The Great Vessel Blog

A great read - Some of the Yijing's foundation ideas explained

We have posted a new article and its a stunning read! Skip the title - When I read the title to a friend over the ‘phone they started making ‘mnnnyng’ type noises and began hitting their head on the wall. Such a shame it is brilliant read!

Such immortal lines as, “Now, Daoists tend to see the great importance we ascribe to death as a rather silly misunderstanding…”

It is based on “The Great Treatise” the 5th and 6th Wings of the Yijing. Because this treatise is not structured by hexagram it is often left out of English translations as it cannot be apportioned under each hexagram like many of the other wings. However in China this work is traditionally seen one of the deep fonts of spiritual wisdom and learning. It sits alongside the Dao De Jing in importance.

The Great Treatise is a guide on how to work with the Yijing. It includes instruction about the nature of life and change. Quite simply, it is a soul touching work. In this article Stephen unpacks some of the central ideas in a vivid and highly readable manner.

By the Way – Stephen Karcher’s "Ta Chuan – The Great Treatise" is still available in the shops – It is a full translation with commentary. I cannot say it enough – We all cary a deep knowing and The Great Treatise gives that voice. It also explains some of the key terrain on which the Yijing is founded.

The Yijing speaks quiet wisdom amidst the furore of looming war

These days I watch the news with increasing consternation. The melting ice caps seem to be enjoying peek time entertainment viewing whilst the UK parliament seems more concerned with throwing metaphorical tomatoes across the House at each other. The US, with UK support, appear intent on cleaning up terrorism even if it does end up with the Middle East unifying in a great Jihad. Time and again I ask myself, ‘What can, and should,  I do about this?” So Stephen’s 4th Great Vessel Reading came as a timely surprise.

Shortly after 911 he was leading a group of therapists and activists in a workshop at the Jungian Centre in Los Angeles (USA). They were discussing 911 and what they should do. It became heated with calls for patriotism and counter demands for activism. Amidst this charged polarisation it was agreed that Stephen would ask the Yijing. The result is our current reading. For me this is a thought provoking response, Yijing wisdom at its best. I have started a thread here (Readings Panel Reading 4) and would encourage folk to respond. Why? Well, we did another more up to date reading. At the time we were all sitting together in a small flat in London (UK). Stephen had completed the casting to shocked silence. Eventually someone said, “We can’t publish that… we just can’t.” So please read this one first, give us your thoughts and tell us whether you want to hear more.