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Much has been said and written about Chinese metaphysics which not only is feng shui but encompasses Chinese Astrology - Four Pillars of Destiny (Ba zi) and Purple Star Astrology (Tze Wei Do Shu); Face Reading (Mian Xiang), Yi Jing Divination, Palmistry and Numerology. People have various views on the subject of metaphysics, some treat is as a mere past time and some base their entire lives and decisions on the findings of a metaphysician (astrologer/feng shui consultant/ numerologist/ palmist).
As a consultant the most common questions I face are "What is feng shui? What are its benefits? What is astrology? How can I benefit from Chinese metaphysics?" Basic knowledge of what is feng shui and how it can benefit a person seems to be lost on many. Every person has a different view on what feng shui is and what it can do.
A non-client once asked me "Could you explain what is Chinese metaphysics - doesn't matter if it is astrology or feng shui. How I can benefit from it? Tell me, in simple English without any complicated jargons." A simple question and he wanted a simple answer - nothing fancy. It felt like an impromptu speech where a time limit had been set and the topic handed over to you, two minutes before you make your presentation.
I asked him a few questions before I gave my explanation in simple layman's terms. "Do you believe that how much ever you try to get something- anything (it can be a car, house, project, a wife), if the time and place is not correct, you will not get it?" He nodded his head in agreement.
" Do you believe that there are good and bad phases in life?" He continued nodding. "Do you as a person feel that certain days and periods are more lucky for you?" He nodded again. I decided to end my questions as I had got him to nod to all the questions I had put up.
I continued to explain the reasons I had asked him those questions. "Well, astrology helps a person to understand his good and bad phases. A feng shui consultant or an astrologer is basically a person who by following a set form of formulae and rules can deduce for you, your good and bad phases. This is foreknowledge for you and you can utilize this knowledge to either advance (when good phase is on) or to retreat (when a bad phase is going on). This gives you an upper edge in most arenas of your life. For example - health wise - if you know that your mother's health will be a concern during the next month and it can turn to something serious. With that foreknowledge you could get a health check up done for your mother and save yourself a lot of time and headaches in hospital and doctor visits.
Destiny is what you were born with, it can be calculated and read through your astrological natal chart. Feng shui can be used both as a tool to predict and as a buffer. If destiny is giving you a hard time, feng shui cushions it and makes it a little easier. And if destiny is smiling down on you well then feng shui enhances it."
He slowly nodded his head, as a person would when he is in deep thought. "I understood about good and bad phase but how does feng shui help in any of that? Isn't astrology enough to predict?" he enquired.
"Astrology can predict but destiny as we all know cannot be altered. The pre-determined part of destiny cannot be changed but there is a probable or variable part for which a person is himself responsible. However, it can be controlled by your actions.
If destiny is what the heavens have blessed you with then feng shui is what the earth can gift you. Feng Shui can be used to reduce afflictions during a bad destiny phase and enhance prosperity during a good phase.
Again, formulae are applied to understand your environment i.e. either your house or your office. The best possible recommendation according to the situation is made because unlike destiny, feng shui of a property can be altered from bad to good."
A smile spread across his face but looking at him I knew he had something more to enquire about. "If feng shui is based on formulae then why use figurines and lucky objects? Do they have any use at all or is it all a marketing gimmick? How come not once have you mentioned any objects?"
"Ah!" I thought to myself and smiled, as a classical feng shui consultant this is one question that I have answered numerous times. "Answering your questions one at a time, feng shui is the study of qi or movement of qi in and around the environment and how we can harness the qi to our advantage and use it to further our endeavors. Now, it is the practice of a traditional feng shui practitioner, to study the pattern of qi and advice the client accordingly. The word feng shui itself means "wind and water". In one of the feng shui classics it has been written "Qi rides the wind and scatters, but is retained by water, hence the name feng shui". Figurines and lucky objects sold in the market are man made items so how can they contain qi - the very essence of feng shui?"
He had a confused look on his face, I understood his dilemma, as far as he was concerned it did not matter whether I was an authentic feng shui practitioner or a commercial marketer, I belonged to the same feng shui bandwagon.
I continued to explain further to remove his confusion. "Some figurines and lucky objects sold in the market are part of Chinese tradition and custom. Feng Shui is Chinese but not everything Chinese can be coined as feng shui. A traditional feng shui practitioner will first study the qi pattern of the environment with the aid of a Lo Pan or a Chinese compass, then based on various formulae he or she will recommend the changes."
Wanting to display his knowledge about feng shui and its formulae he immediately said "I know the formulae - Flying stars and Eight Mansions. Am I not correct?"
I had to admit he was correct but not completely. "Flying stars and eight mansions are just tip of the iceberg in feng shui, covers only 10% of all the feng shui formulae. Highly over-rated I would say. There are many formulae and applications in Feng Shui viz. water dragons, Growth Cycle of water, land embraces, triangular combinations, land-assessment formulae, xuan kong (mysterious subtleties); the list is quite long. These formulae have been passed on from one generation of masters to another. Feng Shui did not develop in one day and neither is it some new age superstition. The formulae are based on pure logic. And there is no logic behind placing an expensive figurine in certain sector of your house saying it will bring luck."
He sadly looked towards the expensive Laughing Buddha placed on his table "I thought so." he remarked. But he immediately recovered and with an impish grin he asked "So, are there any chances of me becoming an over night billionaire."
"Well, for that I have to do an audit, only after that can I tell you whether you are made to be a billionaire or not." I remarked.
Till date I have never forgotten this unique conversation. Now, every time I meet him, he still surprises me with his questions except now his questions pertain to different aspects of classical feng shui or Chinese metaphysics which he reads about in different books and journals.
Author's note: Feng shui and other Chinese metaphysical studies have been misunderstood and misinterpreted by many. I hope this article clarifies a lot of questions that feng shui enthusiasts have.
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