The Taoist I Ching (Shambhala Classics)

As an I-Ching user since 1978 I was delighted to find this translation. Far deeper and more profound than anything else I've seen.

Liu I-Ming's treatise on the I Ching is well worth reading if you are interested in Taoism generally and/or its spiritual-alchemy tradition specifically. One thing to bear in mind is that his commentary is not, in my opinion anyway, all that suited to the more random divinatory approach that many look to the I Ching for. Instead, it is Liu's case for seeing the I Ching as a system that might advise one on his/her Taoist-alchemical path. For example, he reads the hexagrams in a narrative sequence, and the lines within the hexagrams in sequence as well. In his system, then, it seems to me, it wouldn't make much sense to read any line randomly, as one might in strict divination practice, since you would therefore lose the context of his commentary on that line. It's not about randomness for Liu, but rather seeing the whole I Ching as one system. And, given that it's a particular system, it helps to have some prior knowledge of the alchemical "language" (though translator Cleary provides a good introduction explaining it). If you have no interest in Taoist alchemy, it's probably not the book for you. While some information is given on "consulting" it as an oracle, as aforementioned it almost doesn't make sense to do so this way.In regard to Liu's alchemical system, it is similar to his commentary on Chang Po-Tuan's 'Understanding Reality' (also translated by Cleary) -- one seeks to balance yin and yang, leading to a firing process that eventually allows the golden elixir to crystallize. As usual with Taoist alchemical texts, Liu stops just short of giving you the actual secret to doing all this -- instead, you are directed to find a teacher who will give you the oral instructions. That's great, if you're able to find one. If not, you may be out of luck, as Liu specifically warns against individual guesswork. Interestingly, he also attacks those who vaunt the circulation of energy as the secret: on p. 228 he witheringly refers to "Excess in being ignorant and acting arbitrarily, listening to blind teachers, striving for elevation by conveying the energy up to boost the brain, or conveying the energy up into the head, or keeping the thought on the point between the brows. . . " -- so if you thought the "microcosmic orbit" was what it was all about, Liu would seem to suggest you're wrong. And he was indeed one of the foremost commentators on spiritual alchemy. He also attacks excess in meditation (i.e to the point of "quietism", though not all meditation itself). Oftentimes, this book seems to be more about balance in life, which is something seemingly within reach. Yet, tantalizingly, there seems to be some further secret that always remains unavailable to those uninitiated with by private oral instructions.Well, whatever about all that, this book is well worth reading, will challenge you, and make you work hard (at least mentally). But if you just want an easy oracle that tells you what you should do in some given situation, go with the old Wilheml/Baynes.

It's good!

I have several editions of the i-Ching, but this is the one I would take to a desert island. This iteration of the text and commentary is relatively recent -- 18th century -- and very well developed.Each book in Cleary's i-Ching trilogy -- Buddhist, Taoist and the Tao of Organization -- offers something unique and appealing. The Taoist i-Ching is the most metaphysical of the three and the most developed. Although the Buddhist i-Ching is a bit more human and friendly, Taoist thinking tends to mesh better with the underlying concepts.The Taoist i-Ching is based on Complete Reality Taoism, which is very adaptible to beliefs from all walks of life. The processes of yin and yang rising and falling are most prominent in the commentaries. Overall, the edition reads as a very modern take on the ancient text.

Sorry, but I think it’s not well thought out to sell a kindle I-Ching book, for $17 that doesn’t hyperlink in the contents to the individual hexagrams. One always has to start at the first hexagram and use the pagination slider on the bottom of the page to guess your way to the hexagram your looking for? That’s quite poor. This review is for the Shambhala Taoist I-Ching, I know how reviews on Amazon can find their ways into other books. Even though they should have already known my guess is Shambhala would do a fix/update if it was brought to their attention.

Having read many translations & owning about 8, I always find myself returning to this one. Each translation I own has a place, and It can be valuable to compare different takes on a hexagram. But when I want what I feel is a more pure voice, in line with my Taoist sensibilities, I reach for Cleary's translation. Where other texts seem to get mired in language, The Taoist I Ching gets to source, always leaving me dialed in. Where another might have me considering specifics, this work nurtures my ability to let go and allow. I'm quite fond of this translation. I own both a softcover and digital edition.

This version of the I Ching could be the only book you may ever require to understand what the primordial foundations of your life actually are. As much as an alchemical cookbook as it is a wisdom tradition classic. You can use this book for the rest of your life to understand the deeper realms of your experience. Don't miss it. Im not kidding.

I have been a student of the I Ching for forty-two years. For forty-one years I consulted Richard Wilhelm's translation. Last year I discovered this, Thomas Cleary, translation, and it is now the book I consult. This I Ching was written by the Taoist adept, Liu I-ming, "to show how the I Ching.....can be read as a guide to comprehensive self-realization while living an ordinary life in the world." (Thomas Cleary, Forward to The Taoist I Ching). Thus The Taoist I Ching simply best captures the essence of the teaching of the I Ching.

Eye opening and so informative, transformative too.

Binding very poor glue fell aprt

Difficile mais instructif

quality book, very pleased.