I Ching is the oldest, most respected divinatory system in the world. There are currently two kinds of translations available, which offer conflicting interpretations—the Confucian version and an earlier version called Zhouyi. Reconstructed by 20th-century scholars and archaeologists, Zhouyi presents the imaginative world of myth and ritual that is the basis of Eastern thought. Now, for the first time, Stephen Karcher fuses these two traditions using modern scholarship, archaeological and linguistic research, Eastern philosophy, and comparative religion, presenting them to the Western reader in a comprehensive, accessible, and vivid new form. Total I Ching is a complete oracle with instructions for use in all life situations. It is also the first translation to detail the mythology of the divinatory system, the Myths for Change.
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"This could be Karcher's masterpiece—a beautiful, liberating, potent, and inspiring version of the ancient classic." -- Dr. Roderick Main
From the Publisher
I Ching is the oldest, most respected divinatory system in the world. There are currently two kinds of translations available, which offer conflicting interpretations—the Confucian version and an earlier version called Zhouyi. Reconstructed by 20th-century scholars and archaeologists, Zhouyi presents the imaginative world of myth and ritual that is the basis of Eastern thought. Now, for the first time, and after years of research, Stephen Karcher fuses these two traditions using modern scholarship, archaeological and linguistic research, Eastern philosophy and comparative religion, presenting them to the Western reader in a comprehensive, accessible, and vivid new form. Total I Ching is a complete oracle with instructions for use in all life situations. It is also the first translation to detail the mythology of the divinatory system, the Myths for Change.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
79 of 84 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Best I Ching Available,
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This review is from: Total I Ching: Myths for Change (Paperback)
As a 30 year I Ching user, teacher of Taoist qigong and inner alchemy meditation, I was very skeptical when yet another I Ching translation arrived in the mail. But I knew Karcher's scholarship was superb and was hoping for at least a few gems. Was I surprised to discover that this is the best I Ching I've ever used - it literally lives up to its name, The Total I Ching.I used to consult both the Wilhelm (elegant, but too confucian) and Wu Jing-Nuan's "shamanic" Chou version to get a full spectrum of readings. Karcher's Total I Ching version is both elegant, scholarly, and shamanic. It brilliantly integrates in the living elements of the shen (spirits) who are actually the agents of change, we could say the "managers" of shifts in the larger chi field that play out in our bodies and lives. There is only one test of an I Ching, and that is to use it in real life situations and see how "alive" and accurate the responses are for you. I found this version to be far superior to the other readings I previously used. Yin & Yang trigrams can be reduced to abstract and lifeless mathemtical symbols, or they can be experienced as living pulsations, voices from inner space. Total I Ching opens up the voices of the spirits, without losing the bracing clarity of the symbolic language. I am thrilled to find such a breakthrough work in a field of translations that are generally lacking in spiritual brilliance. Total Ching is a must have for I Ching lovers.
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best indepth books on I Ching.,
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This review is from: Total I Ching: Myths for Change (Paperback)
This is the 2nd book I have bought written by the author Stephen Karcher.This book is very indepth and offers more guidance on all matters.The advice is easy to understand but beginners might want to find suitable learning books before adding this book to your collection.The number of pages for each hexagram can vary from about 4 pages and some are up to 6 pages long.Thats a bit too much for my liking,but,some people might like it.Consider that factor before you buy this book.
The print in this book is smaller compared to the authors "Symbols of love" book.Both books are very similar but "Total I Ching" is for all matters. I also recommend these books: 1)"I Ching:a new interpretation for modern times."By Sam Reifler. 2)"Practical guide to the I Ching".By Kim-Anh Lim.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An innovative and indispensible addition to the I Ching bookshelf,
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This review is from: Total I Ching: Myths for Change (Paperback)
The I Ching has been an immensely important influence on my life. For well over three decades, I have sought its advice, judgment and solace. It has remained an unchanging spiritual lifeboat for me, like the shoals of dolphins that rescue and secure the shipwrecked to safety. I credit the Wilhem/Baynes/Jung edition for saving my life and, in particular, the editions by Carol K. Anthony, Sam Reifler, Brian Brown Walker, Sarah Dening, R. L. Wing, John Blofeld and Stephen Karcher for enriching it.
This latest of Karcher's books on the I Ching, Total I Ching: Myths for Change, is a masterpiece. Karcher successfully takes the original texts and jettisons almost all the moralistic moorings that are at times difficult to get around in other translations. He takes a shamanistic and pragmatic approach, eschewing doom-and-gloom predictions for succinct, somewhat dispassionate advice. For instance, rather than hearing hopelessly negative news from the 6th changing line of Hexagram 24 (Return), Karcher says "Trap!...You are returning to an old delusion, blinded by self-deception and infatuation. If you go on in this way, your hard-won growth will be destroyed. It will take at least ten years to deal with the repurcussions of this catastrophe. The Way is closed. Think about where this desire comes from. Whatever you do, don't act this out....Take things in. Be open and provide what is needed." I find this type of advice far more useful than the the stark proclamation of horrific bad luck given in some versions of the I Ching, which could almost cause the susceptible to contemplate jumping off the Golden Gate bridge. His commentary on the 2nd line of Hexagram 49 (Skinning/Revolution) is: "There is excellence in moving now. This is your time. Move into the dance. You can change the world. Put everything into solution. Don't be shy. Be a hero. Vigorous action opens the Way. This is definitely not a mistake. Be resolute. You are connected to a creative force." This successfully communicates the positive energetic information without quite making one giddy. I enjoy and need a slightly sober reminder that my good fortune lies in remaining connected to the creative force, from which all blessings flow. Total I Ching provides this without the puritanical tone found in some other versions. It is easy to bypass some of the more esoteric information on each hexagram and go directly to the sections most important for divination. The tone is helpful and grounding, yet invigorating. I personally am more interested in that than the scholarly details, but those who seek them won't be disappointed. My only criticisms are that it would have been far, far more helpful to have the Hexagram numbers placed on each page. You have to go through pages and pages to get your bearings in the text, rather than being able to flip easily to the hexgram you want. Also, I really wish this book was available in hardback. For those of us that actually use and refer to the I Ching on a regular basis, this is essential as well as aesthetically preferable. The text deserves to be preserved in a hardback edition. This is a wonderful, wonderful book.
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