When we go to the I Ching because we seek healing from an illness, or from the break-up of a close relationship, we do this because we are aware that we need help that is outside of what conventional wisdom or science have to offer.
The increase in devastating wild fires, floods and unusual weather phenomena call for the healing of “something.” The question is: what is it that really needs to be healed?
I have put this question to the Sage, the voice that speaks through the I Ching. What follows is the lesson I learned.
(All quotes are taken from “I Ching, the Oracle of the Cosmic Way.”)
The first hexagram I received was Hexagram 11, Harmony, Peace, Prosperity.
I was led to:
Line 1. When ribbon grass is pulled up, the sod comes with it. Each according to his kind. Undertakings bring good fortune.
(Quote from the book:) The basic mistaken idea indicated by this line is that ‘humans are at the center of the universe.’ When this idea is combined with the idea that humans’ animal nature is the source of evil,’ a basis is provided for the further idea that it is the human job to order and control Nature, including human nature. Because these phrases slander the Cosmic Helpers that achieve their tasks in cooperation with the Helpers of Nature, their help is blocked. When confronted with this distorted reality, the false conclusion is drawn that ‘humans must do everything themselves,’ including correcting the distortions in Nature created by humans. The latter phrase puts yet another spell on Nature.
This line applies to the person who has separated from the Cosmos and its help by having accepted the above-mentioned mistaken ideas. He is informed that he can be reunited with the Cosmic Whole if he will rid himself of them. These are the “undertakings” that “bring good fortune.” The effect of ridding one’s personal program of the “ribbon grass” is obvious; the statement that “the sod comes with it” points to the less obvious fact that the power of the collective ego (“the sod”) over the individual is thereby diminished.
Comment: This hexagram informs us (1) that the Cosmos is a harmonious order characterized by peace and prosperity; (2) that humans have separated themselves from this order by assuming the idea that ‘they are at the center of the universe;’ (3) that this mistaken idea has led to their creating disorder, and (4) that they can only create more disorder by trying to correct the disorder because any such attempts would still be based on the fundamentally flawed idea that ‘everything is up to us humans.’
Does this mean that humans are not meant to do anything on the outer plane? The answer is: the correction in our way of thinking is of the primary order — then, what needs to be done on the outer plane, flows from there.
The Sage continued its lesson by pointing to Hexagram 16. Enthusiasm (Motivating the Helper of Transformation)
Comment: This hexagram informs us about the true source of enthusiasm: the Sage, our personal inner Cosmic Teacher. Every person possesses this inner Teacher, but when we become conditioned to view the world from the human-centered perspective, our inner Sage retreats to a place outside of us. The Sage will return the moment we sincerely ask it to show us what we need to understand, and then do. This “doing” usually refers to some inner action the nature of which is often indicated in the book.
Quote from “The Judgment”: It furthers one to install Helpers and to set armies marching.
Comment: The mention of “Helpers” in the I Ching refers to invisible helping forces that make up the harmonious order of the Cosmos. There are the Cosmic Helpers and the Helpers of Nature. Together they maintain and restore the Cosmic order. The above oracle saying advises us to ask for Cosmic help and, in the particular situation, in which we are given Hexagram 16, to also call on the “Army of Cosmic Helpers.” These Helpers restore order not through “fighting,” but through transformations.
Even if we have not freed ourselves entirely from the human-centered view, the Cosmic Helpers will respond to our sincere call for help.
A note to the reader of this blog: When you have read this blog and wish to learn more about any additional inner actions you are meant to take, please ask the Sage to guide you by giving you additional hexagrams.