I Ching Reading

ShamamicDrumming.com

For a reading, click on the "Consult the Oracle" button. A small window will appear. Click the "Create Hexagram(s)" button to generate the hexagrams. Red indicates a changing line. Clicking on the "Hexagram 1" & "Hexagram 2" buttons will replace this page with the corresponding hexagram's text.

I'm grateful to Dan Enright for allowing me use his I Ching javascript. It is based on the yarrow stalk method. The result is the immediacy of the coin tossing method with the reliability of the yarrow stalk method. The original program was based on Richard Wilhelm's and Cary F. Baynes translation "I Ching: Or, Book of Changes". I have replaced Wilhelm's translation with the hexagram texts [Part Two: The Hexagrams (Copyright © 2003 by Michael Drake)] from I Ching: The Tao of Drumming. It is my own interpretation of the I Ching from a rhythmic perspective.

I Ching: The Tao of Drumming by Michael Drake

If you would like to read the entire book, you may download the 2003 revised edition of the e-Book instantly. A synthesis of shamanic drum ways and Taoist philosophy, I Ching: The Tao of Drumming provides for the first time the rhythmic structure of the 64 hexagrams or potential human situations. Drum patterns derived from the hexagram images render the essence of each archetype of experience into sound, giving it physical, mental, and spiritual impulse. Through the natural law of resonance, the drummer then embodies the qualities and attributes necessary to effect change or harmonize with change in any given situation. With clear and practical explanations of each of the 64 hexagrams along with useful exercises and illustrations, the author demonstrates how drumming these simple rhythm archetypes brings the essential self into accord with the pattern or way of cyclical change, and that way is known as Tao.

Reviews:
"A fascinating multicultural synergism of thought regarding the rhythmic pulses of the universe and their relationship to divination and drumming."
--Jonathan Goldman, author of Healing Sounds.

"Michael has done all of us a huge kindness by compiling this exhaustive work into one volume in clear concise language."
--Dru Kristel, author of Breath Was the First Drummer.

"Ever since I first saw the book I Ching, The Tao of Drumming by Michael Drake, I have been fascinated by it. It's one more way to experience the connection of all things. Drake instructs the drummer to create rhythmic patterns. These can be assembled to drum the four elements, the four directions, and the I Ching hexagrams. "It is a synthesis, a blending of rhythmic knowledge from Taoism, shamanism, and the philosophical wisdom of the I Ching." The inspiration that comes from these philosophies can now be felt through the vibration of drumming."
--Arlene Arnold, The New Times

"I like what Michael is doing and saying in I Ching: The Tao of Drumming. The drum is the presence of ha-moo-low-nay, which is how the Infinite is seeing the unfolding of the deeper levels of the vast self."
--Joseph Beautiful Painted Arrow Rael, Ute-Tewa artist and author of Being and Vibration.

A true "way" of Drumming. Michael Drake truly captures "the way" of the drum and also I believe our emotional and spiritual connection to it. From the ancient ceremonial drums of early man until modern times, this "way" of the drum has not changed within us - and Michael Drake captures this in all of his books. This book actually has rhythmic exercises and pattern the reader can learn and use as a guide to finding their own "way". As a lifelong drummer, and student of related speed bag rhythms, I found it very interesting and enlightening.
--Alan Kahn Amazon Reviews

"Amazing work, given the role of music in the lives of many."
--Anthony Judge, author of Periodic Pattern of Human Life

"It's a fascinating idea, especially for I Ching aficionados, and another good excuse to put your hands on those healing skins."
--NAPRA ReView

"I recently bought your book and CD for the Tao of Drumming. I am a martial arts teacher of a Daoist Kung Fu system. My arts are based on Chi Cultivation which I found that your Tao of Drumming fits in well with as the vibrations of the drum will enter certain organs for its healing benefits plus much more. So I needed to write to you to thank you on a huge effort and great job on the book and drumming."
--Garry Hearfield, Shaolin Yau Kung Mun Kung Fu Academy, Sydney, Australia

Preview & search the full text of I Ching: The Tao of Drumming.

Download Now From Lulu.com--Ebook, Universal EPUB format for Adobe Digital Editions, Stanza, iPad, Sony Reader, Blackberry, iPhone, and other eBook Readers, 2003 Revised Edition, $4.95. Sale Price: $4.21.

Download Now From Amazon--Ebook, 2003 Revised Kindle Edition, $4.95.

Buy Now From Lulu.com--Trade Paperback, 2003 Revised Edition,152 pp, $11.95. Sale Price: $10.76.

Buy Now From Amazon--Trade Paperback, 2003 Revised Edition,152 pp, $11.95.

I Ching: The Tao of Drumming Instructional Recording by Michael Drake.

On this companion recording to the book, Michael Drake instructs the listener in playing the rhythmic patterns described in the text. He provides explanations and examples of the Binary, Elemental, and Trigram rhythms, as well as a 30 minute example of the Timewave of Change. More than an oracle, the I Ching is a symbolic blueprint or map of reality. It is an extraordinary symbol system that represents the fundamental aspects of our physical, mental, and spiritual experience. The pattern images convey paradoxical truths regarding the nature of reality in an intuitive, non-linear manner. They provide a means of exploring and developing the inner self. The linear images of the I Ching are semiotic. They are resonant structures that convey ideas, words, and energy. Each linear image depicts a particular drum pattern, which renders the essence of each archetype into sound, giving it physical, mental, and spiritual impulse. The drum pattern projects onto the body a supportive resonance or sound pattern to which the body can attune. By drumming the rhythm archetypes, one can attain a level of intuitive understanding beyond linguistic interpretations. To learn more, read Drumming the I Ching by Hilary Barrett.

Download Now From Amazon--I Ching Instructional, mp3 download, 56 MB, $8.99.

Buy Now From Amazon--I Ching Instructional, Audio CD, $11.88

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