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Orientation Day
Last update: 12th April 2008 11:18pm (GMT+08:00)
Reported by Sherwin Ng.
11th April 2008 (Friday)
We are here in scenic Jing De Zhen. And nu er hong is ‘red lady’ wine – But first, here’s how the day started: Unlike previous years, China Excursion 2008 kicked off with a workshop of Forms. While this is partly due to first timers on board this round, this workshop is hardly what one would call as ‘beginners’.
No Forms – No Qi
Beginning very simply with the five basic mountain types, 9 star Forms, and their common variations, many also found out for the first time that Flying Stars Feng Shui, so famously known today, is only as good as its external land forms. After all, it is the natural forms which give life (Qi) to its vicinity. Now, that would mean that many areas do NOT have existing Flying Stars #8 or #1 – no ‘wealth stars’!
Hence over 40 students from all over the world – Germany, Scotland, India, Austria, Slovakia, and home base KL, have come to study and observe strict Landforms. One must not forget that Feng Shui originally began with observation of mountains and water to ascertain the power and quality of the land.
As I said, this workshop is hardly novice material. Joey familiarized the class with ‘common’ Luan Tou (Landforms) terminologies: dragon, vein, meridian spot, spot vicinity, release of veins, and how a ‘true spot’ displays its true nobility – by judging the 4 factors of dragon, embrace, water, and spot. This is why and how certain landform configurations produce emperors, ministers, warriors, farmers, and even crooks.
Official Welcome
After an hour’s break, it was time for Joey’s official welcome speech and introduction to this year’s excursion itinerary.
Looking forward to almost an equal number of Yin House (Grave Feng Shui) as well as Yang House (Living Dwellings), this year’s study route proves to be challenging even for the seasoned.
‘The best way to benchmark yourself as a Feng Shui practitioner is to understand the works of great masters before us.’
A bold ambition indeed. But then again, only the bold strive forward. One of the objectives for this year’s theme of ‘Ancient Masters’ is to have a closer look at lineage (or the misuse of it) – how far indeed do lineages go? How did their descendants fare? What Feng Shui techniques were used at that time, and why?
We shall soon find out.
And then it was time for a sumptuous dinner. Time to relax for now (while we still can, judging from the looks of the itinerary) and catch up with old and familiar faces. Yours truly sat at the ‘fun’ table, and that is how today’s introductory write-up – brought to you live from Jing De Zhen – ends with a glass of nu er hong.
And you shall hear from me again tomorrow!
Reported by Sherwin Ng.
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