Discovery leaves one feeling fulfilled for that particular moment in time and that is good. I am finding many discoveries through the I Ching and one that connects well with my current practice is the knowledge that in Chinese tradition they allow for new interpretations and commentaries.
This tells me that even more important that this book of changes is such a changing tome of wisdom that its original intent allows the original text to be valid no matter what era seeks its advice. We or anyone at any time regardless should understand that the study of the I Ching is done in a frame of reference that is relevant to modern life.
I see this as another connection to Bushi Tatsuo Sensei though the Kenpo Gokui with emphasis in his lesson where he states that all bottles are good and they all serve a purpose. I can now see that this statement was directly influenced by his studies of the Chinese classics.
If we believe the intent of the book then no matter who reads and interprets its wisdom; no matter the era, place, person and time that unique interpretation and understanding is like the many bottles the Bushi Tatsuo Sensei used in his example, all interpretations are good as they all server a purpose.
It is said that if the I Ching is used you should develop your own viewpoint and interpretation - or interpretations. Where we choose a particular bottle that fits our view and interpretation as to which is the best we find that regardless all are good and all serve the particular individual in the views and understanding.
The I Ching provides a self-consistent and powerful framework that allows us to classify our interactions and allows us to examine some of the implications of a particular kind of interaction. We choose bottle we wish to use and suits us out of all the available bottles. I chose the bottle Isshinryu for my FA/MA practice while others chose Goju, Shorin, etc. All are good and all serve a purpose regardless of the choice we make as to which bottle is best.
The Chinese say the when we consult the book we first see the images and those images require adaptation to the user's society and background, and to the particular situation. How much more unique can it get, choosing the bottle provided by the book to give you knowledge and understanding so you may "choose" correctly, for you.
We must not use the book as a strict book where there is no leeway and we must not try to interpret the words, commentaries, images, lines, trigrams, and nuclear trigrams as if we were consulting the ancients older wisdom. That wisdom was for that time, place, and person(s) while we today are actually meant to "augment" the older wisdom.
Take a look deep into your self and then the book for guidance and then find your own way. In other words find the knowledge provided from the book and then choose the bottle best for your needs at this time and place for all of them are good and all of them server the purposes needed in that moment.
My personal "Interpretive" Lens!
"One thing has always been true: That book ... or ... that person who can give me an idea or a new slant on an old idea is my friend." - Louis L'Amour
"Read not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and take for granted; nor to find talk and discourse; but to weigh and consider..." - Francis Bacon
"What is true today may be reevaluated as false not long after. Judgements are frequently based upon a set of "temporary" circumstances surrounding them. Conflicting ideologies can exist simultaneously. Antagonistic dualities are complementary aspects of a unified whole: are seen as mutually dependent mirror images of each other." - Nahum Stiskin
Warning, Caveat and Note: The postings on this blog are my interpretation of readings, studies and experiences therefore errors and omissions are mine and mine alone. The content surrounding the extracts of books, see bibliography on this blog site, are also mine and mine alone therefore errors and omissions are also mine and mine alone and therefore why I highly recommended one read, study, research and fact find the material for clarity. My effort here is self-clarity toward a fuller understanding of the subject matter. See the bibliography for information on the books.
Note: I will endevor to provide a bibliography and italicize any direct quotes from the materials I use for this blog. If there are mistakes, errors, and/or omissions, I take full responsibility for them as they are mine and mine alone. If you find any mistakes, errors, and/or omissions please comment and let me know along with the correct information and/or sources.
Kenpo Gokui
A person's heart is the same as Heaven and Earth while the blood circulating is similar to the Sun and Moon yet the manner of drinking and spitting is either soft or hard while a person's unbalance is the same as a weight and the body should be able to change direction at any time as the time to strike is when the opportunity presents itself and both the eyes must see all sides as the ears must listen in all directions while the mind must grasp all the tactile, olfactory and gustation data not seen on all sides and not heard in any direction
All Bottles are Truly Good
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