From the Two-year MA Course on Yijing (I Ching) Studies:

Part 1 Orientation module Yijing (can also be followed separately)

What is the Yi Jing?

The Yi Jing (I Ching, I Tjing) is a 3000-year old Chinese book. You can safely call it the Chinese bible, because the principle of Yin and Yang, the Masculine and the Feminine, are explained in the Yijing and its appended texts. It is this and a few other principles from the Yijing that form the foundation of Chinese culture. The core of the Yijing consists of 64 so-called 'hexagrams': these are drawings of 6 lines, solid or broken, that represent a symbolic meaning by their inter-related positions. These hexagrams form the oldest part of the Yijing ((±3000 BC); later, text pieces were added, explaining the symbolic meanings of the hexagrams.

What can the Yi Jing mean to you personally?

The Yijing can help you become more aware of the path you are taking through life. The Yijing can tell you: "you are in this phase, and you can best do this or that". The Yijing is usually consulted to help clarify a specific question or problem. The text of the Yijing, but especially also the hexagrams themselves, lend themselves to meditative consideration, in order to gain better insight into the general processes going on in and around you. The Yijing doesn't predict the future as a fixed phenomenon; instead it suggests the best attitude or action to be taken in a situation to have a chance to get were you want to go. The choice is yours whether to follow the advice. Chinese disciplines such as Fengshui, Chinese astrology and TCM all have roots in the Yijing, and knowledge of the Yi increases the applications of these disciplines. Whatever facet of the Chinese culture you study, the Yijing will always have a prominent place.

This Yi course

The Yijing is the most widely consulted book in the world that yearns for insight and wisdom. There are countless translations and interpretations in every language. Despite this, there are many facets of the Yijing that are rarely mentioned.
Did you know for example that the text of the Yi Jing is not all that important?
Did you know that each period in history has its own interpretation?
Did you know that the study of the Yijing is closely related to the study of Chinese medicine?
Did you know that the Yijing can be applied far beyond the mere throwing of coins?
The Oriental College is one of the first study centres in the world where the Yi can be studied so thoroughly. The Yi course deals with all facets of the Chinese Book of (ex)Changes: its history, philosophy and usage throughout the centuries. The book has been a source of inspiration for all schools of philosophy and sciences in China, including magic, medicine, religion and science. A thorough knowledge of the Yijing is thus a must for everyone interested in in-depth knowledge of the Chinese culture and philosophy. Concepts such as yin and yang ,yi, wuxing, dao and li, that form the foundation of Chinese culture, are extensively dealt with. Applications up to now not known in the West will also be dealt with.

Orientation Yijing

Six reasons to follow the whole BA-MA course (4 years):
To develop a thorough foundation for the insight into all ways of Chinese thinking, especially in Yijing thinking.
To set up a practice as Yijingologist, oraculist and/or Yijing researcher.
To broaden the understanding of Chinese Traditional Medicine and Psychological theories, which results in a better insight into i.a. TCM, alchemy, magic, Qigong, meditation, Tajiquan and chinise religion and spirituality.
The training is recognized internationally and offers opportunity to become active in the international field of Yijing research.
The full training offers study differentiation, i.e. other studies can be added onto it and personal study content preferences are taken into account.
Modules of other courses can be joined together with your own program in order to collect credits. Credits from existing universities and recognized TCM or Qigong training institutes are accepted: ask about the possibilities.
The whole of the BA program studies are foundational theories for Yijing and Chinese science, culture and applications of Yijing and are approach from personal experience with Yijing concepts by means of Yijing training.
To be certain of being skilled when you are finished, and will be recognized as such. Our examination is of a high standard, content and practice included.
The first module content:

In the first orientation module, the basics will be dealt with.
Preliminary contents of the lessons (modifications possible)

1st Lesson

- Who is who, content of the course, contents of this module.
- Classification of the Yijing: what has to do with it, and what not
- Zhouyi (aka benyi)
- History of the Yi Jing
- Use of the Yi Jing (1)

2nd Lesson

- Trigrams and their application
- Lines and line-relations

3rd Lesson

- Working with the text
- Use of the Yi Jing (2)

4th Lesson

- The Ten Wings
- What’s up nowadays in the field of Yi Jing studies
- Content of coming modules

Conclusion
After this module you will know exactly what the I Tjing is, as book and as philosophy, how you can consult it as an oracle, and what the other applications are. In the modules following this one more extensive applications will be dealt with.

Dates: May 20th and 27th, June 17th and 24th 2007 Classes start at 10.30 and will end at approximately 16.00.
Teacher: Harmen Mesker
Location: Oriental College, Haarlemmermeerstraat 112-116, 1058 KG Amsterdam
Costs: For current students at the Oriental College € 300,-- , contract students € 400,--
Registration: To register and to obtain more information: Désiree Bardie of the Oriental College:

For more informations:
email:
tel: (+31) (0) 20 4081228
fax: (+31) (0) 20 4081229