In Spring 2014, Daoist celestial immortal, Wong Tai Sin gave me a poem by way of a qin when I paid a visit to his popular temple in HK. The poem turned out to be an ominous omen:
“Clouds envelop Qinling Mountain and I do not know where my home is.
The snow covers Languan Pass and the horses will go no further.”
It was the same prophetic poem given by Han Xiangzi to Han Yu, his uncle which unfolded. Han Yu was a top poet and influential Neo Confucian of Tang at the time. Han Yu was later exiled to ChaoChui by the Tang Emperor and on the way there his horses had refused to move because of a blizzard. Soon he was covered by snow and faced impending death until his nephew, Han Xiangzi appeared to rescue him.
[Read Canadian Museum of History online – Volumes 1 and 2 - to appreciate the poem and the story behind it.] Han Xiangzi is one of the famous eight Daoist immortals. (Ba Xian)
Lately, I realized why my current dire situation is about the same as Han Yu and in need of rescue.
While Han Yu had had Han Xiangzi to rescue him during the blizzard and from impending death, which divinity will come to save me from the calamity? I have prayed.
Showing posts with label Omens 1. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Omens 1. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Monday, February 09, 2015
A similar air disaster?
Regular readers especially Malaysians are advised not to fly north to Beijing or to any other countries in between Malaysia and China from the month of March onwards to the first week of May, 2015.
Ample time is given for regular readers to reschedule their holidays or business trips to these countries, if they do not wish to tempt fate.
Similar to the missing MH 370, the flight could also be in the early hours of the morning, and the airplane’s communication system would be damaged by person(s) on board the plane. The airplane will then turn back and fly for a few hours before it reaches its resting place.
If my interpretation of this omen from the Book of Changes (Yijing / I Ching / Zhouyi) is correct, the airplane would come to rest near the vicinity of the missing MH 370.
It is suggested that the current authorities in charge of the search for the missing MH 370 to double check on the military radar readings and on the satellite signals of March 8, 2014. Scientific evidence can sometimes be marred by human flaws or guestimates.
Is there a possibility that the Malaysian military radar has had tracked a different airplane? Are there any possibilities that false signals or signals from another plane had been sent to the Inmarsat satellite instead?
The suggestion is to save much money and time for the authorities before they restart their search for the airplane that has been missing for the past eleven months; with no closure in sight.
Ample time is given for regular readers to reschedule their holidays or business trips to these countries, if they do not wish to tempt fate.
Similar to the missing MH 370, the flight could also be in the early hours of the morning, and the airplane’s communication system would be damaged by person(s) on board the plane. The airplane will then turn back and fly for a few hours before it reaches its resting place.
If my interpretation of this omen from the Book of Changes (Yijing / I Ching / Zhouyi) is correct, the airplane would come to rest near the vicinity of the missing MH 370.
It is suggested that the current authorities in charge of the search for the missing MH 370 to double check on the military radar readings and on the satellite signals of March 8, 2014. Scientific evidence can sometimes be marred by human flaws or guestimates.
Is there a possibility that the Malaysian military radar has had tracked a different airplane? Are there any possibilities that false signals or signals from another plane had been sent to the Inmarsat satellite instead?
The suggestion is to save much money and time for the authorities before they restart their search for the airplane that has been missing for the past eleven months; with no closure in sight.
Friday, January 23, 2015
Guard ammunition dumps!
According to an omen from the Book of Changes, a religious fervor group is planning something bold and daring that could shock the world and its financial markets.
If my interpretation of the omen is accurate, the first part of their plan is to raid ammunition dumps for munitions – rockets, missiles, guns and ammo – before carrying out the second part which is to kill innocents in another area and/or in another country.
Groups of six youths (can include female) would make a lightning dawn raid on the ammunition dumps. If successful, they will truck the munitions away to carry out the rest of the plan.
Therefore to deter this religious fervor group from successfully carrying their evil plan, governments should strengthen and place the guard on alert at their respective ammunition dumps or depots. Replace incompetent guard commanders, if any.
The governments of countries which were mentioned in my potpourri of updates would be well advised to do so if they want to protect their citizens and other innocents.
P.S.
The religious fervor group is well known and probably on every Western and Asian government lips. These daring youths probably have war experiences, unlike some guards at the ammunition dumps.
Hope the deterrence would be good enough to stop them from carrying out the first part of their plan.
The countries which they will probably carry out their strikes at (part one and part two) will remain undisclosed – no free lunch.
If my interpretation of the omen is accurate, the first part of their plan is to raid ammunition dumps for munitions – rockets, missiles, guns and ammo – before carrying out the second part which is to kill innocents in another area and/or in another country.
Groups of six youths (can include female) would make a lightning dawn raid on the ammunition dumps. If successful, they will truck the munitions away to carry out the rest of the plan.
Therefore to deter this religious fervor group from successfully carrying their evil plan, governments should strengthen and place the guard on alert at their respective ammunition dumps or depots. Replace incompetent guard commanders, if any.
The governments of countries which were mentioned in my potpourri of updates would be well advised to do so if they want to protect their citizens and other innocents.
P.S.
The religious fervor group is well known and probably on every Western and Asian government lips. These daring youths probably have war experiences, unlike some guards at the ammunition dumps.
Hope the deterrence would be good enough to stop them from carrying out the first part of their plan.
The countries which they will probably carry out their strikes at (part one and part two) will remain undisclosed – no free lunch.
Friday, January 09, 2015
Potpourri of updates
1) Readership
While readers from the US still dominate the readership of the blog for most months of the year, the Russians came up top followed by the Ukrainians in the months of September and October 2014 showing particular interests on subjects of the duality concept, neidan (inner alchemy), and a study of the ancient Way (Tao).
For the past two weeks, the French has surprisingly topped the weekly readership while much fewer Russians, probably affected by their country’s economic crisis, came to read the blog.
Readership from China and Taiwan has also shown an increase with particular hits on the prophecies of the Ma Qian Ke, on Yijing Hexagrams, and on the Sage in Hexagram 28 Da Gou / Preponderance of the Great probably to verify what many eminent Chinese scholars in the past have had missed. If not for the twelfth prophecy of Zhuge Liang (Kongming) in the Ma Qian Ke and the rechecking on the Analects of Confucius, I would have missed the sage in the particular hexagram too. Yijing aficionados who have the ability to divine like a spirit (Shen) should be able to see the sage in the Da Gou hexagram as well.
2) No free lunch
For two years, I have not posted global omens before their unfolding. It is not that the Book of Changes did not want to tell me something - my spiritual awareness was raised on several occasions in 2014 and last week - but since the omens are of no concern to me, I did not consult the Yijing at all. And left it to fate (Ming).
If governments want to spend hundreds of millions of US dollars to protect their citizens and yet fail to do so, or to locate a missing airliner and still have not done so, what has that got to do with me? (Refer to one of the four global omens published in 2009 which indicated an impending airline crash before it occurred, if interested.) So much for wisely saving pennies and foolishly spending the pounds, the British would tend to say!
If government agencies with the expectation of more free lunches read my blog to scour for forthcoming global omens, it would hardly be surprising if terrorists will also do that before they set out on their preplanned atrocious schemes to kill as many innocents as possible. (Remember my published global omen a decade ago about Muslim terrorists pretending to be tourists will bomb a Library (Tower), bridges, train stations in the US and Europe in summer?)
Is there a possibility that the terrorists who happened to be French have had also read the blog before they set out to murder several cartoonists in cold blood in Paris? Or was it pure coincidence that the French suddenly topped the readership of the blog for the past two weeks?
3) Month long visit
Recently, my family and I have had crossed the great waters to visit relatives who have migrated to distant lands. It has been many years since I have seen some of these kinfolk. My adult children have probably not met their paternal granduncle and an uncle before. It is both refreshing and a joy to meet up with relatives to reminiscence of old times. I am happy to find them all fit and healthy.
The children enjoyed themselves playing with snow on Mount Ruapehu in NZ since they had not seen real snow before. The NZ strawberries in season were large and sweet. So were the cherries and apricots in Australia. Love the fruits, and the cherries were a few-fold cheaper than those sold in Malaysia. While the total expenditure for the month long visit down under can buy a small new car, for the reasons stated, it was rather worth it.
By coincidence, the sun came out to greet us when we arrived in Auckland. It had been raining quite heavily for days before. Expected, I told my wife with a smile. Although there were some Spring showers and spitting during our stay in NZ, each time they lasted only for a short while. The sun came out in force when we were in Melbourne. Meanwhile, I was told that it was raining cats and dogs in Kuala Lumpur for almost the entire month of my absence.
For the observant, it would be a rather strange phenomenon, but it happens. This could be a benefit for being central, correct and blessed?
If readers have to guess where the money comes from for the trips to Hong Kong and Macau, and down under in 2014, they have not been reading my blog on a regular basis!
4) Free lunches
Free lunches have been provided to Malaysian investors in the KLSE over the years and I still do if they have not noticed. Just read what I do with my shares investments in the KLSE. If I clear most of my stockholdings, the KLSE usually experiences drastic falls not long after that!
While readers from the US still dominate the readership of the blog for most months of the year, the Russians came up top followed by the Ukrainians in the months of September and October 2014 showing particular interests on subjects of the duality concept, neidan (inner alchemy), and a study of the ancient Way (Tao).
For the past two weeks, the French has surprisingly topped the weekly readership while much fewer Russians, probably affected by their country’s economic crisis, came to read the blog.
Readership from China and Taiwan has also shown an increase with particular hits on the prophecies of the Ma Qian Ke, on Yijing Hexagrams, and on the Sage in Hexagram 28 Da Gou / Preponderance of the Great probably to verify what many eminent Chinese scholars in the past have had missed. If not for the twelfth prophecy of Zhuge Liang (Kongming) in the Ma Qian Ke and the rechecking on the Analects of Confucius, I would have missed the sage in the particular hexagram too. Yijing aficionados who have the ability to divine like a spirit (Shen) should be able to see the sage in the Da Gou hexagram as well.
2) No free lunch
For two years, I have not posted global omens before their unfolding. It is not that the Book of Changes did not want to tell me something - my spiritual awareness was raised on several occasions in 2014 and last week - but since the omens are of no concern to me, I did not consult the Yijing at all. And left it to fate (Ming).
If governments want to spend hundreds of millions of US dollars to protect their citizens and yet fail to do so, or to locate a missing airliner and still have not done so, what has that got to do with me? (Refer to one of the four global omens published in 2009 which indicated an impending airline crash before it occurred, if interested.) So much for wisely saving pennies and foolishly spending the pounds, the British would tend to say!
If government agencies with the expectation of more free lunches read my blog to scour for forthcoming global omens, it would hardly be surprising if terrorists will also do that before they set out on their preplanned atrocious schemes to kill as many innocents as possible. (Remember my published global omen a decade ago about Muslim terrorists pretending to be tourists will bomb a Library (Tower), bridges, train stations in the US and Europe in summer?)
Is there a possibility that the terrorists who happened to be French have had also read the blog before they set out to murder several cartoonists in cold blood in Paris? Or was it pure coincidence that the French suddenly topped the readership of the blog for the past two weeks?
3) Month long visit
Recently, my family and I have had crossed the great waters to visit relatives who have migrated to distant lands. It has been many years since I have seen some of these kinfolk. My adult children have probably not met their paternal granduncle and an uncle before. It is both refreshing and a joy to meet up with relatives to reminiscence of old times. I am happy to find them all fit and healthy.
The children enjoyed themselves playing with snow on Mount Ruapehu in NZ since they had not seen real snow before. The NZ strawberries in season were large and sweet. So were the cherries and apricots in Australia. Love the fruits, and the cherries were a few-fold cheaper than those sold in Malaysia. While the total expenditure for the month long visit down under can buy a small new car, for the reasons stated, it was rather worth it.
By coincidence, the sun came out to greet us when we arrived in Auckland. It had been raining quite heavily for days before. Expected, I told my wife with a smile. Although there were some Spring showers and spitting during our stay in NZ, each time they lasted only for a short while. The sun came out in force when we were in Melbourne. Meanwhile, I was told that it was raining cats and dogs in Kuala Lumpur for almost the entire month of my absence.
For the observant, it would be a rather strange phenomenon, but it happens. This could be a benefit for being central, correct and blessed?
If readers have to guess where the money comes from for the trips to Hong Kong and Macau, and down under in 2014, they have not been reading my blog on a regular basis!
4) Free lunches
Free lunches have been provided to Malaysian investors in the KLSE over the years and I still do if they have not noticed. Just read what I do with my shares investments in the KLSE. If I clear most of my stockholdings, the KLSE usually experiences drastic falls not long after that!
Monday, October 14, 2013
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!
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!
Thursday, June 20, 2013
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.
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.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Emulating ancient Zhou (and Zhuge Liang) (2)
The time was on the morrow, when the king [King Wu] went round his six hosts in state, and made a clear declaration to all his officers. He said, 'Oh I my valiant men of the west, from Heaven are the illustrious courses of duty, of which the (several) requirements are quite plain. And now Shang, the king of Shang, treats with contemptuous slight the five regular (virtues), and abandons himself to wild idleness and irreverence. He has cut himself off from Heaven, and brought enmity between himself and the people.
He cut through the leg-bones of those who were wading, in the morning; he cut out the heart of the worthy man. By the use of his power, killing, and murdering, he has poisoned and sickened all within the four seas. His honours and confidence are given to the villainous and bad.
He has driven from him his instructors and guardians. He has thrown to the winds the statutes and penal laws. He has imprisoned and enslaved the upright officer.
He neglects the sacrifices to heaven and earth. He has discontinued the offerings in the ancestral temple. He makes contrivances of wonderful device and extraordinary cunning to please his wife.
--God will no longer indulge him, but with a curse is sending down on him this ruin. Do ye with untiring zeal support me, the One man, reverently to execute the punishment appointed by Heaven. The ancients have said, "He who soothes us is our sovereign; he who oppresses us is our enemy."
This solitary fellow Shâu, having exercised great tyranny, is your perpetual enemy. (It is said again), "In planting (a man's) virtue, strive to make it great; in putting away (a man's) wickedness, strive to do it from the roots."
Here I, the little child, by the powerful help of you, all my officers, will utterly exterminate your enemy. Do you, all my officers, march forward with determined boldness to sustain your prince. Where there is much merit, there shall be large reward; where you do not so advance, there shall be conspicuous disgrace.
'Oh! (the virtue of) my deceased father Wan was like the shining of the sun and moon. His brightness extended over the four quarters of the land, and shone signally in the western region. Hence it is that our Kâu has received (the allegiance of) many states. If I subdue Shâu, it will not be from my prowess but from the faultless (virtue of) my deceased father Wan.
If Shâu subdue me, it will not be from any fault of my deceased father Wan, but because I, the little child, am not good.'
[Sacred-Texts.com - The Great Declaration (3) Part V The Books of Zhou – Book of History (Shujing)]
He cut through the leg-bones of those who were wading, in the morning; he cut out the heart of the worthy man. By the use of his power, killing, and murdering, he has poisoned and sickened all within the four seas. His honours and confidence are given to the villainous and bad.
He has driven from him his instructors and guardians. He has thrown to the winds the statutes and penal laws. He has imprisoned and enslaved the upright officer.
He neglects the sacrifices to heaven and earth. He has discontinued the offerings in the ancestral temple. He makes contrivances of wonderful device and extraordinary cunning to please his wife.
--God will no longer indulge him, but with a curse is sending down on him this ruin. Do ye with untiring zeal support me, the One man, reverently to execute the punishment appointed by Heaven. The ancients have said, "He who soothes us is our sovereign; he who oppresses us is our enemy."
This solitary fellow Shâu, having exercised great tyranny, is your perpetual enemy. (It is said again), "In planting (a man's) virtue, strive to make it great; in putting away (a man's) wickedness, strive to do it from the roots."
Here I, the little child, by the powerful help of you, all my officers, will utterly exterminate your enemy. Do you, all my officers, march forward with determined boldness to sustain your prince. Where there is much merit, there shall be large reward; where you do not so advance, there shall be conspicuous disgrace.
'Oh! (the virtue of) my deceased father Wan was like the shining of the sun and moon. His brightness extended over the four quarters of the land, and shone signally in the western region. Hence it is that our Kâu has received (the allegiance of) many states. If I subdue Shâu, it will not be from my prowess but from the faultless (virtue of) my deceased father Wan.
If Shâu subdue me, it will not be from any fault of my deceased father Wan, but because I, the little child, am not good.'
[Sacred-Texts.com - The Great Declaration (3) Part V The Books of Zhou – Book of History (Shujing)]
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Emulating ancient Zhou (and Zhuge Liang)
____ ____
_________ Kan
____ ____
_________
____ ____ Gen
____ ____
#39 Jian / Obstruction
The southwest furthers.
The northeast does not further.
Hill pours water (Shan Dou Shui)
In the midst of greatest obstructions, friends come.
Pig behind, Ox in front
Previous intimidated multitude arose with one voice
Five one reverse
Falsely jailed minister and patriots march into palace
_________ Kan
____ ____
_________
____ ____ Gen
____ ____
#39 Jian / Obstruction
The southwest furthers.
The northeast does not further.
Hill pours water (Shan Dou Shui)
In the midst of greatest obstructions, friends come.
Pig behind, Ox in front
Previous intimidated multitude arose with one voice
Five one reverse
Falsely jailed minister and patriots march into palace
Friday, February 01, 2013
An update of my profile and things
It has been almost eight years since my blogging started and this is the 600th article, and having reached a milestone of sorts, it is time to update my profile and things.
What was stated in the first article dated March 26, 2005 on Heaven and Earth remain my ambition to make seemingly profound things (including phenomena) easy and simple for others to understand and to follow.
If making complicated things easy and simple to understand and to follow has worked in my professional undertakings for over three decades, it could also work in the study of the profound Tao and the Book of Changes. Though it may take longer to do so, not because of insufficient knowledge but because many minds have for too long come under the undue influence of ignorant scholars / translators, fake Tao and Yijing ‘masters’, I would still try.
Readers having the caliber would comprehend the simplicity of my second article dated March 27, 2005 on ‘What do the ancients teach?’ which is reproduced below for your easy reference:
“After spending much time on the Ancients’ thoughts, my simple understanding is that the great masters (Laozi, Confucius, Buddha and others) all teach a way to cultivate and return to the Tao. The neo Taoists (including immortals), neo Confucians and neo Buddhists (including Bodhidharma) named this method as the cultivation of both essence and bodily life.
To return to the Tao one therefore has to meditate (essence) and cultivate virtues (bodily life) forming the main part of one’s cultivation.
Lest you forget about the ancient Book of Changes (I Ching or Zhouyi), there are references to the trigrams and hexagrams in inner alchemy texts so it is advisable to study the Zhouyi too. If you do divination it can heighten your spiritual awareness. And if the Zhouyi truly speaks to you, wow!
Writing here may spark intensity to analyze and research the Ancients’ thoughts in a different perspective from what you and I have delved in so far. Learning shall not cease.
Sometimes the truth is in front of you, inside you, or out there.”
And most of the six hundred articles in the blog deal specifically with ancient teachings therefore if readers have any questions on these things, they could probably find an answer from one of these articles.
There are many a time when I pulled the legs of readers by quoting Zhuangzi’ ‘How would I know (that)?’ to cast doubts on my real knowledge especially on neidan (inner alchemy) and/or Tao. While the more discerning among the readers would know if I really knew the topic well or not, others would have to do further research instead of relying on my words to understand what were actually discussed.
Instead of remaining a hidden dragon, and pretending not to know – it is much easier than pretending to be a know-it-all - and to substantiate that what is contained in the Secret of the Golden Flower and the Hui Ming Ching as translated by Richard Wilhelm / Baynes is appropriate for learning the backward flow method for the Circulation of the Light, no matter what pedant scholars or other translators say, my up-to-date profile would now read as:
“Allan Lian, a Malaysian Chinese, started to read the four Confucian books and five Classics at age 19. The Zhouyi has since 1990 bestowed upon him global omens. In 2003 he published on the Web the first of several global omens before their actual unfolding. Their accuracy has probably caught USA’s attention evidenced by her 2010 preparations to protect Americans.
Self-taught, he cultivates his nature (Xing) and fate (Ming) and practises the backward flow method for the Circulation of the Light. He has shared insights since 1993 with a Quanzhen Longmen VIP. While Allan may have witnessed several eternal Tao signposts and has the spiritual clarity to probably penetrate ancient classics and the Changes, he is still learning. The blog title depicts his finite knowledge.”
My self-studying of the ancient four books and five classics have started at the late age of nineteen compared to the renowned Neo Daoists and Neo Confucians who probably have had studied the same received texts from childhood right up to their youth. Except that, I am probably a bit more fortunate than most since the Book of Changes has given me many omens including global ones over the decades.
By studying and cultivating what has been taught by the ancients, and at the mature age of forty, I decided to self practise the ancient meditation taught in the Secret of the Golden Flower by Lu Dongbin (the Daoist text translated by Wilhelm / Baynes). Having attained some success in it, I started to share the insights with my learned Quanzhen friend - an elder who is taught directly by his ancestor master, a Daoist celestial immortal - and have continued to do so over two decades. Over the years, because of his cultivation, dedication, and sacrifices, my friend has been promoted to be a leader in Quanzhen Longmen Pai.
However a word of caution: students should not jump in to learn the backward flow method either from this Daoist text or from real neidan masters in China unless they are already cultivating virtues – also refer to the articles on ‘Right persons for Tao’ and on ‘Of students and masters (12)’. There is actually no need to rush since the eternal signposts of Tao of which some have been blogged over the years will always be there for the right persons. Since the truth is in front of you, inside you, or out there.
Over the years, friends and readers have requested to study under me but since I still have lots to learn and my blogging can benefit more people in the world, I do not take in students. Their questions on neidan, Tao and the Book of Changes would probably be answered by one of the six hundred articles or in future articles, if at all. Please take note of that.
With the explanations in this 600th article, perhaps readers now understand why I seemed to know a touch more on the Book of Changes, neidan, Heaven, and Tao than many. And can be highly critical of those who intend to mislead students in the study and in the practice of these profound subjects.
According to the Book of Changes, a generation has since passed therefore it is time for this dragon to reappear to the multitude once again!
And to follow the guidance of our venerable teacher accordingly is a way for Yijing aficionados to master fate and to change destiny!
What was stated in the first article dated March 26, 2005 on Heaven and Earth remain my ambition to make seemingly profound things (including phenomena) easy and simple for others to understand and to follow.
If making complicated things easy and simple to understand and to follow has worked in my professional undertakings for over three decades, it could also work in the study of the profound Tao and the Book of Changes. Though it may take longer to do so, not because of insufficient knowledge but because many minds have for too long come under the undue influence of ignorant scholars / translators, fake Tao and Yijing ‘masters’, I would still try.
Readers having the caliber would comprehend the simplicity of my second article dated March 27, 2005 on ‘What do the ancients teach?’ which is reproduced below for your easy reference:
“After spending much time on the Ancients’ thoughts, my simple understanding is that the great masters (Laozi, Confucius, Buddha and others) all teach a way to cultivate and return to the Tao. The neo Taoists (including immortals), neo Confucians and neo Buddhists (including Bodhidharma) named this method as the cultivation of both essence and bodily life.
To return to the Tao one therefore has to meditate (essence) and cultivate virtues (bodily life) forming the main part of one’s cultivation.
Lest you forget about the ancient Book of Changes (I Ching or Zhouyi), there are references to the trigrams and hexagrams in inner alchemy texts so it is advisable to study the Zhouyi too. If you do divination it can heighten your spiritual awareness. And if the Zhouyi truly speaks to you, wow!
Writing here may spark intensity to analyze and research the Ancients’ thoughts in a different perspective from what you and I have delved in so far. Learning shall not cease.
Sometimes the truth is in front of you, inside you, or out there.”
And most of the six hundred articles in the blog deal specifically with ancient teachings therefore if readers have any questions on these things, they could probably find an answer from one of these articles.
There are many a time when I pulled the legs of readers by quoting Zhuangzi’ ‘How would I know (that)?’ to cast doubts on my real knowledge especially on neidan (inner alchemy) and/or Tao. While the more discerning among the readers would know if I really knew the topic well or not, others would have to do further research instead of relying on my words to understand what were actually discussed.
Instead of remaining a hidden dragon, and pretending not to know – it is much easier than pretending to be a know-it-all - and to substantiate that what is contained in the Secret of the Golden Flower and the Hui Ming Ching as translated by Richard Wilhelm / Baynes is appropriate for learning the backward flow method for the Circulation of the Light, no matter what pedant scholars or other translators say, my up-to-date profile would now read as:
“Allan Lian, a Malaysian Chinese, started to read the four Confucian books and five Classics at age 19. The Zhouyi has since 1990 bestowed upon him global omens. In 2003 he published on the Web the first of several global omens before their actual unfolding. Their accuracy has probably caught USA’s attention evidenced by her 2010 preparations to protect Americans.
Self-taught, he cultivates his nature (Xing) and fate (Ming) and practises the backward flow method for the Circulation of the Light. He has shared insights since 1993 with a Quanzhen Longmen VIP. While Allan may have witnessed several eternal Tao signposts and has the spiritual clarity to probably penetrate ancient classics and the Changes, he is still learning. The blog title depicts his finite knowledge.”
My self-studying of the ancient four books and five classics have started at the late age of nineteen compared to the renowned Neo Daoists and Neo Confucians who probably have had studied the same received texts from childhood right up to their youth. Except that, I am probably a bit more fortunate than most since the Book of Changes has given me many omens including global ones over the decades.
By studying and cultivating what has been taught by the ancients, and at the mature age of forty, I decided to self practise the ancient meditation taught in the Secret of the Golden Flower by Lu Dongbin (the Daoist text translated by Wilhelm / Baynes). Having attained some success in it, I started to share the insights with my learned Quanzhen friend - an elder who is taught directly by his ancestor master, a Daoist celestial immortal - and have continued to do so over two decades. Over the years, because of his cultivation, dedication, and sacrifices, my friend has been promoted to be a leader in Quanzhen Longmen Pai.
However a word of caution: students should not jump in to learn the backward flow method either from this Daoist text or from real neidan masters in China unless they are already cultivating virtues – also refer to the articles on ‘Right persons for Tao’ and on ‘Of students and masters (12)’. There is actually no need to rush since the eternal signposts of Tao of which some have been blogged over the years will always be there for the right persons. Since the truth is in front of you, inside you, or out there.
Over the years, friends and readers have requested to study under me but since I still have lots to learn and my blogging can benefit more people in the world, I do not take in students. Their questions on neidan, Tao and the Book of Changes would probably be answered by one of the six hundred articles or in future articles, if at all. Please take note of that.
With the explanations in this 600th article, perhaps readers now understand why I seemed to know a touch more on the Book of Changes, neidan, Heaven, and Tao than many. And can be highly critical of those who intend to mislead students in the study and in the practice of these profound subjects.
According to the Book of Changes, a generation has since passed therefore it is time for this dragon to reappear to the multitude once again!
And to follow the guidance of our venerable teacher accordingly is a way for Yijing aficionados to master fate and to change destiny!
Sunday, December 02, 2012
Greed
Greed or avarice is a human desire. And greed knows no bounds. The more investors or speculators profit, the greedier they become.
By definition, greed is an excessive desire to acquire or possess more than one needs or deserves, especially with respect to material wealth or power. (Thefreedictionary.com)
Laozi and Confucius knowing human nature well taught people in their respective Tao Te Ching and the Analects to guard against greed, especially during old age; since it would prove more difficult for the old to recover from a financial disaster. The young and middle age would more likely have the necessary time span, the energy, and the courage to make a complete recovery from such disasters.
But it has always been tempting when there seems to be easy money to be made together with readily available credit and everyone else is doing it. Think of bull runs in the stock and commodity markets, property bubbles, and gold rushes.
If we look back at the Asian Financial Crisis 1997/98, the Global Financial Crisis 2008/ 09, and the ongoing PIGS* Credit Crisis we can see history repeating itself time and time again. Almost everyone trying to make easy money from the stock markets and/or from real property with free flowing credit from the financial institutions, and did not stop in time, got burnt. Many titan financial institutions also required rescues from their respective governments. (The Book of Changes has had forewarned with omens on the time to get out of the markets to avoid the crises. Refer to the then yet-to-unfold respective Yijing omens blogged in 2008 and 2009.)
Yet do we really think that most of these burnt investors, speculators, or institutions can ever learn from their mistakes?
If investors or speculators keep repeating the same mistakes on financial or property investments and perchance bankrupt themselves, they may tend to blame it on fate or even Heaven. The bankruptcy would not have happened if they have learned from their past mistakes and/or have not gambled beyond their financial means. They should not have tempted fate in the first place and then blame any mishap on it.
But in this day and age, where even previous rulers of nations responsible for emptying the state coffers because of protracted wars and they together with captains of industry and regulators have had played a major part in causing the Financial and Credit Crises and these culprits are let off scot free without paying any restitution – an anomaly of the times – who wants to accept the buck or the blame and be sued for their huge mistakes? Certainly those who had failed in their investments or job scopes would likewise not accept the responsibility for their own failures. Therefore it was much easier to whitewash the mistakes or failures and start on a clean slate again.
If only rulers, captains of industry, regulators, the investors and speculators had learned from history and the ancients; then they would not have repeated the same huge mistakes down the ages caused by human greed.
Such mistakes have caused suicides and intense sufferings including the innocents especially children across the world. Greed for material wealth and power has been the main cause for the hundreds of millions in the US, in Europe and in the Middle East still suffering today.
Investing or speculating with credit (borrowings) - and playing with someone else’ monies - beyond our very means to repay the debt is something that the Book of Changes advises against – if we know our Yijing studies well and if we can interpret prognostications accurately. This advice from the ancient classic upholds my contention that the Book of Changes can be used both as a Book of Wisdom and a Book of Oracles.
To avoid greed and as part of self cultivation, Laozi in his Tao Te Ching chapter 46 exhorts people to be contented with their means. The Buddha by giving up his princedom and lived as a hermit is an exceptional exemplary example of this.
If we have been contented and lived within our means, we would have been more prudent and not borrowed to make speculative gains and live to regret any disastrous financial mistakes. If we are not greedy, we will also not be easily conned (or ‘Madoffed’) for a ‘few dollars’ more.
In line with the advice from the Book of Changes and the three named great ancient sages, contentment with our means, especially when we are old, is good for our self cultivation.
*PIGS - Coined acronyms by the global finance industry for Portugal, Ireland or Italy, Greece, Spain; and certainly an apt name for their imprudent financial institutions, inept regulators and/or greedy speculators.
By definition, greed is an excessive desire to acquire or possess more than one needs or deserves, especially with respect to material wealth or power. (Thefreedictionary.com)
Laozi and Confucius knowing human nature well taught people in their respective Tao Te Ching and the Analects to guard against greed, especially during old age; since it would prove more difficult for the old to recover from a financial disaster. The young and middle age would more likely have the necessary time span, the energy, and the courage to make a complete recovery from such disasters.
But it has always been tempting when there seems to be easy money to be made together with readily available credit and everyone else is doing it. Think of bull runs in the stock and commodity markets, property bubbles, and gold rushes.
If we look back at the Asian Financial Crisis 1997/98, the Global Financial Crisis 2008/ 09, and the ongoing PIGS* Credit Crisis we can see history repeating itself time and time again. Almost everyone trying to make easy money from the stock markets and/or from real property with free flowing credit from the financial institutions, and did not stop in time, got burnt. Many titan financial institutions also required rescues from their respective governments. (The Book of Changes has had forewarned with omens on the time to get out of the markets to avoid the crises. Refer to the then yet-to-unfold respective Yijing omens blogged in 2008 and 2009.)
Yet do we really think that most of these burnt investors, speculators, or institutions can ever learn from their mistakes?
If investors or speculators keep repeating the same mistakes on financial or property investments and perchance bankrupt themselves, they may tend to blame it on fate or even Heaven. The bankruptcy would not have happened if they have learned from their past mistakes and/or have not gambled beyond their financial means. They should not have tempted fate in the first place and then blame any mishap on it.
But in this day and age, where even previous rulers of nations responsible for emptying the state coffers because of protracted wars and they together with captains of industry and regulators have had played a major part in causing the Financial and Credit Crises and these culprits are let off scot free without paying any restitution – an anomaly of the times – who wants to accept the buck or the blame and be sued for their huge mistakes? Certainly those who had failed in their investments or job scopes would likewise not accept the responsibility for their own failures. Therefore it was much easier to whitewash the mistakes or failures and start on a clean slate again.
If only rulers, captains of industry, regulators, the investors and speculators had learned from history and the ancients; then they would not have repeated the same huge mistakes down the ages caused by human greed.
Such mistakes have caused suicides and intense sufferings including the innocents especially children across the world. Greed for material wealth and power has been the main cause for the hundreds of millions in the US, in Europe and in the Middle East still suffering today.
Investing or speculating with credit (borrowings) - and playing with someone else’ monies - beyond our very means to repay the debt is something that the Book of Changes advises against – if we know our Yijing studies well and if we can interpret prognostications accurately. This advice from the ancient classic upholds my contention that the Book of Changes can be used both as a Book of Wisdom and a Book of Oracles.
To avoid greed and as part of self cultivation, Laozi in his Tao Te Ching chapter 46 exhorts people to be contented with their means. The Buddha by giving up his princedom and lived as a hermit is an exceptional exemplary example of this.
If we have been contented and lived within our means, we would have been more prudent and not borrowed to make speculative gains and live to regret any disastrous financial mistakes. If we are not greedy, we will also not be easily conned (or ‘Madoffed’) for a ‘few dollars’ more.
In line with the advice from the Book of Changes and the three named great ancient sages, contentment with our means, especially when we are old, is good for our self cultivation.
*PIGS - Coined acronyms by the global finance industry for Portugal, Ireland or Italy, Greece, Spain; and certainly an apt name for their imprudent financial institutions, inept regulators and/or greedy speculators.
Monday, October 01, 2012
Of students and masters (12)
Integrity is of importance to teachers of the Book of Changes and/or the ancient Way, and those who possess it will gain the respect of their peers. Since students rely on teachers, their teachings of Yijing studies and/or neidan (inner alchemy) practice should accord with established order set down by the ancients (Holy sages, Laozi, Confucius, and the Buddha). Such teachings should not be based on the teacher’s idiosyncrasy on how the Book of Changes and/or the Way is to be taught. In a way, that is why a teacher from a proper lineage is sought after, since his or her teaching would conform to its tradition and regulations. This of course does not mean that lineage teachers do not make the same mistake, but if their teachings or practices are found to be deviant, they can be subjected to severe punishment.
However in the West, those who teach in public more often than not - partly because of misinterpretations and indolence, but mainly out of ignorance - tend to misrepresent the ancient teachings thus misleading their students. And the Yijing students are no wiser until they standstill in their studies, while those practising neidan may come under delusions and illusions in more serious cases. However, it does not mean that all such teachers in the West have no integrity.
The Book of Changes teaches the Junzi (superior persons) among myriad things how to return to the Light. Yet a so-called Yijing expert and scholar, because he has translated the Book of Changes and has written some books on Yijing studies, tends to teach about the Dark. While to the ancients, Heaven and Earth are of paramount importance, he chooses to talk or write more on the morbid, the dark side, and hell as part of Yijing studies. (This idiosyncrasy is still endurable since it is up to individuals including students how they want to lead their lives.) Yijing omens can only be obtained by the sincere and are very difficult to interpret, yet he recently demonstrated to his students how to beckon the phenomenon to appear and be interpreted by waving their arms towards the heart/mind? This of course is downright misleading, but naïve students will possibly be much impressed. After briefly watching his demonstration on You-Tube, I switched it off and as of now no longer hold any more respect for this Yijing ‘expert’ and ‘scholar’. If we do not know how to obtain or interpret omens from the Book of Changes, it is only correct not to teach it. Never conjure something up like he did.
A couple of years ago, out of curiosity, I had watched on You-Tube an acknowledged Zen Master in the West teaching his students how to meditate. Meditation is very important to both Chan and Zen Buddhism according to what is written in Wikipedia. The Zen Master proceeded to teach the proper way of sitting meditation until he told his students that they have to focus their eyes a foot or two ahead of them. The Buddha did not teach this way of eye focus for meditation. According to Lu Dongbin in his Secret of the Golden Flower, the Buddha taught to look at the tip of the nose during meditation, the same way as Laozi had done.
A senior female Chinese student of a renowned neidan master in China wrote in the Taobums the benefits of learning the Circulation of the Light meditation from him. To substantiate the claim, she exclaimed that a group of Westerners who has recently learned this meditation from her master in China had experienced the same signpost as that of the neidan students of Richard Wilhelm. Until she published the sketches drawn up by this group of Western ‘students’ during the short course of meditation taught by the neidan master, I did not know what she was on about. The sketches were similar to the mandalas depicted at the back pages (in between pages 136 and 137) of the Secret of the Golden Flower translation of Wilhelm. Not to embarrass her, I did not tell her that these mandalas were in fact not drawn by neidan students of Wilhelm, if he had any at all. These mandalas are also not a signpost as claimed but were drawn up by various patients of the great Carl Jung and indicated as such by him. And you know what that means? Probably this group of Westerners after practising the meditation fell under delusions or illusions similar to the mentally ill. Whether or not they were taught the right Circulation of the Light meditation and/or they had practised it incorrectly, the neidan master is responsible for his ‘students’ including the antics of that senior female Chinese student. If we do not know what the right method is, do not teach it. Only teach those right methods that we are versed with.
Of the incorrect teachings discussed, students of the Zen Master will come to less harm, if any. The mistake in focusing the eyes during meditation can be easily corrected and has been, if readers have not noticed. The knowledge of the students of the so-called Yijing expert and scholar will probably come to a complete standstill after several more years of studies, I have observed. However, some may fall under the grand delusion thinking that they already know much about the Book of Changes. Alas, another lost generation. The most serious case is what had happened to the group of Westerners who had shown signs of delusions. As to whether or not the neidan master who is from a renowned and reputable lineage in China will be punished for his transgression of the established order, if any, we will have to leave it to his ancestor masters (Daoist celestial immortals) to do the right thing. It is of no concern to outsiders.
What more can I say about those who misrepresent the ancient teachings? For a little more fame and/or fortune, they decide to throw integrity out of the window.
Please, real dragons do no such things; especially those who happened to know why Heaven has no favorites and yet is on the side of the good.
However in the West, those who teach in public more often than not - partly because of misinterpretations and indolence, but mainly out of ignorance - tend to misrepresent the ancient teachings thus misleading their students. And the Yijing students are no wiser until they standstill in their studies, while those practising neidan may come under delusions and illusions in more serious cases. However, it does not mean that all such teachers in the West have no integrity.
The Book of Changes teaches the Junzi (superior persons) among myriad things how to return to the Light. Yet a so-called Yijing expert and scholar, because he has translated the Book of Changes and has written some books on Yijing studies, tends to teach about the Dark. While to the ancients, Heaven and Earth are of paramount importance, he chooses to talk or write more on the morbid, the dark side, and hell as part of Yijing studies. (This idiosyncrasy is still endurable since it is up to individuals including students how they want to lead their lives.) Yijing omens can only be obtained by the sincere and are very difficult to interpret, yet he recently demonstrated to his students how to beckon the phenomenon to appear and be interpreted by waving their arms towards the heart/mind? This of course is downright misleading, but naïve students will possibly be much impressed. After briefly watching his demonstration on You-Tube, I switched it off and as of now no longer hold any more respect for this Yijing ‘expert’ and ‘scholar’. If we do not know how to obtain or interpret omens from the Book of Changes, it is only correct not to teach it. Never conjure something up like he did.
A couple of years ago, out of curiosity, I had watched on You-Tube an acknowledged Zen Master in the West teaching his students how to meditate. Meditation is very important to both Chan and Zen Buddhism according to what is written in Wikipedia. The Zen Master proceeded to teach the proper way of sitting meditation until he told his students that they have to focus their eyes a foot or two ahead of them. The Buddha did not teach this way of eye focus for meditation. According to Lu Dongbin in his Secret of the Golden Flower, the Buddha taught to look at the tip of the nose during meditation, the same way as Laozi had done.
A senior female Chinese student of a renowned neidan master in China wrote in the Taobums the benefits of learning the Circulation of the Light meditation from him. To substantiate the claim, she exclaimed that a group of Westerners who has recently learned this meditation from her master in China had experienced the same signpost as that of the neidan students of Richard Wilhelm. Until she published the sketches drawn up by this group of Western ‘students’ during the short course of meditation taught by the neidan master, I did not know what she was on about. The sketches were similar to the mandalas depicted at the back pages (in between pages 136 and 137) of the Secret of the Golden Flower translation of Wilhelm. Not to embarrass her, I did not tell her that these mandalas were in fact not drawn by neidan students of Wilhelm, if he had any at all. These mandalas are also not a signpost as claimed but were drawn up by various patients of the great Carl Jung and indicated as such by him. And you know what that means? Probably this group of Westerners after practising the meditation fell under delusions or illusions similar to the mentally ill. Whether or not they were taught the right Circulation of the Light meditation and/or they had practised it incorrectly, the neidan master is responsible for his ‘students’ including the antics of that senior female Chinese student. If we do not know what the right method is, do not teach it. Only teach those right methods that we are versed with.
Of the incorrect teachings discussed, students of the Zen Master will come to less harm, if any. The mistake in focusing the eyes during meditation can be easily corrected and has been, if readers have not noticed. The knowledge of the students of the so-called Yijing expert and scholar will probably come to a complete standstill after several more years of studies, I have observed. However, some may fall under the grand delusion thinking that they already know much about the Book of Changes. Alas, another lost generation. The most serious case is what had happened to the group of Westerners who had shown signs of delusions. As to whether or not the neidan master who is from a renowned and reputable lineage in China will be punished for his transgression of the established order, if any, we will have to leave it to his ancestor masters (Daoist celestial immortals) to do the right thing. It is of no concern to outsiders.
What more can I say about those who misrepresent the ancient teachings? For a little more fame and/or fortune, they decide to throw integrity out of the window.
Please, real dragons do no such things; especially those who happened to know why Heaven has no favorites and yet is on the side of the good.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
‘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!
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!
Monday, August 20, 2012
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
Wednesday, August 01, 2012
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.
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.
Saturday, July 28, 2012
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!
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!
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
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?
Sunday, July 22, 2012
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.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Recent guidance from the Yijing and the Guan Yin Oracle
As indicated in the article on May 7, 2012 titled “An accurate Guan Yin Oracle (2)”, the oracle (Qin) obtained on August 31, 2011 has had clarified several earlier prognostications from the Book of Changes (Yijing) , however I did not reveal more than that, since it was irrelevant at the time. In this discussion, I will reveal more of the recent guidance from the Yijing and the Guan Yin Oracle.
Firstly, I wish to reiterate that cryptic messages including omens from divinities and the Yijing cannot simply be revealed to others. Heaven secrets and omens are meant for private consumption. However, discussing the received cryptic message(s) in private with someone more knowledgeable to help with an early interpretation is perfectly alright. If divinities and/or the Yijing want to guide us to meet everything in the right way and yet we choose to ignore this divine help, we will not learn how to master our fate.
Two of the Yijing prognostications, and clarified by the Guan Yin Oracle, relate to my books writing questions. The answer to the question on writing a book on ‘Ancient Chinese meditation’ was that of Hexagram 34 Da Zhuang / Power of the Great and the Image says:
‘Thus the Junzi (superior person) does not tread upon paths that do not accord with established order.’
The answer to the question on writing a book on ‘Omens and Heaven’s secrets’ came in the form of Hexagram 22 Bi / Grace and the bottom line prognostication says:
‘He lends grace to his toes, leaves the carriage, and walk.’
And the Bi Hexagram changed to that of Hexagram 52 Gen / Keeping Still.
While I understood that the Yijing did not agree with my writing of the books, a few months later, Guan Yin provided further clarity on the guidance with this main theme:
‘This oracle describes the emptiness of name and title. Like pomp and human vanity, they are empty and worthless. So you should be more realistic and true to your own nature.’
By observing recent events on the blog, including the (now published) open offer from Steve Moore to a co-authorship in the translation of the Ma Qian Ke, the two Yijing prognostications and this main theme from the Guan Yin oracle together are unfolding before my very eyes. (The published offer from Steve Moore is in the comments section of ‘A talk on omens and prophecies from the Yijing’ article, for those interested.)
All three prognostications also relate to the prophecies of Zhuge Liang in his Ma Qian Ke, of which, by coincidence again, three prophecies therein have yet-to-unfold, for the following reasons:
While I can also read and interpret these yet-to-unfold prophecies of Zhuge Liang for my own knowledge, the interpretations cannot be explicitly revealed to the general public and institutions. For the writing of such explicit interpretations in the blog and/or in a book form tantamount to treading paths that do not accord to established order. (Similar to revealing undisclosed secrets on ancient Chinese meditation or neidan practices) The Junzi would rather walk than ride in a carriage, if it does not accord to his station in life and to his own nature. And the purpose of explicitly revealing omens and prophecies before they unfold for name and title is empty and worthless; especially if the published revelations of the yet-to-unfold prophecies bring harm, if any, to China. Again, this does not accord to established order. (The above three paragraphs will also serve to explain the reasons why I cannot accept and have not accepted the offer of a co-authorship from Steve Moore.)
The recent guidance from the Yijing and Guan Yin would uphold the very reasons why I will continue to write forthcoming omens and the yet-to-unfold prophecies of Zhuge Liang in code or cryptic messages. The yet-to-unfold 12th prophecy in the Ma Qian Ke will appear in this particular form. Since to decipher the cryptic messages would also prove difficult for Yijing aficionados, including the experts and scholars, until they unfold before our very eyes; and thereafter I will follow up with explanations so that readers and I can learn things together.
Cheerio!
Firstly, I wish to reiterate that cryptic messages including omens from divinities and the Yijing cannot simply be revealed to others. Heaven secrets and omens are meant for private consumption. However, discussing the received cryptic message(s) in private with someone more knowledgeable to help with an early interpretation is perfectly alright. If divinities and/or the Yijing want to guide us to meet everything in the right way and yet we choose to ignore this divine help, we will not learn how to master our fate.
Two of the Yijing prognostications, and clarified by the Guan Yin Oracle, relate to my books writing questions. The answer to the question on writing a book on ‘Ancient Chinese meditation’ was that of Hexagram 34 Da Zhuang / Power of the Great and the Image says:
‘Thus the Junzi (superior person) does not tread upon paths that do not accord with established order.’
The answer to the question on writing a book on ‘Omens and Heaven’s secrets’ came in the form of Hexagram 22 Bi / Grace and the bottom line prognostication says:
‘He lends grace to his toes, leaves the carriage, and walk.’
And the Bi Hexagram changed to that of Hexagram 52 Gen / Keeping Still.
While I understood that the Yijing did not agree with my writing of the books, a few months later, Guan Yin provided further clarity on the guidance with this main theme:
‘This oracle describes the emptiness of name and title. Like pomp and human vanity, they are empty and worthless. So you should be more realistic and true to your own nature.’
By observing recent events on the blog, including the (now published) open offer from Steve Moore to a co-authorship in the translation of the Ma Qian Ke, the two Yijing prognostications and this main theme from the Guan Yin oracle together are unfolding before my very eyes. (The published offer from Steve Moore is in the comments section of ‘A talk on omens and prophecies from the Yijing’ article, for those interested.)
All three prognostications also relate to the prophecies of Zhuge Liang in his Ma Qian Ke, of which, by coincidence again, three prophecies therein have yet-to-unfold, for the following reasons:
While I can also read and interpret these yet-to-unfold prophecies of Zhuge Liang for my own knowledge, the interpretations cannot be explicitly revealed to the general public and institutions. For the writing of such explicit interpretations in the blog and/or in a book form tantamount to treading paths that do not accord to established order. (Similar to revealing undisclosed secrets on ancient Chinese meditation or neidan practices) The Junzi would rather walk than ride in a carriage, if it does not accord to his station in life and to his own nature. And the purpose of explicitly revealing omens and prophecies before they unfold for name and title is empty and worthless; especially if the published revelations of the yet-to-unfold prophecies bring harm, if any, to China. Again, this does not accord to established order. (The above three paragraphs will also serve to explain the reasons why I cannot accept and have not accepted the offer of a co-authorship from Steve Moore.)
The recent guidance from the Yijing and Guan Yin would uphold the very reasons why I will continue to write forthcoming omens and the yet-to-unfold prophecies of Zhuge Liang in code or cryptic messages. The yet-to-unfold 12th prophecy in the Ma Qian Ke will appear in this particular form. Since to decipher the cryptic messages would also prove difficult for Yijing aficionados, including the experts and scholars, until they unfold before our very eyes; and thereafter I will follow up with explanations so that readers and I can learn things together.
Cheerio!
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
‘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.”
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.”
Thursday, July 05, 2012
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!
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!
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