Intoduction to the I Ching - Tony Crisp

A young man, Len, in his early twenties had missed out on a lot of schooling through suffering clinical depression in his teens. He was no longer clinically depressed but had developed a largely introverted life during the difficult years. He was now considering applying for university entrance to study Japanese. He wanted to know what would be the likely outcome if he tried that direction, along with the required entrance exam.

The question asked for this enquiry was "Will I secure a place at Durham University? The resulting hexagram was number 14 - Ta Yu - Great Assets. Lines 4 and 6 - counting from the bottom were changing lines, which created the transformed hexagram of number 11 - Tai - Peace.

Hexagram Fourteen

Ta Yu (Pro: Dah You) - Great Assets

Through the employment of modesty and the absence of self centredness you succeed.

Though not proclaiming personal value loudly, there is a treasure of abilities and resources.

There is harmony between the one and the many who are strong; between the person and the world. Thus action and restraint come at the right time. Great is the reward.

Depending upon the question being asked, this indicates a situation or person with many qualities and abilities. Brilliance of mind is shown, with a good heart. This brilliance is worthy of being expressed in the world. It is in accord with the needs of many. It connects a person who is in themselves quite mild and unassuming with those who are strong in the worldly sense. So it could suggest opportunity for a retiring person through support from those actively ambitious.

Much can be achieved and ready support will be found. It is a time to succeed through the possession of great resources.

Key words: Mildness is not weakness when it links with the strong. The links bring great rewards.

4 - You have the power to discriminate. Thus you may see the folly of personal aggrandisement. Use this power to choose the way.

6 - Only the most favoured receive this sign. Expect and move toward utmost success. It arises out of special qualities creating accord with people and events.

Hexagram Eleven - T'ai /Concord

Hexagram Eleven

T'ai (Pro: Tie, as in necktie) - Concord

The poor spirited pull back. Those with good spirit approach and advance. To these comes good fortune and achievement.

A time of great harmony when the highest and the lowest meet and unite. The spirit and the body heaven and earth embrace each other. Only good can be born of their union for the womb of creativity bears a child. But those whose soul is without courage and joy will not create.

The possibility of conception and growth is everywhere. All endeavours can flourish in this atmosphere of harmony. So too relationships can flower and find union.

Difficulties that existed now depart like darkness before the sun. They melt away and are forgotten. Richness in creativity can now follow. Those whose lives existed in dark places now have no place to hide.

Here the female is above the male and the male is content. Pleasure is in both.

Len was very encouraged by the result and it aided his confidence in finding the courage to positively work through the many phone calls and interviews needed. As Len had only just, at 23, found the self-reliance to leave home and begin to attempt independence and an active life outside his own mind, this was a very radical change. In fact he was later promised a place at Durham, and offered entrance to his old college to take his entrance exams.

• John - Example Two

Tony's in print Books in the UK or USA

Books - Stories - Poems - Articles/Features - Links - One Stop Shop - Home