 82. I-Ching |
Originally, the I-Ching, which is also called The Book of Changes, contained no written words at all. It only had signs made up of three or six lines, either broken, representing yin energy, or unbroken, representing yang energy. At first, the signs were composed of three lines. All of the possible combinations of three yin and/or yang lines resulted in eight main signs known as the Pa Kua or Ba Gua. As time passed, some other sages doubled the signs, making six lines, which had sixty-four possible combinations. These signs are a concrete indication of all the energy manifestations of the universe: how they are formed and how they function.
The foundation of I-Ching is the principle of yin and yang The ancient Taoist "cosmic scientists" discovered through their highly developed insight that there is essentially one primal cosmic energy. In the stillness of the unmanifest aspect of the universe, the primal cosmic energy expresses a state of oneness. As it extends itself in the process of creation, its movement causes the polarization of the one primal energy, giving birth to duality. The polar aspects of the affects thus created were designated as yin and yang. Yin and yang have many translations, such as the two sides of positive and negative, expansion and contraction, construction and destruction, masculine and feminine. Yin and yang are not two separate energies or activities. The activity of one is inherently contained within and created by the other. For example, a symphony is composed not only of musical sounds, but the silent pauses between the sounds are also intrinsic aspects of the composition. In the English language, the contradictory sense of positive and negative is strong. But in the Chinese way of thinking, yin and yang unite themselves, and through this union the existence of all things is made possible. If one side is excessive, its state of balance is lost, thereby creating the possibility of destruction.
The I-Ching is a book which guides a person's spiritual evolution back to God union and God-self realization. It is not a book which says, "Yes" or "No," but gives the "consequences" or outcome to one's choice of action in any situation.
The I-Ching is also a book which describes the creation of the universe and it's cycles and patterns.
Authentic and accurate copies of the Tao-Teh-Ching, Hua-Hu-Ching, and I-Ching can be obtained from www.taostar.com (Los Angeles, CA, USA)
