The Living I Ching: Using Ancient Chinese Wisdom to Shape Your Life

Readers of other works of Deng Ming-Dao will not be disappointed with "The Living I Ching," which exceeds in depth, clarity and scope all that he has produced before. Readers and users of texts on the I Ching written by other authors will find their own consciousness and awareness developing, and enriching their lives beyond normal expectations. Those who have had little or no experience with either Eastern thought or the I Ching can have confidence in the authenticity of the principles underlying the composition of the I Ching.The author's purpose is to help readers shape their own lives with the assistance of "ancient Chinese Wisdom". The I Ching is not a "fortune-telling," divination means in the usual sense of the term, nor a prophetic announcing. Rather, it is an oracle for guidance in living life harmoniously. It reveals both the nature of a given situation and the sequence of circumstances and events which led up to the situation in question, as well as the course of events to emerge in the future. Deng Ming-Dao writes:"This, then, is what the 'Changes' finally means: it means absorbing the principles of change so that we can not only sense them intuitively, but also make intelligent decisions for the future to yield positive benefits. This is also the best way to understand the 'Changes' moral structure."Deng Ming-Dao has created a text that is "a step-by-step way of absorbing the "Changes" directly." He frames the book with the metaphor of a pilgrimage (a spiritual journey) of 8 Circles. The circle is a common aspect of a pilgrimage, i.e. "one travels with the intention of returning to normal life". The second common aspect is "change," for the person on a pilgrimage returns to normal life with enhanced insight and spiritual strength. The circles start with "The Origin" continues through "Yin and Yang", "The Four Images", "The Early Heaven Eight Trigrams", "The Early Heaven Hexagrams", "The Later Heaven Eight Trigrams", "The Later Heaven 64 Hexagrams', to the 8th circle, "The Voice of the Oracle." The last circle is actually written in the first person on the "I Ching" who tells of its own "pilgrimage".This pilgrimage takes the reader/user from ontological/cosmological principles underlying the I Ching through the evolution of yin and yang, trigrams, hexagrams and the words of Fu Xi, King Wen and Confucius. All of this is presented in the most down-to-earth, reader friendly style I have ever read in books on the I Ching. Deng Ming-Dao says that the I Ching is a human oracle and he presents it as a human in writing and in philosophy.The "poetry" of Deng Ming-Dao increases the dimension of understanding of each hexagram. The pictographic lines are concise and informative. An accompanying poem/verse presents an earthly event such as a woman seated in a carriage meeting a man, or a crane swooping down while people on the ground erecting a building. The verse gives a "sense" of the significance of the principle underlying the hexagram and is worth re-reading after reading the more formal exposition. The Statement is an overall summary of the action of the hexagram. Each line of the hexagram (arranged diagonally bottom to top) is again an action type statement. The Image again is very physical in description and always includes aspects of nature. The text itself extends 2 pages. The first part contains a bit of philosophy, using history as an example and the second part, discusses each line, concluding with the relevance of the Image to the hexagram as a whole. Altogether, it is a rewarding and thought provoking discussion.I highly recommend this book.

One must have a background to understand. This is not for a beginners. Also, this book can be used as part of gi gong course as additional lecture.

I was instructed to find an I-Ching translation that speaks to me and this is one of two I have chosen. I love this one for the not only the beautiful interpretations of the hexigrams and the latout, but for the indepth explanation of the development and meaning of the complete bagua and the both arrangements.I currently have the kindle version but plan to buy a hardcopy as well. I've not given 5 stars because the kindle version does not have the the sixty four hexigrams linked from the table of contents or an index so it is laborious to find a particular gua.Regardless, if you are looking for I-Ching with a more softer more personal tone take a look at thus one.

What made me like this book so much was not just the readability, but the way that the content was brought forward. It makes more sense to me to have someone who speaks Chinese as their native language and has conquered English, then vice-versa, to bring this Chinese writing into this moment. The author also brings a truly well-considered explanation of what had preceded this moment in time in regards to Chinese history from almost 5,000 years ago, through the creation of writing, and the changes that occurred through dynasties, the technology of writing on bamboo sticks held by leather thongs, to the politics of ancient China, and so much more. I could spend a lot more words on this, but will end by recommending this book to anyone who seeks thoughtfulness, perspective, and comfort within their day. It is not divination, but wisdom, experience and compassion for those who came before, and those who will follow.

I've had a copy of the Wilhelm translation since the 1970s, and know it like the back of my hand. It's always been the gold standard for me. I saw The Living I Ching mentioned favorably and ordered it. So glad I did. It's brilliant! The poetry, and the very accessible text make it more immediate and moving. I still love the Wilhelm translation and I definitely consult both each time I throw a hexagram.

I've bought four different translations, in search for a book to provide me with the big picture -- the essence of the book -- in a way that's easy to understand. With this book, my fifth, I finally found a perfect place to begin the journey.This translation is very lucid and well organized. It has a flow of its own that gently guides you down the path, allowing you to make many of the discoveries on your own. As another reviewer noted, it's still good to own several version if you're a serious scholar, but this book has a perfect balance of everything in a beautifully designed and worded package.I'm proud to own this book. Several times now, I've found myself amazed at the quality of this book, with the layman in mind. Although I'm still in the process of reading it, I'd highly recommend it. I'll make sure to update this review down the road...

good book. very easy to read and understand, and still it needs to live out, to experience. as far as the I ching is concerned, such work is adapt to people who really want to know the I ching inside themselves. in fact, words are not important, the important is people who is dare to be transformed, dare to be refreshed into a sheerly different life which is according to one's true nature. Li Daochun (Qing'an), Wang Yangming, Chuang Tzu, and Lai Zhide, all they mentioned about I Ching in one's heart, the balance of Yin and Yang inside. But these anciant literatures are not easy for most modern people especially who do not read anciant Chinese. Now most Chinese do not read anciant Chinese, so Deng's work is also meaningful to readers who live in China.

A really nice book, masses of information on the I ching, that is why I gave it 5 stars, but on a personal level very complicated for the layman, well for me anyway. I'm sure there is wisdom to shape your life, if you can get your head round it, I won't give up on it tho, I will keep picking it up until something clicks.

Excellent modern translation of the I Ching.Plus lots of background information.One of the authors inspirational poems precedes every hexagram.A recommended book for anyone interested in the I Ching.Beautifully presented and easy to read and use.Written by someone who is deeplyimmersed in the Tao.

A must have in your personal library.

good

I have been using the I Ching for over 40 years, and I have half a dozen commentaries that I use regularly. Who'd have thought that another book would add a new perspective to what I've already got? But Deng Ming-Dao has a unique perspective and I am finding it valuable. I discovered "Seven Bamboo Tablets of the Cloudy Satchel" in a country bookstore; that's how I got to know about him, and his book on the I Ching. He links back to early 20th Century Taoism in China, and martial arts. He is a clear thinker, a poet, and a champion for self-development. Also, the book itself is beautifully produced. Enjoy.