked the I Ching about it.

Then he moved in, and things got very strange indeed. He started having massive quarrels on his own. I thought he was raving at someone on the phone at first. Then I realized he was fighting with his Alexa robot player. He yelled vile expletives and threatened to call its supervisors. He accused it of defrauding him and breaching the contract, and this went on for hours. It was getting late, and I went to try to calm him down, and that seemed to work, but later, in the small hours, he started again! This time, when I went over to talk to him, he started attacking me verbally, saying the same things he had said to Alexa.

The final straw came when he threatened to call the police on me, and as I am a weed smoker living in a country with harsh penalties, I took this seriously. He had gone too far, and I got very angry and lectured him harshly on his deplorable behavior. He was shocked by my vehemence and did quiet down for some days. There was one more episode, though. This was basically the same as the last, but this time I put up with it that night and waited to attack until the morning. I wanted to catch him by surprise, and I felt that if I remonstrated with him at night, he would have expected it and would have his guard up. In the morning. I rise early and was wide awake when he was just stumbling out of his room. He launched a volley of moral remonstration at him in his half-awake state, and he was unable to resist. This did the trick, and he completely stopped and lived quietly ever since (over six months). Things were a bit strained for a while, and then we went back to normal neighborly relations without any mention of the trouble before. I think I did him a favor, as if he carried on with that kind of behavior, he would have ended up in an asylum. As it is, he is living peacefully. The trick was giving him a profound shock.

Hexagram text Wilhelm/Baynes: The Creative Works sublime success, furthering through perseverance

Success was achieved with considerable effort, but it required a mixture of patience, action, and restraint. It certainly was not easy at all, though, and in fact, it taxed me to the limit of my ability to deal with it.

Hexagram 54 line 1 – FIGHTING AT A DISADVANTAGE

   

Hexagram 54 line 1 – FIGHTING AT A DISADVANTAGE

This story illustrates an instance where the traditional text worked perfectly.

I was doing a telesales job, selling dubious ad space on yearly ‘official’ Sasco charts (calendars) to big companies for large sums of money. It was well paid, but as it was commission only, it required a great deal of energy; the stuff did not sell itself. Pitching hard all day long built up a ton of adrenalin, and after that, I needed a good workout to sweat it all out. Come five o'clock, I would grab a greasy snack and then go off to the dojo. It was a Kung Fu school—nothing special, quite commercial, but good basic training. I progressed through the colored belts of achievement until I was ready to get my brown. Brown is the first belt you have to fight for—three one-minute rounds with another contender. It is supposed to be 50% contact only, but it gets a bit rougher than that most times, and sometimes a lot rougher.

The bout was set for one Saturday afternoon, but in the morning I was really sick. I had a cold and a really bad headache. I was thinking of canceling, but the oracle looked good, so I went to bed with some painkillers and woke with just enough time to get to the dojo. I still felt awful, but as luck would have it, there were some really cool stimulant pills back then called "Up Time". These contained a generous hit of caffeine blended with herbs, vitamins, and a noticeable amount of cayenne pepper. These things were great and made me feel warm and strong again. Infinitely better than the effect of crap like Red Bull.

The school had two masters, Mr. Chen and Mr. Wu. Mr. Chen was more technical, and his style was less aggressive; I trained with him. Mr. Wu was much more interested in training for fighting contests. The students of Mr. Wu were much meaner and rougher, often sporting tattoos and strange haircuts. It had been decided to pit the two master’s students at this grading. So each student from Mr. Chen had to fight one from Mr. Wu. I watched a few bouts and saw Mr. Chen’s students get knocked around and even fouled without the referee doing anything about it. I guess they had decided we needed toughening up a bit.

My turn came, and my opponent was a lot younger than me, though not as tall. He had tattoos of mean-looking devils and a shaven head. He gave me a fierce glare so tense that I thought his face would crack if he tried to smile. He went into the attack straight after the bell, but I kept him at bay until near the end of the round. Then he gave me a really vicious kick on the thigh that made me limp for a few minutes. Fortunately, the round ended, and I had time to recover. Next round, he was more ferocious than ever, trying to stamp on my feet and kick me in the head (both illegal). I realized that he was faster and stronger than me, and I was not going to be able to defend myself to the end.

Something had to be done. I kept cool and waited for a chance. He came in close, arms on the outside, attempting to punch my floating ribs. His front was unguarded, and by instinct, I gave him an uppercut. It was not that hard, but it shook him up alright, and the ref gave him a standing count of 6 to recover. It was illegal as well, and this time the ref gave me a warning. After that, though his confidence was shot, he was only a kid, really, easily cowed, and would not come in close again. I used my greater reach to control the rest of the fight from a distance, just picking off a few nice shots here and there. I ended up with a narrow points win. My pals were delighted, and other crowd members booed.

After that, home to my Lady Love for a slap-up celebratory dinner! To her disappointment, though, I never took another belt, as black belt requires too much training and I was only trying to keep fit.

Hex 54, traditional text

Wilhelm/Baynes: The Marrying Maiden. Undertakings bring misfortune. Nothing that would further

Sounds gloomy. The consultee is the "maiden," someone who is not in a strong position and must use wiles to prevail.

Wilhelm/Baynes:The Marrying Maiden as a concubine. A lame man who is able to tread. Undertakings bring good fortune.

This is a nice, accurate line. I was the lame man who could walk, and the undertaking did bring good fortune.

 

A DANGEROUS WOMAN. Hexagram 17: Following, line 5.

HEX 17 I Ching: Richard Wilhelm Translation (wisdomportal.com)

A DANGEROUS WOMAN. Hexagram 17: Following, line 5.

Here is another example of why one must be very careful to check the traditional against empirical reality to establish the correct context.

Many years ago, I was staying with a girlfriend who became increasingly irrational and jealous. We had a big row, and she left. I was glad to see the back of her, as she was getting positively dangerous. I didn’t expect her to return. The place I was staying was chosen by her, and it was a bad choice. I decided to move. I consulted the I Ching about renting a house not too far away. I received hex 17: line 5 and thought that was good. I knew that it was a pleasant place and owned by a nice family.

I stayed there happily for a couple of months, and then my ex turned up and forced her way into my house. She said she had been searching for me for some time and had been asking around until she found me.  She was worse than ever; she threatened me and actually threw some solvent in my face, which caused a rash and made my eyes sore. She refused to leave, and as I did not want to get into a messy fight with her, I had to wait till she went to sleep and sneak out with just what I could carry of my possessions. If I moved to another city altogether. I could easily have moved somewhere further off in the first place and saved myself this unpleasantness.

Analysis

The Judgment Wilhelm/Baynes: Following has supreme success. Perseverance furthers. No blame

°Nine in the fifth place means: Sincere in the good. Good fortune. Every man must have something he follows— something that serves him as a lodestar. He who follows with conviction the beautiful and the good may feel himself strengthened by this saying.

My interpretation.

When you receive this oracle, it usually means you are about to make a bad choice. However, you have the power to make a better one and should do so. 

If you follow the course you planned, all will go well for a while, but then a serious problem will arise. 

Especially avoid apparently easy options. You should consider the long-term benefit rather than to short-term expedience.

The traditional text is correct except by omission. The subject has the power to accomplish something good. They should show due diligence and follow the right course; that is perfectly correct. What it omits is that the path the consultee has initially chosen to follow is incorrect and will lead to misfortune.

As with many of the hexagrams, the truth is easy to see once you know the empirical meaning. Trying to do it the other way around by seeking the truth in the text before knowing the practical meaning is impossible. I know this for sure because I banged my head against this particular wall for decades!

These examples show that whoever wrote the I Ching in the first place knew very well what they were doing. Over time and for all manner of reasons, the truth of the matter has been corrupted or lost. This is not surprising, as you can see, and to this day, no one takes the trouble to check the meanings against reality.

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SEE ALSO THAILAND, A DANGEROUS WOMAN

Hexagram 23: Splitting Apart, line 4. The Bike That Would Not Die!

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Hexagram 23: Splitting Apart, line 4. 

The Bike That Would Not Die!

This story demonstrates that following the traditional text of the I Ching at face value is not always a great idea. It also shows the danger of self-fulfilling predictions.

 

I am the proud owner of an ancient and rather decrepit Vietnamese motorbike. It is so old that it might have been used in the war with the USA, and who knows? Maybe even Uncle Ho himself has ridden it. 

 

This once-fine machine was given to me by a cool young Englishman who was returning home after his extensive travels and couldn’t find a buyer. Third gear did not work, and as it only has three gears, this means you have to grind around in second all the time—not good. However, I got the gears fixed for 30 dollars, and I rode it for a couple of years without much need for further repair.

Then the starter motor started to play up. I took it to various mechanics, who each tried different things. They changed lots of parts, which I had to pay for, but the problem only got worse, and eventually even the kickstart became impossible to use. The bike could not be ridden. My Cambodian friends said I was wasting my money and I should dump it and buy another one. On the face of it, I had to agree, but funds were short, so I decided to consult the I Ching. I asked if I should try to get it fixed. I received Hexagram 23. Splitting Apart Line 4. This is rated as one of the worst lines in the I Ching, and given that my rational opinion agreed with the hopelessness of the situation, I would most likely have abandoned the effort. However, I know this line quite well, and it is not necessarily a bad prediction at all. So, I was encouraged to take the bike back to one of the better mechanics.

He was also of the opinion that I was wasting my money. He said the bike was too old, and he didn’t want to work on it at all. He said I would probably complain if, as he thought most likely, he failed to get it working, and he didn’t want trouble with customers. However, I prevailed upon him to try, and he reluctantly agreed. He worked on it all that day. When I saw him the next day, the engine was in pieces, and he was covered with grime, sweating heavily, and in a foul mood.

On the third day, however, he was smiling and held aloft the miscreant part triumphantly. He had finally found what was wrong—something that was unusual, which was why no one else had found it before. The part was quite expensive, but he did the work very cheaply, as I am a regular customer. All in all, a good deal, about 25 dollars. The starter and kick worked perfectly. That was months ago, and there have been no more problems! I am very short of cash, and having to buy another bike would have dangerously strained my resources.

Hexagram 23

Hexagram 23 Splitting Apart. It does not further one to go anywhere. Wilhelm/Baynes:

This hexagram is powerful and may have long-lasting implications. It has two meanings, according to the context of the question. If you are asking about starting something new, then it is most unfavorable. Not only will the project fail, but the resources you devote to it will undermine your ability to do what needs to be done, and you may lose your path altogether. This meaning is pretty much the ‘face value’ of the traditional text.

However, if you are asking about an ongoing situation, it means that although things are bad now, yet, if you are patient and persist in what you are doing, fate will soon change and be in your favor. In this case, I was asking about something that was ongoing, so I chose the later meaning.

Line 4:  Six in the fourth place means: The bed is split up to the skin. Misfortune.

Here the disaster affects not only the resting place but even the occupant. No warning or other comment is added. Misfortune has reached its peak: it can no longer be warded off.

In this hexagram, the 4^th line is rated as highly unfavorable; however, in my experience, it means that things have gotten really bad, but the tipping point is near. If you hold on to your path and make a little more effort, fate will turn in your favor. If, on the other hand, you try to change tack and move in a new direction, you will experience misfortune. This line illustrates the common problem with I Ching predictions: getting the context right. If I had been asking about buying another bike, it would have been most unfavorable.

This story also shows the danger of misinterpreted, unfavorable predictions becoming ‘self-fulfilling’. Someone receiving this oracle and taking the traditional text at face value would probably give up in despair. They might let things slip and wait passively for things to improve. Act like this, and they have to wait a long time. Keep on steadily, and all will be well relatively soon.

 

Question? 

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Follow the link above. Press the green "GENERATE BUTTON". You will see a new number between 1 and 384 appear above. 

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I Ching casebook - HEXAGRAM 29 LINE 4 - MOVING TO CAMBODIA

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HEXAGRAM 29 LINE 4 - MOVING TO CAMBODIA

I had been working as an ESL teacher in Laos for a year. It was a very tough assignment, as the school was something of a sin bin. As long as the parents paid up, all manner of bad behavior was tolerated. A common answer when asking the class where someone was was "jumped the wall," meaning they had done just that. I remember walking into class after lunch one day to see four boys gambling with their shirts off. There were girls asleep on desks put together and covered with blankets. One girl was perched on a bench with her shirt rolled, showing off her panties. I told them what class it was supposed to be, but a boy just said, "Teacher no." in a nonchalant but firm manner. I went down to the principal’s office and told him. He said not to worry; he would talk to them, and he strolled off to the class room. He said a few words, and then all the class got up and went to the restaurant, where they snacked away happily. The principle’s wife ran the restaurant, so she was happy. He told me to take a break. To be fair, the kids were not in any way hostile toward me, and I would often see them drinking beer in the evenings and sometimes join them for one.

Then came the end of spring term, and the exams were finished. I was expecting there to be a summer school opening in June to take me through until next school year. However, this was not to be, as due to a lack of students, summer school was cancelled. Furthermore, there was no guarantee my contract would be renewed, as they could replace me with a cheaper teacher, perhaps a Filipino. I had been living in the dilapidated school free apartment and needed another place to stay. I looked at rents, and they were too high. I decided to move to Cambodia, as rents were lower and visas were easier. The oracle was not that great, but I decided it was worth the risk and left in a considerable hurry.

I flew from Laos to Siem Reap, the holy city and home of the Anchor Wat temple complex. I knew one guy there, so that was something. It was not easy, though, as I was down to my last three hundred dollars by the time I had found an apartment, and I paid for expensive wi-fi. My luck held, and I got a good online position soon after. I have been here ever since. I have had my share of problems, but nothing one might not expect anywhere in the world. So, all in all, it was a risky undertaking and physically and psychologically taxing, but worth it in the end.

Hex 29 full traditional text

Wilhelm/Baynes:The Abysmal repeated. If you are sincere, you have success in your heart, and whatever you do succeeds.

Wilhelm/Baynes: A jug of wine, a bowl of rice with it; earthen vessels simply handed in through the window. There is certainly no blame in this.

This oracle is pretty accurate. I already knew this oracle and was not surprised by the outcome. The traditional text is pretty true to life. I was in trouble (abyss) and had to face another abyss to get out of it. The success was modest, I got what I needed, no more, no less. I would not like to follow this path without a good reason, though, and would normally look for an easier way to proceed.

I CHING - THE VOICE OF MOTHER RANDOM

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I CHING, THE VOICE OF MOTHER RANDOM

Of all things, Mother Random is the oldest, most powerful, for she is the mother of all creation.  She is with each of us for every second of our existence. She knows our actions and intimate feelings, but she cannot read our minds any more than we can understand hers with our interlect. She is the womb of all creation, and her children, Yin and Yang, are the creators of all that exists, will exist, or could exist. From the subtle marriage of Yin and Yang comes life, the source of life, the first drop of blood, was made from this union. Each of us is directly linked by an unbroken blood line to this first drop.

This is the true cosmology that you can see with your eyes and feel in your heart. The God and gods people worship are but projections of our own nature. Mother Random can never be angry, Yin is never jealous of Yang, and Yang is not proud and does not seek to be all powerful. Neither Mother Random nor Yin and Yang require servants, and they wish that all living beings be equal partners in the great work of ever evolving consciousness. Mother Random gives opportunities, not orders to be obeyed. To be in touch with Mother Random and to joyfully participate in ever expanding creation is the highest thing a human can aspire to.

Mother Random cannot be understood intellectually because she has no thoughts, and deals exclusively in actions. Mother Random writes in blood, not ink. The traditional I Ching is not the true I Ching, but only an attempt to explain in words what can only be revealed in action. Likewise, the true I Ching is written in actions, not words, and only exists in the experiences that arise after consulting the oracle lines. Books on the I Ching never deal with this, only containing written predictions and rarely, if ever, mentioning the actual effects that the oracles produce. This is like writing formulas without experiments. The only way to reach the true I Ching is by examining the effects before trying to establish their  cause. Observation must always come before theory in any worthwhile discipline.

This is why I have chosen to write I Ching Traveler’s Tales. By comparing the real life experiences of diverse people in diverse situations, we may then be able to find a common thread that binds these experiences together. I believe this is the only way to find the true I Ching and establish a constructive link to Mother Random. I hope you will consider what I say, and then perhaps consider becoming a partner with me and Mother Random in the great work of finding the correct way for us all to live. 

On each of us, Mother Random bestows the gift of individuality, and even clones can never be identical, as no two things can ever be identical, as random factors cannot be excluded from any creation. In return for this gift, we should strive to become like the animals and plants, who all give more to life than they take. What do we humans have to offer? We have great emotional energy, which, when it is positive, brings bounty and good fortune to all around. That this natural enthusiasm has become clouded by greed, and anger is the reason for the decline of civilization we so clearly see in the world today.,