My method of using the I Ching in my art
Years ago in a period of difficulty I began using the I Ching for its spiritual advice in my life and art.
Now my art is thoroughly guided by it and rises to levels I have not achieved alone.Gradually my method has become more accurate and simplified.
First I find a state of relaxed connection and openness to ask the guidance for this work.
Then I write a question in my notebook and throw the hexagram.
Six lines, broken or unbroken, starting from the bottom, that form one of the 64 hexagrams.
I use the Legge edition, but others should find any translation that feels comfortable.On a hard surfaced table I place a double layer of felt cloth.
This gives a controlled bounce that I’ve found enhances the accuracy of the reading.
On this I toss a penny, being sure it remains away from the edges of the cloth
so it feels under the control of the universal influence.
I’m careful to reject any result that seems out of line and do it over.
I’m aware that the process may be difficult to control and do everything I can
to make it easier and more accurate.Heads indicates a broken line, tails a solid one.
I write the result in the bottom place and proceed up through the six lines.
This hexagram I then look up in the book.I read the Thwan, the description of the whole hexagam’s meaning at the beginning of the page.
This must not be taken literally, but rather felt in an intuitive way.
If the result seems unclear I write a new question. When the answer is clear I accept it.
One friend got exactly the same answer three times and threw the book at the wall.
The ego needs to be kept out of this or the process is useless.For a more precise answer I select one of the six lines by throwing a large six-sided die.
This is good for simple, clear answers and by a series of simple questions
I can arrive at a precise color or almost anything.To further speed the process I often use a single coin toss, heads (yes), tails (no),
then verify with a full hexagram answer. In this way I can make a complex drawing,
determining points, lines and curves, that I enlarge onto canvas.This method works for me but many artists produce authentic art in other ways.
Mainly through intuition as I don’t believe mental processes can succeed in this.
To me, the authenticity of art is measured by its spiritual emanations or presence.
Certainly not by its ideas or story line or reputation or price or even “originality”
(which is often only on the mental level).
Ted Knerr
July, 2009
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