PHONY PEARLS FROM THE
“ I CHING”
(that is, “Chingalings”)
There are real pearls in
the “I Ching”, but you won’t find them here. These must be at least partly phony
because the images here are seen through Western eyes. Yet other Western eyes
will look at this website, and then some will search the “I Ching” itself – that
great rice bowl of experience from gourmets of living.
Even without mind-set of
the East, Westerners will find much – though not necessarily what I found. The
“I Ching” can be a very personal experience. Personally, I read the “I Ching” as
a collection of essays on almost every corner of life. Since its insights are
universal, I give examples below from a variety of times and places.
(Approaching the “I Ching”
as a series of essays is unusual. It is a book filled with powerful symbols.
Many use it for fortune telling, others as a key to the subconscious, but I find
it most useful as a reference to centuries of thoughtful analysis.)
The numbers below are
chapter numbers from the “I Ching.” The jingles here, which I call “Chingalings,”
are meant to vaguely reflect what’s called the “image” in each chapter.
EFFECTIVENESS
Want to push more? Pull back … the oar. 31
Need to intone? Use both web and phone. 44
The worm turns best -- with no haste or rest. 46
Hurray an array. 48
Under that cover, Turtle is fertile. 53
When your goal is microscopic, you can focus
your the topic. 60
Ignore charges atomic? Find costs astronomic. 62
EXAMPLES
Aren’t the best toasts -- to history’s ghosts? 16
Why hoard experience behind a dreary fence? 19
When your troops waddle, march up as their model. 20
We’re often best lead by books of the dead. 26
You’re the example for the Way?
Then who will you ever get to obey? 37
FLEXIBILITY
The standing tree bends -- for winds. 17
Corrected your dog? Now -- for treats! Let him
hog. 18
Slow for bends (or this trip ends). 24
“This,” I said, “is forever our home,” till a
torch-lit Nero entered our Rome. 63
FATE & ACCEPTANCE
Checks someday bounce against big accounts. 14
The world may rot – still, tend your plot. 12
Seen your fate? Make her your date. 50
FRIENDLINESS & WARMTH
Is your welcome mat a “democrat”? 8
Treat, with a glove, the young that you love. 25
Be a true vine: intertwine. 32
Be a lady: wave to the shady. 38
Joking’s no joy when it’s just a ploy. 58
My mind you can win -- if you get in my skin. 61
HEAVEN & EARTH
May electrified wonder create all our thunder. 1
Say, “Have a ball” to the global all. 2
We scowl up bitter at heaven’s titter. 51
When awe dies, what’s left but I’s? 59
INJUSTICE & REVOLT
The State is a slob? Expect a mob. 13
He always reprieves -- and multiplies --
thieves. 21
The throne’s overthrown -- once groans have
grown. 23
Under enemy occupation, practice … cautious …
education. 36
Keep pay ample: mobs can trample. 45
Better a martyr than ruled by a tartar. 47
Revolution’s reason? Our globe turns every
season. 49
The court delays: the gavel decays. 56
INNER SINCERITY
Do we dare mock our inner peacock? 15
Reformer or performer? 35
Gambling hots? Just blame the slots. 39
Each month, Ethics laud it: your internal
audit. 43
LEARNING
Multiply repetitions for mental additions. 29
Beam your flashlight through your ignorance’
night. 30
The knowledge flame’s steady -- when its
fuel’s at the ready. 57
MANNERS & STYLE
Avant-garde splash or just slapdash? 4
Good tips? Good trips. 6
Polish smoothes no big grooves. 9
Just which fashions overcome passions? 22
Be smooth with jerks when you give them the
works. 33
Never flash your credits or cash. 34
What are commercials but faked dress
rehearsals? 54
PATIENCE
Game’s not begun? Even so, have fun. 5
Are you sunning inside until the rain’s dried? 28
We borrow sorrow from tomorrow. 52
PREPARATION
Before cutting starts, examine your quartz. 3
A beginning ends when the cocktail blends. 7
Throw a raincoat away on each sunny day? 11
Seed for needs; weed out weeds. 42
Check both arches before your marches. 64
RESTRAINT
Parted lips broaden hips. 27
The gore on the door shows revenge can
unhinge. 40
Gnash, don’t gash. 41
“I’ll stay satisfied,” said the stomach (who
lied). 55
Note: The numbers (for example, 55) come from the chapters in the Bolling
Foundation’s edition of the “I Ching” with a forward by C.G. Jung. The
“Chingalings” here do not necessarily suggest the content of chapters as a whole
but only the “image” section within them.
Some Rights Reserved
This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 License.
(In other words, please feel free to quote any part of this website at any
length,
attributing the quote to John D. McCall, preferably with a reference to the
website) Rev 2010-1.
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