Changing the Way your Walk

Xiang is one of the categories that fall under the Five Arts of Chinese Metaphysics.

Xiang is roughly translated as ‘looks’ and Feng Shui, Mian Xiang, Body Reading, Palmistry etc falls under this classification.

Why the title about walking? I remember an observation from Chinese body reading. It says that if you walk with your feet barely touching the ground, then you will live a short life.

But remember that in the old days, dying young means below 80 yrs old!

So, do you plan to change the way you walk?

The Big and Small of the Tai Qi

There is the normal office Feng Shui consultation and the abnormal office Feng Shui consultation.

What do I mean by an abnormal office consultation? Almost all commercial consultations cover the entire office. Some even extent to branches located in different locations.

However I have a few requests recently for office consultation that covers the department only? Top management does not believe in Feng Shui but the division heads do.

So, I end up Feng Shui-ing the department within the office complex. Does it work?

At this point I would like to bring out the concept of the big and small Tai Qi. In this case the department space is the Small Tai Qi. The office complex is the Big Tai Qi. The Big Tai Qi will always outweigh the Small Tai Qi.

Therefore if the Feng Shui quality of the office complex is good, then there is a very good chance that the department will enjoy good Feng Shui.

Tai Qi is relative. Between the entire office and the surrounding, the office becomes the Small Tai Qi and the surroundings, the Big Tai Qi. If the surrounding has good Feng Shui and matches the office, then the chance of the office enjoying good Feng Shui is high – including departments within it.

The Eight Immortals

Just who are the Eight Immortals? They are characters from Chinese mythology that started out as commoners but later became deities.

The characters that made up the Eight Immortals started very early in Chinese history but it was the book – Travel to the East - by Ming Dynasty author, Wu Yuan Tai, that firmly establish the Eight Immortals.

They are often depicted in paintings or figurines as eight characters made up of 7 men and 1 woman. Here is a quick introduction to the characters.

Tie Guai Li – the one with the walking stick
Zhong Li Quan – the one with fan
Lan Cai He – holds a pair of wooden clappers
Zhang Guo Lao – rides on a mule in a reverse position
He Xian Gu – the only woman in the group
Lu Dong Bin – carries a sword (also bitten by a dog)
Han Xiang Zi – the one with the flute
Cao Guo Jiu – carries a royal gold plague

Drunken Fist Kung Fu

Do you remember the old Jackie Chan movie, “Drunken Master” where he popularized the Drunken Fist martial arts? You know the one where he defeated many of his opponents while fighting like a drunkard?

Do you know the origin of this martial art? There are many versions. Here is one of them.

There was once a young martial artist who studied kung fu under a grandmaster. Despite many years of learning and practice, he still could not defeat many of his seniors.

One day while resting at the edge of the forest, he observed a ‘duel’ between two monkeys. One was big and strong while the other was smaller and looked weak. You would expect the bigger monkey to win but instead the smaller one won and he did so by fighting in an unconventional manner. It strikes and counter-strikes in a totally unexpected manner and it surprised the larger monkey.

Seeing this, the young martial artist devised some unconventional moves of his own. During some of their regular sparring contest, he utilized some of these moves and easily defeated his seniors.

His grandmaster was not amused. He thought that his young charge learnt these from another master. In the old days, it is unacceptable to learn from different schools and his grandmaster promptly threw him out.

The young martial artist then started a wine shop. Again using some unconventional promotion technique, his wine shop became very well known and popular.

One day a group of eight strange looking patrons visited his shop. They drank like crazy but when it was time to leave, they told this young martial artist (now wine shop owner) that they did not have the money to pay and that they would return another day to pay for the wine.

This was of course unacceptable to the young martial artist and a fight broke out between them. Interestingly, these obviously drunk patrons fought like drunkard with strange strikes and counter-strikes. Much as he wanted, the young martial artist could not defeat the eight patrons.

After the patrons have left, the young martial artist reviewed the many moves of the eight patrons and devised a new martial art which he named the “Drunken Fist”.

Guess are the eight patrons? They are non-other than the legendary “Eight Immortals”.

While on the subject, do you know that in addition to the Drunken Fists, there are also the Drunken Knives, Drunken Spears, Drunken Sword and Drunken Sticks techniques!

The Dragon – As Direct as they Come

Dragon are proud, self-assured and most of all direct. They tend to be ambitious, fiery and zealous in their approach to life. They have a pioneering spirit, is decisive yet generous and loyal.

While these are positive features, they can very easily cross the line and become arrogant, tyrannical and brash. They can be over-bearing, violent and dogmatic in their approach.

Chinese Horoscope Sign of the Rabbit

Today it is back to the Chinese horoscope animal of the Rabbit.

What are the key attributes of those born in the year of the Rabbit (or Mao)?

Rabbits are generally gracious, kind, sensitive and flexible. They tend to be soft-spoken, amiable, tender, compassionate yet self-assured.

On the flip side, they can be moody, self-indulgent, superficial and appear detached.

Which direction should I sleep?

I was introduced to someone recently. He said he is a traveling sales person which is on the road 3 weeks in a month. He said that pops from one town to another and sleeps in different hotels in the course of his travel. His question is, “Should he be concern about his Feng Shui?”

Here is what I think. He should ensure that the Feng Shui of the house that he lives in – even though it is a week in a month – is good.

In addition he should emulate the practice of Chairman Mao who sleeps in his ‘useful god’ directions wherever he goes!

Should you but a house located on top of a hill?

That depends?

You are likely to ask, “What, I thought it is unfavorable to live in a house on top of a hill, because ‘qi’ is unable to accumulate?”

Well, I say depends because it really depends on whether you are planning to stay there or do you plan to resell it for a profit.

There are a lot more disbelievers than believers (in Feng Shui) and to the disbelievers, a hill top home has great view.

If you are planning to resell, you should go ahead and buy one. You are likely to get a good price and make a profit!

How to have a Boy (or a Girl)?

The ancient Chinese believe that I you eat a lot of meat prior to the conception, you can increase the chance of having a baby girl.

On the contrary, if you eat a lot of vegetables, you increase the chance of having a baby boy.

Which bring me to the next questions? Do vegetarians have more boys?

Or, you can try the Chinese Gender Calendar.

Relationship between Blood Type and Personality

Is there is relationship between a person’s personality and his blood type?

Yes, according to some researchers. Here what they think.

Type O

You want to be a leader, and when you see something you want, you keep striving until you achieve your goal. You are a trend-setter, loyal, passionate, and self-confident. Your weaknesses include vanity and jealously and a tendency to be too competitive.

Type A

You like harmony, peace and organization. You work well with others, and are sensitive, patient and affectionate. Among your weaknesses are stubbornness and an inability to relax.

Type B

You’re a rugged individualist, who’s straightforward and likes to do things your own way. Creative and flexible, you adapt easily to any situation. But your insistence on being independent can sometimes go too far and become a weakness.

Type AB

Cool and controlled, you’re generally well liked and always put people at ease. You’re a natural entertainer who’s tactful and fair. But you’re standoffish, blunt, and have difficulty making decisions.

Do you agree?