The Secrets of the I Ching: Ancient Wisdom and New Science

To call "The Secrets of the I Ching: Ancient Wisdom and New Science" comprehensive feels somehow inadequate. Both exhaustive and exhausting, "The Secrets of the I Ching" can only be described as THE book for the person who wants to immerse themselves in the I Ching and the person who wants to explore its wisdom and knowledge.

I cannot, not even a little bit, recommend "The Secrets of the I Ching" for the I Ching beginner. A working knowledge of the I Ching feels practically mandatory to begin to understand the world created by co-authors Dr. David S. Lee and Joseph K. Kim as they start from the beginning of Eastern thought and travel through the concepts of Tao and Tai Chi, the theory of Yin-Yang, Trinity, the Five Elements, and other critical concepts that will baffle some and delight others.

I'll confess that at times I leaned more toward the baffled.

Originally discovered around 3,000 BCE, the I Ching is a collection of symbols that explain how patterns in the universe change and shift. These sixty-four symbols contain within them one of the most powerful keys to understanding the world around us. With The Secrets of the I Ching, Lee and Kim offer up what is easily described as the definitive guide to understanding the ancient mysteries and foundations of the I Ching.

Lee and Kim don't simply re-interpret the myriad of meanings ascribed to the I Ching, but focus their literary lens on the symbols themselves. This creates a unique opportunity to gain a new understanding of their power.

Readers should be prepared for a full-on immersion into the I Ching, a literary tour that never lets us and seldom leans toward concern about being entertaining or even particularly engaging. Instead, "The Secrets of the I Ching" is nearly 500 pages of in-depth research and study along with over 300 absolutely captivating images.

I will admit it took me a while to really surrender to "The Secrets of the I Ching," though once I really did I found myself impressed by its wisdom and insight and appreciative of this remarkable world created by Lee and Kim.

While newcomers may feel more than a little bit lost at times, there may be no better way to gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of the I Ching than by surrendering to "The Secrets of the I Ching."

I love reading non-fiction. This one in particular was great as it helped me put into practice some mindful meditation.

The Secrets of I Ching:Ancient Wisdom and New Science was well written and presented but I am perhaps not far enough along in my understanding of the topic to get the most of what this text has to offer. I will definitely be giving it another flip through physically upon the books release.

The Secrets of the I Ching: Ancient Wisdom and New Science by Joseph K. Kim and Dr. David S. Lee is a captivating and scholarly masterpiece that delves into the profound intricacies of the I Ching. This exquisitely written book takes readers on a journey, starting with an in-depth exploration of the philosophy and principles that underpin this ancient Chinese divination system. The authors skillfully elucidate how these principles permeate traditional Eastern medicine and establish profound connections with various disciplines such as mathematics, physics, biology, psychology, and virtually every facet of our existence.

From the very first page, Kim and Lee's eloquent prose effortlessly transports readers into the enchanting world of the I Ching. Their meticulous research and profound understanding of this ancient wisdom shine through, making this book an invaluable resource for both scholars and enthusiasts alike. By seamlessly blending traditional Eastern teachings with modern scientific insights, the authors provide a comprehensive and holistic understanding of the I Ching's relevance in our contemporary world.

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher St. Martin's Press for an advance copy of this history and very comprehensive guide to the I Ching, and how a deeper understanding and knowledge can effect the world that we pass through in ways that might be beneficial.

I was looking through a book on this history of espionage a few months ago and there was a section that about secrets and mysteries that has stayed with me. According to the author a secret is something that is knowable, something that can be discovered and shared. It might take work, it might take years, but a secret might eventually be reveled. A mystery though, that is unknowable, and might never ever be solved or known. The future is a mystery, our life is a constant mystery. Two paths in a snowy woods, one going right, the other left, both could be life changing, both might not be, or only one. There is a thirst to know, but also a grace in accepting. To look positively at both the right and left path, and let the road take one where it goes. The I Ching has been around since about 3000 BC used to divine the future at first, becoming more a philosophy and a way of being as the world grew older. To truly understand would take years, and even that is not guaranteed. This book is the first of many steps in that journey. The Secrets of the I Ching: Ancient Wisdom and New Science by Dr. David S. Lee and Joseph K. Kim is a very, very comphrensive guide to the history and thoughts behind the I Ching, and the powers and influence it can have on people and the world they live in.

The book begins with the authors discussing their motives and how to truly understand the I Ching, one would have to do a lot of reading, contemplating, and well life living. As much as they have tried to distill many concepts into one book, there is much more out there to learn, and to think about. The book starts with a history, going into the ideas, and how over the years the I Ching grew in prominence and the thinkers who were changed by it. There are stories, facts and many different reflections from different people. The authors discuss the idea of the Tao, Tai Chi and its growth. There are chapters on the history of Yin and Yang, and how each one can be effected by music, the universe, sex and much more. Other chapters discuss health issues the use of herbs and ending with divination.

This is a very deep book. One that is probably a little much for people who might be coming to the I Ching after reading a Philip K. Dick novel or some other notable fiction books that have used or referenced the I Ching. A familiarity with the I Ching, would be quite helpful, mostly as one would get far more from the text, though he authors are very good at keeping things smooth and easy to follow. They use plenty of stories, and follow difficult sections with strong attempts to make everything understandable. After so many centuries there s a lot to take in. While the learning curve is steep the book really is fascinating, and readers will be caught in the flow. I read this straight through, but one could dip in read a chapter or two and come back and find the book just as rewarding.

Recommended for readers with understanding of the subject. Or who would like to learn more and are willing to do the work. The bibliography alone is worth it for other books that might clear up any questions or for those who would like to learn more.

"The Secrets of the I Ching: Ancient Wisdom and New Science" by David S. Lee and Joseph K. Kim is a profound and enlightening journey into the depths of the I Ching's mysteries. This comprehensive guide provides invaluable insights into a timeless source of wisdom that has intrigued humanity for millennia.

The book delves into the essence of the I Ching, a collection of symbols that illuminate the ever-shifting patterns of the universe. Authors Dr. David Lee and Joseph K. Kim expertly lead readers on a journey, starting from the very roots of Eastern thought with concepts like Tao and Tai Chi. They explore fundamental principles such as Yin-Yang, Trinity, the Five Elements, and more, all of which are essential to unlocking the full meaning of the I Ching.

What sets this book apart is its focus on the symbols themselves. Instead of merely reinterpreting existing meanings, the authors offer a fresh perspective that centers on the inherent power of these symbols. They do so with clarity, depth, and a dedication to rigorous research.

"The Secrets of the I Ching" is a visual masterpiece, featuring over three hundred images that enrich the reader's understanding. The combination of scholarly insight and visual aids makes it a remarkably accessible resource for those delving into the world of the I Ching.

For anyone seeking to explore the profound wisdom and knowledge contained within the I Ching, this book is an indispensable companion. It not only serves as a definitive guide but also as an invitation to embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and enlightenment. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or a newcomer to this ancient source of wisdom, "The Secrets of the I Ching" will leave you inspired and enlightened.

Great Read

The authors states that rhe study of the I Ching begins with the concept of one and that one signifies the beginning that is whole and undivided. That one can also indicate the end and everything in between. That this is concept of totality is called Tao, according to the I Ching, the principle of Tao is the foundation of the I Ching and Eastern philosophy, it is the all-encompassing totality and interconnectedness of all things.

They provides a lot of background information, to include, symbols of Tao, philosophies, religions, and Tao, Tao Chi, the basic principles of Yin and Yang, along with the principles of politics, economics, astronomy, and other social and natural sciences all have the yin-yang theory of the I Ching as their foundation.

This book is well worth reading, and I do recommend it for anyone desiring to explore the ancient wisdom and new science as they are discussed indept in the book.