A Guide to the I Ching Quotes

“When an individual develops his heaven nature, he shines like the sun. Such a person keeps conscious of, and clings to, what is good and great within himself.”
― Carol K. Anthony, A Guide to the I Ching

“Throughout the I Ching there is mention of following, being led, and clinging. There are also warnings against the misuse of power, and of acting on our own. The impression we get from this advice is that the I Ching presents a passive approach to life. This is not true. When we are faced with a situation in which the I Ching calls for retreat, holding fast, and not acting, it refers to all these things in a moving time frame. We are meant to stop at the moment, retreat momentarily, hold fast and not act, until the right moment arrives to move ahead. It is not a static, permanent counsel to quit. When does the right moment arrive to move ahead? When we have perceived the inner truth of the situation with clarity, when we have become emotionally detached, and when we have become independent in our inner attitude, yet firm in recognizing what is correct. Then we are able to seize the opportunities presented by the moment, and move ahead appropriately. If we are able to keep our attitude modest and sincere when we act, we will achieve maximum progress. We need, however, to be able to retreat the moment the opening begins to close. If we fail to disengage in time, our good effect will be diminished. Acting from inner independence is different from acting from egotistical enthusiasm. The ego would dazzle us with its “comprehensive” solutions. It is good at insinuating itself into the role of savior with clever, airtight remedies, and it is good at acting detached. That is why the I Ching counsels “hesitating caution.” Caution keeps the ego at a distance. If we move ahead without having put ourselves into a correct relationship to the situation, we fall victim to arrogance. In order to be led, we need to be open and alert. Even though we develop a firm knowledge of I Ching principles, we should avoid taking inflexible positions. A situation may be full of ambiguity until we see how to relate to the matter without compromising ourselves. When we do not yet understand a new lesson, it is important to allow ourselves to be led without resistance through the developing situation. We keep asking, inwardly, what we need to do to relate correctly to the moment. Often, we need only wait in a neutral but alert frame of mind, like an actor in the wings awaiting his cue. He listens within, he feels the action going on, and when he moment arrives, he fulfills his role.”
― Carol K. Anthony, A Guide to the I Ching

“In retreating we cling to simplicity (recognition and acceptance of being powerless), sincerity, and serenity, and to the power of truth to correct the situation. Thus, we retain our inner independence, preserve the power of our personality, and are able to go on our way without any loss of self.”
― Carol K. Anthony, A Guide to the I Ching

“The correct time to retreat comes when we begin to lose our inner equilibrium and serenity—when we begin to feel enthusiasm, desire, or ambition, or when others are no longer receptive, or when their delicacy of feeling wanes. Likewise, we retreat when we begin to be attacked by doubt and negation, or when our actions no longer yield progress. If we have enough humility we will be able to observe these times and withdraw, not in disappointment, but in the realization that times of influence are always brief.”
― Carol K. Anthony, A Guide to the I Ching

“the path is more important than the goal,”
― Carol K. Anthony, A Guide to the I Ching

“Indeed, the goal is only to follow the path, for there is no “there” to get to; there is only the path, and the job of treading upon it as well as we can.”
― Carol K. Anthony, A Guide to the I Ching

“We gather others to follow the good when our knowledge of the way is so strong that doubt can no longer invade our inner serenity; when we no longer feel any need to convince, contend with, or woo people; when we no longer try to employ giant steps or to skip steps in order to make swift progress; when we no longer try to achieve something without working for it.”
― Carol K. Anthony, A Guide to the I Ching

“Reverence for the ancestors refers to a thoughtful regard for the many people, famous and unknown, who have preceded us on the spiritual path. They were no better equipped than we are; they experienced the same trials and tribulations we experience. Attaining a certain enlightenment, they resisted adopting images of themselves as enlightened; they simply persevered and were faithful to the end. Through reflecting on their perseverance and patience, we are helped to keep steady on our path, and to bridge the chasm of our fears. We honor them when we correct our attitude and return to the true and the good within ourselves”
― Carol K. Anthony, A Guide to the I Ching

“Caught between fear and doubt, we contend with Fate and resist it, fearing that without renewed effort, or a change of course to find an easier way, we will be stuck in the losing position.”
― Carol K. Anthony, A Guide to the I Ching

“To flow with time, to accept life modestly as it comes, to seek only to be sincere in one’s way of life and true to oneself—this is the way of the Tao.”
― Carol K. Anthony, A Guide to the I Ching

“The path of self-development presents us with necessary periods of isolation from others. Later the isolation ends and we are put to use by the Cosmos. Thus, life seems to be an anvil, Fate a hammer for shaping our spiritual awareness.”
― Carol K. Anthony, A Guide to the I Ching

“The goal is to follow the path with patient, modest acceptance. Indeed, the goal is only to follow the path, for there is no “there” to get to; there is only the path, and the job of treading upon it as well as we can.”
― Carol K. Anthony, A Guide to the I Ching

“The I Ching guides us through the hidden world that parallels and mirrors our external life, a world that may be seen in meditation, and sometimes in dreams. Receiving the hexagram means that we should develop ourselves through making a keener effort to understand the fundamentals of human behavior. Above all we must not remain locked in the conventional view of the way things work.”
― Carol K. Anthony, A Guide to the I Ching