The I Ching, or Book of Changes


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On its surface, the I Ching is merely a book. It is a very old book — one that has survived for thousands and thousands of years in many different forms — but it is just a book. It is also a very wise book — it is regarded as the foundation text of Chinese wisdom and philosophy, and was instrumental to sages such as Confucius, whose education and teachings were formed by it — but it is just a book.

Beneath the surface, however, the Book of Changes is more than just a book. It is a living, breathing oracle, a patient and all-seeing teacher, an always-open spiritual school which can be relied upon for flawless counsel at every point in our lives. Those who approach the I Ching sincerely, consult it regularly, and embody in their lives the lessons it teaches inevitably experience the greatest riches that life has to offer: discernment, contentment, peace of mind.

The Book of Changes speaks to us not in abstract platitudes but with direct advice about what to do now, in this situation, to bring about our own success and good fortune. It is for this reason that it is so dynamically alive today, thousands of years and thousands of miles from its place of origin.

 

The I Ching, or Book of Changes

Hexagram 13 / Fellowship with Others

 
polar bear

This hexagram addresses the proper basis for relationships with others.  It generally comes as a sign that some kind of self-correction is in order in this arena.

Proper relationships, whether in love, work, family, or friendship, must be founded on and conducted under proper principles in order to succeed.  Our model for how to behave with others is the Sage: in relating we are obliged to practice kindness, humility, correctness, equanimity, and openness.  Wherever we depart from these we lose the aid of the Higher Power and risk and encounter with misfortune.

The fundamental rule of the I Ching for the conduct of relationships is that they take place in the open.  This means that every facet of a relationship should be seen as fair and correct by everyone concerned, not just yourself.  It also means that it is improper to enter into or continue in relationships with unspoken reservations or hidden intentions.

Exceptional things can be accomplished by those who come together correctly in fellowship now under the guidance of an enlightened leader or leaders.  Seek that role by patterning yourself after the Sage.  Meet others halfway in a spirit of sincerity and receptivity.  Give trust where it is due; where it is not, do not resort to harshness – reserve and reticence are adequate measures.  Avoid the formation of factions and cliques, and correct your errors in relationships as soon as you become aware of them.  In this way you can accomplish magnificent deeds now.
 

The I Ching, or Book of Changes

Hexagram 13 / Fellowship with Others

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141 Comments The I Ching, or Book of Changes

  1. Pingback: The I Ching, or Book of Changes: Hexagram 1, Ch’ien (The Creative) « Brian Browne Walker

  2. Pingback: The Tao te Ching of Lao Tzu, Chapter 70 « Brian Browne Walker

  3. Pingback: The Tao te Ching of Lao Tzu, Chapter 32 « Brian Browne Walker

  4. Pingback: The Art of War, Chapter 3 « Brian Browne Walker

  5. Pingback: The I Ching, or Book of Changes: Chapter 44, Kou / Coming to Meet « Brian Browne Walker

  6. Pingback: The I Ching, or Book of Changes: Hexagram 19, Lin (Approach) « Brian Browne Walker

  7. Pingback: The I Ching, or Book of Changes: Hexagram 30, Li (The Clinging, Fire) « Brian Browne Walker

  8. Pingback: The I Ching, or Book of Changes: Hexagram 56, Lu (The Wanderer) « Brian Browne Walker

  9. Pingback: Hexagram 8: Pi, Holding Together (Union) | Brian Browne Walker

  10. Pingback: The I Ching, or Book of Changes: Chapter 44, Kou / Coming to Meet | Brian Browne Walker

  11. Pingback: from The Tao te Ching of Lao Tzu, Chapter 17 | Brian Browne Walker

  12. Pingback: The I Ching, or Book of Changes: Hexagram 63, Chi Chi (After Completion) | Brian Browne Walker

  13. Pingback: The I Ching, or Book of Changes: Hexagram 49, Ko / Revolution | Brian Browne Walker

  14. Pingback: from The I Ching, or Book of Changes: Hexagram 11, Tai / Peace | Brian Browne Walker

  15. Pingback: The I Ching, or Book of Changes: Hexagram 42, I / Increase | Brian Browne Walker

  16. Pingback: The I Ching, or Book of Changes: Hexagram 48, Ching (The Well) | Brian Browne Walker

  17. Pingback: The I Ching, or Book of Changes: Hexagram 46, Sheng (Pushing Upward) | Brian Browne Walker

  18. Pingback: from The I Ching, or Book of Changes: Hexagram 28, Ta Kuo / Preponderance of the Great | Brian Browne Walker

  19. Pingback: from The I Ching or Book of Changes, A Guide to Life's Turning Points: Hexagram 53, Chien / Gradual Progress | Brian Browne Walker

  20. Pingback: from The I Ching, or Book of Changes: A Guide to Life's Turning Points: Hexagram 17, Sui / Following | Brian Browne Walker

  21. Pingback: from The I Ching, or Book of Changes: A Guide to Life's Turning Points: Hexagram 58, Tui / The Joyous (Lake) | Brian Browne Walker

  22. Pingback: from The I Ching, or Book of Changes: Hexagram 2, K'un / The Receptive | Brian Browne Walker

  23. Pingback: from The I Ching, or Book of Changes: A Guide to Life's Turning Points: Hexagram 35 / Chin (Progress) | Brian Browne Walker

  24. Pingback: from The I Ching, or Book of Changes: A Guide to Life's Turning Points: Hexagram 41, Sun / Decrease | Brian Browne Walker

  25. Pingback: from The I Ching, or Book of Changes: A Guide to Life's Turning Points: Hexagram 62, Hsiao Kuo / Preponderance of the Small | Brian Browne Walker

  26. Pingback: from The I Ching, or Book of Changes: A Guide to Life's Turning Points: Hexagram 16, Yu / Enthusiasm | Brian Browne Walker

  27. Pingback: from The I Ching, or Book of Changes: A Guide to Life's Turning Points: Hexagram 34, Ta Chuang / The Power of the Great | Brian Browne Walker

  28. Pingback: from The I Ching, or Book of Changes: A Guide to Life's Turning Points: Hexagram 52, Ken / Keeping Still, Mountain | Brian Browne Walker

  29. Pingback: from The I Ching, or Book of Changes, a Guide to Life's Turning Points: Hexagram 25, Wu Wang / Innocence (The Unexpected) | Brian Browne Walker

  30. Pingback: from The I Ching, or Book of Changes, A Guide to Life's Turning Points: Hexagram 7, Shih / The Army | Brian Browne Walker

  31. Pingback: from The I Ching, or Book of Changes: A Guide to Life's Turning Points: Hexagram 47, K'un, Oppression (Exhaustion) | Brian Browne Walker

  32. Pingback: from The I Ching, or Book of Changes: A Guide to Life's Turning Points: Hexagram 39, Chien / Obstruction | Brian Browne Walker

  33. Pingback: from The I Ching, or Book of Changes: A Guide to Life's Turning Points: Hexagram 64, Wei Chi / Before Completion | Brian Browne Walker

  34. Pingback: from The I Ching, or Book of Changes: A Guide to Life's Turning Points: Hexagram 21, Shih Ho / Biting Through | Brian Browne Walker

  35. Pingback: from The I Ching, or Book of Changes: A Guide to Life's Turning Points: Hexagram 59, Huan / Dispersion (Dissolution) | Brian Browne Walker

  36. Pingback: from The I Ching, or Book of Changes: A Guide to Life's Turning Points: Hexagram 37, Chia Jen / The Family (The Clan) | Brian Browne Walker

  37. Pingback: from The I Ching, or Book of Changes: A Guide to Life’s Turning Points: Hexagram 5, Waiting / Nourishment | Brian Browne Walker

  38. Pingback: from The I Ching, or Book of Changes, A Guide to Life's Turning Points: Hexagram 4, Meng / Youthful Folly | Brian Browne Walker

  39. Pingback: from The I Ching, or Book of Changes, A Guide to Life's Turning Points: Hexagram 18, Ku / Work On What Has Been Spoiled (Decay) | Brian Browne Walker

  40. Pingback: from The I Ching, or Book of Changes, A Guide to Life's Turning Points: Hexagram 6, Sung / Conflict | Brian Browne Walker

  41. Pingback: from The I Ching, or Book of Changes, A Guide to Life's Turning Points: Hexagram 36, Ming I / Darkening of the Light | Brian Browne Walker

  42. Pingback: Tools of Transformation #16: Discovering the I Ching | Newtopia Magazine

  43. Pingback: from The I Ching, or Book of Changes: Hexagram 57, Sun, The Gentle (The Penetrating, Wind) | Brian Browne Walker

  44. Pingback: from The I Ching, or Book of Changes: Hexagram 1, Ch'ien (The Creative) | Brian Browne Walker

  45. Pingback: THE LOVE & FREEDOM PROJECT | The Heroism of whistleblower John Kiriakou

  46. Pingback: from The I Ching, or Book of Changes: Hexagram 56, Lu (The Wanderer) | Brian Browne Walker

  47. Pingback: this is how the sages say lasting progress is won | BRIAN BROWNE WALKER

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  49. Pingback: bear with things as the earth bears with us: by yielding, by accepting, by nourishing | BRIAN BROWNE WALKER

  50. Pingback: The I Ching, or Book of Changes: Hexagram 48, Ching (The Well) | BRIAN BROWNE WALKER

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