Customer Reviews

Secrets of the I Ching (Reward Classics)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I am a fan of Joseph Murphy. His books have helped me this past year more than any other to create my future and understand that I need to control my thoughts. This book is my first I Ching book. It is well written and easy to understand. I find that when I ask a question, the answer easily goes to the topic at hand and of course helps me to heal my mind in that area, besides helps me choose a course of action. This is a good first book.

I found a copy at the thrift store. It's on my desk now. I use a desktop PC to 'cast coins', then flip to this edition. It's been my fav for a couple of months now.
This edition provides interpretations based on Biblical reflections of the images in the I Ching. If you have ever fallen in love with God, you will like how Murphy couches every interpretation as an opportunity to turn it over to God, return to God, seek inspiration from God, trust God's wisdom. He does this for each and every line of every hexagram. Using this approach constitutes a great contribution to the I Ching genre and a huge achievment in synthesis.

This book has much to recommend it. The strongest chapters are the first few, in which Murphy gives the background of the I Ching and talks about synchronicity and the linkage between the subconscious and universal minds. His description of how to consult the oracle (using pennies) is very clear and easy for any novice to understand. As far as his view of the I Ching goes, he sees it as being closely connected in spirit with Western metaphysical thinking. The entire second half of the book comprises the interpretations of the hexagrams, using biblical passages instead of the original Chinese judgements and images. For me this doesn't really work, as most of Murphy's biblically based interpretations are far too general to have much application. Like the newspaper horoscopes, with imagination they could be interpreted any old way.

Thus, if you are a purist who wants a translation of the I Ching which most closely follows the Chinese version, I would not recommend this. I would instead go with the Wilhelm/Barnes version published by Bollingen--this is the translation Jung used and it's very good reading in and of itself. However, for learning to use the I Ching, Murphy's book is a fine introduction.

I use both Eastern interpretation of the I Ching and the Christian mystical approach contained in here for deeper understanding. This one, in particular, speaks to my own heart and has helped me the most. I have had it for many years, use it regularly and feel grateful to the author for writing it. Thank you.

I agree with the previous reviewer. The beginning of the book provides a wonderful explanation of the I-Ching and how to cast coins and read. However, the biblical references provided for interpretation are somewhat vague. I highly recommend for anyone interested in learning about the I-Ching. I prefer to use to The Everyday I Ching, Sarah Dening, for hexagram interpretation.

I often feel more depressed or confused when I read traditional I Ching books, but this book always made me feel good, with positive outlooks. When I followed the advice, it always worked out well for me, and I was more prepared to turn things around with a positive mind frame. Love this book, and if I have a negative outcome, I always defer to it for upliftment, when the other books are lowering my energy.

I bought this book after reading the sample text; believing that I was getting a book filled with Eastern Wisdom, NOT Western Christian Dogma. I will be deleting this item from my e-book reader and chalk it up as a contribution to Amazon.com.

I love this book because it deals with the God within and I use it to just understand myself. It is a great presentation of the way to connect with God.

I just started studying the tradional I Ching teachings, and this book has help me tremendously to have a clear and plain understanding. I practiced some of the exercises Dr. Muphy recommends on the book and they absolutely have worked. This book is a golden nugget for those who are interested on the traditional I Ching teachings.

Be warned, this book is misleading when it says on the cover "Get What You Want in Every Situation Using the Classic Book of Changes."

Reading this book was fascinating; I felt like I was learning so much. Then I asked my question, tossed my coins, and read up the answer. I didn't have a clue what it meant. The verbiage is too esoteric and obscure and leaves too much room for wishful thinking and misinterpretation.