Establishing a Sincere I Ching Practice

The I Ching is a deep source of wisdom which allows us to access higher guidance. It can be a pathway to change and evolution. Through our interaction with its guidance, we can be freed from one state of consciousness into a more expansive one, and thus gain a deeper understanding of ourselves.

As we establish our practice, we will be building a relationship with the I Ching, which will respond to our level of seriousness and sincerity. Experience has shown us that how we approach and react to the I Ching reflects how we approach and react to life. Some aspects of cultivating the correct approach to this ancient text include:

• Receptivity – being willing to accept its guidance which may go against our compelling desires or certainties; a commitment to accept our answers and work with them, vs. using it provisionally based on how we like the answer.
• Patience – Sometimes an answer will appear crystal clear to us; other times we may need to brood over it or allow experience to show us what we need to see. This process of learning requires patience for understandings to print through to our consciousness over time.
• Clarity – The I Ching reflects our minds. A calm and clear mind will evoke the most trusted response; a mind agitated by emotions creates a clouded state of mind which will likely yield a cloudy answer. It is best to ground ourselves and calm our mind by allowing our emotional reactivities or impulses to subside before making our inquiry.
• Precision – Writing down our question helps us clarify exactly what we are asking. The I Ching responds to our objective mind which we engage as we focus on what we wish to address. More discussion on asking questions of the I Ching can be found below under “Formulating Questions.”
• Reflection – We may find it useful to document our shifts of growth in consciousness through writing about our daily practice. Reflecting upon how the guidance we received has played out allows us to see patterns over time and therefore increases awareness about our inner dynamics. Applying this objectivity will in turn have a positive effect upon our practice, including formulating effective questions.
• Motivation – What is our purpose in consulting the I Ching? An “examination of motivation” is one of the most powerful tools for change; it can unearth for us hidden or unconscious dynamics that are at play in our inner and outer lives, including our relationships. We can be shown “what we are up to” not only in the asking of the question but in our reaction to the answer as well. This could provide us with a focus for change.

Our motivation for receiving guidance may be pure and simple, but often we have hidden agendas – and it could be a mixture of both. Below are examples of motives which could be at play:

• The desire for a specific answer. Do we twist the answer to suit us, ask repeatedly until we get the answer we want, or justify rejecting the answer?
• Looking for a quick fix to a problem or situation from an impulsive, demanding state of mind
• Seeking permission to do something, or not do something, that counters our own inner guidance.
• Avoiding learning from experience or failure, therefore asking the I Ching to make our decisions for us
• Using it as a fortune teller – will I get what I want, looking for what is in my future that is favorable, etc.
• Seeking reassurance, to pacify an emotion when we need to let time and consciousness do their inner work.

Our mixed motivations, such as those above, can lead to answers that do not make sense or actually guide us astray. When we accurately discern our motivations, we can make enlightened choices rather than being driven by unconscious forces. This will strengthen our relationship to the I Ching, resulting in increasingly clear guidance.

Formulating a Question

The above qualities play a large part in establishing a respectful relationship with the I Ching. Our mental and emotional state will color our questions, the answers, and our responses to the guidance given.

What is our inner state?

Asking from anxiety or the need for reassurance should be avoided. The I Ching was not designed to pander to our worries. Consider confronting our state of anxiety or fear and ask for guidance with that, i.e. “What can I see about my anxiety?”

• When we are anxious or confused about formulating a question, it may be masking a skewed motivation. Take the time and put in the effort to clarify before asking. The section above offers questions to aid in this process.
• With a calm mind, determine exactly what we wish to ask guidance for. Writing down our question is an excellent practice; it helps to sharpen our focus and purify inner intentions.

Cause/effect Questions

The I Ching is a tool for understanding cause and effect. It is meant to foster independent thinking, not a dependency on making our decisions. Rather than asking yes/no questions, we are encouraged to ask if/then questions and to reflect upon the answers. We should only ask for outcomes when they are dependent upon our actions.

• • “If I do x, what will be the outcome?”
  • “If I take this job, what will be the outcome?”

Daily Guidance

Establishing a daily practice of asking for and reflecting upon guidance is a powerful tool for change. We are given a picture of the energies and forces at play in ourselves and/or our environment for that day. This will often bring unconscious dynamics to light, or give us warnings, and therefore allow us to make more enlightened choices.

• • “Guidance for today”
  • “What should I be aware of today?”

Questions about Dynamics

We may wish to understand a situation or the dynamics of ourselves or another person more clearly. The I Ching is not a resource for mere curiosity; sincerity and clarified motivation are important here.

• • “What can I see about x?”
  • “What can be known about this (situation or person)?”
  • As noted above: “What can I see about my anxiety (or other dynamic)?”