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As important to Chinese civilization as the Bible is to Western
culture, the I Ching or Book of Changes is one of the
oldest treasures of world literature. Yet despite many commentaries
written over the years, it is still not well understood in the
English-speaking world. In this masterful new interpretation, Jack
Balkin returns the I Ching to its rightful place as a book of
wisdom that teaches how to live one's life in a changing and
confusing world.
The I Ching is nothing less than an explanation of the laws of
change in the universe and of how human beings can learn to live in
harmony with them. Balkin presents it as a work of practical
philosophy and ethics, concerned with helping people to cultivate
their characters, achieve emotional balance, and maintain personal
integrity in the face of adversity and ever-changing circumstances.
He shows how the I Ching's divinatory system helps the reader
discover the book's underlying philosophy through applying its
insights to everyday problems.
Balkin's comprehensive and perceptive commentaries highlight a clear,
understandable version of the core text of the I Ching that
preserves its striking imagery while remaining faithful to the long
tradition of ethical interpretations of the work. The Laws of
Change: I Ching and the Philosophy of Life affords us the
opportunity to experience a world masterpiece anew with unprecedented
depth and understanding.
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