The I Ching is the subject of serious scholarship in Europe, and Professor Van Ess is an authority in the field. The bookshelves behind him are full of research materials on the subject. (Hsiao-yun Kleber-Chang)

"The I Ching? Even we Chinese have a hard time understanding that, it's so deep. Can foreigners really get it?" That was my first reaction when, more than a decade ago, I first saw a copy of the book in a German friend's home.

Even harder to believe was that this friend, who had no background in sinology, had not just one but two different translations of the I Ching, or "Book of Changes," on his bookshelf. The Germans are a pragmatic people, I thought--he wouldn't put these books out to show off his "culture" or "learnedness." Seeing my doubtful expression, he cracked a smile and said, "The I Ching is mysterious and fascinating. I even use it to as a divining tool--it's quite accurate!"

I thought it was odd, but I just chalked it up to my friend's eccentricity. Only later did I find out that I had been underestimating foreigners, and that the I Ching was actually rather popular in Germany. When German girls in my dormitory came to critical junctures in their lives concerning love, work, or their futures, they'd gather around a table with some coins and a copy of the I Ching to seek the wisdom of the Chinese ancients. "It really works, want to try?" they'd call, inviting me to join in. This I Ching fever surprised me again.