prana

So, since I had a few inquiries into the Bagua journal,I thought
I might elaborate on what I know.The interesting thing about Baguazhang
is it's connection to the eight trigrams.These are most fully expressed in
the I Ching,or book of changes,a classic chinese form of divination that
dates back at least 2000 years.The trigrams, like most Taoist forms of
expression, conduct an almost binary view of Chinese cosmology.The
easiest way I can sum this up is that the Taoist look at the universe from
the perspective of relationships.Especially the relationship between Heaven,
Earth, and Man.These qualities of being, and their relationship to eachother can
be expressed in a trigram.Three lines, broken or unbroken, represent specific
conditions of being.Each represents a season, a cardinal direction, an element,
and their level of receptability to other conditions.Through a specific numerical
process, a combination can be formed from 2 of the trigrams.This is called a
hexagram, which can be used for a myraid of different divinational purposes.
However, this system aknowledges that the universe is in a constant state of flux,
and therefore many different interpretations of these hexagrams
can be found in print.The trick is not to relate it so much to a western system of
divination, as to a means by which we can find guidance to the perception of any
given situation, as opposed to a direct answer, which from a Taoist perspective is
impossible.Change is imminent, it's only how you conduct yourself in relation to
the condition of being that matters.Thats what the Trigrams are for. That's what Baguazhang
is for. I hope to be back on soon, I had to take a little break for awhile. Till then, take care
of yourselves.