What does Dick (1995) himself theorise about the I Ching?
I think it's interesting that Dick allegorizes the process of puberty as an almost 'birth' into the unanticipated existence of the koinos kosmos (adulthood), where apparently the chores of decision making (or everyday life) can be rather troublesome for those who are post 'schizoid effective' inclined. These difficulties occur when a being is "thrust out of the postwomb womb" (Dick, 1995), to face the inevitable ticking of the biological clock; and the task of having to face reality, which cannot be ignored. Whereas during the schizoid-effective stage, they were to a certain degree able to avoid 'reality', but being thrust out of the metaphorical womb leaves them vulnerable and ultimately they soon find themselves "engulfed in it" (p.g 176).
Ross (2007) gives a brief history of Dick’s mental health, and it appears Dick had entered a facility between 1944 – 1946 for psychiatric treatment for several disorders he suffered from; including the socially crippling agoraphobia. Couple with the thought that he may have suffered from schizophrenia at the time, Dick may have during this period discovered the I Ching. Dick defines synchronicity, or "coincidence" if you will as, "events occurring outside of time" (p.g 177), and taking place in the now. An example of synchronicity given by Dick is of a schizophrenics misfortune of being in a car accident, and upon release from hospital they again find themselves 'coincidentally' in another car accident, with a very similar car! Synchronicity or coincidence cannot be anticipated. Synchronicity is timeless, and unlimited with no built end (p.g 177). This is where the wheels of Dick’s theory of the I Ching begin to form. For him, the I Ching is a book of synchronicity, and perhaps means of coping with his various afflictions.
Enter the I Ching. Dick unashamedly confesses to having used the I Ching in direction of a novel. In an interview with Cover (1974) he used the principles of the I Ching to shape character development in the novel TMITHC, as well as to direct certain events within his own personal life. He makes it quite clear however, that the book should not be used as a tool used solely for divination. It can in no way foretell the future (despite popular belief), but rather what it does is give an indication of what the future may hold. For example, the book may assist in what is happening in the now. Dick also further insists that one cannot live by the book, least of course we wish the future to be consumed by the present, surrendering ourselves to static time. So, if you know you will be getting the red sports car in the future, it defeats the purpose of "free effective action" (Dick, 1995. p.g 181). As he then implies, the future is then gone. A theme which he says is a staple in the SF genre.
To finish, I mentioned earlier that Dick confessed in an interview about using the I Ching in his personal life. This might have restricted him from having more free effective thought, although his creative writing abilities were not affected. Through Schizophrenia and the I Ching, it seems that Dick is allowing us a small window into his life through his thoughts, and how the crippling disorder left him in want of using the I Ching for almost every decision making in his life. Maybe even something as menial as taking a bath, and he continues to argue against the use of I Ching in such a manner, as it has the potential to inhibit free thought and action. Basically use the I Ching with caution; use only as a guide, and not to place too much emphasis on synchronicity or ‘coincidence’, else life would be very much a mundane repetitive uninteresting existence with a “morbid dependence” on the book (Dick used the book as a 'treatment' for his self diagnosis of schizophrenia?).
References
Cover, B. (1974, February 6). Vertex Interviews Philip K. Dick. Retrieved October 1, 2011, from Philipkdick.com: http://www.philipkdick.com/media_vertex.html
Ross, A. (2007, March 15). Philp K. Dick - The Man in the High Castle. Retrieved October 02, 2011, from Noise to signal: http://www.noisetosignal.org/books/2007/03/philip-k-dick-ltcitegtthe-man-in-the-high-castleltcitegt.php
Sutin, L. (1995). Schizophrenia and the I Ching. In P. K. Dick, Schizophrenia and the I Ching. (pp. 175-182). New York: Vintage.
What is I Ching (2008). Retrieved September 27, 2011, from Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIcqZx_5oWA
Belinda - an indepth discussion of Dick's relationship with, and understanding of, the i-ching. The Schizophrenia text is quite a demanding one to work through. While I appreciate the work you've done here (nice links as well)it would be useful to also make more explicit reference to the narrative of TMITHC itself to explore how PKDs views are played out in the novel. This might provide you with greater insights into his thinking on this issue.
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