What is Yi Jing? (易經)
Seriously, it is not easy to write an article on Yi Jing. In simple terms, Yi Jing is a anthology of knowledge accumulated across generations. An Anthology if you will. Because Yi Jing is not a book on specific subjects, but rather a joint effort by scholars and philosophers that spans across several generations in order to make this compilation possible. You may then ask, what is the subject matter of Yi Jing? The answer is that the subject matter can range as vast as the universe but at the same time when you focus on certain subjects it can be as granular as a grain of sand or even an electron.
The idea i have given you may be hard to digest. But lets take a look at the characters “Yi Jing”, and you will notice it is not so far fetched. Looking at the Chinese character Yi (易), would given you a very good clue about this book. The way Yi(易) is written, is a combination of Sun (日) and Moon (月) where the moon is slightly tilted, (you sometimes need a tinge of imagination to see the combination of a Chinese character) so in modern terms, we can derive that Yi Jing is a book that talks about anything under the moon and the sun. But to be exact, it is talking about how the universe works as a whole. The theory of everything.
My personal view on Yi Jing is a book recorded about how the universe works, including the forces of mother nature. Therefore you won’t be able to give a detailed explanation on every subject matter in the book simply the area of understanding is too vast. With every reading, different point of views and interpretations of the text help create new understanding and knowledge in Chinese culture.
Take Chinese Medicine for example, with the principles of Yi Jing applied (Five elements etc.), it has evolved from simple herb medication to acupuncture. Acupuncture (the techniques to manage the Qi in our body using meridian point) further evolved to Tui Na (location of meridian points, using massage techniques to help alleviate bodily points). You can argue that it’s a mere evolution of Chinese medical techniques, but the undeniable fact is the medical principles were derived from Yi Jing. (You see, Yi Jing, other than humanities studies, can applied to medicinal studies as well)
How Chinese Metaphysics and other arts came about
So here is the diagram you see often. This simple yet profound image tells you tons of stories. It is only by understanding it you will know that this is not religious symbol, and before all theories begins, this is the most commonly used analogy on how the world begins:
- 无极生太极。 From Chaos and nothingness, Taiji emerged.
- 太极生两仪。Taiji gives birth to Yin and Yang.
- 两仪生四相。The interaction of Yin and Yang gives birth to the four phenomenon.
(Four cardinal directions, Four seasons etc.) - 四相生八卦。Four phenomenon give birth to Bagua
- 八卦生万物。And finally Bagua gives birth to everything,
Contrary to popular belief, Yi Jing itself has nothing to do with religion, but rather Yi Jing was compiled and recorded over time by our forefathers to tell their descendants the way of Dao (道). Dao in this context means how the universe work. Imagine the effort put in by our forefathers! Therefore the Taiji picture merely depicts a picture representation of what I mentioned earlier. With that theory formed, it was further evolved and branch out to what we know in Chinese Metaphysics today.
5 faculties of Chinese Metaphysics
The five areas of studies:
- Mountain (山): This is faculty that deals with spiritually and physical cultivation through martial arts, Chinese talisman studies etc. The main idea is that apart from maintain your physical health, this portion also deals with mental health through spiritual cultivation.
- Medication (医): This faculty deals with sickness, and how we use herbology to cure our illness. How we can use acupuncture to alleviate our bodily pains through meridian points etc. Different methods were developed along the way.
- Destiny (命): This faculty has the two de facto applications, one is Zi Ping Bazi (子平八字) and the other is Zi Wei Duo Shu (紫微斗数). While there are other applications, these two applications are undeniably the most used application in destiny analysis throughout history.
- Divination (卜): This faculty uses apart from Yi Jing itself, it has other school of thoughts like Meihua Yi Shu, Qimen Dun Jia etc. It is usually used as a predictive method to help the application user as a supplement information to assist them in making major decisions in the life.
- Physiognomy (相): This faculty uses forms to gauge and judge it personalities or character. One of the most popular usage of physiognomy is face and palm readings. Because you can usually apply straightway after learning it. Especially for face reading. Feng Shui is a part of physiognomy as well, because it deals with the appearance of your residential units and the mountains you are facing etc.
The objectives in Chinese Metaphysics
We have a choice to learn or not to learn Chinese Metaphysics. But once you have pick up the skill of Chinese Metaphysics, it is best to use the art to help people in need rather than strike rich. Learn and help contribute to the progress of mankind. As the Chinese saying:
所谓一念善，福虽未至祸已远矣！一念恶，祸虽未至福已远矣！
When a kind intention is set in, it shall start bringing blessings and ward off disaster that is lurking around the corner. When an evil intention is startled, it shall not bring in blessings but rather be assured that disaster is lurking around the corner.