When I first visited the imperial palace in Beijing Forbidden city many years ago, I was quite surprised to observe that the bedroom of the emperor was so small. It was no bigger than a maid's room back home.
If any of you have also seen this bedroom, you will probably be wondering why. After all, we always talk about a room fit for a king. Why then is an emperor's night chamber be small?
All this has to do with the chinese theory of natural sciences and fengshui. This theory is founded on yin and yang which is a science of the complementary forces of femininity and masculinity, of like and opposites. and according to this theory, a sleeping chamber should be no more than 9 square meters.
Some contemporary houses are designed with large halls and very commonly, huge rooms. It is great to pamper oneself after all the years of slought with a huge sleeping room but keep in mind that nature abhors empty space. Huge spaces are to be dealt with in a way tht the yin and yang are still kept in harmony. For example, it would not be good to have a huge room with the
bed conspicuously floating in open space. Another way to deal with this problem is to make use of the room within a room concept. Try arranging the furniture and study in a way that the actual sleeping area is a cocoon in itself.
Emptiness creates an energy which works silently on us. The ultimate goal is to have balance in all aspects of our lives. If we can do the best we can so that the blues do not creep in on us, that is all the better. And if we can take care of those empty areas of our lives where money cannot works its magic, that is also good.
Showing posts with label fengshui. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fengshui. Show all posts
Friday, August 7, 2009
Friday, September 12, 2008
Water fengshui - a case study
The emphasis when fengshui is mentioned is the use of objects and interior decoration to harmonise the internal fengshui. There are certainly benefits from the arrangement of the internal space to get the results we want. Simple common sense rules almost always does the job. And there are much published material out there.
I would say stay away from the superstitious and those which do not fit into common sense and practicality. Very often, tips are given. Use them but use your head. Very often too, the tips are base on superficial application of known fengshui theory and their use are questionable. An example is not to have water (like building a swimming pool) near at he south end of your house as south is associated with fire and water theefore becomes a no-no. This is of course simplistic and silly as well.
Back to the subject of water, old texts do mention them. And there being no swimming pools back then, the water they mention are natural bodies of water like lakes, rivers, streams, marshes and sea.
The sketch shows one example. It is also a good study on the application of Greater Gua.
The house shown on the bottom left was the home in question in this case study. It was built during the 3rd yuan (or cycle of 3) with an orientation of roughly northeast-southwest of GenWei.
During the 8th and 2nd yuan, the bodies of water being favorable saw progress and wealth as well as much other good things. This despite the fact that the orientation of the property was not so auspicious. Decay then started on the approach of the 3rd cycle and this decadence is attributed to the positioning of the lake in relation to the homes.
This example presented here is an example of the application of the Zhen, Cui and Zhao theory of water fengshui.
This knowledge can be used when we are selecting properties to buy, rent or live in. Instead of just only zooming in to the peculiar orientation of the property we are interested in, it is wise to take a look at the whole picture. As often mentioned, if there is no sunshine even the most fertile seed will not grow. Even if you have the best “to mountain to water” or DaoSan DaoShui orientation it means little if the overall fengshui is no good. The picture has to be complete.
I would say stay away from the superstitious and those which do not fit into common sense and practicality. Very often, tips are given. Use them but use your head. Very often too, the tips are base on superficial application of known fengshui theory and their use are questionable. An example is not to have water (like building a swimming pool) near at he south end of your house as south is associated with fire and water theefore becomes a no-no. This is of course simplistic and silly as well.
Back to the subject of water, old texts do mention them. And there being no swimming pools back then, the water they mention are natural bodies of water like lakes, rivers, streams, marshes and sea.
The sketch shows one example. It is also a good study on the application of Greater Gua.
The house shown on the bottom left was the home in question in this case study. It was built during the 3rd yuan (or cycle of 3) with an orientation of roughly northeast-southwest of GenWei.
During the 8th and 2nd yuan, the bodies of water being favorable saw progress and wealth as well as much other good things. This despite the fact that the orientation of the property was not so auspicious. Decay then started on the approach of the 3rd cycle and this decadence is attributed to the positioning of the lake in relation to the homes.
This example presented here is an example of the application of the Zhen, Cui and Zhao theory of water fengshui.
This knowledge can be used when we are selecting properties to buy, rent or live in. Instead of just only zooming in to the peculiar orientation of the property we are interested in, it is wise to take a look at the whole picture. As often mentioned, if there is no sunshine even the most fertile seed will not grow. Even if you have the best “to mountain to water” or DaoSan DaoShui orientation it means little if the overall fengshui is no good. The picture has to be complete.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
More of Water in FengShui
In the SanYuan scheme of things, the direction where water should be is the southwest, east and west. This is in accordance with the principles of direct, stimulating and nourishing water.
It follows from this principles that such directions where water is found is deemed auspicious. However it must be clear that there are many provisos in that the real conditions and arrangement will have their implications.
For example it is applicable if there is “heaviness” to the northeast. Without this heaviness then the having water at the directions just described would be of no impact. Then again the water must be near and visible. If it is distant it would not be of little use. By distance it would be about 50 meters if we are talking about a normal sized house. If we are referring to a big area like a 2 acre estate, then how the water is positioned along with the enclosing features becomes important.
It looks simple enough to say water in those directions is good but it is not really as simple as that. In gauging how the presence of water relates to portent, we do need to know how to apply the rule of the three principals of heaven, earth and man. The way this rule is applied is to ensure that the orientation of the house, that is, which principal it lies on has to be compared to the direction of the water.
To determine directions of orientation and water can be tricky. Water very often may encompass varied principals of heaven earth and man. Its effect then would be to corrupt the qi that impacts on the house. That is the reason why what on surface seems to be good water may end up not being so. There are records of some experiences by practitioners of this effect.
There are other more refined ways to determine the quality of the water and one of these methods is the nine star method. This method involves groupings of the 24 directions and then applying the principle of five elements. This however is not a SanYuan method.
Coming back to the SanYuan method, the actual portent of the water has to be analysed with the arrangement of the stars.
Most failures stem from the confusion between water applied in fengshui and artificial features. In the proper sense, water is a manifestation of the physical and energetic properties of the land. It is after all a manifestation of the yin and yang. How it joins other water sources and it interplays with the geography are all manifestation of the nature of things. One cannot take the presence of a water fountain or artificially created water fall in our garden to be the same thing.
A water feature in a garden is a manifestation of gua. Gua means the inherent quality of anything that exists. Understanding gua helps us to understand the quality of the feature that we have built. Simply building a swimming pool does not mean that is water.
A blue pool and a red pool invokes different emotions, doesn’t it?
It follows from this principles that such directions where water is found is deemed auspicious. However it must be clear that there are many provisos in that the real conditions and arrangement will have their implications.
For example it is applicable if there is “heaviness” to the northeast. Without this heaviness then the having water at the directions just described would be of no impact. Then again the water must be near and visible. If it is distant it would not be of little use. By distance it would be about 50 meters if we are talking about a normal sized house. If we are referring to a big area like a 2 acre estate, then how the water is positioned along with the enclosing features becomes important.
It looks simple enough to say water in those directions is good but it is not really as simple as that. In gauging how the presence of water relates to portent, we do need to know how to apply the rule of the three principals of heaven, earth and man. The way this rule is applied is to ensure that the orientation of the house, that is, which principal it lies on has to be compared to the direction of the water.
To determine directions of orientation and water can be tricky. Water very often may encompass varied principals of heaven earth and man. Its effect then would be to corrupt the qi that impacts on the house. That is the reason why what on surface seems to be good water may end up not being so. There are records of some experiences by practitioners of this effect.
There are other more refined ways to determine the quality of the water and one of these methods is the nine star method. This method involves groupings of the 24 directions and then applying the principle of five elements. This however is not a SanYuan method.
Coming back to the SanYuan method, the actual portent of the water has to be analysed with the arrangement of the stars.
Most failures stem from the confusion between water applied in fengshui and artificial features. In the proper sense, water is a manifestation of the physical and energetic properties of the land. It is after all a manifestation of the yin and yang. How it joins other water sources and it interplays with the geography are all manifestation of the nature of things. One cannot take the presence of a water fountain or artificially created water fall in our garden to be the same thing.
A water feature in a garden is a manifestation of gua. Gua means the inherent quality of anything that exists. Understanding gua helps us to understand the quality of the feature that we have built. Simply building a swimming pool does not mean that is water.
A blue pool and a red pool invokes different emotions, doesn’t it?
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Water in FengShui
Water plays a very important part in fengshui assessment. What often comes up as a topic is the incorporation of water features in gardens. This often takes the forms of fish ponds, water fountains and swimming pools.
Before we talk about the impact of these features, a little knowledge of how the olden masters look at water is good.
From the treatises written by illustrious masters like Zhang JiuYi, Zhiang DaHong, LaiPuYi and the like, the water that was mentioned refers to water courses and natural lakes. Where it comes to homes, there are references to aquariums and wells but this is in the context of the application of qi rather than as water.
The theories and applications may appear different but essentially they apply rules of harmony. Master Zhiang stands out in that he tells of fate in connection with time cycles as well. If we carefully examine each method, we can conclude that they all work on harmony of the primal forces of yin and yang and the natural forces.
When dealing with water, there are two major aspects that are considered. The first is the direction and proximity. The second goes into more detail and calls for the accurate analysis of orientation and features present.
Delving a little, a lake 50 meters from a house will have a totally different effect from one situated 300meteres away. Taking that a little further, the same house with an imposing hillock or structure nearby will add on to the complexity of the fengshui qualities.
When it comes to orientation, it is crucial that the house itself is dimensionally and angularly sound for fengshui (and nature) abhors irregularities. An example of this would be a house with odd shapes and angles, a house built out of ninety degrees and doors positioned at odd angles to each other.
Before we talk about the impact of these features, a little knowledge of how the olden masters look at water is good.
From the treatises written by illustrious masters like Zhang JiuYi, Zhiang DaHong, LaiPuYi and the like, the water that was mentioned refers to water courses and natural lakes. Where it comes to homes, there are references to aquariums and wells but this is in the context of the application of qi rather than as water.
The theories and applications may appear different but essentially they apply rules of harmony. Master Zhiang stands out in that he tells of fate in connection with time cycles as well. If we carefully examine each method, we can conclude that they all work on harmony of the primal forces of yin and yang and the natural forces.
When dealing with water, there are two major aspects that are considered. The first is the direction and proximity. The second goes into more detail and calls for the accurate analysis of orientation and features present.
Delving a little, a lake 50 meters from a house will have a totally different effect from one situated 300meteres away. Taking that a little further, the same house with an imposing hillock or structure nearby will add on to the complexity of the fengshui qualities.
When it comes to orientation, it is crucial that the house itself is dimensionally and angularly sound for fengshui (and nature) abhors irregularities. An example of this would be a house with odd shapes and angles, a house built out of ninety degrees and doors positioned at odd angles to each other.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Importance of Geography
When we hear discussions on Fengshui, we often hear about the flying star configuration or the nine stars or water patching formulas. We also hear about the west east four groupng.
But seldom do we hear people conncecting the portent of the geography. In fact this is even more important.
Within the various teachings, the impact of natural and man made forms and features like hillocks, terrain, rivers and rivulets, towering structures and temples are taken into consideration. Examples are found in Master Zhiang's "Guidelines to Yang Houses" written in the early 17th century.
We do see how relevant this becomes when we want to build a Koi pond, for example. The flying star fellow would compose a star chart. However if this is what he strictly relies on, then he has missed out something which may lead to his misfortune later.
It is said that within the period of 8 that we are in now, the water should be at the south-west or Kun palace. This is partially true but whether that is auspicious again depends on its proximity, containment and complementary 'blocking' features.
But seldom do we hear people conncecting the portent of the geography. In fact this is even more important.
Within the various teachings, the impact of natural and man made forms and features like hillocks, terrain, rivers and rivulets, towering structures and temples are taken into consideration. Examples are found in Master Zhiang's "Guidelines to Yang Houses" written in the early 17th century.
We do see how relevant this becomes when we want to build a Koi pond, for example. The flying star fellow would compose a star chart. However if this is what he strictly relies on, then he has missed out something which may lead to his misfortune later.
It is said that within the period of 8 that we are in now, the water should be at the south-west or Kun palace. This is partially true but whether that is auspicious again depends on its proximity, containment and complementary 'blocking' features.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Tao of FengShui
Firstly, apologies for being away for such a long time.
Today I feel like writing a little about the Tao of Fengshui. The correct pronunciation is Dao in the Pinyin system but then Tao is more readily understood.
Much of the real essence of fengshui is based on one underlying theme. And that theme comes across from the ancient quote, “The skies above are lighted by the five stars. The earth below is pervaded by the five transmutations.”
You may wonder what are these five stars and five transmutations.
The five stars are the five planets of Mars, Venus, Saturn, Mercury and Jupiter. The five transmutation is known by the more familiar name of five elements. (Somehow here this term has again stuck and everybody knows them but no harm attempting to change that perspective.)
What this ancient quote may be trying to tell us is that there is a universal rule that applies to all myriad things that exist. There is also this natural law and that is the law of Tao.
Tao teaches us to recognize that all things go in cycles and harmony is the main theme, be it harmony with nature, people, rules and even ourselves.
What has all this to do with fengshui? To go into this would require more than the space here can allow but for the time that we have let us take a quick quick look.
Fenghsui now emphasize very greatly on computation using a variety of methods. Some from the old school would divide the directions into many divisions and assign the five transmutations to them. The productive/destructive theory of the five transmutations are then applied to determine the portents. Of course there are also more intricate theories involved with most of them having much in common with astrology; probably derived from it.
The other popular school relies on a variety of methods of computing basing on the LoShu diagram. Again there are many theories involved here and they all sound plausible and very convincing.
Despite all these mathematics and number and element juggling, it all deals with attempting to capture the nature of the qi. However not many ponder to question whether there is any validity to all these methods.
The five transmutations pervades the earth and is present in all things. Should this not be the true essence of Tao and hence fengshui for fengshui is derived from Tao? Instead of working out complex formulas and attempting to interpret them, would it not be proper to comprehend and perceive the essence of the Tao in our environment and thus fengshui our space with that knowledge.
Fengshui people of the old school warn against not engaging someone who does not belong to a lineage. It is difficult to argue against that for a lineage transmission carries along with it the knowledge and experience of previous practitioners. There is only one open question though and that is whether the application is effective. No one really knows except from yarns spun by zealous students and followers.
Perhaps we should look some beyond the theories that are being taught and used and look a little deeper into the Tao of fengshui.
Today I feel like writing a little about the Tao of Fengshui. The correct pronunciation is Dao in the Pinyin system but then Tao is more readily understood.
Much of the real essence of fengshui is based on one underlying theme. And that theme comes across from the ancient quote, “The skies above are lighted by the five stars. The earth below is pervaded by the five transmutations.”
You may wonder what are these five stars and five transmutations.
The five stars are the five planets of Mars, Venus, Saturn, Mercury and Jupiter. The five transmutation is known by the more familiar name of five elements. (Somehow here this term has again stuck and everybody knows them but no harm attempting to change that perspective.)
What this ancient quote may be trying to tell us is that there is a universal rule that applies to all myriad things that exist. There is also this natural law and that is the law of Tao.
Tao teaches us to recognize that all things go in cycles and harmony is the main theme, be it harmony with nature, people, rules and even ourselves.
What has all this to do with fengshui? To go into this would require more than the space here can allow but for the time that we have let us take a quick quick look.
Fenghsui now emphasize very greatly on computation using a variety of methods. Some from the old school would divide the directions into many divisions and assign the five transmutations to them. The productive/destructive theory of the five transmutations are then applied to determine the portents. Of course there are also more intricate theories involved with most of them having much in common with astrology; probably derived from it.
The other popular school relies on a variety of methods of computing basing on the LoShu diagram. Again there are many theories involved here and they all sound plausible and very convincing.
Despite all these mathematics and number and element juggling, it all deals with attempting to capture the nature of the qi. However not many ponder to question whether there is any validity to all these methods.
The five transmutations pervades the earth and is present in all things. Should this not be the true essence of Tao and hence fengshui for fengshui is derived from Tao? Instead of working out complex formulas and attempting to interpret them, would it not be proper to comprehend and perceive the essence of the Tao in our environment and thus fengshui our space with that knowledge.
Fengshui people of the old school warn against not engaging someone who does not belong to a lineage. It is difficult to argue against that for a lineage transmission carries along with it the knowledge and experience of previous practitioners. There is only one open question though and that is whether the application is effective. No one really knows except from yarns spun by zealous students and followers.
Perhaps we should look some beyond the theories that are being taught and used and look a little deeper into the Tao of fengshui.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Animal astrology from Turkey
At this crepuscular hour may I tickle your curiosity by this fact. It may make you rethink whether you should believe so much of the hocus pocus that you read from those fashionable fengshui books.
The twelve animals cylce, that we know, that is, the dog, rooster, rat etc is known to the Anatolian shepherds of remote Turkey even today. The Turks have a completely different culture and religion from the Chinese not to mention the great geographical divide. This may possibly mean that the animal cycle that we know so well is imported into China a long time ago.
Still paying for those astrological books and magazines? Ha Ha!
The twelve animals cylce, that we know, that is, the dog, rooster, rat etc is known to the Anatolian shepherds of remote Turkey even today. The Turks have a completely different culture and religion from the Chinese not to mention the great geographical divide. This may possibly mean that the animal cycle that we know so well is imported into China a long time ago.
Still paying for those astrological books and magazines? Ha Ha!
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Trigrams and Bagua
One of the most important that fengshui people miss is the importance of the trigrams or Gua. In fact its understanding is so important that without it there is no fengshui to talk about.
Never mind what you know about the flying stars or the 60 dragons or the various classical sets or formations that you have spent so much time on. If you have not internalise the Gua then the inner understanding is missing.
The chinese word for trigram is Gua. It is a combination of two ideograms. One provides the sound and the other provides its meaning. From the ideogram that provides the meaning, we see its connection to the art of divining. In essence, any diviner worth his salt possesses deep insight into the meanings and manifestations of the Gua.
In fengshui divining, the Gua and its attributes becomes critical to the divining of the fengshui. A lush pergola garden can be beautiful to look at besides providing shade. It may give the quality of the Gentle or it can exhibit and fill the space with the energy of Abysmal. How so?
A garden is naturally wood because of the living plants but it can take on qualities of Kan the Gua of the north. I was led to write this as I was passing a precast concrete column show room one morning along the old road near the KL zoo. They had this lovely pergola green house and it had such strong Kan qualities.
How does this help us in our fengshui? It becomes useful to know this when we design our gardens. There are many examples of houses especially terrace houses where the owners choose to build pergolas over that space next to the car porch. If doing so, it is best to ensure that it is neat and there is sufficient through sunlight. That reamins the first rule as the quality of the gentle is yin or feminine and sunlight helps to keep it in good shape bringing out its fine qualities of intelligence and connivality. If left too moist and dark then the moroseness of Kan is born and with it carries more dangerous qualities of loss and despair. And of course be mindful of the need for neatness and harmony.
This is the everchanging and interchanging nature of the trigrams which basically are interchangeable qualities of all the myriad things that exist. Wise to know this.
Never mind what you know about the flying stars or the 60 dragons or the various classical sets or formations that you have spent so much time on. If you have not internalise the Gua then the inner understanding is missing.
The chinese word for trigram is Gua. It is a combination of two ideograms. One provides the sound and the other provides its meaning. From the ideogram that provides the meaning, we see its connection to the art of divining. In essence, any diviner worth his salt possesses deep insight into the meanings and manifestations of the Gua.
In fengshui divining, the Gua and its attributes becomes critical to the divining of the fengshui. A lush pergola garden can be beautiful to look at besides providing shade. It may give the quality of the Gentle or it can exhibit and fill the space with the energy of Abysmal. How so?
A garden is naturally wood because of the living plants but it can take on qualities of Kan the Gua of the north. I was led to write this as I was passing a precast concrete column show room one morning along the old road near the KL zoo. They had this lovely pergola green house and it had such strong Kan qualities.
How does this help us in our fengshui? It becomes useful to know this when we design our gardens. There are many examples of houses especially terrace houses where the owners choose to build pergolas over that space next to the car porch. If doing so, it is best to ensure that it is neat and there is sufficient through sunlight. That reamins the first rule as the quality of the gentle is yin or feminine and sunlight helps to keep it in good shape bringing out its fine qualities of intelligence and connivality. If left too moist and dark then the moroseness of Kan is born and with it carries more dangerous qualities of loss and despair. And of course be mindful of the need for neatness and harmony.
This is the everchanging and interchanging nature of the trigrams which basically are interchangeable qualities of all the myriad things that exist. Wise to know this.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Abundance of Yang
Extract from my translation of 5 songs...
Where mountains and stream meet
May be said to be the meeting of both wind and water
When it comes to discussing dragon forms we say they should bind
Bounded dragons conceal lairs but not palaces
Be it imperial palaces or county districts
Search abundance of yang not look for dragons
These words of advice tells us simply how to look for good fengshui. Try driving by Center Point at night especially during a cool rainy night and you will get to know what is meant by the abundance of yang.
I must make it a point to bring along a camera and capture a shot.
Where mountains and stream meet
May be said to be the meeting of both wind and water
When it comes to discussing dragon forms we say they should bind
Bounded dragons conceal lairs but not palaces
Be it imperial palaces or county districts
Search abundance of yang not look for dragons
These words of advice tells us simply how to look for good fengshui. Try driving by Center Point at night especially during a cool rainy night and you will get to know what is meant by the abundance of yang.
I must make it a point to bring along a camera and capture a shot.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Fengshui and Fees
I spoke to an old colleague today who asked me to do something with that 'dial' of mine. By dial she meant my old trusty luopan or fengshui compass. She hinted that i do a fengshui read for her office. In the course of our chat, I just mentioned that I do charge for 'turning that dial of mine'. and that I charge more for dialing that for being a building professional.
She was a little surprised that I charge. She does not know it but I do have a pledge to keep. One of my teachers has charged me to expect to be paid simply because it is the way things should be and also out of respect for the patron gods of the art.
I have my own reason for charging. As in all energy works there must be an exchange. It is only through an exchange that things really begins to move and work. The economists have a term for it. They call it the multiplier effect.
An exchange can be in any form or size. The red packet or 'angpau' serves the purpose in old china as a token of appreciation. The poor offers what they can afford although I would hardly think that the poor has the means to engage a diviner to poke around their property or lack of it.
On another note, the ordinary peasant folks can engage a trance diviner and I have seen some and heard of many who are pretty impressive. I know of one who could do distant fengshui divining, drawing out sketches of the property being consulted. And all for a small 'angpau'!
On the point about paying for divining services. What we actually pay for is the time of the diviner and I adopt the truth that even diviners have bills to pay. Most of the time, the angpau received barely covers the cost of time, petrol and toll especially so when follow up assessments are taken into account.
She was a little surprised that I charge. She does not know it but I do have a pledge to keep. One of my teachers has charged me to expect to be paid simply because it is the way things should be and also out of respect for the patron gods of the art.
I have my own reason for charging. As in all energy works there must be an exchange. It is only through an exchange that things really begins to move and work. The economists have a term for it. They call it the multiplier effect.
An exchange can be in any form or size. The red packet or 'angpau' serves the purpose in old china as a token of appreciation. The poor offers what they can afford although I would hardly think that the poor has the means to engage a diviner to poke around their property or lack of it.
On another note, the ordinary peasant folks can engage a trance diviner and I have seen some and heard of many who are pretty impressive. I know of one who could do distant fengshui divining, drawing out sketches of the property being consulted. And all for a small 'angpau'!
On the point about paying for divining services. What we actually pay for is the time of the diviner and I adopt the truth that even diviners have bills to pay. Most of the time, the angpau received barely covers the cost of time, petrol and toll especially so when follow up assessments are taken into account.
Friday, March 14, 2008
TaiSui-its true meaning
How the Taisui is deduced is very simple if we know the animal sign of the year for the taisui will be in the direction that the animal sign occupies. For example 2008 is the year of the rat and as the rat occupies the northern direction, Taisui is in the north direction for that year. 2007 is the year of the ox which occupies the northwest direction which was also the direction of Taisui.
Most of the eminent experts view is that it is not wise to confront Taisui. This means that one must never sit or face a direction that is occupied by Taisui. Is this correct? Going by what the almanac describes, the relationship of Taisui is only consulted when it comes to entombment or burial which goes to say that it is relevant to matters concerning the dead. It becomes hard to think of it as involving matters related to us living people.
The logic of Taisui rests on the fact of the wood element being detrimental to earth. As burial involves breaking and opening up of the earth it makes sense. This concept comes from the original concept of the image of a seedling breaking out form the earth causing change. Viewed from the perspective of the earth it talks about being broken open but form another perspective there is the growth of the seedling which is renewal. Taking this a little further, it is quite difficult to relate to the theory that a tomb facing north will be effected more than another facing west as all other things being equal both are open to the rays of the sun as well as other effects that could possibly be present.
Astrology being astrology, sometimes common sense eludes us. One thing though is certain and that is to relate Taisui to homes becomes most questionable.
Most of the eminent experts view is that it is not wise to confront Taisui. This means that one must never sit or face a direction that is occupied by Taisui. Is this correct? Going by what the almanac describes, the relationship of Taisui is only consulted when it comes to entombment or burial which goes to say that it is relevant to matters concerning the dead. It becomes hard to think of it as involving matters related to us living people.
The logic of Taisui rests on the fact of the wood element being detrimental to earth. As burial involves breaking and opening up of the earth it makes sense. This concept comes from the original concept of the image of a seedling breaking out form the earth causing change. Viewed from the perspective of the earth it talks about being broken open but form another perspective there is the growth of the seedling which is renewal. Taking this a little further, it is quite difficult to relate to the theory that a tomb facing north will be effected more than another facing west as all other things being equal both are open to the rays of the sun as well as other effects that could possibly be present.
Astrology being astrology, sometimes common sense eludes us. One thing though is certain and that is to relate Taisui to homes becomes most questionable.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Fallacy of FengShui
The common schools that practice fengshui nowadays are many and the books that are published teaches how to calculate qi on the belief (mistaken?) that they will be enough to bring all the goodness to whatever we are trying to do.
Most of the common systems today are of rather recent evolution. By recent is meant that they evolved in the last four or five centuries. Taking a trek down history, we discover that what is practiced today were not mentioned or recorded anywhere beyond a little over a thousand years ago. It was during the early days of the Tang dynasty, so the story goes, that the new emperor who happened to believe in the power of metaphysics to dictate heaven and man commanded a monk to come out with a new but false version of metaphysics. This the good man did. True to the emperor’s expectations this became the new syllabus of study for all who came to the capital so much so that over time what was false and what was the original became unclear.
There are four famous names in Chinese metaphysical history-Yang, Zheng, Liu, Lai. Yang was especially famous being credited with the fengshui classics like the ‘Dragon Strategem Canon’. Zheng and Liu were his students. Lai popularly know as Lai Bo Yi was a famous Song dynasty astrologer and scholars. Of course all the others were master scholars too.
All was fine until along came the renowned Zhiang Da Hong who wrote “Correcting the principles of geomancy” which threw out all the classics like “The Green Satchel Canon” claiming them to be erroneous.
However, he did not say on what basis his claims were based and from that point on no one really knew what fengshui was anymore. As more and more schools grew, the mud got thicker.
So what is the way out? We can perhaps go back to an earlier time before the Tang dynasty to see what it was that the olden people practice or what their theories were but then again, we must acknowledge that things then were much simpler and actually culturally different.
Most may not know that fengshui is so much tied in with fate. In fact, fate and its astrology predate fengshui. In saying that it also means that one has to study the theory of fate analysis before one can even begin to understand fengshui. If this were so then maybe the mysteries of the real fenghsui lies through a study of fate analysis?
People want to position themselves with fengshui. They go to astrologers and fengshui masters hoping to have a winning advantage. Perhaps it may be better for them to recognize that maybe it is better to take a closer look at the law of Karma.
Most of the common systems today are of rather recent evolution. By recent is meant that they evolved in the last four or five centuries. Taking a trek down history, we discover that what is practiced today were not mentioned or recorded anywhere beyond a little over a thousand years ago. It was during the early days of the Tang dynasty, so the story goes, that the new emperor who happened to believe in the power of metaphysics to dictate heaven and man commanded a monk to come out with a new but false version of metaphysics. This the good man did. True to the emperor’s expectations this became the new syllabus of study for all who came to the capital so much so that over time what was false and what was the original became unclear.
There are four famous names in Chinese metaphysical history-Yang, Zheng, Liu, Lai. Yang was especially famous being credited with the fengshui classics like the ‘Dragon Strategem Canon’. Zheng and Liu were his students. Lai popularly know as Lai Bo Yi was a famous Song dynasty astrologer and scholars. Of course all the others were master scholars too.
All was fine until along came the renowned Zhiang Da Hong who wrote “Correcting the principles of geomancy” which threw out all the classics like “The Green Satchel Canon” claiming them to be erroneous.
However, he did not say on what basis his claims were based and from that point on no one really knew what fengshui was anymore. As more and more schools grew, the mud got thicker.
So what is the way out? We can perhaps go back to an earlier time before the Tang dynasty to see what it was that the olden people practice or what their theories were but then again, we must acknowledge that things then were much simpler and actually culturally different.
Most may not know that fengshui is so much tied in with fate. In fact, fate and its astrology predate fengshui. In saying that it also means that one has to study the theory of fate analysis before one can even begin to understand fengshui. If this were so then maybe the mysteries of the real fenghsui lies through a study of fate analysis?
People want to position themselves with fengshui. They go to astrologers and fengshui masters hoping to have a winning advantage. Perhaps it may be better for them to recognize that maybe it is better to take a closer look at the law of Karma.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Sanctuary within the home
extract from the draft of '5 songs'...
"..Zhang Zhong San, fengshui master of the early 20th century said. “ The temple determines the good and ill fortune of the community, the ancestral the weal and woe of the clan.” This is how important such temples or shrines are in fengshui.
Within the points considered in the placement of shrines or ancestral halls, a combination of land form study and qi is used. In the study of analytical qi, the facing star determines the status, rank, excellence, talent, abundance as well as harmony as a whole. Harsh, dull and scorching qi should be totally avoided.
In our homes, these same principles and rules too apply. We may not have ancestral tablets but in every home, it is desirable to have a shrine or altar area. There is nothing to be religious about this. For those not inclined to the placement of a shrine or for those not too religion inclined, a retreat zone or sanctuary can be incorporated within the living space. This is the collection point of all the vibrant qi and also serves as a sanctum where wounds collected from our daily excursions into the competitive world outside can be healed."
This sanctuary should be within the central area of activity yet is a niche or corner on its own. It should be kept clean and pure. Most importantly, it should be free of rubbish. Ideally there should be sufficient space for a person to stand or better still sit in in contemplation or meditate. Personal effects can be placed here for it is in many ways a place of focus for the family as well as for personal empowerment and recharging.
"..Zhang Zhong San, fengshui master of the early 20th century said. “ The temple determines the good and ill fortune of the community, the ancestral the weal and woe of the clan.” This is how important such temples or shrines are in fengshui.
Within the points considered in the placement of shrines or ancestral halls, a combination of land form study and qi is used. In the study of analytical qi, the facing star determines the status, rank, excellence, talent, abundance as well as harmony as a whole. Harsh, dull and scorching qi should be totally avoided.
In our homes, these same principles and rules too apply. We may not have ancestral tablets but in every home, it is desirable to have a shrine or altar area. There is nothing to be religious about this. For those not inclined to the placement of a shrine or for those not too religion inclined, a retreat zone or sanctuary can be incorporated within the living space. This is the collection point of all the vibrant qi and also serves as a sanctum where wounds collected from our daily excursions into the competitive world outside can be healed."
This sanctuary should be within the central area of activity yet is a niche or corner on its own. It should be kept clean and pure. Most importantly, it should be free of rubbish. Ideally there should be sufficient space for a person to stand or better still sit in in contemplation or meditate. Personal effects can be placed here for it is in many ways a place of focus for the family as well as for personal empowerment and recharging.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Shadow of a temple
Tip for today is not to buy a house if the shadow of a temple falls over the property. Why?
Temples are gathering places of yin forces. The shadow is caused by a lack of yang. Yin is not inherently good or bad but too much yin together makes it too strong to mange. Living people and houses are yang and should stay that way. When strong opposing forces are present, there will be difficulty striking harmony.
There is another aspect to temples. The convergence of people creates waves of yin yang forces and this amount to huge cyclical movement. Such peaking and troughs of qi is not conducive to homes in general.
However we are talking about temples in a general sense but there are instances where temples or worship places become a good thing for the community. A saint living there for example can only emanate goodwill for the surroundings.
Temples are gathering places of yin forces. The shadow is caused by a lack of yang. Yin is not inherently good or bad but too much yin together makes it too strong to mange. Living people and houses are yang and should stay that way. When strong opposing forces are present, there will be difficulty striking harmony.
There is another aspect to temples. The convergence of people creates waves of yin yang forces and this amount to huge cyclical movement. Such peaking and troughs of qi is not conducive to homes in general.
However we are talking about temples in a general sense but there are instances where temples or worship places become a good thing for the community. A saint living there for example can only emanate goodwill for the surroundings.
Buying auctioned houses
Within fengshui circles, it is recommended that it is wise not to buy auction houses. In Hong Kong, they call them bank owner properties.
Why?
We may think that the energy is so bad that the owner is affected in a way. This may be partially true but then there are some houses which were not occupied by the owner or were left vacant. How then has the owner anything to do with the fengshui of the house when he does not live there?
In explaining life and fortune, we may need to look at the law of cause and effect, the law of deed and retribution. Where a house needs to be auction, it somehow carries with it a negativity which is associated with the old owner in one way or another. The cosmic link may be so subtle that it is difficult to put a finger on it. Nevertheless, it is there.
We may rub our hands with glee once the hammer is struck and the deal is ours as very likely we would have got a good price for it. But looking a little further our gain is someone else’s loss. In other words, we gained at another’s expense.
Fengshui is just one cog in the wheel of life. It has its science and efficacy but definitely is not a cure-all as many seem to believe. The best fengshui anyone can practice I believe is to understand and practice the law of karma.
Why?
We may think that the energy is so bad that the owner is affected in a way. This may be partially true but then there are some houses which were not occupied by the owner or were left vacant. How then has the owner anything to do with the fengshui of the house when he does not live there?
In explaining life and fortune, we may need to look at the law of cause and effect, the law of deed and retribution. Where a house needs to be auction, it somehow carries with it a negativity which is associated with the old owner in one way or another. The cosmic link may be so subtle that it is difficult to put a finger on it. Nevertheless, it is there.
We may rub our hands with glee once the hammer is struck and the deal is ours as very likely we would have got a good price for it. But looking a little further our gain is someone else’s loss. In other words, we gained at another’s expense.
Fengshui is just one cog in the wheel of life. It has its science and efficacy but definitely is not a cure-all as many seem to believe. The best fengshui anyone can practice I believe is to understand and practice the law of karma.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Good dates for March 2008
Here are some good dates for march 08. They are based on traditional chinese date selection. Remember they are fair days which goes that they are days which are generally ok for doing just about anything.
9
14
16
23
26
28
april fool's day is also a good day.
All athe best!
9
14
16
23
26
28
april fool's day is also a good day.
All athe best!
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
The center of the building in fengshui
Every home or living space has a center. This is also true for any place of activity even the open stall of a news vendor.
This center has a very important place in fengshui. Traditionally it is called tianxin which literally is heaven heart but it means the center of qi.
What this mean to us and our well being is, like we talked about earlier, quite important. This is the area where the qi forces emanate. It acts like a locus for the qi forces to spread and move through the living space. Once we can understand this, we can then begin to understand how to arrange or make use of this space for our well being.
Suppose you have a heavy load resting against your chest area. You will not fell very comfortable and may well experience breathing difficulties. Likewise if we have a heavy load place at the heart of our home, the house will not be very comfortable and that discomfort will be transmitted to us.
It is not just heavy things placed there that will have this effect. Untidiness, rubbish and foul odor too will also have the same effect. With this in mind it is recommended that we should have a clear, clean and convivial space in the center of our home.
Another name for this heart center is mingtang which literally means bright hall. In olden Chinese buildings, the center of this space will likely be an open courtyard which may be a landscaped garden; is the assembly point for activities and is well kept.
In contemporary homes especially in link houses, this space is the family hall. I have seen many instances where the owner has extended the original home to allow for bigger kitchens or back of house space. In most cases, they fail to knock down the toilet which originally was situated at the back of the house but then encroach into the center of the house after the extensions. It then becomes a part of the mingtang and the smell and effluents from there corrupts the mingtang. This is bad.
In the Indian science of space, Vasthu Sastra, it is also recommended that the center should be left empty as it is considered the weakest point for energy does not flow there. The reasoning may be different but it is still good advice which we can follow.
This center has a very important place in fengshui. Traditionally it is called tianxin which literally is heaven heart but it means the center of qi.
What this mean to us and our well being is, like we talked about earlier, quite important. This is the area where the qi forces emanate. It acts like a locus for the qi forces to spread and move through the living space. Once we can understand this, we can then begin to understand how to arrange or make use of this space for our well being.
Suppose you have a heavy load resting against your chest area. You will not fell very comfortable and may well experience breathing difficulties. Likewise if we have a heavy load place at the heart of our home, the house will not be very comfortable and that discomfort will be transmitted to us.
It is not just heavy things placed there that will have this effect. Untidiness, rubbish and foul odor too will also have the same effect. With this in mind it is recommended that we should have a clear, clean and convivial space in the center of our home.
Another name for this heart center is mingtang which literally means bright hall. In olden Chinese buildings, the center of this space will likely be an open courtyard which may be a landscaped garden; is the assembly point for activities and is well kept.
In contemporary homes especially in link houses, this space is the family hall. I have seen many instances where the owner has extended the original home to allow for bigger kitchens or back of house space. In most cases, they fail to knock down the toilet which originally was situated at the back of the house but then encroach into the center of the house after the extensions. It then becomes a part of the mingtang and the smell and effluents from there corrupts the mingtang. This is bad.
In the Indian science of space, Vasthu Sastra, it is also recommended that the center should be left empty as it is considered the weakest point for energy does not flow there. The reasoning may be different but it is still good advice which we can follow.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Rat Year and TongShu Almanac
This is the year of the rat! That is what people who are into the Chinese astrological cycle know. The news stands and book stores are now filled with magazines and books on what to do and what not to this year. New versions of the tongshu or Chinese almanac are out proffering advice for every day and hour of the year. And they all come in very attractive bindings and packaging. This is the era of commercialism.
Before we follow this bible of sorts, it is good to sit down and really ponder. Things like should we allow our life to be so fatalistic. After all the almanac was meant for farming and based on assumed powers of constellations and stars which are millions of light years away. Not forgetting that the almanac is calculated on a longitude which may not be the same as ours. And different climatic conditions as well.
Before we follow this bible of sorts, it is good to sit down and really ponder. Things like should we allow our life to be so fatalistic. After all the almanac was meant for farming and based on assumed powers of constellations and stars which are millions of light years away. Not forgetting that the almanac is calculated on a longitude which may not be the same as ours. And different climatic conditions as well.
New Age Fengshui?
I browsed through some fengshui books recently and was quite impressed by the number of new fengshui books and the way they were written and presented. Not that I totally agree with them though.
Everyone wants a better life that is for sure. That is the objective of fengshui and that is what the books generally say. One book in particular teaches that you should also fengshui your briefcase. By that he meant that we should fill our briefcase with power items like a branded pen, presentable folders and of course they are to be neatly arranged.
I agree with a neat and tidy working briefcase but do not see that as fengshui. Personal management and efficiency management maybe but fengshui? No.
It is nice to be carried along by all these new ideas. In fact most make a lot of sense but please do not confuse that with fengshui. Fengshui is about the science of space and its principles go beyond common sense. Its principles are base on natural laws which extend to the mysterious as well.
Everyone wants a better life that is for sure. That is the objective of fengshui and that is what the books generally say. One book in particular teaches that you should also fengshui your briefcase. By that he meant that we should fill our briefcase with power items like a branded pen, presentable folders and of course they are to be neatly arranged.
I agree with a neat and tidy working briefcase but do not see that as fengshui. Personal management and efficiency management maybe but fengshui? No.
It is nice to be carried along by all these new ideas. In fact most make a lot of sense but please do not confuse that with fengshui. Fengshui is about the science of space and its principles go beyond common sense. Its principles are base on natural laws which extend to the mysterious as well.
Monday, February 11, 2008
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