Fengshui Innovations

Feng Shui Times

How long have you been practising Feng Shui (professionally and personally)?

Which masters have you been studying with?

I had always believed in receiving professional training from masters of an impressive lineage in both the traditional and authentic practice of Feng Shui. Grandmaster Yap Cheng Hai, one of the top five Feng Shui masters in the world and co-founder of YCH Feng Shui Centre of Excellence is a leading force in increasing my professional competence. Grandmaster Yap Cheng Hai’s module 4 of the YCH professional series is the icing on the cake. Master Joseph Yu from Canada, the renowned international master astrologer and teacher is another influence.

I was initially trained by fourth generation Feng Shui master, Henry Liu. I wanted to gain a broader perspective of the birthplace of feng shui so I toured China (and Hong Kong ) and studied with Dr Cheng Jian Jun & Dr Wang Yude, both feng shui researchers and writers from China.

The last trip to China was to meet and study under the master of Master Henry Lui who took us to see the feng shui of Chiang Kai Shek’s ancestral home and his ancestors’ burial ground and also the mausoleum of his predecessor, Dr Sun Yet Sun.

How did it all start? Where did you begin with Feng Shui and what exactly piqued your interest in it?

I was at a cross-road in my life after devoting myself to a satisfying teaching career and motherhood that I decided it was time for some self-development. I was always interested in metaphysics and in understanding the heritage of the Chinese culture. We have to appreciate the knowledge that came with our ancestor’s discoveries. I was drawn to the study of qi and went back to my roots to find out more. I took up Tai Chi and studied Chinese Acupressure with Master Zhang Hao and went on to lecture in this field at the Australian College of Natural Therapies.

In Chinese healing massage, the therapist works on the acupressure points in the body, to ensure the qi flows freely and evenly. I learnt that poor environment can adversely affect my clients. From there I moved on to understand that this same energy governs the landscape and all aspects of life. The realisation sparked my interest in Feng Shui. I decided to formalise my training and began searching for a teacher. With qi balancing you deal with one person but in Feng Shui you bring benefits to one whole household.

What drives you on? Many people might be content to practise simple symbolic Feng Shui but you have chosen to spend time and money studying this subject. Why?

Passion and the desire for authentic knowledge drive me on. In the past I have pushed thousands of students to "reach for the stars" now it is my turn to attain this knowledge that was so exclusive to feng shui masters. It is not only the money and time spent studying this subject but the sacrifices my family made in my quest of knowledge. I owe my success to the support and understanding of my husband and children. When you want to touch peoples ’lives and create far reaching results you have to go beyond simple symbolic Feng Shui. It is essential when learning something, you must study it in a holistic way. To be passionate about something means that you need to know its source and its application. When you want to drink natural water you have to find its source. It is worth the trekking and the climbing over rough terrain to reach the source of the mountain stream. Drinking the pure and crystal clear water is so rewarding.

What is the Feng Shui scene in Australia like?

It is beginning to attract wide interest but too often this is limited to superficial and cosmetic curiosity. Mostly the "Southern Hemisphere School of Feng Shui" is studied and applied and many magazines and publications have short "Q & A " on Feng Shui cures. They fall short of the traditional feng shui practised for thousands of years. More emphasis is placed on hanging objects, pot plants and activating life situations or on feelings and intuition. Now with increased awareness, Australians are starting to uncover its true depth and authenticity.

As one of the pioneers of Traditional Feng Shui in Australia, how would you say Feng Shui has evolved as compared to say seven years ago?

A greater awareness of the holistic approach is now more apparent. With such wide spread information available via the internet, more and more Australians are now aware that there are traditional methods and formulas.

Before, everyone was busy blaming each other for not putting the toilet seat cover down because the toilet was in their money corner. Or they were busy buying and placing the Bagua mirror over their front door. They saw the Bagua as the Be All and End All of Feng Shui and the present to get for each other.

At one stage many people were told that feng shui practised in the northern hemisphere would not suit them as they were south of the equator. Of course all this caused confusion.

All that is slowly changing. In my personal experience when I first started out promoting traditional Feng Shui, the most frequently asked questions were: " Feng Shui. What’s that?" and " Does it work? All that has changed. Now, many are aware that a Feng Shui consultancy is not about hanging up symbolic objects, it is about receiving a comprehensive professional service to home-owners or business owners.

They now understand services range from calculation of birth data, physical analysis of residence, charting of energy distribution, to providing solutions and recommendations to bring about better luck and fortune.

What is the most common Feng Shui problem in Australia? ( eg cultural/religious beliefs, a lack of exposure to Feng Shui among the general public, competition from Feng Shui schools etc) Have you worked on any notable projects in Australia or are there specific landmarks ( natural or otherwise that have special Feng Shui significance?

Like many Eastern therapies that have become popular as New Age remedies, Feng Shui has become popular. Magazines run columns on it and a host of books have turned their readers into instant experts on such things as placing beds in the right place and installing mirrors and hanging crystals.

There is a lot of exposure in the tabloid magazines to quick fix ideas from "modern, new age feng shui". For many, hanging up crystals and activating their relationship corners are deemed as having their place "feng shuied"

There is a lack of exposure to traditional authentic methods. A lot of people have been jumping on the band wagon wanting to promote it quickly to a keen audience. There is a definite need for more professional training in the traditional classical methods as practised by the Chinese for thousands of years.

There is a great deal of satisfaction seeing some commercial consultations that I carried out from the early beginning grow from strength to strength. Notable mentions are a multi media company, a real estate agency, import warehousing and a car dealership. Till today they still seek advice and keep in constant touch.

The quality of chi generated for a city is related to its landscape. Sydney has lively and strong chi because of the orientation of water and mountains to the city. The winding water-course over an undulating landscape promotes the build up of chi, which in turn promotes communication and prosperity. Sydney has the Georges River, the Parramatta River, the Nepean River and the Hawkesbury River. In Sydney’s case the harbour and nearby Blue Mountains make it a good location for favourable qi.

Buildings will hopefully be built with an eye to the future incorporating Feng Shui principles allowing scope for maximising the positive qi.

Any last words for our readers?

Many people have heard of or read about Feng Shui, but few really understand what good traditional Feng Shui can do for them. It is more than superstition or popular quick fix ideas. But its application is practical. When there are perceived problems we have to be open to changes in order to change our luck. Logical and well thought out solutions are better than quick fixes.

Jade is prized for its unique combination of hardness (Yang) and soft translucence (Yin). It is highly valued and is the symbol of the best of fortunes. Let the quality of jade be our guide in bringing harmony between the physical and the metaphysical dimensions. The external world offers rich visual experiences, but introspection is the most important view of all.

If we get our Feng Shui right it can bring great fulfilment. It can help us to harmonise our life, to perform better, to achieve more and be more creatively intuitive. When there is harmony in our homes and workplace and correct focus in our life, good fortune, growth, longevity and prosperity will naturally follow.