Are we working too hard?

Alfred Huang is the author of The Complete I Ching, The Numerology of I Ching, and Understanding the I Ching. I Ching is the book of changes. It is also a book of symbols. I Ching‘s symbolism is elegant, but sometimes I wonder if we humans are working too hard?

As a technique, one should understand the eight primary gua and the sixty-four accomplished gua… One should also know the hidden principles of the changes and the symbology related to the gua and yao. … From a mathematical point of view, each symbol is the formula of a changing situation and its consequence. …

Before understanding all of this technical information, one can cultivate intuition to gain insight… One of the best ways to cultivate intuition is through meditation… In my experience, by emptying my mind…insight comes as spontaneously as floating clouds or running water. … As time passes, insight will emerge—perhaps in mundane situations…”

—Alfred Huang, The Complete I Ching: The Definitive Translation

In ancient times as well as in the present day, it seems that bureaucrats eventually take over.

…the “super men” of ancient times…stressed studying the I Ching, especially after the I Ching had been assigned as required reading for the imperial examinations during the Western Han dynasty, about 3,000 years ago. … For preparing to be a “super man” there is a fifty-three-item code of conduct that should be followed.

—Alfred Huang, Understanding the I Ching: Restoring a Brilliant, Ancient Culture

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Symbols of change