The I Ching or Book of Changes

Aeons ago, a friend who is a Buddhist Monk recommended the Baynes translation of the I Ching to me. My well-worn copy became lost during my last move, and I was happy to find it here at a decent price. There is a bit of a learning curve, but I find the readings inspiring and informational to daily life.Whatever other methods of spiritual/metaphysical insight one may also deploy, adding the I Ching to that might offer some additional inspiration and insight.

Anyone who is serious about studying the I Ching (Yi Jing) should most definitely have this book in their library. I purchased this book back in 1982 and to this day it is my "go to" when consulting the Yi. Some may find it a bit cryptic, but I see this book as a classic, and the closest English translation to the Mandarin. This Oracle system is over 5,000 years old, but it is very accurate if you take time to understand the manner in which is speaks to you.I've conducted several workshops using this book and my students have found it to be quite enlightening. The book I purchased in 1982 is a bit worn so having a new one is a fun addition to my collection of I Ching books.

I bought this book as well as the book by Taoist Master Alfred Huang. Both are great books but I find this book to be a little more precise and definitive. The book by Master Huang is more organized . All in all one should have both the books . I have done round about 30 readings by now . And since these are decisions , it is hard to say what is right and what is wrong . But the readings are remarkably accurate to what common sense was telling me about these decisions . I also have taken a few decisions based on iChing, the results of which will be clearer by the year end . I will try to update the review by then . But all in all I am quite dumbfounded by the accuracy of these readings .Review update October 31st 2024After doing many readings using iChing I have come to the conclusion that these are not forecasts or predictive outcome . The iChing readings simply tell us what the soul telling us deep inside us when the mind is confused with many conflicting thoughts . It is a great tool to help us taking the decision that we truly want but sometimes not able to take because of internal conflict within our mind.

I didtn order this book because of its notoriety for being a predictions book. I chose the book because the book chose me. It arrived in mint condition. Although I am the first to admit I am far from scholarly. However, yes it is a long indepth body of work. THat being said, THe book fell open to a specific more than once and from there I began to read. IT struck something deep and profound in me. I was cautious because of other reviewers who said it was an itense read and hard to decipher.I must say I did not find that to be the. And in all things can choose to take on board specific information I believe has a correlation to my own specific questions and ponderings. The rest I can discard. It is calle free will.I was interested in purchasing the book because its an extensive piece of work by a westerner into chinese culture. A fitting document of mans first introspection into his own existence and how he sees himself in the world.Although I have had problems sourcing yarrow stalks to begin the true works. But in the meantime I plan to invest as much of myself into learning what the book has to offer.ITs a new year, its a new read. And so far reading It hasnt made my brain hurt, unlike other reviewers. I believe the truth always presents itself to those who are open AND searching for it. Very Highly recommended. arrived in mint condition and ahead of the suggested delivery date.

Book is in excellent condition inside and out. Arrived packaged very secure and protective. Pleased with the purchase.

My only criticism of the Wilhelm Baynes translation of the I Ching is that it employs a subtle use of Christian terminology, which has nothing in common with the I ching being that these two systems of thought evolved entirely independent of one another, and therefore Christian terminology has utterly no place in the I Ching. It would have been better to altogether avoid it. Aside from that, it's still an excellent translation. The Christian terminology seems to be used generically, but those words have far more specific contexts in the Chinese language, and that's how this translation could be improved.

I am a devoted advocate of the I Ching. I first discovered it almost by accident when I had just graduated from university. What drew me to it was the introduction to it by Carl Jung, the great psychoanalyst. I recommend his introduction to it to enable you to see it in a modern light, and to help you understand why it works. And it does work. I have proved it for myself time and time again. I have also kept track of my consultations over the years, and reviewing them am amazed at how perceptive they can be, especially if you are at a "stopping point" on something and simply are not sure what to do. The book itself, as its translator is the first to admit, is not easy to "read". Its 64 hexagrams are sometimes cloudy and imprecise, but there are plenty of interpretations to help you grasp the essential meaning for yourself if you are casting the coins or yarrow stalks. I must confess that I was so taken with the book that I followed the ancient Chinese instructions of how to gather and use yarrow stalks, which seems like gentle madness to a modern, but is actually a recipe for concentrating your mind on the task at hand. This book and its translation by Hellmut Wilhelm is regarded as the fundamental translation, but if you don't understand it, don't worry. There are plenty of other translators and philosphers who have tried their hands at the I Ching, and in their translations you will find one or more that explain things for you. And today it's easy to get into the I Ching. Simply go on line to www.ichingonline.com to put it on your computer with lots of backup assistance. Buy the book, but use it online. You'll be glad you did.