Contemplating the I Ching

A Q&A with Jungian therapist Satya Doyle Byock about the "Book of Changes"—and a 12/31 Workshop to Learn How To Ask the I Ching Questions

The I Ching—which translates to “Book of Changes,” or “Bible of Changes,” is one of the foundational texts of Eastern philosophy. It was first written down circa 1000 B.C., though its oral tradition dates back to 3000 B.C. Built in the ancient binary code of “yin” (the feminine) and “yang” (the masculine), it’s a series of 64 hexagrams, which can be consulted as a system of divination. You ask the I Ching a well-formed question, toss coins, record the results, and then contemplate the wisdom offered by its corresponding symbols.

The hexagrams of the I Ching in a diagram belonging to the German mathematician philosopher Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz

The practice above is obviously the very surface level of the I Ching, specifically in the West. But for those who dig in, the I Ching suggests it can explicate the entire universe. Below, you’ll find a Q&A with Jungian therapist

Satya Doyle Byock

, who learned the I Ching from her mother—before she moved deeper into her understanding of its contents along with its connection to Carl Jung, who wrote the introduction to Richard Wilhelm’s 1967 translation, which is credited with introducing the I Ching to the West. Satya offered to host a Zoom workshop with us on 12/31 at 10 am PT to create a New Year’s ritual and teach us all the basics. (Zoom link below, after the paywall.) For this workshop, there are plenty of free resources online to look at Hexagrams, but if you’re manual like me and need paper, she recommends you order one of the basic translations. Definitely not absolutely necessary! (Satya likes Sarah Denning’s for beginners, while R.L. Wing’s is a classic). You’ll also need three pennies, which should be washed and set aside.

I’m currently reading The Secrets of the I Ching: Ancient Wisdom and New Science, by Dr. David S. Lee and Dr. Joseph K. Kim, which offers itself as a foundational textbook for beginning to more fully understand the system—and how it relates to Eastern medicine, its modalities, along with theories of the universe. (No big deal.)

As Lee and Kim explain, many of our foundational thinkers studied the I Ching compulsively: Friedrich Hegel (thesis, antithesis, synthesis) cites the I Ching as the source of his ideas; Gottfried Leibniz created the binary system after studying the I Ching; and Albert Einstein apparently studied the I Ching for seven years, as reflected by the yin-yang polar nature of the theory of relativity; Niels Bohr’s theory of complementarity relies on the I Ching; and then, of course, Carl Jung who was greatly taken with the I Ching and its synchronicities. He’s considered the gateway to this mystical text in the west, theoretically introducing all of the scientists above to its mysteries.

Ultimately, Lee and Kim think the I Ching can explain everything. As they write:

“Despite humanity’s remarkable scientific, technological, and social advancement, we are still struggling to answer many of the fundamental questions of our existence. Man has an inherent need to make sense of the universe. Scientific theories attempt to unravel universal uncertainties, successfully discovering and assigning explanations for tangible phenomena. They have not, however, even begun to explore the depths to discover the underlying natural patterns, nor are they equipped to give meaning to things without substances.

“The chaos theory acknowledges the changing patterns, but even this recent and advanced theory lacks the tools to give meaning or understanding to their existence. Only the I Ching articulates the answers to these questions by revealing the universal principles that weave through all matter and phenomena.”

Satya Doyle Byock

and I are only scratching the surface—both in our Q&A below and in the workshop—but hopefully it’s enough to inspire many of you to start engaging with this text more deeply. First, as a means for understanding synchronicity and its use as an oracle, and then hopefully as an invitation to go much deeper into what it suggests.

UPDATE: Thanks to everyone who came to the workshop, the video of the session is below!

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A Q&A WITH SATYA DOYLE BYOCK

ELISE: How did you start working with the I Ching? And what is the thread between Jung and the I Ching?

SATYA: My mother sent me away to college with a copy of the I Ching and a note about how it has supported her. After college, when I was in crisis, she also introduced me to Jungian psychology through Jung's memoir, Memories, Dreams, Reflections. Both books have been hugely influential on me personally, but their historical connection is also very significant! Jung was instrumental in the introduction of the I Ching to the Western world, and he used this ancient Taoist divination tool regularly in his own life. He found tremendous comfort in the parallels between his own burgeoning (at the time) understanding of psychology as a dance between the masculine and feminine, and the Taoist pursuit of balance between the yin and the yang.

But what is the I Ching? The easiest parallel might be to the Tarot, though they’re completely different. I say this to quickly express that the I Ching is a method of divination in which the rational mind is set aside for a moment to invite in the “irrational” or yin wisdom. No one can quite say how it works, but once you’re in relationship with a tool like this, you experience undeniable insight; I think of it a bit like adjusting antenna to pick up radio signals we wouldn’t have otherwise been able to hear.

The I Ching is a book comprised of 64 distinct responses that each then interact with one another; the 64 responses are known as Hexagrams and are each a distinct combination of six lines, comprised of yin and yang lines. Each consultation invites a response. 

ELISE: Are there any specific rituals involving the I Ching that you find particularly helpful? Do you use it in your therapy practice?

SATYA: The ritual around using the I Ching is pretty straightforward—and of course can be enhanced in any way that is of value to each person. I sit with my journal typically and write for a while about whatever it is that I’m wrestling with or wondering about. Then I ask the I Ching a non-binary (not “yes” or “no”) question by writing that question in my journal. I am quite specific about my questions at this point. Just like in an interview or relationship, the question itself should be as clear as possible. Then, in order to receive the response, I throw three coins together six times; with each throw of the coins, I record the response based on how they land a bit like writing out Morse code. I end up with a single hexagram, or two, depending on the way the coins fall, and then read those responses from the book. I often consult two or three translations at a time. The entire ritual involves the preparation to ask, the asking, and the contemplation of the nuanced response. 

I don’t use the I Ching with all of my clients. In fact, I’ve probably only introduced it to a handful of clients for whom I thought it might be of value. When I do share it with clients, though, we often ask a question together initially and discuss the response that we receive. If the technique feels valuable to them, I may teach them to use it at home and suggest a few translations that appreciate the most. I’ve also shared this with many friends and students over the years and love hearing from people how it’s been of value to them. 

This divination tool has been a genuine companion for over two decades now and has been of incalculable value. It has offered me tremendous support in decision-making and sorting out life’s twists and turns, and I’m always delighted to share it with others. I think it provides a uniquely accessible way to engage with the unconscious and irrational self without tossing out rational thinking. It invites the whole person into contemplation.

ELISE: You know Jung’s theory of synchronicity better than anyone—that coincidences are meaningful. Is the foundation of this in the I Ching?

SATYA: Yes! Jung’s understanding of synchronicity was formed through his encounter with Chinese and Taoist thinking and (to Western science) the inexplicable wisdom that he experienced consulting the I Ching. 

Synchronicity is the currency of divination tools in general. There’s no linear explanation of cause and effect; no way to rationally explain how they work. And yet, the experience of meaning can be overwhelming when we receive extremely nuanced guidance on a complex issues from what is, to an outside observer, an inert object and a simple ritual. 

I think of this experience a bit like the difference between observing animals from a distance versus having a deep relationship with an animal. You learn overtime just how sensate and individual each creature is through the relationship with them. You learn how smart they are and how funny, and how specific their wants and desires are. Without a relationship, it’s easy to discard their behavior as mechanical or collective, and lacking individual personality. It’s the same with the I Ching. What looks like an inert book and some coins will open up through a committed relationship. And once you’re in relationship with it, it’s hard to ever go back to seeing it as inert again. 

Synchronicity brings the entire world to life. But it’s always an individual encounter. A true synchronistic experience is numinous, it feels alive and magical and enhances the meaning of life for whoever witnesses it. I have been lucky to witness those moments over and over with clients, friends, and students who seek guidance from the I Ching. It has moved me to tears and laughter countless times.

We’ll be convening on Zoom on 12/31 at 10 am PT for a really fun New Year’s Eve ritual—and hopefully the beginnings of a new practice for all of us. The workshop will probably run for 90 minutes, much of which will be Q&A, demonstration, and an opportunity to work with the I Ching will Satya guides. You’ll need three pennies (or coins of the same size, with a clear “heads” and “tails”). There are a lot of free online resources, but if you’d prefer to have a physical workbook, here’s a link to all of Satya’s recommendations. Also, if a paid subscription is not in the cards for you, I’m happy to comp them.

UPDATE: A link to the video of the workshop is below!