I Ching
Interpreted by wu wei

An Example

I asked a question on your behalf for two reasons: 1. So you would have an example to follow; 2. So you could determine what you could expect in the way of help from using the I Ching. I asked the following questions if I were you , and used the yarrow stalks to get an answer.

October 21, 1994 7:20 am Riviera Ave. House. I have problems and difficulties and I need help. What can I expect from using the I Ching?

The resulting kua was:

59. Huan Dispersion, Dissolution, Scattering

6.) 2,2,3 = 7 ______

5.) 3,3,3, = 9 ______.

4.) 3,2,3 = 8 ___ ___

3.) 3,3,2 + 8 ___ ___

2.) 3,2,2 = 7 _______

1.) 2,3,3 = 8 ___ ___

Which, beacause line 5 changes, becomes:

4. Meng Inexperience

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The kua I obtained as an answer was number 59, Huan. Line five is a changing line and is therefore to be read as part of the answer. The kua and line are reproduced below except for the five lines that are not to be taken into consideration in the answer. (The dot at the end of line 5 will be explained later.)

59. HUAN (hwun) Dissolve–Disintegrate–Dissipate

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A dangerous situation exists which can be resolved by perceiving the source of the danger and gently dissolving, disintegrating, or dissipating (as in scattering) the dangerous elements. Seek divine guidance in whatever way is appropriate for you to obtain help in revealing the heart of the problem and in learning about ways to dissipate the danger. Even the greatest danger can be successfully dissolved. Perseverance in searching for the source of the danger and in seeking ways to dissolve the danger is required. Success is certain. Line 5: You are strong and in a position of leadership. In this dangerous situation, you will be inspired with an idea for achieving the dissolution of the danger. Enthusiastically proclaiming your solution will cause everyone to follow your inspired leadership. You will remain without blame for your actions. The kua says that by consulting the I Ching, you will be able to penetrate to the heart of your problems and dissolve them. Line 5 says that you are a strong person and implies that you are in charge of your own destiny (a position of leadership) and states specifically that you will receive inspiring ideas from the I Ching about ways to dissolve your problems. It also offers assurance, saying, "Even the greatest danger can be successfully dissolved." A moving line is so called because it is charged with so much energy that it turns into its opposite, a divided line into an undivided line and an undivided line into a divided line, thereby bringing about the formation of a new kua. Because line 5 is a moving line, it changes into a divided line bringing about the formation of a new kua. The new kua describes what the situation will become, or it supplies additional information. In this case the new kua is 4, Mêng ( $ ), the kua of inexperience. Except for the individual lines and their meanings, the kua is reproduced as follows:

4. MÊNG (meng) Inexperience

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When an inexperienced person seeks guidance from an experienced teacher, he meets with success. The teacher should not seek the student. When the student asks the teacher for guidance, he receives it because teaching is a holy task to be withheld from no one. If the seeker doubts the answer and continues to press the teacher, he receives no response. Through perseverance in learning, success is attained. Through thoroughness in all that is done, character is formed. As you can see, Mêng states that you are inexperienced and will seek guidance from an experienced teacher. If you doubt the information and continue to ask the same question to see whether you will obtain the same response, the answer you receive will not be intelligible. The kua promises that you will have success and that the information will not be withheld from you. It goes on to say that the success you seek will be obtained by perseverance in seeking guidance and adds that by being thorough you will form character.
The information and guidance provided by Huan and Mêng yield the clear, direct, intelligent, and enlightened answers one expects from a great teacher. Providing answers of this clarity and quality has made the I Ching treasured by billions of people over thousands of years.