Making Decisions through the I-Ching

[Charbel]

I personally use the i-ching a lot in making some important decisions in my life. It has almost always offered me a valuable and deeper perspective into my predicament and helped me make better choices. How about you?

[Christopher]

I, too, am a devotee of the I Ching, and have been reading/using it for over 35 years. It's an amazing book of wisdom, and it always tells the truth! In particular I like the Taoist world view it is based upon -- auspicious/inauspicious, flowing with the tao, free choice rather than fate.

[withdrawn]

This has been my secret vice since the early 1970's.

I use the yarrow stalk (except that I've substituted match sticks for the stalks) method because it slows me down and makes me focus on the question over the rather hypnotic process. By the time that I have read all of the lines and the commentaries, I have a pretty good idea as to what I really want. A great way to slow down the synapses so as to sort out the emotions. I then go with the flow of my own thoughts as they appear in the greater flow of the world.

I use it less these days as my important decisions are fewer as I age. Guess I'm slowing down.

[Tom]

I've also been using the iChing for 35 years. I would never use it to make a decision for me, but I use it as a guide. I believe it tells us things we already know, but don't really want to hear. HA! That old inner voice... I've found it to be very accurate in what it says. Again, as a counselor, not a CEO.

[Charles]

I actually took a course in the I CHING from a renowned Chinese professor when I was in college. I was miserable at the time but had invested two years. Changing my major and transferring to another school seemed like an insane thing to do. I couldn't make a decision. So I consulted the I, which gave me the hexagram of the Young Fool - a bad beginning has been made which can only lead to a bad end; in order to get to a good end you have to make a new beginning. I did and never regretted plunging into the abyss. But I never could have made the decision by myself.

Of course the next time, stumped and beside myself I earnestly consulted the I it answered with complete gibberish.

[Dolores]

I only use the I Ching if I am stumped and feel I need some kind of help immediately. I have had the Ching in my possession since the late 1960s, not as long as my bible, or a few other books. The structure and words work for me and I don't question why, but, I don't take those words literally. The beauty of the book is that it leaves room for you to find your own way through the woods on a gentle breeze. It's like surfing a wave or dancing to a beat. It just works naturally if you can handle going with the flow and trust yourself. I don't think people need to discuss the Ching more than they might want to just say it works or it doesn't work.

[Jorjun]

I Ching, used sparingly, offers a tremendously effective way to gain further insight into certain types of problem. It's really quite astounding that it works, but divination and human beings go back such a long way. There's no reason why modernity has precluded the need for this method of introspection. The first time I used the Book was fairly casual. But the answer given made me sit up and take notice. And I have been respectful ever since. Other people have testified something similar, a relationship with the oracle can grow over time. Divination is actually a skill that requires practice: in both framing the question & in being penetratingly honest when it comes to analysing the answer given. I use a coin method - special coins made from pewter that I commissioned, so that I need only to fetch two from a pouch. And boom. Done. Ruthlessly efficient .... ;) Which reminds me I need to make another version of my software application to perform the same function... (macYiKing) originally written in 2002. And now lost.