The I Ching as Self-Help Tool

Course Description

The I Ching is one of the oldest wisdom books in the world. It offers guidance for life’s most pressing questions. Rooted in over 3,000 years of Chinese philosophy, it is a profound tool for insight, self-reflection and guidance. 

This course will teach you how to consult the I Ching intelligently. You will learn how to ask clear questions and interpret its answers. The course will explore the structure of hexagrams, changing lines, and their deeper meanings. You will come to recognize the book’s messages as responses from an ancient, yet deeply personal source of wisdom.

Carl Jung described consulting the I Ching as an experience of synchronicity—meaningful coincidences that reveal hidden dynamics and patterns.

Our teacher Dennis Merritt is a Jungian Analyst with over 50 years of experience working with the I Ching. Through his guidance, you will gain a deeper understanding of how the I Ching can support your individuation process. You will also see how this approach can be used in therapeutic or coaching practices to support others.

By the end of the course, you will feel confident consulting the book. Whether you seek clarity, face a transition, or simply feel curious, the I Ching can serve as a trusted source of living wisdom.

This course is ideal if

• You seek guidance navigating life’s transitions and key decisions.
• You want to learn how to consult the I Ching.
• You want to learn how to read the answers from the I Ching.

Course Overview

Class 1: The I Ching’s Wisdom and the Power of Synchronicity

This session explores the history and significance of the I Ching in Chinese culture. You will learn why this book has guided seekers for over 3,000 years and what makes it such a unique and powerful source of wisdom.

We will cover the fundamentals of consulting the I Ching, including how hexagram answers are generated. You will also be introduced to synchronicity, a key concept recognized by Carl Jung. We will discuss how synchronicity connects the inner and outer worlds and what this means for both science and spirituality.

Class 2: Exploring Synchronicity and the different I Ching books

This class deepens the exploration of synchronicity and its role in working with the I Ching. Participants will reflect on and share personal experiences of synchronicity in their own lives.

We will also introduce three key books for consulting the I Ching: the Wilhelm/Baynes translation, R. L. Wing’s I Ching Workbook, and Carol Anthony’s A Guide to the I Ching, 3rd edition. Each offers a unique perspective, and we will discuss their strengths and how to use them effectively.

Class 3: The Basics of Consulting the I Ching

This class focuses on the fundamentals of working with the I Ching. You will learn how to formulate clear questions and understand what types of questions work best. We will also cover how often to consult the I Ching and the importance of your state of mind when casting a hexagram.

You will explore the role of changing lines and how they lead to a second hexagram. We will also touch on ruling lines and nuclear trigrams, which offer deeper layers of meaning. Before the next class, participants will be encouraged to ask a question of the I Ching and reflect on the response.

Class 4: Applying the I Ching in Personal and Therapeutic Work

This class explores real-life examples of working with I Ching answers, both personally and in therapeutic settings. We will look at how hexagrams can provide insight into life challenges and their connection to dreams.

Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions about their own I Ching consultations. This discussion will help deepen understanding and show how the I Ching can be a practical tool for self-reflection and guidance.