That great light from Heaven (3)

Generations of Chinese sages, the wise, and the learned have had studied the Book of Changes (I Ching / Yijing) - down the few millennia of its existence - because the ancient classic is profound and contains much wisdom on human nature and fate, and on the cosmos. Their experiential and wise commentary - collectively known as the Ten Wings - on the Zhou Book of Changes (Zhouyi) also provide a historical guidance as to what local and/or global phenomena can happen on Earth that would affect peoples of the world.

Going by the several global omens published over the years in this blog before their actual unfolding, regular readers could find cause to agree to the foregoing paragraph. In the event that some remain skeptical, perhaps this third article on that great light from Heaven can move them a wee bit closer to accepting the profundity of the Book of Changes.

In the Book of Changes it is said that Heaven (Qian) send down the Light to Earth (Kun) to help Man (Ren) via the nine in the fourth place of Hexagram 12 Pi / Stagnation.

As indicated in previous articles on the topic, this phenomenon has occurred and has escaped the notice of the current crop of Yijing experts and scholars in the world. Nothing to be ashamed about since this particular phenomenon could probably be way over their heads even if they happen to be eminent ancient Chinese philosophy scholars because of their beliefs and interpretation-skill limitations on omens and on phenomena.

If we have read the Book of Changes, the Tao Te Ching, and the Analects of Confucius or any combination of them for decades and still doubt that Heaven has a moral will including that of sending down the great light to help people on Earth in times of dire need, we can be considered having read ‘dead books’. It would also show that we do not quite understand Man’s relationship with Heaven and Earth.

Several hundreds of millions of people have suffered tremendous hardship since the 2008 Global Financial and Credit Crises caused by encouraged human avarice, incompetent regulators, corruption of power, and which include those suffering under the hands of inhumane and unjust rulers. Many have lost their jobs – their usual means of livelihood -, lost their houses, life savings, and share investments because of these man-made crises.

Those who had died of hunger or extreme cold, or had committed suicide because of the crises are beyond rescue. But those who have withstood the shocks and hardships could still find hope.

In such dark and difficult times, Heaven has sent down the great light to Earth in 2011 to help the peoples of the world. The Book of Changes told this student about this happy global omen in early 2011. This particular omen was later confirmed by another divine source. (See later)

In this article, the question to address is who did Heaven send to help the peoples of the world?

The ideal divinity or great light from Heaven would be Guan Yin since the multitude is suffering severe financial hardship and extreme stress. Since Guan Yin or Avalokitesvara (in Sanskrit) is known to Daoist devotees as the Goddess of Mercy. Her devotees believe that in times of extreme distress their prayers to Guan Yin will more often than not be answered. And thereafter they will feel peace in their heart / mind (Xin).

To the Buddhists, Avalokitesvara has reached the ranks of Bodhisattvas - a level below that of Buddhas. Therefore a Bodhisattva can only be considered the rank of a minister and not that of a ruler.

Now deep thinkers, Yijing experts and scholars would know that in Yi studies, the line in the fourth place represents that of a minister, and since the Bodhisattva is a rank or a level below Buddha - the ruler represented by the line in the fifth place – Guan Yin Bodhisattva can represent that great light from Heaven sent down to Earth to help the peoples.

And Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy, would be the ideal candidate from Heaven for helping people in extreme distress, is it not? The received happy global omen from the Book of Changes was confirmed months later by the accurate Guan Yin Oracle.

Therefore the great light sent down by Heaven in 2011 is none other than Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy, or Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva.

Before non believers and skeptics bray in disbelief, read the various recent articles on “An accurate Guan Yin Oracle” and examine if what are stated therein make sense and relate to this great light from Heaven.

Writing those articles and elaborating on what Guan Yin had indicated in her accurate oracle could be one way to assist the gods to help the people. (Refer to the Great Treatise for further information)

Cheerio!

That great light from Heaven (2)

With our recent discussions on the Circulation of the Light, some Yijing aficionados may feel neglected since they think that the particular topic has no relevance with the studies of the Book of Changes.

Let me assure all readers that the Light has everything to do with the ancient Book of Changes; Heaven, Man, and Earth.

Similar to an omen, this Light is a phenomenon. And it could be too deep and profound for deep thinkers, Yijing experts and scholars alike; since even the acknowledged whiz kid Wang Bi may not quite know what the Light is or can represent.

For the Book of Changes, the Tao Te Ching (Daoist), the Shurangama Sutra (Buddhist), and the Hindu Sutras teach about this Light. And Lu Dongbin, a Daoist celestial immortal, had had explained in his Secret of the Golden Flower what this Light is all about.

The holy sages who wrote the Book of Changes however go even much deeper into it with an indication that Heaven (Qian) can send down the Light to Earth (Kun) to help Man (Ren) via the line in the fourth place of Hexagram 12 Pi / Stagnation.

And Heaven has done exactly that in 2011 by sending down the Great Light to help the people. (Refer to the article on “The returning great light” on February 4, 2011 if interested.)

The particular prognostication is a happy global omen which is still unfolding in the world today.

In the Commentary on the Decision (the 1st and 2nd Wings) of Hexagram 42 Yi / Increase, Confucius commented:

“Decreasing what is above and increasing what is below; then the joy of the people is boundless.

What is above places itself under what is below: This is the way of the great light. And it furthers one to undertake something: Central, correct, and blessed.” [W/B]

With his commentary, it shows that Confucius knew about the great light. So did Zhuge Liang or Kongming if you understand well his twelfth prophecy in the Ma Qian Ke.

Similar to the ominous global omen which started to unfold in September 2008 before our very eyes when Heaven and Earth closed with no Tao on Earth, this happy global omen of Heaven sending down the great light would also remain unrecognized – probably for centuries more to come - if left untold.

And if the current crop of Yijing experts and scholars in the world do not quite understand the phenomena of global omens and the Light, who would the multitude turn to for the answers?

Therefore in the first article on “That great light from Heaven” dated February 16, 2012, I have asked the esoteric and the deep thinkers to come up with reasons as to why the great light was sent, what or whom does it represent, how this light can help the people, and who these people are?

Apparently the questions remain too deep and profound for these particular readers since there was no response at all; even though I have had indicated that a complete set of answers can be found in the Wilhelm translation.

There is still some time for those who want to do the homework and come forth with their thoughts on the phenomenon of Heaven sending down the great light. It is not really that difficult if you put your heart into it.

If deep thinkers, expert Yijing aficionados and Sinologists reading the article on “The returning great light” on February 4, 2011 have done their proper homework, they would have known who the Great Light from Heaven is. That would be a good start.



To be continued.

An accurate Guan Yin Oracle (4)

In the first article on January 21, 2012 I have had mentioned that it was worthwhile for investors to interpret the following prediction in an accurate Guan Yin Oracle although I would not know when its timing will come to an end:

“Silkworms and grain will yield only half a crop, but your herds will bring you better profit.”

Since many would not have the wherewithal knowledge to decipher its cryptic message, the follow up article titled “An accurate Guan Yin Oracle (2)” on May 7, 2012 provided an interpretation (and elaboration on the particular prediction) in line with my wish to make phenomenon easy to understand and simple to follow by readers or users:

‘It is better to invest in stocks and shares rather than investing in commodities’.

With the interpretation, this second article proved very popular to readers especially among those from Singapore. Its popularity has since surged and has surpassed the previous articles on Hexagram 62 and on the Hua Hu Ching when global stock markets kept on rising in the second half of 2012.

Since stocks and commodities markets also wax and wane, a hint on the timing of their waning according to a prognostication from the Book of Changes was also given in the second article, and duly explained in the third article.

So far the interpreted prediction that ‘It is better to invest in stocks and shares rather than investing in commodities’ still holds true. Since Singaporean and global stocks have performed very well, while commodities prices have either stagnated or dropped, in 2012 up to January 2013. To date, Asian stocks have reached their eighteen months high while US stocks have climbed to their highest in five years according to Bloomberg reports.

Therefore, is it not both fascinating and profound that a single sentence in an accurate Guan Yin Oracle and similar to a line prognostication from the Book of Changes (Yijing / Yi) can tell us so much about what is going to happen in the global financial markets?

Is it not probable through extended divination experiences to determine the timing of future events – the waxing and waning of financial markets in this instance – just by analyzing a prognostication, the accompanying hexagram, and/or the attributes of its trigrams?

Continuing to improve our art of Yijing divination and the science of interpretation can bring aficionados a step closer to divine like a spirit and thereafter to assist the gods.

Readers who believed in the accuracy of a Guan Yin Oracle and in my ability to correctly interpret the prediction and have accordingly invested in stocks and shares in 2012 instead of commodities, would have increased their wealth.

With this sudden increase in wealth, it is suggested that these particular readers make a donation to their favorite charity to benefit the needy and the poor for some merits which is in line with the teachings in the Book of Changes. Those from Singapore should also make a contribution to their favorite temple of Guan Yin to help out with its maintenance for the benefit of her devotees. This would also assist the gods.

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

The 21December 2012 apocalypse

Those expecting the New Age prediction of the December 21, 2012 apocalypse to happen tomorrow would come away disappointed since it would be a non event. For the gods – Daoist deities, immortals and buddhas – and the Book of Changes have not indicated any major untoward incident happening on the particular day. That is how I know.

Therefore readers who were afraid that they and their families could be affected by the apocalypse should put aside their fears and go on their own way to prepare for Christmas celebrations with kin and friends as usual.

Those conned by the cults - one such cult already reported to be under investigation in China - which sprang up as a result of this New Age prediction to prey on the weak and the fearful would probably have little or no recourse to their assets and/or life time savings donated to these predators.

Whether or not readers have readily access to the gods, the best thing to do is to study the ancient Chinese classic – the Book of Changes - if they want to learn how to foresee the future.

Getting to know Heaven

This is not the original article that I had set out to write. The article in final draft forms and titled, “How to get Heaven on our side” had to be deleted after receiving a warning from Heaven (Tian) probably for revealing its secrets (Ke). Just as I was finishing that particular draft, a sudden thunderstorm appeared with loud thunder very close by. By instinct I had quickly deleted the entire draft, emptied the recycle bin in the computer, and the thunder immediately stopped. Within minutes the thunderstorm passed. Regular readers will not find anything strange about this phenomenon since they have read it before in my articles on the then yet-to-unfold global omens, and the yet-to-unfold twelfth prophecy of Zhuge Liang on China, from the Yijing.

After all, the phenomenon serves as a fair warning from Heaven to those who want to over reveal its secrets. Not too much different from the fair warning given by the two divinities to Guan Lo of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms fame. Therefore I am now writing this article instead. And you know what; there is no thunderstorm, so far so good!

Yijing aficionados and students of Tao should learn to know Heaven if they wished to or have already dedicated a lifetime to their respective studies. They may be able to get Heaven on their side if they cultivate both Human nature (Xing) and Fate (Ming) as taught by the Holy Sages who wrote the Book of Changes. And do good deeds as indicated in Daoist texts. Sincere and serious students of Tao and the Yijing should take note of this. Human lives are precious to Heaven, if you can save an innocent life (or lives); do so without hesitation.

Perchance, if they already know heaven, they can still learn something deeper from the Book of Changes or from the three great ancient sages, Laozi, Confucius, and the Buddha. For these three sages knew Heaven well. Read on.

Confucius told his students, when they were facing danger of being robbed and killed, that since the passing of King Wen, Heaven has chosen him to be the standard bearer of culture; the men of Guang (the pillagers) can do nothing to him. [Records of the Grand Historian - Shiji]

In the Analects, Confucius has had made several statements which depicted his deep and profound knowledge of Heaven but I will only use one which have much relevance in this discourse and found to be true from actual experiences and observations over the past two decades:

“He who offends against Heaven has none to whom he can pray”. [III, xiii Legge]

Confucius had used this statement to provide a fair warning to the officer who had wanted to usurp his position.

Although ancient, what Confucius had stated two thousand five hundred years ago is still applicable till today. Truths always withstand the passage of time. Those on the receiving end of Heaven’s wrath, with or without fair warning, may still quite not understand what they have done wrong. Perhaps by reading this article, they can learn from their past mistakes.

Pedant scholars the likes of the late Professor Homer Dubs will hardly believe a word of what I say since there is dearth of literature to substantiate the phenomena of Heaven’s actions on behalf of the good, unless they are deep and thorough enough to comprehend the sayings of the three great sages. When even Xunzi, a top ancient philosopher of his time and an accredited Confucian, did not quite understand these two statements of Confucius, what more can be expected of both ancient and modern pedant scholars?

Instead of being a Confucian Junzi (superior person) who stands in awe of sages, Xunzi proffered a contrary view on Heaven which opposes the identical thoughts of the three great ancient sages, and his contemporary, Mencius.

For only those who have experienced it can appreciate the phenomena of Heaven’s moral will. They may further get to know the Mandate of Heaven (Tian Ming) around the age of fifty, give or take a few years.

In the modern context and with great contributions from science, readers should pay more particular attention to what they say or do in Daoist or Yijing forums and in this lowly blog. If they happen to come across a dull and seemingly ignorant person with no oratorical skills at all and yet ventured to talk in simple English about Tao and/or Yijing omens, stay well clear if you do not believe a word of what he says!

Never call him names, nor disparage his practices or his works, unless you really know more than this particular frog-in-the-well that had been sent-down-the-mountain by the Yijing for fellowship with men. He could already have Heaven on his side. And/or assisting the gods as indicated in the Great Treatise (Da Zhuan).

By calling him names; by disparaging his practices and his works; by injuring him with words or thievery; by reneging on agreements or promises made to him; culprits had offended Heaven and had been punished. Therefore this also goes to show that Heaven has moral will.

To remain blameless, he has always hinted to (previous and present) forum members and to readers not to cast aspersions on what he does or says unless they try to correct his mistakes, if any. And according to Confucius and the Buddha, the culprits had brought Heaven’s wrath down upon themselves.

To settle doubts, please also listen carefully to what the Buddha and Laozi had respectively said:

The Buddha asked the man who came to denounce his Way and his practice that if he offers a gift to his neighbor and his neighbor accept it not; would not the gift be returned to him? And the man replied, ‘It will’. The Buddha then said: “You denounce me now, but as I accept it not, you must take the wrong deed back on your own person.”

The Buddha said, “Evil doers who denounce the wise resemble a person who spits against the sky; the spittle will never reach the sky; but comes down on himself.” [Both quotations Google from: The sayings of Buddha in forty-two sections]

Laozi in Chapter 79 of his Tao Te Ching said:

“The Way of Heaven is impartial; it is on the side of the good”.

By providing a reference on Heaven’s moral will in Chapter 79, and by providing many other references on Heaven and Earth in his Tao Te Ching for future generations, Laozi depicted his profound knowledge of Heaven.

What the Buddha and Confucius had respectively taught, ‘evil deed(s) will redound on the culprits’ and ‘those who offends Heaven will be punished and has no one to pray to,’ is but one of the ways how Heaven protects the good.

The observant and those who are directly taught by Daoist celestial immortals or Buddhas would know more ways than this. These ways form part and parcel of Heaven’s secrets. Disclosures of which can be subjected to fair warnings from Heaven!

The mysterious workings of Heaven and Tao are certainly not easy to comprehend until experienced. We should know our own limitations and be circumspect of what we say or do in public regarding ancient Yijing and Tao practices, lest we inadvertently offend Heaven.

Good deeds seemed unrewarded and evil deeds seemed unpunished yet Heaven’s and/or divinities’ rewards and punishments often manifest for those who in the know. Those who know this phenomenon down the ages based on what they have taught include Laozi, Confucius, the Buddha, and Mencius.

Perhaps after reading this article, readers got to know the ways of Heaven a bit better?

Romance of ‘Friends come without blame’ in the Book of Changes

In the Judgment of Hexagram 24 Fu / Return it is said (extracts):

Going out and coming in without error. Friends come without blame. To and fro goes the Way. On the seventh day comes return.

And the nine in the fifth place of Hexagram 39 Jian / Obstruction says:

In the midst of the greatest obstructions, Friends come.

While the image of the six in the second place says that because the king’s servant is beset by obstruction upon obstruction, in the end, there is no blame.

In his tenth prophecy of the Ma Qian Ke, with the accompanying Hexagram Jian / Obstruction, the great Zhuge Liang or Kongming has had established that the Chinese phrase for ‘Friends come without blame’ or ‘Peng Lai Wu Jiu’ in pinyin can also be read as ‘Friends come, no blame’.

Now whether or not the friends (Peng) that have been referred to in both Hexagrams represents the same phenomenon is the subject of this romance. But as usual whenever this student writes about things related to Tao and Heaven, there would be no damage to your health and well being if you take it in with a bit of salt!

Friends come without blame, to and fro goes the Way
Signifies the Return (Fu)
Friends come no blame, in the midst of obstructions upon obstructions
Signifies Obstruction (Jian)

The Holy Sages allowed the least knowledgeable to reveal the truths
So that more can be taught, a phenomenon of Wu Wei
From the Tao Te Ching, Analects, down to the Daoist texts
The least knowledgeable among those with profound knowledge had taught the most

Therefore do not be surprised if you cannot learn anything profound here
Since the author knows only a touch of the ancients and Zhouyi
However, while we may have the same teacher, our experiences vary
And the romance may contain a hint or two to help expand your deep knowledge

Heaven and Earth had closed since 15 September 2008
Signifying no Tao all under Heaven
Friends cannot come because of the obstructions upon obstructions
Therefore no blame can be accorded

Laozi, Confucius, and Mencius knowing this phenomenon
Had warned the able to hide until Heaven and Earth (re)open
Those who had refused to listen, suffered along with the hundreds of millions
Causes were known, retribution was duly paid where people had revolted

To foreknow when Heaven and Earth will reopen is easy and simple
Heaven first send down the Great Light to help the correct, central, and blessed
Then ‘Friends come without blame’
Both phenomena presage the phenomenon of ‘To and fro goes the Way’.

In case you have doubts, I can help you count
It has been forty nine months since there was no Tao on Earth.
Those who practised neidan meditation during this period knows not when to stop
Conversely, they too would not know when to start

The adept(s) had to forego the embryo within
Since it cannot survive without Tao on Earth
A time when Guan Yin had indicated that Buddhas give no blessings
Friends had tried to come amidst the greatest obstructions, and accorded no blame

If you want to experience ‘Friends come without blame’
Empty your mind and still your heart to wait for the Return.
It is not necessary to sit but just be quiet.
Friends come when you are ready and whenever there is Tao all under Heaven.


An overheard conversation:

Welcome back, my friends!
It has been a long time.
Forty nine (49) months to be exact.
An eternity some say.
Yet there is no blame.

For Heaven and Earth had closed.
And there was no Tao all under Heaven.
With so much obstructions placed upon travels
Even Buddhas give no blessings
As told by Guan Yin

Yes, I know that you came a few times earlier.
But, your calls at the gate were mumbles.
Anomalies still happen whenever there is no Tao on Earth.
Though a few culprits have been overthrown
Most roam freely while the innocents still suffer

The forgoing of the embryo again is not a great loss.
Compared to the sufferings of the hundreds of millions people on Earth.
Heaven by sending down the Great Light last year indicates that the correct, central, and blessed are not completely forgotten.
Except for the able who else could appreciate that they have to hide?
Meanwhile they wait for the reopening of Heaven and Earth and the ensuing abundance of Tao once again.

My palms have suddenly grown hot.
As if we shook hands.
Pray tell your shy female companions, their first ever visit is much appreciated.
And that they sing the melodic song in harmony with you.
Send my regards to our Buddhist friends; I do miss their chiming in now and then.

Your long visit today may presage that of Tao moving to and fro freely again.
Do not worry too much, even if this conversation is overhead and published.
Any listener would stretch their Tao and Yijing knowledge to the limits before appreciating any of what has been said.
Otherwise they will dismiss it as a self-talk by a cranky old man.
And whichever way they choose, they are correct. Since how would he know?


Allan Lian

All rights reserved.

‘Friends come without blame’ in the Yijing

Yijing aficionados who have been studying the Book of Changes for decades would know that the phrase, ‘Friends come without blame’ and ‘Peng lai wu jiu’ in pinyin forms part of the Judgment in Hexagram 24 Fu / Return. And that the Judgment also contains the unique term, Tao (the Way). An age old and yet globally recognizable term used by Laozi in his Tao Te Ching to explain the phenomena of the ancient Way.

While the more experienced Yijing aficionados may not quite understand the relationship between Tao and the friends who come without blame in the Judgment, those who also practise neidan (inner alchemy) and are fortunate enough to be taught by Daoist celestial immortals would come to realize its profound meaning, one day. But I will leave it to the Zhen Ren (realized persons) to reveal this age old secret, if at all. For friends come without blame in the Yijing is a significant signpost of the Way.

This signifies the importance for neidan students to also study the Book of Changes since many more Tao signposts are also embedded in this ancient classic. By studying the Book of Changes every Yi student can also become learned and wise just like the ancients and those renowned for their Yijing studies down the ages.

And one of these worthies happened to be the renowned Zhuge Liang also known as Kongming of Shu Han (c 250). Some readers may think that I was presumptuous in assuming that the fourteen Yijing-related prophecies contained in the Ma Qian Ke were actually written down for posterity by Zhuge Liang since there is a dearth of documentary proof to uphold the presumption.

If Yijing aficionados, including those who have studied the Yijing for a few decades, lack the requisite knowledge to interpret omens and prophecies obtainable from the Yijing, they would not be able to understand why I am so sure that the fourteen Yijing related prophecies were predicted by Zhuge Liang. They may also not be aware of the fact that, at times, the Yijing gives omens in sequences (one immediately after another); as in the Ma Qian Ke. (The Yijing had forewarned me with three consecutive Hexagrams 29 Kan / The Abysmal of the then impending Asian Financial Crisis in 1997.)

However it is a fallacy to believe that the Book of Changes speaks to every diviner. And if the Yijing do not speak, there would be no actual prognostications let alone omens and/or prophecies. Beware of those who claim otherwise.

Therefore I have had subjected a few Yijing-related prophecies in the Ma Qian Ke to the usual test and found that the Yijing indeed spoke to the diviner, whoever he was. By coincidence, the particular diviner has had interpreted his prophecies the same way that I do or did for Yijing-related omens. Even the fortune indications (good, average, and bad) for each hexagram were similar and apt (except for two out of the fourteen which appeared corrupted). Furthermore in the first prophecy, by way of Hexagram 27 Yi / Providing nourishment, the Yijing told Zhuge Liang (the accredited diviner) about his destiny and fate, as well as what would happened in his era – that is to provide nourishment for future Chinese generations; his illnesses leading to his impending death and the difficulty in returning to Heaven; and the Wei Dynasty. (Refer to my commentary of July 2, 2012 on the first prophecy of the Ma Qian Ke if interested to read more about it.)

Since each of the subsequent thirteen prophecies foretold of successive eras in China, it therefore can be soundly concluded that all the prophecies were obtained from the Yijing by none other than Zhuge Liang or Kongming himself. If readers still have doubts, test your own Yijing interpretive skills to decipher his twelfth prophecy which could be extremely difficult, since it goes beyond the usual traditional methods of Yijing interpretation.

If omens are very difficult to obtain, what would be the requisite higher skill level for a Yijing diviner to obtain consecutive prophecies that cover a period of about two thousand years like those in the Ma Qian Ke? Surely, this is the work of a sage. Therefore Confucius is correct to say that the Junzi stand in awe of sages, and Zhuge Liang is sage-like because of his fourteen prophecies. While the immortality status of Zhuge Liang is confirmed by the several Daoist temples in China dedicated to him.

And unless you happened to be a Zhou Yu or his diehard fan, Zhuge Liang also known as Kongming would definitely be a special friend whose company we would like to keep whether or not we follow the teachings of Confucius in the Analects.

Coming back to the phrase, ‘Friends come without blame’. It so happened that in the tenth prophecy of the Ma Qian Ke derived from the accompanying Hexagram 39 Jian / Obstruction, the same phrase in Chinese was used as the fourth verse for the prediction. (Refer to my commentary on this prophecy on July 28, 2012) Probably many readers, including the much more experienced Yi aficionados, are still foggy to say the least as to why Zhuge Liang used the phrase in this prophecy that rightfully belongs in the Judgment of Hexagram 24 Fu / Return.

However if we read the Yijing and get fixated with convention we may not quite learn the deeper layers in this ancient classic. (But this again has nothing to do with New Age methods bandied around in the Web.)

In this tenth prophecy, Zhuge Liang ‘taught’ how to overcome that fixation, if students are ready, and are willing to learn. And I have had provided a subtle hint when commenting on that particular verse. Yet I find no improvement in readers’ understanding. Surely there is an obstruction to their higher learning capabilities! (Pun intended)

And in the midst of obstructions, I come as a friend to help readers to contemplate and think through enabling them to raise their skill levels, a notch or two. The statement relates to Hexagram 39 Jian / Obstruction, in case readers cannot follow the train of thoughts.

For that, we have to re-examine the phrase, ‘Friends come without blame’. The Chinese in pinyin for the phrase is ‘Peng lai wu jiu’. ‘Peng lai’ means ‘Friends come’ while ‘wu jiu’ means ‘without blame’ or even ‘no blame’; since ‘wu’ can also be translated as ‘no’ to get to the correct meaning of what was actually said. (See the subtlety in translating Chinese words in ancient classics or texts into English?)

‘Friends come’ (Peng lai) appears in the fifth line judgment of Jian. But where does the second half of the phrase ‘without blame’ comes from? My subtle hint then was that no blame can be accorded to the friends and the Chinese (if you care to reread my commentary on the tenth prophecy).

The hint pointed to the second line of Jian since the Chinese are the King’s servants, not his friends, and where the line image accorded ‘no blame’ to the servant who tried his very best to overcome the obstructions upon obstructions faced.

Therefore did Zhuge Liang make a mistake in his usage of the phrase, ‘Peng lai wu jiu’ that rightfully belongs to Hexagram 24 Fu / Return? No. The phrase is certainly apt to foretell what will come to pass and which later had occurred.

Since in this instance, the fourth verse in Chinese should be translated into English or to be read as, ‘Friends come, no blame’. For additional clarity, Zhuge Liang has had already indicated in the third verse of the prophecy that ‘Five two reversed’ pointing to the reversal of positions in the fifth and second lines of Hexagram Jian. What more can be said?

The great image of Hexagram 39 Jian / Obstruction is certainly apt for the Wu (Yijing diviners) and the Shi (Daoist priests or neidan practitioners) who have to contemplate within to raise their skill levels, a notch or two. So that ‘Peng lai wu jiu’ in the midst of great obstructions, and/or for the Return! And perhaps we have learned a thing or two from Kongming and from this discussion.

Cheerio!

Hexagram 2 Kun / The Receptive, Earth

Hoarfrost underfoot in autumn
What could be the ultimatum?
Solid ice is not far off
Foreboding ills and not a line at which to scoff!

Straight, square, great
Without purpose, mysterious gates
A touch of Heaven in Earth
Cultivating human nature and fate; being gives birth

Hidden lines, abilities remain concealed
If working for a king, fame should not appeal
Completing works like mother
But venture no farther

A tied-up sack
Due to the rulers’ or adepts’ own lack
Heaven and Earth close
Consequently no Tao all under Heaven and the able hide to be unexposed

A yellow lower garment brings supreme good fortune
Beauty within which expresses itself is opportune
If from the depths of Kun emerges the Light
The Golden Flower can be within sight

Dragons fight in the meadow
Their blood is black and yellow
Not knowing the origins of the Creative and the Receptive
A mare futilely attempts to overturn Qian and Kun in perspective

Lasting perseverance furthers
To prevent any foreseeable murders
Without Yijing guidance, if the Junzi try to lead they will go astray
For yielding, devotion, central, firmness, and sincerity constitute the earthly Way

Allan Lian

Hexagram No: 1 Qian / The Creative, Heaven

Dragon has to hide
Since time is not on his side
Ready this worthy will not lag
When it’s time to act

Dragon appearing in the field
While acting with zeal
The Junzi will thrive
Onlookers enlivened with life

Seriousness of purpose even in leisure
People influenced by his nature
Creative during day and concern at night, he paces
Leaving integrity and reliability traces

Wavering in flight
Over the depths; what’s with this light?
Wither a hero or a holy sage
Decision time for the mage

Flying in the heavens
World peace this dragon leavens
Clouds choose to follow him
Onlookers blessed on seeing this celestial limb

Arrogant dragon plunges during flight
For overreaching via the light
Perchance he escapes intact with his life
Humiliation and misfortune filled with strife

Celestial dragons have no head
Cause sages and immortals know which Way to tread
For millennia the divine leaven
While mounting the six steps or dragons to heaven


Allan Lian

The sage in Hexagram 28 Da Gou / Preponderance of the Great

The twelfth prophecy of the Ma Qian Ke had indicated the appearance of a sage. If Yijing aficionados cannot perceive the sage in Hexagram 28 Dao Gou which accompanied the prophecy, do not get too upset since it could be way over your heads. When even past top eminent scholars of ancient Chinese philosophy – the Chinese mentors of both James Legge and Richard Wilhelm - have had failed to discern the sage in the Hexagram, this phenomenon – like the closure of Heaven and Earth - will certainly prove too deep and profound for many Yijing scholars and experts. Therefore there is no necessity to worry too much about your own capability in the study of the Yijing. Just plod on with sincerity since only the entire sincere can achieve the ability to divine like a spirit (Shen) down the ages. For sincerity is the Way of Heaven.

Also how many would be able to discern the profound knowledge of Laozi, Confucius, and Mencius of the Book of Changes where these ancient sages indicated that there is No Tao all under Heaven whenever heaven and earth close? Few will really comprehend what this phenomenon actually means, even though the modern world has been experiencing the absence of Tao since 15th September 2008 – the collapse of Lehman. This is also way above the heads of Yijing scholars and the experts, and the neidan adepts too. (Refer to various blogged articles on this particular phenomenon over the past three years, if interested.)

Thus far, Zhuge Liang has had seen the sage in Hexagram 28 Da Gou as depicted in the twelfth prophecy of his Ma Qian Ke. My perceiving of this sage is only circumstantial because of my interpretation and commentary of Zhuge Liang’s accredited 12th prophecy, therefore following his guidance.

However, more than two and the half millennia ago, the great ancient sage, Confucius has already known that the Junzi depicted in Hexagram 28 Dao Gou represents a sage? How?

In the Doctrine of the Mean, the Master said: ‘The superior man accords with the course of the Mean. Though he may be all unknown, un-regarded by the world, he feels no regret. – It is only the sage who is able for this.’ [Chapter XI paragraph 3 James Legge]

In Book II of his Yijing translation, Richard Wilhelm mentioned that ‘the whole range of ideas contained in the commentary on the Great Images places it on proximity to the Great Learning and hence in very close proximity to Confucius as well.’ How right were his mentor and him when he wrote that down?

Yi aficionados would note that the Great Image in Hexagram 28 Dao Gou as translated by Wilhelm / Baynes while implying the same meaning is worded differently from James Legge’s translations of the Doctrine of the Mean and of the Book of Changes.

In the W/B translation it reads: Thus the superior man, when he stands alone, is unconcerned, and if he has to renounce the world, he is undaunted.

If we compare that to Legge’s translation it reads: The superior man, in accordance to this, stands up alone and has no fear, and keeps retired from the world without regret. [Refer to Xiang Zhuan of Hexagram 28 Da Gou at http://ctext.org]

If those interested check the Chinese in both the Doctrine of the Mean and the Great Image, they will find therein the repetition of almost the exact words. This means that Richard Wilhelm and his mentor, Lao Nai-hsuan, were correct with the comment on the close proximity of the Great Images, known as the Third Wing, to Confucius. It also means that Confucius knew about the sage in Hexagram 28 Da Gou / Preponderance of the Great. Although the sage phenomenon escaped the grasps of the personage who embedded the words of Confucius in the Great Image of this Hexagram and also the eminent mentors of both renowned translators. Otherwise we could have learnt more about it from the ancient sage himself. The personage and the eminent mentors of the translators are without blame since this phenomenon also goes beyond their own comprehension.

This is why the self-taught like Confucius before us need talent and virtue to know the Yijing. Since sometimes we may need to provide ‘national service’ for Yijing aficionados across the world!

Hence my detailed cryptic commentary on the yet-to-unfold 12th prophecy in the Ma Qian Ke ascribed to Zhuge Liang would probably unfold exactly as indicated, especially on this verse:
‘The sage arises from Xun to bring salvation.’

Cheerio!

Allan Lian


All rights reserved.

Commentary on the tenth prophecy of the Ma Qian Ke

[No. 10: Republican Period, 1911-1949]

Prediction No. 10----------------010100----------------middle lower
The assessment is ‘moderately bad’.

Shi hou niu qian----------------A pig behind, a cow in front

Qian ren yi ge-------------------A thousand men with one voice

Wu er dao zhi-------------------Five two reversed

Peng lai wu jiu------------------Friends come without blame

The tenth prophecy of the Ma Qian Ke preliminary translated by Steve Moore is accompanied by Hexagram 39 Jian / Obstruction.


Commentary:

As promised in my critical review of the commentaries on this tenth prophecy on July 25th, I present my commentary in this follow-up article to enable readers to obtain both a clearer picture and a distinct view of ancient Yijing practice in the interpretation of prophecies and/or omens. Just like in the learning of Tao, the Yijing is not difficult to understand and to practise, yet many prefer bypaths thus missing the woods for the trees.

The detractors who used bypaths tend to mislead students. Therefore, with my critical review of their published commentaries on this prophecy, and following the ancient practice of the Shi (priests) and the Wu (magicians), I bring to light their several misleading statements to brand and shame these detractors in public.

The first cryptic message says: ‘A pig behind, an ox in front’ what does it signify?

Those versed with the interpretation of Yijing omens - an ancient Yijing practice - can perceive from this received Hexagram 39 Jian / Obstruction that the pig is clearly behind while the ox is obviously in front.

As mentioned in the critical review, these two animals infer to people and not to specific dates, and in this commentary, I would elaborate further.

Down the ages, the pig is known for its laziness and greed while the ox works hard and a proven reliable friend to farmers. Therefore the verse infers to people who were the then Nationalists (the officers, the well educated and the rich) and the then Communists (the peasants and farmers); and an anomaly of the times. The verse could infer to rulers and the ruled – the emperor, and later the President, and the multitude, but read my comments on the third verse for a fuller explanation.

Why is the pig behind and the ox in front?

The peasants and farmers (the Ox) were recruited, at times forcefully, to be sent to the frontlines, while the corrupt officials and officers, the rich and their kin (the Pig) remained behind to ‘guard’ the cities during the Republic era; an anomaly of the times. Army officers were supposed to lead their soldiers (in this instance, many of them were raw recruits) to the frontlines in ancient or modern warfare, rather than remaining behind to ‘guard’ cities and the rich. The rich were allowed to pay ransoms by corrupt officials to redeem their sons and relatives from such military service with the excuse to remain behind to ‘guard’ the cities.

But how would I know?

The second cryptic message says: ‘A thousand men with one voice’

The metaphoric ‘thousand men with one voice’ can be seen as well which makes it simple to interpret.

The verse means: Independence and democracy, and taken together they signify a Republic (instead of a dynasty).

The third cryptic message says: ‘Five two reversed’

‘Five two reversed’ literally means that the ruler - the nine in the 5th place - reverses his position with that of his servant - the six in the 2nd place of Hexagram 39 Jian / Obstruction.

Therefore, ‘Five two reversed’ metaphorically inferred to the events that took place in China where the rulers became the ruled and vice versa. That is the last Qing Emperor was replaced by a commoner, Sun Yat-Sen who in 1911 became the provisional President of China and a few months later, the emperor had abdicated to become a servant - not a common practice during olden times. The Chinese Presidency was abolished by yet another commoner, Mao ZeDong in 1949 who went on to become the Chairman of China. That signified the end of the Republic era in China.

The fourth and final cryptic message says: ‘Friends come without blame’

The friends referred to were the Americans, the British, the Russians, and other foreigners who came to the aid of China during the uprising against the Manchu; during the Second World War against the Japanese; and during the civil war between the Nationalists and the Communists.

Each time the friends had come in the midst of Obstructions! Therefore, no blame can be accorded to these friends, and to the Chinese.


Cheerio!

Critical review of the commentaries on the Ma Qian Ke’s 10th prophecy

The tenth prophecy of the Ma Qian Ke preliminary translated by Steve Moore is accompanied by Hexagram 39 Jian / Obstruction with the following four cryptic verses:


Shi hou niu qian----------------A pig behind, a cow in front

Qian ren yi ge-------------------A thousand men with one voice

Wu er dao zhi-------------------Five two reversed

Peng lai wu jiu------------------Friends come without blame


Instead of presenting a full commentary on the unfolded tenth prophecy of the Ma Qian Ke, this time I will first provide a critical review of the existing commentaries to address their several misleading statements arising from the use of derivative methods – generously applied by fortune tellers and fengshui practitioners – from the Book of Changes and their misinterpretations.

The diverse commentaries by various commentators showed that it is not always easy to interpret prophecies and omens even after a predicted event had unfolded, although the majority have had eventually got it right – the Republic era from 1911 to 1949. It also shows that when misleading statements are issued just like the repetition of lies, they sometimes appear as truth and can even sway scholars over to their wrong way of thinking. This review also serves as a reminder to Yi aficionados and upholds my contention that the practice of derivative methods from the Yijing should not be used. It will also provide various hints on how to determine and/or interpret prophecies and omens. My simple interpretation of the 10th prophecy will appear in a subsequent article so as not to clutter this critical review.

Firstly, I wish to thank Steve Moore for his scholarly analysis on the various commentaries available on the web and in book form, without which I cannot make this review. Secondly, the review would also attempt to answer some of his analytical thoughts on this tenth prophecy. Thirdly, real neidan practitioners and adepts may learn a thing or two from Daoist immortal Zhuge Liang on how to ‘overthrow water’ since the image of this hexagram has been inferred as ‘Shan Dou Shui’ or ‘Hill pours water’. (Refer to relevant articles on ‘Shan Dou Shui’.)

The first cryptic verse of the 10th prophecy says: ‘A pig behind, a cow in front’, what does it signify?

The majority of commentaries explained that 1911 corresponded to the year of the Pig while 1949 corresponded to the year of the Ox. And that these years span the Republic era after the overthrow of the Qing dynasty. Therefore, Steve Moore was swayed to note that this prophecy differs from the others by this provision of specific dates.

Another commentary proved even more speculative. It implied that the verse can relate to a span of 86 years (from 1911 to 1997). Since its commentator contended that the verse indicated 1996 the year of the Rat – the animal sign that comes in-between the years of the Pig and the Ox, in line with this first verse. This again is utter nonsense, since the 11th prophecy, the subsequent one after this 10th prophecy, has had already come and gone before 1997, without anyone else noticing that the predicted events had unfolded accordingly. (I may provide a commentary on the 11th prophecy and the unfolded events at a later date.)

From extended divination experience with omens, I reiterate that ‘A pig behind, an ox in front’ can be seen in Hexagram 39 Jian / Obstruction. These animals have nothing to do with specific dates such as 1911 and 1949 which are derivative methods used by fortune tellers and fengshui practitioners, and not that of ancient Yijing studies. Furthermore, their interpretations apart from the latter commentary meant that the Pig has somehow gone in front instead of remaining behind, since the year 1911 comes before 1949 – the year of the Ox.

Down the ages, the pig is known for its laziness and greed while the ox works hard and a proven reliable friend to farmers. Therefore the verse infers to people and not to specific dates or years as indicated by all these commentators.

The second cryptic verse says: ‘A thousand men with one voice’.

Two commentaries have indicated that the Chinese words of this verse add up to a word for the Japanese. While the other continues to speculate that the Chinese words add up to a word for Hong meaning Hong Kong. Steve Moore provided a closer clue by saying that the verse may be read as ‘everyone is unanimous’.

Again, the verse can be seen in Hexagram 39 Jian / Obstruction, and all their aforesaid interpretations are mere speculation and entirely miss the mark.

The third cryptic verse says: ‘Five two reversed’.

A commentary indicated that this verse meant ‘Double five’ and rambled on about the 25th year of the Republic when the Japanese invaded China. Another commentary missed the mark altogether. While the most speculative of them all wrote that the ‘five two reversed’ implied the 5th of the 2nd month where the first presidential election of Taiwan was held and a year later Hong Kong was returned to China.

Again, their commentaries were mere guesses at best with the provision of specific dates and have nothing to do with ancient Yijing studies.

The ‘Five two reversed’ infers to historical events that had happened inside China and not as speculated by these commentators.

Neidan practitioners and adepts could learn something here from Zhuge Liang on how to ‘overthrow the water’. Something very simple, as simple as ‘Five two reversed’.

The fourth and final cryptic verse says: ‘Friends come without blame’.

While one or two commentaries have nothing to offer, the other two commentaries have got this verse – the simplest of the four verses – right.

‘Friends come without blame’ has nothing to do with the mythical island of the immortals and Taiwan. Friends infer to foreigners who came to the aid of China and her people.

Instead of trying to be all knowing, I will leave readers to ponder for themselves why this final verse also contain the term, ‘without blame’. It would not appear strange at all; if we understand and follow the method used by Zhuge Liang to interpret this particular prophecy.


Further thoughts:

1) The Ma Qian Ke is worthy of study by Yi aficionados if they want to improve upon their own art and science of Yijing divination. It may also provide them a chance, no matter how slim, to know the Mandate of Heaven on or before the target age of 50 set by Confucius.

2) Of no talent and virtue, and a slow learner, I had been able to interpret three unfolded and one yet-to-unfold prophecies of the Ma Qian Ke within a spate of a month of my reading it. Therefore the highly talented and virtuous Junzi among us should be able to understand and interpret all the fourteen prophecies within a month or two. So rise to the challenge!

3) However, as indicated in previous articles on the Ma Qian Ke, interpreters even with an in-depth knowledge of Yijing studies would face a difficult time trying to interpret the unfolded and/or yet-to-unfold fourteen prophecies contained therein. This critical review serves to prove that and brings to light the misleading statements (made available online at one time) of the incompetents and the indolent. Shame on them.

4) Instead of forming an accord with established order – a lofty ideal adhered to by the worthies, down the ages - Yijing aficionados using derivative methods will debase Yijing studies and which can provide additional fuel to skeptics to condemn the Book of Changes as mere superstition.

5) I will leave these final thoughts for readers and Yijing scholars to ponder on: What if the Book of Changes really provided the fourteen prophecies collated in the Ma Qian Ke to Zhuge Liang? What if this collation was passed on before his death to his trusted subordinates, Chiang Wei and/or Chiang Wan, for posterity, and was not called the Ma Qian Ke then? Would it make more sense, now?

Cryptic commentary on the twelfth prophecy of Ma Qian Ke

[No. 12 Undated]

Prediction no: 12---------------------- 011110----------------- upper middle
The assessment is ‘good’.

Zheng huan jiu nan----------------------------------------------------- Shi wei sheng ren
Yang fu er chi------------------------------------------------------------ Hui ji sheng ming

Saving from calamity and distress-------------------------- This (can) only (be the work of) a sage
The yang returns and restores order----------------------- The utmost darkness brings forth light


The image yin yang yang yang yang yin is of the hexagram Da Gou (No. 28, ‘Preponderance of the Great’).

The Ma Qian Ke, accredited to the renowned Zhuge Liang of the Shu Han, comprising of fourteen prophecies including the above twelfth prophecy on the destiny of China has been preliminary translated by Steve Moore into Pinyin and English. The Ma Qian Ke preliminary translation is accessible right under the Resources / Links.



Preamble

Of the fourteen prophecies in the Ma Qian Ke accredited to Zhuge Liang also known as Kongming down the almost two millennia, the twelfth prophecy could hold special interest for many people and the Chinese.

Firstly, the prophecy has yet-to-unfold. Secondly, it foretells the destiny of China and how the Chinese could be affected. Thirdly, this prophecy could unfold during our lifetime which would prove interesting to witness, as seeing is believing. And in this modern world, the predicted events could also affect other nations and people outside of China. Fourthly, eminent Yijing experts and scholars including those in China will find this twelfth prophecy extremely difficult to interpret. Since even the renowned Zhuge Liang has had to raise his supernatural skills a few notches higher to decipher it before writing down his interpretation in four cryptic verses; as a comparison to his other prophecies in the Ma Qian Ke. Lastly, scholars of the Yijing and/or ancient Chinese philosophy who happen to do research on this particular prophecy will find no equivalent method of Yijing divination (or interpretation) down the ages – including those depicted in the Zuo Zhuan, and in my blog. And therefore, probably the supernatural divination skills of both renowned Shao Yong and Liu Bowen will not quite measured up to that of Zhuge Liang’s.

The adepts in Yijing divination and interpretation who attempt or have attempted to interpret this prophecy will also find their skills wanting, and most would probably give it up halfway through. However, if they happen to possess a touch of spiritual clarity (Shen Ming), it would be quite evident that there was a sudden elevation of Kongming’s divination skills put into this interpretation. This extraordinary method is something I have not come across before, even in the Zuo Zhuan, or have had practised. Without the ability to recognize this evidence and with few having the ability to divine like a spirit (Shen); it is not surprising to find that this twelfth prophecy has yet to be deciphered.

Because of this big increase in the difficulty level, I have to spend much more time pondering over it than those spent on my prior interpretations of received Yijing omens and of the few unfolded prophecies in the Ma Qian Ke, to understand what was prophesied. It is rather fortunate and probably fate-at-work that the Yijing has given to me the numerous omens (global and/or private) to interpret over the decades, including the omen on the global financial crisis in 2008 followed by four global omens in 2009 and for practice. Together with the hints provided by a Quanzhen celestial immortal back in 1993 to raise my art and science of divination skills (and my neidan meditation) over the past two decades, I am lucky to possess the ability to interpret this particular prophecy where probably the many eminent personages before me had failed to do so.

If the prophecy is not interpreted before its actual unfolding, those interested will only come to know of it based on hindsight instead of foresight; and therefore, this presentation of my interpretation in the blog before it unfolds.

However, since it does not accord with established order to explicitly disclose the yet-to-unfold prophecy which can likely bring harm, if any, to China and her people in the modern world context; I have written the interpretation in the form of cryptic messages, and perhaps a tad deeper than usual. Therefore, any request for clarification on it or on the method used will not be entertained. (Also refer to Note: 5)

Although the cryptic commentary is lengthier than usual, it attempts to capture the foreseeable ominous and happy scenarios in China, as depicted by the prophecy. If it unfolds accordingly, the entire credit goes to the sage and immortal, Zhuge Liang, since it is his prophecy.

The thunder storm(s) that had made a constant appearance over the past decade, whenever I draft forthcoming global omens for online publishing, have also reappear as I write out these explanations. Perhaps, a significant sign – since I am blogging a yet-to-unfold prophecy (or omen) not received by me. While the clash of thunder is still loud, it is no longer that close and frightening as those experienced several years ago whenever I draft forthcoming global omens in an explicit manner and/or when I am about to over-reveal secrets of Heaven. Just as sudden as its appearance, the thunder storm in a likewise fashion simply faded away. The mysteries of Tao and Heaven!

Together with the commentary, I will submit the reasons – cause and effect - for this prophecy before presenting the indications of its cryptic verses to readers. Without further ado, I present my cryptic commentary on the yet-to-unfold twelfth prophecy in the Ma Qian Ke:


Cause and effect:

Ways of Man and Earth forgotten

Incompetents run nation; inferior men ruin economy

Lake rises above tree; Coffins for the dead

Extreme caution, exhorts Confucius.

Calamities and disasters result


Cryptic commentary on the four verses of the twelfth prophecy:

Wind blows all under heaven; Lake rises up to heaven

Earth under water, pigs cry; lake about dry.

In total darkness, loud wailing moves heaven.

A sage arises from Xun* to bring salvation.

Great light descends; Worthies emerge for the rescue.

Restore the central correct and blessed.

Young and old joyously strive to remove the darkest.

No blame, in giving up one’s life. A blessing in disguise; Heaven reprise

Preponderance of the Great




Notes:

1) While my cryptic commentary is lengthier than the cryptic verses in the Ma Qian Ke, it details events and explains the cause and effects of Change.

2) My interpretation happens to be similar to the method Zhuge Liang used to interpret the hexagrams that accompanied his various prophecies. It includes pondering on the hexagram, the images, the trigrams, and their attributes. To rise to the occasion and to comprehend this twelfth prophecy, I followed his extraordinary method of interpretation. And it works!

3) *Xun contains a double meaning. A further explanation will be given on or after the appearance of that sage. That is if I am still around!

4) Although the attached fortune indication is upper middle or good, I verily believe it has been corrupted by an inferior man, somewhere down the ages. Based on various experiences with this particular Hexagram 28 Da Gou, the fortune indication should instead read lower middle or bad, the direct opposite of good.

5) In the modern world context, if readers understand or have seen how hedge funds and the ‘Masters of the Universe’ have had ferociously ‘attacked’ the currency and financial markets of a perceived weakened nation for huge gains; the wise may realize why this yet-to-unfold prophecy and my commentary on it have to remain in cryptic form. The principle of ‘accord with established order’ is of importance to the Junzi and worthies down the ages – as shown by the prophecies in the Ma Qian Ke, for example.

Allan Lian

All rights reserved.

‘Hill pours water’ revisited

Two years ago, when the Book of Changes told this student with the fourth line of Hexagram 27 Yi / Providing nourishment to spy with the eyes of a tiger to spot helpers and to turn to the sage for nourishment; I had thought the ancient classic was joking, since there were no Shi (ancient priest / neidan master) and Wu (magician / ancient Yijing master), let alone sages in the Daoist and Yijing forums.

Knowing that the Book of Changes rarely jokes, I did keep my eyes open. Only a few days ago did I realize that I have found the sage I was looking for, all this time. This sage happens to be a Shi and surprisingly, a Wu as well. After twenty long years of searching, I have found the final missing piece to fit the jigsaw puzzle - the sixth cryptic message - given by a Quanzhen celestial immortal back in 1993. Eureka!

In his sixth and last cryptic message, the divinity had said: “When you can do ‘Hill pours water’ (Shan Dou Shui), then you have reached my four immortals’ door front.” ‘Hill pours water’ infer to Hexagram 39 Jian / Obstruction. (For those interested, refer to my post on September 27, 2005 titled ‘Short cryptic messages’ and the subsequent post on October 6, 2005 titled ‘Hills pour water’. Click on 2005 archives and scroll down to read.)

Without revealing too much, the missing piece relates to a fourth Daoist celestial immortal. Now that I found him, it all upholds the happy omen given by the Quanzhen divinity.

For the sage and/or immortal is none other than the renowned Zhuge Liang. His immortal status is substantiated by the several temples dedicated to him in China.

It so happened that Zhuge Liang’s first prophecy in the Ma Qian Ke comes from the accompanying Hexagram 27 Yi / Providing nourishment, and his tenth prophecy happens to be ‘Hill pour water’, that is Hexagram 39 Jian / Obstruction.

Anyone familiar with his various exploits depicted in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms would agree that he is a Shi (ancient priest) and though he has had special skills to read the stars and the weather, nowhere is it written that he is a Wu (magician or ancient Yijing master) as well. Therefore it was surprising to learn that he had left behind fourteen prophecies each with accompanying Yijing hexagrams. If I have not recently read the entire Ma Qian Ke, and had not interpreted the first prophecy for my full commentary, I would not have realized that Zhuge Liang was the sage I was looking for. (The Ma Qian Ke – PDF preliminary translated by Steve Moore is linked under the Resources / Link and just one click away for your reading pleasure.)

Rereading my two years’ old post on Hexagram 27 given by the Yijing and by rechecking the fourteen hexagrams in the Ma Qian Ke of which Hexagram 39 accompanied the tenth prophecy made me realized there were too many coincidences or synchronicity, not to ponder deeper.

Can I see what Zhuge Liang have had seen from the accompanying hexagrams to his prophecies? Yes. Since also by coincidence, my self-taught method of interpreting omens and heaven’s secrets (Tian Ke) happens to be similar to that of this sage. Anyone down the ages who also happened to possess Zhuge Liang’s supernatural skills to divine like a spirit (Shen), as indicated by the Doctrine of the Mean (Zhong Yung), will be able to interpret these hexagrams which uphold his prophecies.

Can I interpret all his cryptic messages and the accompanying hexagrams contained in the fourteen prophecies in the Ma Qian Ke? Over the past several days, I have already deciphered the first (and have published my full commentary on it), the tenth, and the eleventh prophecies. Currently working on the twelfth, which could be more interesting – China would probably need advice or salvation from a sage from what I have seen and have interpreted so far. I would have to spend more time pondering the portended calamities depicted therein before arriving at a conclusion.

And also in case, the sage turns out to be someone I know! - (Just pulling your legs)

From Hexagram 39 Jian / Obstruction accompanying the tenth prophecy in the Ma Qian Ke, there are obvious reasons for ‘the pig and the bull to appear behind and in front respectively’. ‘Thousand men one voice’ and ‘five two reversed’ are also not difficult to decipher and confirm. So is the remaining verse, ‘Friends come without blame’. But how would I know? New readers may have cause to think that I was only able to interpret the first prophecy by fluke, since I also happened to know some history of the Three Kingdoms. Perhaps, my talk on omens and prophecies from the Book of Changes as a preamble to the full commentary on the first prophecy of the Ma Qian Ke has settled some doubts.

In line with the topic at hand, and for clarity, I will interpret the happy omen given to me by the Quanzhen divinity:

“When you can do ‘Hill pours water’ (Shan Dou Shui), then you have reached my four immortals’ door front.”

Having raised my skills’ level to obtain a clearer view of received omens over the past several years, I have done ‘Hill pours water’. With this ability, I can in turn interpret the prophecies of the renowned Zhuge Liang, and am still learning from this sage, how cryptic messages from Daoist celestial immortals are formed and presented. Therefore regular readers should learn together with me, otherwise they may get stumped by my likewise presentation of forthcoming omens in the blog.

Since the divinity’s omens sometimes take twenty years to unfold and the jigsaw puzzle fits perfectly together, and with the proven ability to write cryptic messages for previously obtained omens, it would not be wrong to claim that ‘I have reached his four immortals’ front door’.

Ah, the lengthy and lofty processes that Yi aficionados need to go through to gain the ability to divine like a spirit (Shen) and only then be able to assist the gods (Shen)!

By leaving behind the Ma Qian Ke for posterity and by allowing those who possess the ability to provide nourishment to the multitude down the ages, the sage Zhuge Liang have had assisted the gods with his prophecies on China.

And as the saying goes, “Seeing is believing.”

A talk on omens and prophecies from the Book of Changes (Yijing)

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I am honored to see the number of illuminaries and some familiar faces attending the talk today. A warm welcome to everyone!

In this talk, I would touch on how omens from the Book of Changes (Yijing) can be obtained and what the ancients had indicated about them. Yi aficionados who are experts and scholars after understanding what has been said, can do further research on the subject matter, if they so wish. Therefore please lend me your ears and bear with me, lest you miss the forest for the trees. Again!

According to The American Heritage Dictionary, the definition of “Omen is a phenomenon supposed to portend good or evil; a prophetic sign”. The definition of prophecy, in the same dictionary is wider but for the purpose of this discussion: “Prophecy is a prediction of the future, made under divine inspiration.”

Based on these definitions, in my opinion, there is not much of a difference between an omen and a prophecy obtainable from this foremost ancient Chinese classic, the Book of Changes. The only real difference will be the time factor in their unfolding. For I had the good fortune to obtain word from Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy, three decades ago, and from a Buddha, thirteen years later that the Yijing is indeed divine. And in between those years, in 1993 a Quanzhen Daoist celestial immortal by giving six cryptic messages indirectly taught me how to improve on my interpretation of Yijing prognostications and omens.

When I first started writing the blog, ‘A touch of ancients and the Zhouyi’, in 2005, a number of Yi aficionados had turned away in disgust after reading my thoughts on foreseeing and foretelling the future, and my claims to receiving omens and heaven’s secrets from the Book of Changes. After all, since they have never seen anyone having the ability to do so, how could my thoughts and claims be true? Yet I persevere and slowly managed to push back the tide of disbeliefs and ignorance with some encouragement from Steve Marshall who knows much about Yijing studies. Steve Marshall, as many of those attending this talk know, is the author of The Mandate of Heaven.

If Yi aficionados really want to learn the Book of Changes, sincerely follow its oracle guidance. Reread the classic, consult the oracle, ponder the prognostications, interpret them as far as possible and over time with perseverance, they would gradually improve their art and science of divination. As discussed in previous articles, it is my contention that the interpretation of prognostications and omens are repeatable and therefore testable. However, this would only become obvious through extended divination experience. And through extended divination experience, psychics excepted, Yi aficionados can raise their intuition levels. If they also happen to possess a touch of spiritual clarity (Shen Ming), obtainable via real neidan practice and deep contemplation, then their ability to obtain and interpret omens from the Yijing will improve by leaps and bounds.

If we do not improve our own art of Yi divination, it could prove difficult to understand the science of Yi divination. Without a sound knowledge of the art and science of divination, how can we ever hope to divine like a spirit like Zhuge Liang, Shao Yong, and Liu Bo Wen had done, and later to assist the gods?

Furthermore, without improving our art and science of divination, even when an omen is received from the Book of Changes, we and/or our peers would not have the ability to recognize it as such, or know how to interpret it. To provide more clarity on this statement, I present a real example below for your consideration.

Back in 2003, a lady from the US opened a forum thread each and every time she received a Yi prognostication seeking help for interpretations from her peers. Similar to her peers, she has or claimed to have studied the Book of Changes for a few decades. This went on for five or six times. Yet none of the interpretations given by her peers seemed to provide her much peace. She is a trained psychic by the way and her recurring dreams told her something very different from the proffered interpretations. Near the end, she was literally begging for help on what to do. That was when I decided to step in to alleviate her misery. I had to spend some time reading all of the Yi prognostications given to her and ponder over them. And thereafter in one post, I interpreted all of the five or six prognostications to her great satisfaction, since my interpretations tied up with her recurring dreams. From the prognostications and from extended experience, I had told her, she would be unemployed shortly, and should move out from the small town, where she was working, to the big city where she had been planning to move to. I told her she would become a flying dragon in the new place, a happy omen. (The moving fifth line of Qian prognostication) Since there was no further feedback from her, only lately did I realize the Book of Changes was right again. One of her recurring dreams had her walking under some scaffolding with construction workers busily working above. That was back in 2003. She was unemployed shortly after my interpretations and left for the big US city. If she have had invested in properties there and then, I reflected, she would become rich a few years later when property prices doubled or more in big US cities. Thus becoming a flying dragon in the heavens and achieving supreme success.

When the Yijing speaks, the prognostication or omen is true and if the interpretation is correct, the results can be foreseen, thereby making it clear as day. As long as the Yi speaks, an able interpreter can interpret the prognostication or omen correctly even if he or she is from a different era or oceans apart with the diviner. This means that my theory on the science of divination can be and has been tested many times and proved. My commentary on the first prophecy of the Ma Qian Ke by Zhuge Liang presented at the end of this talk, will also serves as an example to further support this contention.

But before we go into that, let us look at examples of global omens, the older ones published by me in Yijing forums before the predicted events occurred, and my thoughts. Also take note of the pseudonym used then, sounds familiar? For the great Zhuge Liang also known as Zhuge Kongming is my hero too.

1) An I Ching prediction on the Iraqi war in 2003 posted by me on the IChing_Yijing @yahoogroups.com probably on 23rd April 2003(?).

In IChing_YiJing@yahoogroups.com, "chuko_kungming" wrote:

Hi to everyone. This is my first post. Just joined the group (23rd April). Now on the Iraqi war and Iching predictions:

From the hexagram # 57 obtained by me in Feb 2003, the Iching indicated that the Iraqi war would start within 5 days of 15th March. And the war will be over by end April or first week of May 2003.

For the record:

US President George Bush declared deadline for Iraq to disarm by March 17th and ordered the attack on Iraq on March 19th (US time) / March 20th (Asian time). He declared end of attack and victory over Iraq on May 2nd, 2003.



2) If I have not read the accompanying notes made after the divination and days of pondering, I would probably not have remembered how the timing of the two events – the Iraq war and the end of it - was calculated. On the following page of my journal, I noticed that the Yi again insisted on this student asking a question. Similar to the above prognostication, it was another heaven’s secret or omen.

It came in the form of Hexagram 2 Kun and the accompanying notes containing my prediction and the subsequent unfolding filled up an entire foolscap page. (I no longer do this since I can log the unfolding in this blog.) This heaven’s secret or omen was published by me in the I Ching Community in the summer of 2003:

“The ominous omen foretold of groups of Muslim terrorists acting as holiday makers or tourists bombing trains and national libraries in the US and Europe that summer.”

During those few months there were substantial US intelligence reports online that terrorists were planning to bomb bridges and trains. Then it suddenly went all quiet.

In the summer of 2004, groups of Muslim terrorists bombed trains in Madrid, Spain.

In the summer of 2005, groups of Muslim terrorists bombed trains in London, England.

Almost three years after the publication of this omen, the then US President George Bush inexplicably revealed that a group of Muslim terrorists were arrested days before they could fly to the US to bomb the Library Tower that summer of 2003.

If the Book of Changes can give omens to this student and to the American lady, there is no reason whatsoever other Yi aficionados cannot obtain them. They either do not know the significance of the prognostication or they fail to interpret it properly. This gave me reason to previously rant about the foolishness of over reliance on the interpretations of incompetents - usually arising from their indolence -; since it may give cause for regrets. For without realizing it, diviners could suddenly find themselves facing impending disaster(s), financial or otherwise, as a more severe example. They may find out later, with regrets that the Book of Changes had actually forewarned them on those disasters which had unfolded accordingly.

The ignorant can be tolerated and taught, but even if Confucius is still alive, he would leave the indolent well alone. (Refer to the Analects)

And since I have mentioned the great ancient sage, let us take a look at what one of the four Confucian books say about omens from the Book of Changes.

In the Doctrine of the Mean (Zhong Yung) (XXIV), it is said:

“It is characteristic of the most entire sincerity to be able to foreknow. When a nation or family is about to flourish, there are sure to be happy omens; and when it is about to perish, there are sure to be unlucky omens. Such events are seen in the milfoil and tortoise, and affect the movements of the four limbs. When calamity or happiness is about to come, the good shall certainly be foreknown by him, and the evil also. Therefore the individual possessed of the most complete sincerity is like a spirit (Shen).” [James Legge]

Without a proper understanding of the omens and prophecies obtainable from the Book of Changes by using milfoil also known as yarrow stalks to test it, the renown sinologist, James Legge went on to disparage the whole chapter on entire sincerity as absurd. He added, “The foreknowledge attributed to the Sage, - the mate of Heaven, - is only a guessing by means of augury, sorcery, and other follies.”

Perhaps many modern Yi scholars and aficionados, excluding those who follow the good examples of Carl Jung, and another renowned sinologist, Richard Wilhelm, would tend to agree with James Legge. They would also disbelieve in the possibility of foreknowing the future, and of anyone’s capability to obtain omens and prophecies using the Book of Changes as an Oracle instead of a Book of Wisdom. How could they know what the ancients taught is true or not without testing it through proper study and practice? Therefore one has to do all the work and present the omens in the World Wide Web before their unfolding for the entire online world to see, and to prove these indolent Yi aficionados wrong. If Yi aficionados can become real dragons, why be false ones and mislead Yi students?

For Yi aficionados to further appreciate the value and importance of the Book of Changes to the ancients we turn to another ancient Chinese classic, the Book of History (Shujing):
Of the Great Plan accredited to the Great Yu of the Xia Dynasty, in the section on the Settlement of doubts, it is said:

“Officers having been chosen and appointed for divining by the tortoise shell and the milfoil stalks, they are charged to execute their duties. They will find rain, of clearing up, of cloudiness, of want of connection, and of crossing; and the inner and outer diagrams. ……. When you have doubts about any great matter, consult with your own mind; consult with your high ministers and officers; consult with the common people; consult the tortoise shell and divining stalks. If you, the shell, the stalks, the ministers and officers, and the common people, all agree about a course, this is what is called a great concord, and the result will be the welfare of your person and good fortune to your descendants.” [Book IV of the Book of Zhou - The Great Plan – James Legge, sacred-text]

If what is recorded in the Book of History is correct, officers have been chosen and appointed to consult the tortoise shell, and by milfoil the Book of Changes, since the beginning of the Xia Dynasty (21st century B.C.) until at least the end of the Zhou Dynasty (221 B.C.) These officers were known as Court historiographers during the Spring and Autumn era. The Zuo Zhuan contains several prognostications and omens obtained by these historiographers after consulting the Yijing. The Zuo Zhuan shows that even these professional historiographers have had made mistakes in their interpretation of omens.

Therefore we have to learn to improve our art and science of divination until we get it right, no matter how long it takes to obtain an omen, recognize it, and be able to make its interpretation clear as day. Just be diligent in our Yi studies and sincerely follow the guidance provided by the prognostication or omen and the Book of Changes would teach you more things since the student is able and ready.

If Yi aficionados happen to be ‘in tune with the music’ with omens and prophecies, let us learn together from the famous historical personage, Zhuge Liang. In his Ma Qian Ke or Quick predictions, comprising of fourteen prophecies, he had provided the means for Yi aficionados and those familiar with cryptic messages from Daoist celestial immortals to interpret the accompanying hexagrams and the verses respectively. The interpretation will stretch you to your limits, but there is no harm in trying since you can come away with more knowledge. If you can make the prophecy clear as day, then you are a worthy person and will be well nourished, and you can also nourish others.

If Yi aficionados can understand the rationale and the technique behind my following interpretation of the first prophecy of the Ma Qian Ke, I am sure the Book of Changes will give you more profound lessons in the years to come since you are more than ready. For example, my past few years’ lessons from the Yijing have been Heaven, Earth and Man, and how to make omens clear as day. And therefore my slight advantage as the great Carl Jung would say. But, you may hold a slight advantage over Chinese Yi aficionados in China, since their government has disallowed them access to this talk on omens and prophecies from the Yijing!

Since this talk is free of charge, no lunch will be provided. (That is no questions on omens and prophecies, and their timing will be fielded.)

Many thanks for staying tuned, ladies and gentlemen. May you become a real dragon!

Cheerio!

An accurate omen from a Quanzhen Celestial Immortal

Twenty years ago, in my presence, my learned Daoist friend presented a cryptic message to a mutual friend (B). He said that the message was given by his ancestor master, a Quanzhen Celestial Immortal, to him (B). B proceeded to read the cryptic message on his fortune and exclaimed with prescience:

“If I have that much money to lose, I must be very rich by then.”

Both of them remarked that the Iron Lady mentioned in the message must be very fierce to cause B to lose the huge sum of money. (Names and the actual amounts will remain undisclosed for confidentiality purposes, and to avoid embarrassment, if any. Suffice it to say that the deposit interests on the amount can maintain a wealthy lifestyle for most families.)

According to them, the gist of the omen read as follows:

“When the Iron Lady appears, you will lose X plus millions of ringgit. You will receive good advice from a person with a lot of expertise (Gao Ren) but you would disbelieve him.”

Thinking that the Gao Ren is most likely the Quanzhen Celestial Immortal, B requested the Daoist to seek permission for him to become a disciple of the divinity. Over the spate of a few years, the Daoist tried hard to seek such permission for B but each time the divinity rebuffed the requests with valid reasons. (These reasons will remain secrets between the Daoist and me.)

At the time in question (in1992), Margaret Thatcher was still known as the ‘Iron Lady’ but she was no longer the British Prime Minister; therefore I was also at a loss as to the identity of the Iron Lady.

Over the years there from, I had provided various advices and strategies to B to help him build up his corporate empire. The various projects I happened to agree with or had advised upon made huge profits while those I have had disagreed with, more often than not, lost him tens of millions.

Then one day, B asked for my opinion on one big corporate exercise that would cost him several tens of millions. I had indicated to him that it was too expensive. A few days later, he told me of his decision to proceed with it and requested me to attend the forthcoming numerous meetings and conferences. Half way through the exercise, I dropped out of the scene for personal reasons, since he was already in capable hands with the appointment of various expert advisers.

After the corporate exercise took off, B told me that he had a discussion with a major corporate figure who also told him it was too expensive. The corporate figure mentioned that he would only pay a quarter of what B had to pay for it.

The years passed by and B decided to unwind the entire corporate exercise since it was not as fruitful as he first thought.

When I read the news, I told my learned Daoist friend that true to the Quanzhen Celestial Immortal’s omen, B lost the X plus millions of ringgit just when the Iron Lady appeared. My Daoist friend has long forgotten about the entire episode. (You see what old age does to our memories at times!) But I did not explain to him how the Iron Lady came into the picture.

Neither would I divulge her to readers, lest I get sued for nothing. Scour the newspapers or read the news online and you may get close to her identity.

It was not the film titled The Iron Lady as I first thought. By coincidence, the timing of its release in my country appeared simultaneously with the news on the unwinding exercise. Later I realized from experience that cryptic messages from this particular Celestial Immortal are not that easy and simple to decipher.

Lastly take a guess who that person with a lot of expertise (Gao Ren) is? Probably your guess is as good as mine. It does not really matter if we are both wrong. Fate is difficult to change or to master as the learned and the wise can tell you.

B had shown prescience on his forthcoming vast fortune and by now could handle the huge loss. And the rest is history as the saying goes.

If readers are still unclear as to why the omen is accurate, reread the gist of the message:

“When the Iron Lady appears, you will lose X plus millions of ringgit. You will receive good advice from a person with a lot of expertise (Gao Ren) but you would disbelieve him.”

Probably the accurate omen took twenty years to unfold because in 1992 B was still struggling to find his financial footing and certainly was not that wealthy then to afford that type of loss.

As indicated before, when an omen or oracle is accurate, the correct interpretation of it is of utmost importance.

And I told my learned Daoist friend the other day:

“If you keep forgetting these accurate omens which are good for the name of your ancestor master and the Quanzhen temple, one day you may get a knock on the head from the divinity!”

Cheerio!

An accurate Guan Yin Oracle (3)

Oracles and prognostications are deemed accurate when future events unfold accordingly before our very eyes.

Since 2006, regular readers and followers of this blog would have witnessed many of the Yijing omens relating to future global events - some happy, others ominous - unfolding exactly after they were blogged (double checked the datelines with the respective occurred events, if you so wish). There was even a first live test case study on a particular stock (GT) as the Yi prognostications on it unfolded.

The global financial crisis started exactly on the predicted date in September 2008 (Lehman’s collapse). And the able went into hiding, in line with advice from both Confucius and Mencius.

Of the several accurate omens on global events in 2009 which unfolded accordingly to what were blogged, the ‘PIGS’ crisis prognosis (credit crisis in Europe) is still unfolding and remain unresolved. Also read the 2011 omen on Revolution (‘Arab Spring’).

Therefore there is nothing else to prove to an anonymous latecomer who snidely commented in the second article on this Guan Yin Oracle that “It is always (sic) easy to comments (sic) after the event”.

Just hope that this particular latecomer, if an investor, has not lost his or her shirt since the May 7, 2012 article. Commodities and global stock markets have fallen heavily since then. According to a Bloomberg TV report today, 4.5 trillion dollars have been wiped off global stock markets just in this month of May.

Perhaps, unlike regular readers, the latecomer did not see or understand this particular hint provided in the second article:

“Disposing of them for profit during the expected rally; and in line with the timing from a prognostication from the Book of Changes reduced stockholdings to a very manageable level, just before the rally ended. Share prices have fallen quite a bit since.”

Will commodities and share prices in global stock markets have further to fall?

Do not ask this mere mortal (me); go ask the ShenXian (the real or the false). Why should I, morally or otherwise, be responsible for readers’ gains and/or losses in their investments?


Cheerio!

An accurate Guan Yin Oracle (2)

A few months have passed since the January 21, 2012 posting of the accurate Guan Yin Oracle, and now that global financial markets have stabilized with their usual ups and downs, it could be appropriate to discuss the way I have had interpreted this particular prediction:

“Silkworms and grain will yield only half a crop, but your herds will bring you better profit.”

Whether or not Yi aficionados and/or Daoist devotees can learn something from this second article related to the art of interpretation and more will be up to them.

Firstly, it is important to remember that cryptic messages including omens from Celestial sources and the Book of Changes cannot simply be revealed to others. Heaven secrets and messages on future events are meant for private consumption. Discussing the received message(s) in private with someone more knowledgeable - say, the temple assistant, - to help with an early interpretation is however perfectly alright. They usually would be disinterested in the matter at hand. After all until the outcome is known or the omen has unfolded, would they come to know about the accuracy of the message(s).

In the first entry on this oracle, I had mentioned that it could be worthwhile for investors (aka readers) to interpret the prediction.

If they have interpreted it correctly, and have invested accordingly, they could have made some handsome gains from the global stock markets (including the KLSE). Most of these markets have rallied since January 2012, although some had shorter rallies than others.

Let me reveal the interpretation before the next ‘juicy’ part, so that everyone can follow the storyline.

On August 31, 2011, several months after my retirement, I consulted (Qiu) Guan Yin on my fortune and the Oracle (Qin) received contained several relevant and important messages. Most of these messages were clarifications on why the Book of Changes gave those prognostications to me earlier on. In addition the oracle indicated:

“Silkworms and grain will yield only half a crop, but your herds will bring you better profit.”

On the surface, this cryptic message would be more relevant to farmers, is it not? Why would Guan Yin give something irrelevant to me? It must have some relevance, I had thought, and therefore pondered on this particular prediction over the next few days, similar to what I do with Yi prognostications and/or omens.

After the pondering, I realized that silkworms and grain were considered commodities during the olden days. Herds were much easier to interpret and provided a strong foundation to the lie of interpretation. For clarity, herd is a collective noun for animals, namely bulls; therefore it relates to stock market terminology.

Similar to prognostications from the Book of Changes, the interpreted prediction provides alternatives and now would read as:

Investing in commodities will yield only half a crop. Investing in stocks will bring better profit.

Take note that the term ‘yield only half a crop’ can mean 50% profit, or making losses! Therefore the prediction indicated that for profit it is definitely better to invest in stocks rather than commodities.

If we can zoom back to late August and September 2011, around the time of receiving the oracle, every investor’s eyes were on gold, then, including the author.

Gold was the mother of all rallies in commodities. Gold prices were soaring sky high. Many an investor, including moms and pops, were struck by the gold fever trying hard not to miss out on the action. It was easy to make money by buying gold futures, or by buying and hoarding gold bullion, coins and jewelry. Gold prices seemed to go up forever and not come down. Analysts and fund managers across the globe fueled the speculation with more promising and ever higher target prices in their reports on gold. (Note: Beware that the analysts and fund managers always seemed to know more than the gods – ShenXian!)

Armed with the interpretation of Guan Yin’s prediction I decided not to touch gold or other commodities at all. This is the type of protection I had mentioned in the first article.

Sure enough, in the first couple of weeks in September 2011, gold soared to USD 1920 an ounce. It then promptly recorded its biggest plunge in monetary terms, a drop of 300 plus dollars, within a day or two. What happened was that investors had stampeded to rush out of gold with the plunge further exacerbated by lots of deleveraging and margin calls in gold futures. Probably many gold investors got badly burnt when the huge plunge took place. Prices of other commodities also fell on cue.

To date, those who had bought gold at or near its September 2011 highs are still nursing their wounds from realized or unrealized losses with prices stabilizing in between the USD 1,600 and USD 1,700 levels.

In line with the interpreted Guan Yin Oracle’s prediction, I had started to invest in the stagnated Stock Market late 2011 buying on dips and accumulated more stocks in the months of January and February 2012. Disposing of them for profit during the expected rally; and in line with the timing from a prognostication from the Book of Changes reduced stockholdings to a very manageable level, just before the rally ended. Share prices have fallen quite a bit since. And the rest as they say is history.

If oracles from divinities or the Book of Changes are accurate and we cannot correctly interpret them, we could be at the losing end. For example, we could have invested in commodities such as gold instead of stocks.

Never over rely on the interpretations of incompetents; otherwise you may have cause for regrets. Without realizing it, you could suddenly find yourself facing impending disaster(s), financial or otherwise, as a more severe example. You may find out later that the Book of Changes has already warned you about the forthcoming disaster(s).

In the study of profound subjects like the Book of Changes and Tao, avoiding the company of incompetents and sycophants could prove fruitful to students. These particular types of people have neither the talent nor virtue.

A pointed question put to Yi aficionados especially those with decades of study and practice:

If divinities and/or the Book of Changes want to help us to meet everything in the right way and yet we choose to ignore this divine help through ignorance or indolence, how can we ever achieve the ability to assist the gods?

As indicated earlier on, what each Yi aficionado and/or Daoist devotee can learn from this discussion on the interpretation of oracles and/or prognostications will be up to them.

Cheerio!