(Deutsch)
The I Ching as a Guide
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Every sacred text of the esoteric traditions of the world have two aspects: one is what is called the ‘Open Book’ consisting of the general teachings available to everyone with an ordinary level of consciousness. The second aspect is the ‘Closed Book’ presenting the inner teachings available to initiates dedicated to raising the level of consciousness to its highest degree. The ‘Open Book’ of the I Ching deals with the practice of divination and learning about the energy patterns of the moment and where they lead in time. For most people that is all there is to the I Ching. In this class we will concentrate our efforts in the teachings of the ‘Closed Book’ of the I Ching. The ‘Closed Book’ presents in a most concentrated and powerful way the seven stages for unfolding our spiritual potential from raw beginners to mastery of our own destiny. The seven stages present one by one the essential practices of the Daoist system and what is specifically needed to develop in each one. The ‘Closed Book’ also teaches the operating principles of the life force and how to integrate them in our lives. When we do energy practices without knowing the basic principles of how energy behaves we end up guessing and improvising. One of the most repeated warnings in the Daoist classics is about avoiding guessing and improvising in spiritual work. No previous knowledge of the I Ching is needed but is recommended to have at least a practicing knowledge of the basic level of the Daoist practices such as a the Inner Smile and the Microcosmic Orbit. Please bring a copy of the Richard Wilhelm translation of the I Ging. | |
Every great spiritual system developed in antiquity
works with a sacred book in which the complete sequence for unfolding
the full human potential is outlined. In the Daoist system the I Ching
is the classic explaining the path of initiation from beginning to the
point of transcendence.
The
I Ching takes the initiate through sixty four situations in which gradually
our spirit is alchemically refined through the fires of perseverance
and clarity of purpose. In this class we will cover each of the 64 situations
individually together with a sampling of some of the energy practices
suggested in them. This pilgrimage of the spirit will take us four days
to accomplish. By the end we will have a clear idea of what is needed
to follow in the footsteps of Mother Nature and what is essential to
live a fulfilling life and nourish the hidden seed of greatness within
the heart of every human being.