I Ching

[wantsumrice]

you shouldnt actually expect the warm fuzzy feeling lol, expecting things is something that i stopped doing because it just makes you focus on that one area instead of more important things []

But i havent tried the I ching either...could you explain what it is?

~ivan

[Novice]

I agree, I think, with what you mention regarding 'expecting' things to happen. I may not have explained myself well (won't be the first time). I simply meant that I do not currently have any sort of trust in the information coming through the pendulum. That's what I mean regarding the warm and fuzzy feeling. Basically a sense that something feels right, true, whatever.

And I've read people here post that you can't always trust your intuition because often times its wrong; they've seen people who do and are wrong; or they get a very strong sense from the pendulum etc. So I'm not trying to stir up that whole topic. I have always trusted my intuition (it hasn't failed me yet). But I personally can't get a 'read' one way or the other with the pendulum. So, while I'm not giving up on it, I am also looking to other sources to get a better understanding of divination. The pendulum was my first attempt at this at all. So I am NOT saying that the pendulum is bad or wrong or anything remotely related to that. I'm simply saying that I'm not positive it is the route for me right now.

Now that I'm done typing my 'disclaimer'.....[]

I don't know much at all about the I Ching. I had heard of it, but only to know the name. From the little research I've done, it appears to have been originated in ancient China. It is a method of divination that utilizes coins or yarrow stalks. In a VERY brief overview:

You contemplate a question (in a meditative manner). As you maintain this mental aspect, you toss 3 coins. A number is assigned to the results of the toss (2 heads/1 tail; 1 head/2 tails; 3 heads; 3 tails). EAch number equates to a line (either solid or broken; moving or fixed). You draw the line equating to the toss. Do this 6 times to get a 6 line hexagram (drawing from bottom to top). Then there are a number of books that elaborate on the meaning/interpretation of the hexagram.

I was curious if anyone has tried this and what their experience(s) was with it.

I had purchased a book called the Complete I Ching by Alfred Huang. I have used it twice for divining. And I must admit that I've been impressed with the results thus far. Specific aspects of both answers immediately struck a chord in me. So I will continue to try and see what insight I can gain from its use.

[wantsumrice]

that is something i compeletely disagree with...i believe that the intuition is NEVER wrong because in the end everything will be right. I know what you are going through with the pendy, you dont trust it and ive been there done that. What helps is that if you just sit there and talk with it rather than asking heavy questions right away. Just pretend the pendy is a friend and chat with it. Think of it as a friend, if you dont trust him, he wont respond to you well...the pendy knows your state of mind so keep it at ease. That much i can tell you and soon your barrier will be destroyed and better answers will come to you and the usage will be easier.

~ivan

[Novice]

quote:soon your barrier will be destroyed and better answers will come to you and the usage will be easier

Thank you for your suggestions regarding the use of the pendulum, Ivan. I may have given you the wrong indication. But I never said the 'news' I received was bad. In fact, most of the answers were extremely 'good' answers. But they felt too much like ego stroking. And I was not comfortable with what it was saying as a result.

Also, I'm not having 'troubles' using it. Soon after trying it, I was thinking sentences and having it respond instead of verbally saying them. And I can now think in concepts (not mental sentences) and have it respond.

I have always had an open mind with this. But I simply do not believe that the only beings capable of communicating through the pendulum are higher spiritual beings (be it the higher self, aliens, guides, whatever). I have expressed this concern of mine several times on the pendulum threads.

I will continue to read the pendulum threads and participate as I feel the need, but it will not be my main focus. I do realize that it has a very long heritage and has produced success for a number of people. I am in now way suggesting otherwise. But, as I mentioned earlier, right now I personally am going to try using the I Ching.

Thank you again!

[Celeste]

Hi Novice

  I have used the I Ching in the past quite a bit. I have not used the yarrow sticks but also use 3 pennies. It is best if you keep these in a separate place that you only use them for Divination.

 I, too, like to get into a meditative state. I view it as a lite trance "receptive" state.  Since it can make you open & receptive to basically anything that might be around I like to take a few minutes to prepare and surround myself with the Highest Light. I make a conscious intention for protection and non-interference. So along this line, I take the time to consciously align vertically with my Highest ideal of the God force.  (That's one of the reason's why I chose the name Celeste to remind myself to connect vertically first.) [:I]
  I also say a prayer asking to get guidance only from my Higher Self or this Higher Source/the OverSoul which for myself I know to be directly connected to the Godforce/Creator/The I AM/Great Oneness.

   That might seem like a lot of preparation but I can tell you I've learned some spiritual lessons the hard way! Whatever you connect with carries an energy of it's own from the way it has been used collectively in the past. Things that have been used with reverence in the Highest way are more potent and are safer to use provided you make your own right connections. Anything that has a questionable past stay away from.

  Sometimes I light a white candle before to symbolize what I want to connect with. It's also best to not to over use it. I find when I do all this I get the best clearest guidance. So it's worth it.

  I think it is extremely wise to question the veracity of the pendulum or any divination tool/spirit guide/higherself etc . As far as intuition goes it's only as good as you have tested it. I tend to be empathic and use my intuitive guidance a lot. But I have learned not to take it for granted or lightly assume I am always connected to true intuition.
 
  There is nothing fluffy about a real spiritual path. Discernment is crucial because there are tests along the way. I'ts more like an indiana jones at times. [B)]

 I think it's your true intuition which is telling you to be cautious. []

 Ok, cautions aside [] here's a web site that has tarot and I particularly like the I Ching on line that you can use on-line. Christine Payne Towler has written the Tarot interpretations and I think her interpretations are the Best I've ever read. I purchased the CD. The site also has info & has a lot of history on the Tarot by Christine Payne-Towler who has studied it and has written a book Esoteric Tarot.
www.tarot.com.

I also really like using the Runes by Ralph H Bloom and the Healing Runes and there are a few different decks I've used also.
 
 take care, Celeste
 

[Novice]

Thanks for the feedback Celeste! I've used it a total of 3 times thus far. Master Huang (the author of the book I'm using) recommends only asking one question at a time. So, I only ask one question per session. And I've only had one session per day. Which I think is consistent with your comment about not overdoing it.

I also really get a very strong sense from the answers. I am not looking for advice on every day issues. My questions involve personal spiritual questions, strange dream/astral experiences, etc.

I personally really like the translation of the hexagrams offered by Huang. I had first purchased The Taoist I Ching by Cleary. But I feel more comfortable with Huang's translation. I'm planning on continuing to use this for divination for the present time.

I've never tried Taro cards. I may look into them as well. Thanks again!

[Novice]

Has anyone here tried using the I Ching? I looked back through the posts on this forum and didn't see anything related to this. So I thought I'd ask. If this has been discussed and I missed the thread, I apologize ahead of time for asking any duplicate question.

I personally still haven't gotten, what I will term a "warm and fuzzy" feeling from the pendulum. I haven't totally discounted it, but I'm looking to 'investigate' other sources of divination as well.