I Ching or Book of Changes

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This complete two volume set is the very first English-language translation of the Chinese classic text The I Ching, attributed to Fu Xi. His punishment is the wooden cangue, and his ears disappear under it—that is to say, he is deaf to warnings. Until that time, he should turn to God, firm in his inner composure, and pray and offer sacrifice for the general well–being. The fire, whose light illuminates the mountain and makes it pleasing, does not shine far; in the same way, beautiful form suffices to brighten and to throw light upon matters of lesser moment, but important questions cannot be decided in this way.

Through contemplation of the forms existing in human society it becomes possible to shape the world. The hexagram is linked with the fifth month [June–July], because at the summer solstice the principle of darkness gradually becomes ascendant again. You can change your choices at any time by visiting Cookie preferences, as described in the Cookie notice. Small wonder then that both ofthe two branches of Chinese philosophy, Confucianism and Taoism,have their common roots here.But everything depends on his not letting unexpected good fortune make him heedless; he must make it his own through inner strength and steadfastness. When we are in danger we ought not to attempt to get out of it immediately, regardless of circumstances; at first we must content ourselves with not being overcome by it.

Nonetheless, the shock causes no loss, because one takes care to stay in the center of movement and in this way to be spared the fate of being helplessly tossed hither and thither. He attains a station in which he can prove himself fruitful in accomplishment, and as a result he gains recognition.

But they are in a large group, by which they allow themselves to be influenced, so that they waver in their decision. A man brings about real increase by producing in himself the conditions for it, that is, through receptivity to and love of the good. However men may differ in disposition and in education, the foundations of human nature are the same in everyone. While all others are engaged in a resolute fight against all that is inferior, he alone has a certain relationship with an inferior man. To plunge blindly ahead is wrong, because it is precisely at the beginning that an unexpected setback can have the most disastrous results.

God comes forth in the sign of the Arousing”: when in the spring the life forces stir again, all things comes into being anew.

While Buddhism strives for rest through an ebbing away of all movement in nirvana, the Book of Changes holds that rest is merely a state of polarity that always posits movement as its complement. Through friendly relations with people of lower rank, a responsible man succeeds in becoming master of the situation. A man is in a society composed of inferior people, but is connected spiritually with a strong and good friend, and this makes him turn back alone. He no longer sees in it the struggle and tumult of individual beings, and therefore he has that true peace of mind which is needed for understanding the great laws of the universe and for acting in harmony with them. But this a man can do only when he himself is not yet infected by the agitation, although its disastrous effects are already visible in those around him.

Such a man is in harmony with heaven; therefore even great and difficult undertakings, such as crossing the great water, succeed. The way to study the past is not to confine oneself to mere knowledge of history but, through application of this knowledge, to give actuality to the past. It can also be read as a book of wisdom revealing the laws of life to which we must all attune ourselves if we are to live in peace and harmony.Times of adversity are the reverse of times of success, but they can lead to success if they befall the right man. If one tries to induce calmness by means of artificial rigidity, meditation will lead to very unwholesome results.