“The holy sages were divine, hence they knew the future; they were wise, hence they stored up the past.”- Yijing as quoted in Da Liu
The word Tao (dao) means “way,” or more specifically “way of truth.” The master of method (fangshi), later known as human of the way (daoren), or master of way, or priest of the way (daoshi), a product of Chinese shamanism (Chuci), practiced divination, astrology, geomancy, medicine, internal alchemy (neidan), ecstatic wandering, and exorcism (Taoist arts) for the sole purpose of preserving their harmony with nature, and becoming a divine immortal. It was difficult to distinguish between the fangshi and the sorcerer (wu).
Taoist divination, a diagnostic discipline of Taoist medicine, is the art of understanding reality (predicting portents) by utilizing such modalities as astrology, geomancy, Yijing calculation, and biomancy (analysis of the face, body and hand). Astrology predicts the inherited fortune (karmic condition) bestowed by heaven. Geomancy predicts the fortune in personal harmony with the environment. Body and face analysis predicts the fortune in one’s outer appearance. Hand analysis predicts the fortune in one’s inner self (personality). Yijing oracle mathematics provides the symbolic cosmic code as philosophical guidance for spiritual alchemy.
The cosmic code of the Book of Change (Yijing) was recorded by simple-minded ancients, who observed the integrity of all aspects of life, discovered the laws behind the diversity of nature, and created a way of harmonious living with nature. Nature was their teacher. By embracing the patterns of nature in the center, their philosophy, they were able to make their lives predictable. Once the center is found, completeness is accomplished.
The fundamental principles of the Yijing have guided philosophers, politicians, mystics, alchemists, diviners, scientists, and mathematicians.
Copyright 2005. (202 pages, 87 figures; astrology worksheet and chart); see www.lotusspace.com for more info.
No comments:
Post a Comment