(Copyright © 2000-2008 C.J.Lofting)
The I Ching is derived from layering meanings expressed as 'yin' or 'yang'; as such we assess a situation in general as yin or yang and then re-assess the result using the same categories. This assessment process takes us from the general to the particular. In the I Ching this assessment is done six times to elicit one of 64 possible hexagrams (6-line symbols). Through analysis of the way our brains process information we can identify our making of emotional assessments of situations using the 'fight/flight' dichotomy in the same way we use yang/yin. In other words we can use emotional assessments to elicit an I Ching hexagram that describes the situation in fine detail, as it can also describe our under-way response to that situation and its outcome if we let it 'flow' but also redirect that flow or even walk away from it.
If your interested in the theory covering brain dynamics in deriving categories of meaning then read this.
From the theory research we have been able to identify the I Ching as having properties of a language and so applicable to anything - this brought out in the ability to use emotional assessments of 'anything' and elicit an I Ching representation of such. To read-up on the I Ching used as a case study in the manner in which our brains create language, read this (this also covers emotions and the tie of both to give us the Emotional I Ching)
Thus the I Ching is simply an example of local context (e.g. your situation) that customises the universal, brain-derived, categories of meaning identified in the above theory to fit local conditions (the traditional I Ching covers 10th century BC China, the IDM format (IC+) brings it all into the 21st century AD by showing how it can work in describing a current situation (or imagined one))
Why use the IC? Because other category systems are too primitive in that they lack the level of development and representation of the IC's self-referencing of the yang/yin aka differentiating/integrating dichotomy. (most of these systems are four to five levels deep, whereas the IC covers six to twelve levels to derive generic meanings that can then be refined by your consciousness filling in the finer details)
In the below questions, the LEFT three questions deal with the INNER - YOUR perspective in the form of how you feel about the questions asked in association with the surrounding context that appears to be 'pushing' your buttons (and so the general 'question' to the I Ching here is "What is making me feel this way?", "What, in this particular context, is pushing my buttons?", "Why do I feel like this?") Thus in this particular form of I Ching usage, YOUR feelings are the focus as they 'resonate' with the surroundings.
The RIGHT three questions cover the OUTER, your assessment of the general surroundings (here labelled as 'text'). As such we are covering the resonance of 'in here' with 'out there' and in doing so identifying the 'out there' that is pushing your buttons.
(NOTE: if you are not sure about the 'outer', just answer the questions in the same way you answered the 'inner' questions - this will give you a general hexagram covering the context that is 'pushing').
Reflect on your feelings in response to the situation that appears to be 'pushing your emotional buttons'. There is no question here other than "what is making me feel like this?" or "what is pushing my buttons?" etc Next click on one of the four possible answers in each of the six 'boxes' presented below. Once satisfied with your answers, scroll down and press the "SUBMIT" button at the bottom of the table ( or the "RESET" button to start again.).
Emotional I Ching Questions Method
I am feeling that the situation is more about facts (issues of 'is')
I an feeling that the situation is more about values (issues of 'ought')
I am feeling that the Situation was about facts, but now I am not sure
I am feeling that the Situation was about values, but now I am not sure
The surroundings are more about facts
The surroundings are more about values
The surroundings were about facts, but now I am not sure
The surroundings were about values, but now I am not sure
I am feeling that the Situation is, time-wise, about what was/is/will be
I am feeling that the Situation is about what could have been/is not/could be
I am feeling that the Situation was about what was/is/will be, but now I am not sure
I am feeling that the Situation was about what could have been/is not/ could be, but now I am not sure
The surroundings are about what was/is/will be
The surroundings are about what could have been/is not/could be
The surroundings were about was/is/will be, but now I am not sure
The surroundings were about could have been/is not/ could be, but now I am not sure
I am feeling that, in some way, I am being Proactive (instigating)
I am feeling that, in some way, I am being Reactive (responding)
I am feeling that I was being proactive but now I am not sure
I am feeling that I was being reactive but now I am not sure
The surroundings are being Proactive (instigating)
The surroundings are being Reactive (responding)
The surroundings were being proactive but now I am not sure
The surroundings were being reactive but now I am not sure
Pressing submit will present a page of three frames down the page in a particular form of interpretation - the order being:
I HAVE A QUESTION!