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Show respect for others
Can we change our fate by riding on a ferris wheel? By placing expensive fung shui items? By changing our bed position? The answer is no.
Bear in mind that fung shui is a
natural science and not superstitious practice.
In your quest to change your fate, the
most important thing you should understand is the law of the universe.
The heavenly law tells us that the sun
rises in the east and sets in the west. It will not get a temper tantrum and
rise from the west.
Therefore, a
trust is created here.
Earthly law tells us that Mother Earth
is kind enough to nurture us with raw materials, providing a platform for us
to live in. Crops seeded in the spring blossom in the summer and will be ready
for harvest in autumn. In winter, the land hibernates.
This is called
the nurture of love.
That is the law of heaven and earth.
What is missing is the middle echelon: humanly law.
The humanly law should also mimic the
trust and nurture of love of both heavenly and earthly laws. Humans should in
no way to harm Mother Nature, which nurtures us (law of kindness) and also
should do no harm to both our parents and other humans (law of filial piety).
The ancient Chinese have 24
traditional stories of filial piety - all of which show people changing their
fate by showing respect to Mother Nature and the elderly.
Today, billionaires like Bill Gates,
Warren Buffett and Li Ka-shing are philanthropists who make a difference to
this world. And that changes not only their fate but those of others as well.
The journeys of living beings should
be in accordance to such law - which is actually none other than plowing
kindness back to the community. Showing respect to others is another way of
asking for respect in return.
So you want to change your fate? Start
by showing respect to the elderly and do good deeds for your community. After
all, we are the community.
Thought of the day: Do
unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Elemental
nature of the zodiac
Friday, April 15, 2011
The Lunar New Year, which heralds the beginning of spring, is the most important of the traditional holidays.
It begins on the first day of the
first Chinese month. The Chinese calendar is based not only on lunar but also
solar movements.
The 12 animals of the zodiac are an
essential part of Chinese culture and are closely related to our cosmological
system, especially the movements of Jupiter. The zodiac system is closely
linked to agricultural activities in ancient China.
Each year it relates to an animal and
its attributes. It is a common misunderstanding that each animal represents
certain characteristics, and if you are born in that year, you will have the
characteristics of that particular animal. This is only partially true.
Every animal comprises the essential
five elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water). For instance, the Rabbit
is Wood.
That five-element cycle of creation
and destruction, rather than the characteristics of a particular animal, is
what determines a person's character.
Thought of the day: A responsible fung shui master uses his skills to identify the best living and working environment for people in the interests of harmony.
Grave
matters
Friday, April 08, 2011
Many potential home owners have asked me: "What are the repercussions of living in a house that is close to a graveyard?"
I tell them that this is more of a
psychological problem than anything else.
The ancient Chinese believed that a
cemetery or graveyard site should engage in fung shui principals that would
harness the best possible kinds of energy for the grave owner.
As such, the site and vicinity should
be able to tap into the focal energy, provided the fung shui master properly
selects the site. But should you still be concerned that this will impact your
subconscious and make you feel uncomfortable, then in that case, do not choose
to live close to a graveyard.
There is one caveat: if the house is
too close to the graveyard (less than 20 meters) the yin energy will prevail
and yang energy, which is kind to living beings, will subside.
Being too close to a graveyard will
also affect your subconscious mind. Let's say that when you hear funny noises,
you will blame it on the spirit of the dead.
In this case I wouldn't recommend such
a choice.
One example of this close proximity
are the two blocks of flats in front of the Aberdeen Chinese Cemetery.
In my quest of tracing the Journeys of
the Dragon for the past few years, I can conclude the following cemetery sites
are among the best in Hong Kong: Aberdeen Chinese Cemetery, Pak Par Lam in Fei
Ngo San and Pat Heung Lian Far Shan Cemetery in Yuen Long.
These sites are equipped with full
sets of fung shui principles.
Thought of the day:
Tao begets all things and Te fosters them - Lao Zi
In
pursuit of harmony
Friday, April 01, 2011
Why do mountains govern health while water governs wealth?
A mountain, or dragon, is that part of mother nature that helps crops grow. It also releases certain kind of energies when our ancestors' bones are buried.
Bones are considered yin as they are
bereft of life force. When they interact with the earth - the mountain/dragon
is considered yang as it has a life force - this results in the intermingling
of yin and yang energies.
The chemical reaction produces either
kind, or unkind, energies that affect future generations. That is why the
ancient Chinese believe that a good mountain is auspicious for growing
populations. Proof of that can be gleaned from the fact that the world's
tallest and most powerful mountains, the Himalayan range, sit between India
and China - the two most populous countries.
In fung shui, population correlates
with health. So most meditation, or zen, masters would normally take their
sabbaticals high up in the mountains because of its association with serenity
and clean air.
As for water, the term
"logistics" was normally related to water transportation in the
early days. Waterways such as canals, ponds, rivers, lakes and seas are
conduits of commercial activities - look at all the coastal regions in the
world where the most affluent cities are located.
Water is also crucial for crops and
staple foods. That is why it is associated with wealth.
Why are north and south auspicious?
Ancient Chinese houses were usually
built facing the south, with the mountains at the back for protection from
gusty northern winds or storms.
The south is also where the source of
water for agricultural activity is located, helping keep the houses much
cooler during summers.
The north and south directions are
also auspicious directions to place your bed. This is in line with the natural
scientific position of the magnetic poles. When we take our rest in these
directions, blood flow and circulation are eased.
So you see, fung shui is a natural
science. The aim is for humans to exist in harmony with the sky (cosmic
energies) and Mother Earth.
(features in Hong Kong Standard Newspaper every Friday)
Kerby
Kuek has published three books on fung shui. He specializes in yin and yang
fung shui, I-Ching, life analysis and astrology.
Website:
www.misterfengshui.com
E-mail address of Mr. Kerby Kuek : [email protected]
