I have seen current practitioners having the nonchalance to cite methods in Feng Shui classics compiled by renowned Feng Shui Masters like Jiang Da Hong & Yang Yun Song's methods as if these were universal truths that are applicable for all time and social context. For example, they say that these greats did not mention in their books that tailor their Feng Shui method according to the beneficiary's destiny so they believed that Astrology is not needed to carry out Feng Shui. If the likes of Jiang and Yang omitted to mention it, does it mean that they are against it or such a practice is useless? The likely reason is that the context of houses and technology during their time could have rendered it immaterial or unachievable to do so. In any case, unless one is speaking from the capacity of someone having learnt directly from these Feng Shui greats over a few years, they cannot assume to have fully understood the thought processes and approaches of these greats.
During Zhang and Yang's time, there were hardly high-rise apartments with subjective fa�ade that makes for determining the apartment facing and consequently most Feng Shui formula highly subjective. It can also be said during their time, people that can afford paying for Feng Shui do not live in small apartments unlike now whereby the closer inhabitation means Feng Shui tuning takes on a new level of complexity which therefore warrants a fresh perspective into occupant's destiny.
Afterall, it was said that Jiang lead a very tough life and remained very poor even after practicing Feng Shui. So is he poor by choice or would he have become richer had he incorporated astrological consideration into his Feng Shui methods for himself? Although we will never know the answer to this question, still it shows that Feng Shui cannot improve beyond the borders demarcated by destiny.
It is interesting to note that the principles of Xuan Kong method begins with the Qing Nang Jing given to Zhang Liang by Huang Shi Gong during the reign of Qin Shi Huang (259 BC - 210 BC). The technique of the Xuan Kong Flying stars is well explained in the classics Xuan Kong Mi Zhi, Xuan Ji Fu, Fei Xing Fu all published in the Song Dynasty (960-1279). It can be surmised then that Jiang had adapted some of Zhang's works in his classics on Xuan Kong Fei Xing Feng Shui. The great Zhang Liang was greatly revered for his immense practical contributions and success towards kingdom building. It was also a known fact that Zhang practices Qi Men Dun Jia and others on top of Feng Shui. Jiang may be widely respected for his work in the practice of Feng Shui but that's not a justification to deride others like Zhang who blends in multiple practices and achieves resounding success.
In modern society, Feng Shui clients look to their consultants for one-stop consultation on many of their problems some of which may be really beyond Feng Shui. Hence, a Feng Shui consultant that also practices other skills like Astrology, Chinese Medicine and even Psychology can provide more comprehensive and synergistic services. Imagine a Feng Shui client had to visit a Feng Shui practitioner, an Astrologer, a doctor and a career advisor for his host of problems and each of them gave advices that contradict each other?
Another reason practitioners need to move along with times is that that technological advancements have rendered what could have been a best practice in those times to become cavalier now. For example, it would have been ludicrous for Feng Shui Masters during those times to perform Feng Shui audit without the aid of a Feng Shui compass, otherwise known as the Luo Pan. Even in current society, it may be frowned upon by ignoramuses that such a practice lacks professionalism. In actual fact, with the advent of Google Earth, it is no longer absolutely critical for a practitioner to bring the Luo Pan with him on an audit. In fact, it is a preferred option to measure directions as compared to the Luo Pan because it is unbiased and not affected by the magnetic fields in and within the vicinity of the house. Remember modern houses are built very differently now, with concealed cables running within and close to the house and their magnetism may skew the compass reading on the Luo Pan.
So having illustrated the need for Feng Shui practitioner to move along with times and society, am I sounding the death knell on reading up the historical developments of Feng Shui? Far from it! History is a good starting point for us to learn the past so that we can more effectively improve the future. Unfortunately, some people are curtailed by history because they use historical cases as benchmark of best practices and did not consider the change in context from these historical cases to modern ones. The Chinese saying that "Water can transport the boat and yet capsize it" sums it all. It is up to one whether to use historical cases as assistance or impedance.
Autor: Ken Toh J
I am a Feng Shui Enthusiast in private practice and I specialise in Ba Zi or 4 Pillars, Zi Wei Dou Shu or ZWDS, Feng Shui, I-Ching, Qi Men Dun Jia or QMDJ, Chinese Name Analysis and other tools. My blog site is at: http://fengshuiforward.com and http://fengshuiforward.com/forum
Added: February 19, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/
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