Does everyone interested in Taoism use the I Ching book of change? Me and a friend have recently been using I Ching and exploring the philosophys. how important would you say it is within Taoism and for yourselves?
I've been into the I Ching for many years. I'd say that it contains essential wisdom in a unique form, but also it can be difficult to penetrate the depths of it because of the unfamiliar images and so on which are used. It's something that you can only come to understand gradually over the course of time. My understanding is that it is one of the ancient texts which is venerated by both taoists and confucians. The best translations IMO are the Richard Wilhelm and Thomas Cleary versions.
Thanks for the reply bill. My friends book is pretty difficult to get to grips with at times, but it makes sense if you sit and think about it for long enough and is always really accurate. I find the I Ching really helpful and like you say, full of wisdom. I've also bought the tao te ching which i will try and get my head round soon. that was a stroke of luck, as i've just bought the thomas cleary version. Cheers x
The Cleary version is excellent, and I'm sure you'll find it very illuminating. Tao Te Ching is very different, but also great. One thing I'd recommend is to keep a note book and record the results you get, as well as the meaning or relevance you derive from it. I've found that's very useful.
I will do that, thankyou for the good advice bill. Also thankyou for your reply budbufford i will definatley bare that in my mind as i look in to this philosophy more.
