06/26/2025
The I Ching is one of the oldest Chinese classical philosophical texts. It is based on both Confucian and Taoist philosophies and was written between 1000 and 750 BCE. The I Ching was initially created as a divination text similar to Tarot that consisted of a set of linear signs to be used as “oracles” to answer complicated philosophical questions.
I begin this series of reflecting on the I Ching with the first hexagram: Qian or Initiating. Initiation is a beginning, a starting point, an origination, an inception, etc. As I am completing my fifth year of running Transformational Acupuncture, I am reminded of various beginnings throughout the past five years. Reopening the clinic, restaffing the clinic, revising our mission and vision, revising clinical protocols, launching a herbal pharmacy, and many more.
The words from Qian ● Initiating that resonate with me the most are:
"Heaven acts with vitality and persistence.
In correspondence with this
The superior person keeps himself vital without ceasing."
Some paths require persistence and strength. This means committing to a path and to keep moving forward no matter the obstacles – to keep oneself vital without ceasing.
Read more:
https://www.dc-acupuncture.com/i-ching-series/i-ching-series-introduction-hexagram-1
