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The Taoist I Ching
The I Ching , or "Book of Change," is considered the oldest of the Chinese classics and has throughout history commanded unsurpassed prestige and popularity. Containing several layers of text and given numerous levels of interpretation, it has captured continuous attention for well over two thousand years. It has been considered a book of fundamental principles by philosophers, politicians, mystics, alchemists, yogins, diviners, sorcerers, and more recently by scientists and mathematicians.
This first part of the present volume is the text of the I Ching proper—the sixty-four hexagrams plus sayings on the hexagrams and their lines—with the commentary composed by Liu I-ming, a Taoist adept, in 1796. The second part is Liu I-ming's commentary on the two sections added to the I Ching by earlier commentators, believed to be members of the original Confucian school; these two sections are known as the Overall Images and the Mixed Hexagrams. In total, the book illuminates the Taoist inner teachings as practiced in the School of Complete Reality.
Well versed in Buddhism and Confucianism as well as Taoism, Liu I-ming intended his work to be read as a guide to comprehensive self-realization while living an ordinary life in the world. In his attempt to lift the veil of mystery from the esoteric language of the I Ching , he employs the terminology of psychology, sociology, history, myth, and religion. This commentary on the I Ching stands as a major contribution to the elucidation of Chinese spiritual genius.
This first part of the present volume is the text of the I Ching proper—the sixty-four hexagrams plus sayings on the hexagrams and their lines—with the commentary composed by Liu I-ming, a Taoist adept, in 1796. The second part is Liu I-ming's commentary on the two sections added to the I Ching by earlier commentators, believed to be members of the original Confucian school; these two sections are known as the Overall Images and the Mixed Hexagrams. In total, the book illuminates the Taoist inner teachings as practiced in the School of Complete Reality.
Well versed in Buddhism and Confucianism as well as Taoism, Liu I-ming intended his work to be read as a guide to comprehensive self-realization while living an ordinary life in the world. In his attempt to lift the veil of mystery from the esoteric language of the I Ching , he employs the terminology of psychology, sociology, history, myth, and religion. This commentary on the I Ching stands as a major contribution to the elucidation of Chinese spiritual genius.
352 pages, Paperback
First published September 10, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 19, 2008
I have (and do use) many versions of the I Ching, but if I could only have one I would choose this one. The translation is by Thomas Cleary with commentary by the Taoist adept Liu I-ming. Unlike many other translations that seem to focus on external success, prosperity, etc., the emphasis here is on internal cultivation of consciousness.
June 5, 2011
It took me a long while to finish this book, but I don't think it was because it was "bad" really. It really gave me perspective I found. Personally, I learned a lot about the way you think and act, which I tried to apply to myself. This book really made me want to step outside of my body and look at myself as someone else, which really made me consider the way I behave and kind of who I was.
It may look like just a bunch of random mumbo-jumbo sentences that don't really tell you anything, but they're so full of wisdom I found myself wanting to better who I was from these pieces of advice or knowledge.
I really enjoyed this book, although it's not much of a page turner. I found it more of a postive ego reducer. Something that grounded me and gave me advise and let me either take it or leave it while showing you the balance you need in your life; Hence Ying and Yang.
I found it VERY interesting and would highly recommend it if A) You love learning about Philosophy or ways of thinking/changing through another cultures perspective or B) You maybe want to change yourself or at least see another way of thinking using the advice from one of the most studied books in the world.
It may look like just a bunch of random mumbo-jumbo sentences that don't really tell you anything, but they're so full of wisdom I found myself wanting to better who I was from these pieces of advice or knowledge.
I really enjoyed this book, although it's not much of a page turner. I found it more of a postive ego reducer. Something that grounded me and gave me advise and let me either take it or leave it while showing you the balance you need in your life; Hence Ying and Yang.
I found it VERY interesting and would highly recommend it if A) You love learning about Philosophy or ways of thinking/changing through another cultures perspective or B) You maybe want to change yourself or at least see another way of thinking using the advice from one of the most studied books in the world.
August 23, 2021
Given the antiquity and significance of this ancient Chinese classic, it would seem almost arrogant to even attempt to review this work. My 5 star rating signifies more the reverence I am compelled to express for such a profoundly influential text as this than my own critical evaluation. Instead, I would prefer to offer some of my own thoughts and personal experience coming to and now reading and engaging with this great work.
Before I even begin I should firstly assert that I am far from an authority on Chinese history or literature and really come to this work as a relative new-comer. I have always been intrigued by Chinese history, however, and thought the I Ching, which clearly underpins much Chinese literature and philosophy was as good a place to start as I could reckon.
I began, as suggested, by reading through the main text and Liu Yiming’s explanations from beginning to end, considering as I did so, the imagery associated with each hexagram and how his explanations related back to that. I did not try to read through in one go, but paced myself by reading only one hexagram at a time and spaced this out between my reading of other books. This, I feel, allowed me the time and space to ponder and reflect on what I read as I went along.
The I Ching teaches us, among other things, age old lessons relating to our spiritual and practical life, whilst emphasising the importance of patience, flexibility, humility and sincerity. There is something universal and almost obvious in the instruction embodied in all 64 hexagrams, each a lesson about the importance of stopping and considering the choices we make in our own lives and how those choices can benefit us and those around us, helping us evolve, or leading us into peril.
Now I have finished my initial reading of the text, I look forward to referring back to this and delving deeper into the ancient insights it offers by further readings and using it to aid in my own personal reflection and with regard to significant matters in my own personal life and journey.
Before I even begin I should firstly assert that I am far from an authority on Chinese history or literature and really come to this work as a relative new-comer. I have always been intrigued by Chinese history, however, and thought the I Ching, which clearly underpins much Chinese literature and philosophy was as good a place to start as I could reckon.
I began, as suggested, by reading through the main text and Liu Yiming’s explanations from beginning to end, considering as I did so, the imagery associated with each hexagram and how his explanations related back to that. I did not try to read through in one go, but paced myself by reading only one hexagram at a time and spaced this out between my reading of other books. This, I feel, allowed me the time and space to ponder and reflect on what I read as I went along.
The I Ching teaches us, among other things, age old lessons relating to our spiritual and practical life, whilst emphasising the importance of patience, flexibility, humility and sincerity. There is something universal and almost obvious in the instruction embodied in all 64 hexagrams, each a lesson about the importance of stopping and considering the choices we make in our own lives and how those choices can benefit us and those around us, helping us evolve, or leading us into peril.
Now I have finished my initial reading of the text, I look forward to referring back to this and delving deeper into the ancient insights it offers by further readings and using it to aid in my own personal reflection and with regard to significant matters in my own personal life and journey.
October 17, 2016
A book that has generated in me an intense amount of interest in spiritual alchemy. It's been a door of sorts that I've been meaning to open for awhile now, and as long as I give my attention to it and the universe of thought that surrounds it, I think it will be the basis for an understanding or interpretation of this human experience that absolutely fascinates me. I've wanted to be a wizard since I was a boy, this book represents the first tangible piece of proof for me that sorcery, alchemy, and wizardry are still very much alive and well for those who are willing to submit themselves to learning the practices.
July 22, 2009
i am normally averse to thomas cleary's translations. this one didnt bother me too much. its an interesting book - a "taoist" interpretation of the i ching, but "taoist" means different things to different people. well set in a yang, fire-oriented tradition. the water method suits me better, so this book is a little off on that score, but i still found it an incredibly interesting read. a good supplementary text for the i ching student.
March 5, 2016
I had not thrown the I Ching since my hippy youth, when it was done with friends and read like Tarot cards, a magical oracle of the hidden present and future. This book provides a more detailed, and much more complex portrayal of the ancient texts. I Ching/Book of Changes is not an oracle, but rather a mathematically-based method of providing perspective based on the philosophy of the ever-shifting Yin and Yang in daily life.The I Ching is based on The Taoism of Reality. For about 20 years I have been reading my favorite translation of The Tao Te Ching, The Book of The Way, one verse every evening. After reading and contemplating all 81 of the teachings, I begin again. It's verses inform and pervade my daily life. If I were to begin seriously to use the I Ching, I would need to own this book, and spend a lot more time in contemplation. Maybe one day. Worth the read for the explanation and history of something thought of as a "gimmick" of my youth.
February 12, 2014
This only applies to this particular version of the book. Would give this a different rating but for starters it's very convoluted as far as the introduction goes. Then, as far as how to use the book, the structure is not ideal. So as the reader you're never sure where the text is going or if there's something you missed because the introduction meanders and isn't presented clearly. The actual text (books 1 and 2) is fine and serves its purpose.
December 22, 2018
This translation by Thomas Cleary is very different than the usual I Ching translations. It offers a decidedly Daoist point of view to the classic. Good comparative read for the student of the I Ching.
April 13, 2020
This book is incredibile
December 7, 2025
The I Ching is seen as the oldest Chinese classic.
Thomas Cleary provides a masterful translation of the I Ching and includes commentary from Liu I-ming, a Taoist adept.
Highly recommended!
Thomas Cleary provides a masterful translation of the I Ching and includes commentary from Liu I-ming, a Taoist adept.
Highly recommended!
December 12, 2022
If you like the I Ching, and you can hang with Taoism, then this is the edition and version for you. It's nebulous enough at you can just read it, and the instructions are reasonable enough that you can work it.
December 27, 2025
I had studied in Tao in a college world religions course so I thought I would be good at jumping into this. Nope, I am not the demographic. This book almost took me down but "Perseverance brings good fortune" (or "furthers")" with Calm Progress.
May 31, 2008
Thomas Cleary has a great way with words and is insightful to the movement which the I Ching provides, action or non-action. Knowing changes everything.
Want to read
February 7, 2010Ideograms from the I Ching appear in the DHARMA logos.
May 17, 2012
These are the recipes, if you can read them.
June 29, 2014
Very good book on Change. However, the commentary and writing are a bit difficult.
November 30, 2016
An open mind is needed for this and watch magic happen.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews