Disclaimer: Ken Lai is neither a lineage-hugger nor a “no-lineage independent”.  He is a “whatever works” opportunist regardless of the origin.

A common criticism of the lineage system is the practice of “keeping a hand” (留一手  liú yī shǒu; witholding some secrets) by the Sifu (teacher) from his disciples.  This practice is probably as popular if not more common today than ancient times.

In the old days, choosing an “indoor student” was like picking a life-long partner. The master checked everything and especially the moral character of the potential student.  The student will serve the master  from cleaning his toilet to carry his luopan for many years before getting some “real knowledge”.   Today, this type of fellowship is replaced by commodity economy — paying a huge sum of money to the master.  There are cases of “guaranteed indoorship” without even looking at the incoming student provided US$5000 or more is paid.  It is like selling a franchise to the student who will in turn market the same thing as soon as he “graduates”.  The master has more incentive to “keep a hand” to maintain his “upperhand”  because people are more materialistic than those in the old days.

Some critics frequently use a simple math formula to discredit the lineage system.  The logic is simple:  if every generation keeps 10% secrets from the next generation, a lineage will have nothing left after 10 to 12 generations.

This argument is mathematically and even logically sound.  It is an example of simplistic or deceptive reasoning using numbers.  It assumes:

1.  the lineage’s knowledge-base does not grow over generations
2.  “keeping a hand” always happens, even between father and son situation
3.  the junior generation will always be satisfied with whatever craps that previous generation gave them
4.  the junior generation will not THINK and develop their own solution when critical info is witheld

If you do not believe my arguments, just look at how many different “varieties” of Flying Star Feng Shui out there— at least 10+ with variations from funny ways of flying the stars, counting yang-yin, tai-ji, periods to mixing concepts with other schools.  Most come with their own re-interpretations of Feng Shui classics like the “Green Satchel Classic“.   All claim to be “authentic”. Same scenario with Bazhai Feng Shui.

Therefore, this “keeping a hand” practice actually simulates creativity and explorations instead of killing or diluting the lineage system.  People are always curious and trying to “figure out” if something are missing or witheld. Whether the end results are positive or negative will be another long discussion.  Everything comes in a package of both good and not so good.

Ken Lai

“Practical Date-Selection Methods (incl. XKDG) w/ 12 hr. video
“Practical Imperial Qi-men-Dun-Jia” w/ 10 hr. video
“Daoist Talismans for Feng Shui & Blessing” v.2 w/ 24 hr video
“Practical Door Feng Shui for Wealth” w/ 3 hr. video
“4-Pillars Forecasting Bootcamp” with 12 hr. video

http://www.kenlaifengshui.com/
http://kenlaifengshui.blogspot.com/

Yesterday, I accidentally opened a digitally-scanned version of my Feng Shui sifu’s hand-written manuscript that I had received years ago but never read.  The document has less than 70 pages.

The first sentence of first page had this written: ” XXXXXX School Yang Residence Concepts: HEAVEN’S SECRETS: NO TRANSFER TO THE MORALLY DECREPIT” (匪人勿傳  fěi rén wù chuá).

The manuscript lists the XXXXX School version of yin-yang, forms, tai-ji, XKDG, sha neuralizations, sha-fighting, luopan design, water methods and even date-selection with 30% space in diagrams — all in less than 70 pages!  It even specifies which item is top lineage secret and warns about the indiscriminate transfer to the “wrong” people will cut short your blessings or even your life.

In the “Sha-fighting” section, the writer repeatedly warns that about the possible fatality if the sha-fighting is not done right.  The procedures and techniques are very different from those you found in books  or most of the existing courses out there.  My suggestion is:  do not fight sha unless your life is absolutely worthless.  Your life worths more than the possible wealth that sha-fighting generates.

The crown jewel of this school probably is how to convert an inauspicious region into auspicious.  The writer specifically warns, “do not publicize this; only teach to your indoor student ……”

How do you know these so-called “lineage secrets” are for real?

The first thing is to observe your Sifu or teacher– is s/he a righteous or honorable person?   Does s/he do what s/he preaches? How s/he treats people gives you a general idea of how credible s/he is.  But this has no guarantee either if s/he is a charismatic person.

A real secret is like a lighting rod that suddenly illuminates everything– something that make you yell “Ah!” Suddenly everything makes sense after you have ”plugged” in the secret.

A not-so-real secret will complicate your mind even more instead of simplifying it.  Real secrets normally are simple and eloquent.

Most contents of this hand-written manuscript were published in books except the critical components or “lineage secrets” are missing.  It costs an arm and leg to become an “indoor student” to get the “real thing”.

“How about share your lineage secrets here?”

Good try! Pal.  My old teacher still needs to make a living out of it.  He has not given me any dead-bed instructions yet. 

The implication is: if any Feng Shui guy or teacher promises making you a millionaire/billionaire without looking at your 4P or astrological chart, you may be better off donate your tuition to charity and collect some positive karma points.   Your meng or fate has more influences on your well-being than Feng Shui.

Ken Lai

“Practical Date-Selection Methods (incl. XKDG) w/ 12 hr. video
“Practical Imperial Qi-men-Dun-Jia” w/ 10 hr. video
“Daoist Talismans for Feng Shui & Blessing” v.2 w/ 24 hr video
“Practical Door Feng Shui for Wealth” w/ 3 hr. video
“4-Pillars Forecasting Bootcamp” with 12 hr. video

http://www.kenlaifengshui.com/
http://kenlaifengshui.blogspot.com/

At US$9100 per sq. ft., Hong Kong’s Tian-hui Skyscraper (天匯) is the most expensive real estate in the world.

The building is 40 storeys high– but it has an 88th floor at the highest level! What is going on?

In western societies, the number 13 is considered inauspicious, so some builders have deliberately “skipped” the 13th floor for their buildings. Donald Trump’s Trump Tower has done that. For the Chinese, the number 4 sounds like “death”, so some buidings will have no 4th, 14th, 40th and 44th floors.

If you go to any China-town, you will see many cars with license plates like “888″, “168″, “118″ and the likes. Properties with “8″ number can also be sold at higher prices. Chinese like the number 8 because it sounds like “prosperity” or “getting rich”.

Tian-hui Skyscaper is 40 storeys high with 34 residential floors. The followings are the floor number assignments:
*1- 6th floor (commercial/parking)
*8 – 12th floor (5 floors): no 13 and 14th
*15- 23rd floor (9 floors): no 24th
*25- 33rd floor (9 floors): no 34th
*35- 39th floor (9 floors): no 40- 59th
*60- 61 floor (2 floor): no 62nd
*63rd floor (no 64-65th)
*66th floor (no 67th)
*68th floor (no 69-87, jumps to 88th)
*88th floor

This is the most blatant and haphazard floor numbering to attract buyers in history.

Some local consumer groups complain that the real estate developer misleads the public on the numbering of the floors for financial gains. Local politicans criticize the Hong Kong government of failing to regulate the industry. The “4th Uncle”, nickname of the developer, said, “Buyers are delighted with the floor numbers!”

Whoever can afford US$9100 per sq. ft. or US$56M for a 6200 sq.  ft. unit in the building should not be too stupid.

Incidentially, the height of the building is 152 meters. “152″ sounds like “not easy to maintain the #1 position” in the local Cantonese dialect. In terms of Feng Shui, 5-2 combination means disaster and major sickness or even death! Fortunately the “1″ mitigates the negative effects of 5-2 a little bit.

Ken Lai

“Practical Date-Selection Methods (incl. XKDG) w/ 12 hr. video
“Practical Imperial Qi-men-Dun-Jia” w/ 10 hr. video
“Daoist Talismans for Feng Shui & Blessing” v.2 w/ 24 hr video
“Practical Door Feng Shui for Wealth” w/ 3 hr. video
“4-Pillars Forecasting Bootcamp” with 12 hr. video

http://www.kenlaifengshui.com
http://kenlaifengshui.blogspot.com

Xu month  starts and runs till Nov. 16.  Chou year (2009) and xu month already form “semi-3-penalties“.  When it runs into a wei day, the day becomes a “year-breaker” day plus “3-penalties” day– not suitable to make major decision or traveling (susceptible to traffic accident).

The following days are ram days, clashing ox and forming a  “3-penalties day” with xu month–  10/29 (ding-wei day) and 11/10 (ji-wei day).   You better stay home and avoid traveling or doing anything important or making major decision.

The chou-xu-wei combination is especially inauspicious for people with ram, ox and dog animal sign.  Even if you do not have these animal signs, but your spouse palace (day branch) has a wei (ram), chou (ox) or xu (dog), you should be extra careful during this month too.  It is not too late to get the Immortal Lu safe-driving metal talisman or at least you put a protection symbol of your favorite deity or religion into your car.

Ken Lai

“Practical Date-Selection Methods (incl. XKDG)w/ 12 hr. video
“Practical Imperial Qi-men-Dun-Jia” w/ 10 hr. video
“Daoist Talismans for Feng Shui & Blessing” v.2 w/ 24 hr video
“Practical Door Feng Shui for Wealth” w/ 3 hr. video
“4-Pillars Forecasting Bootcamp” with 12 hr. video

http://www.kenlaifengshui.com
http://kenlaifengshui.blogspot.com

I have run into a case of a ding-fire day-master (DM) with heart problem. But the client does not know her birth hour. Her current 10-year-luck has just entered into strong water formation. Heart problem normally involves ding-fire.

So naturally I would think she is a weak DM, but plugging in all 12 possible Chinese hours into her chart.  However, only one hour will make her DM strong, all the rest will be weak– 1/12 chance.

I need to find more evidence to prove that she indeed is a strong DM.

How? By asking questions on personality, family relationship and personal preferences. Questions like:
– who makes more decisions– you or your spouse?
– your spouse beats you up or you beat up your spouse?
– what colors do you like?
– do you take your time to do things?
……..

The answers I got match to that of a strong DM. So what I can deduce is that even if water is favorable to a strong Ding day-master, but too much of a good thing still screws her heart up. It is all about yin-yang balance. She is over 70 years old.

Amazingly, I checked the Feng Shui of her house— her bedroom is in NE with 5-9 star (causing heart, blood or eye problems) and annual 2-sickness star is at her main door. In terms of 8-mansions Feng Shui, her room is in “disaster” palace.

This is another case of 4P and Feng Shui synchonize to each other. I’ve used techniques from my Destiny Management courses plus Feng Shui cures for this case. Here are the cures used:

– certain plants
– coins
– white crystal
– removing certain items from her house

Ain’t they green and natural?

Ken Lai

“Practical Date-Selection Methods (incl. XKDG)w/ 12 hr. video
“Practical Imperial Qi-men-Dun-Jia” w/ 10 hr. video
“Daoist Talismans for Feng Shui & Blessing” v.2 w/ 24 hr video
“Practical Door Feng Shui for Wealth” w/ 3 hr. video
“4-Pillars Forecasting Bootcamp” with 12 hr. video

http://www.kenlaifengshui.com
http://kenlaifengshui.blogspot.com

There are no commonly agreed translations of 4P terms. Different schools or teachers translate 4P terms according to his/her personal preferences. There are three major rules used in translations:

1. Literal translations: This simply gives a faithful and very often, horrible (in terms of culture shock) translations of the terms. For examples, “shi-shen” is translated as “eating god”, “qi-sha” becomes “7-killings”, “shang-guan” becomes “hurting officials or officers” and the likes. Problem with literal translations is that it may biase students’perception towards certain terms as “bad” because it sounds horrible. In reality, every one of the “10 gods” or ‘transformation stars” (my terminology) can be positive or negative depending on the composition of the 4P chart. Another common misconception is the ubiquitious uses of the term “god” in 4P, like “useful god” (yong shen), “enmity god” (chou shen) and the like, making 4P sound “religious” when it is actually more statistical in nature.

2. Pin-yin translations: This gives a transliteration of the 4P terms like “shi-shen”, “zheng-guan” and etc. It takes some time to get used to these foreign terms. But it is great when you go back to the original Chinese texts or switching teachers/school.

3. Translation based on interpreted meanings: This translates the 4P terms based on the understanding of the translator. For example, shi-shen and shang-guan are translated as “output” stars. But different people have different understanding of the terms, so the translations can sometimes be confusing and shocking as well. Good translations under this should be “value-free” or NOT “value-laden”. It should also give meanings that are faitful or close to the original meanings of the terms. The translated terms should not influence the perception of the readers and students.

4. Mixing of all of the above

The following examples are the common translations of 4P’s “10 gods” or “transformation stars”:

4P TERMS: 10 GODS OR TRANSFORMATION STARS TRANSLATIONS
Jie-cai 劫财
Ken: JC, +peer (“+” stands for polarity “yang”)
Others: rob wealth, competitor, unfriendly parallel, contender-star, unfriendly partner

Bi-jian 比肩 
Ken: BJ, -peer (“-” stands for polarity “yin”)
Others: friend, collegue, unfriendly parallel, friend-star, friendly buddy,

Pian-cai偏财
Ken: PC, –wealth
Others: indirect wealth, wealth, unbecoming wealth, unexpected wealth, unexpected property, windfall star, godsend wealth, unexpected possession

Zheng-yin正印 
Ken: ZY, +resource
Others: direct resource, resource/education, proper resource, main funds, proper care, mother-star, willingly nourished

Pian-yin 偏印 
Ken: PY, –resource
Others: indirect resource, resource/education, unbecoming resource, unexpected funds, unbecoming care, guardian star, unwillingly nourished

Shang-guan伤官
Ken: SG, +output
Others: hurting officer, intelligence/aspirations, drastic ouput, actor-star, offending-star, harsh output

Shi-shen食神 
Ken: SS, –output
Others: eating god, intelligence/aspirations, gracious output, artist-star, food-star, emotional IQ

Zheng-guan正官 
Ken: ZG, +power
Others: direct officer, power/status, proper power, discipline, angel star, the obedience

Qi-sha七杀 
Ken: QS, –power
Others: 7-killings, power/status, unbecoming power, unbecoming discipline, evil star, the stern

My personal bias is trying to make the translated terms as neutral as possible, so as not influencing the reader’s perception. Each of these 10 “stars” or “gods” can be positive or negative depending on the combination of the natal chart and luck periods.

I do not mean other translations are not as “good” or “horrible” as mine. Translations reflect the worldviews, command of the Chinese language and mental conditions of the translators.

Ken Lai

“Practical Date-Selection Methods (incl. XKDG) w/ 12 hr. video
“Practical Imperial Qi-men-Dun-Jia” w/ 10 hr. video
“Daoist Talismans for Feng Shui & Blessing” v.2 w/ 24 hr video
“Practical Door Feng Shui for Wealth” w/ 3 hr. video
“4-Pillars Forecasting Bootcamp” with 12 hr. video

http://www.kenlaifengshui.com
http://kenlaifengshui.blogspot.com

A friend told me that he has an eye surgery. Recently I also have problem with my right eye– a big floating particle blurs my vision from time to time.

This friend encourages me to see an eye doctor ASAP. So I called an eye doctor for an appointment. But I can’t get in until 4 weeks later. The doctor is very busy!

  

Someone has canceled his appointment and I took over this morning. The doctor went through the normal examination like dilating my pupil, checking the cornea and retina… etc. Dr. M found the “floater” inside my eye.

Dr. M is around 60 years old and pretty friendly and casual.

Dr. M found the “floater” inside my eye. Floater is the falling debris inside one’s eye due to the aging of eye tissues.

“You did nothing to create that floater problem. It is simply that you are OLD! Older people have problem like this” The doctor said.

Doctor M is darn honest. This hurts more than me being the culprit!

“Is there any medication to fix this floater problem?”

“No.”

“Do I need any surgery to get rid of it?”

“Surgery is normally not needed, unless the floater bothers you. It normally disintegrates after a month or two.” The doctor replied.

“I’m into astrology. Do you have more patients this year than the average?” I asked the doctor because I suspect there is correlation between a strong earth year (2009) and eye problems.

“I don’t know. I just keep working everyday in the last few weeks.” Doctor M replied. Age must catches up with her too.

“So you think astrology has something to do with eye problems?” She curiously asked.

“Yes, I think strong earth energy cause more eye problems.”

 Well, to keep the story short, Dr. M said that I do not need to see her again unless something happen to my eyes and gave me some free eye-drops sample.

 In terms of 4P, current year ji-chou (earth-ox) is a strong earth year and my own chart has a pair of earth (stem and branch) and fire. The strong earth drains my fire. Fire stands for eyes and heart. So I think if one’s chart has weak fire and strong earth and annual luck brings in more earth, one’s eyes may have problem.

 If a chart has a lot of earth already, the likely health issues will be digestive system and skin fro 2009.

Ken Lai

“Practical Date-Selection Methods (incl. XKDG)w/ 12 hr. video
“Practical Imperial Qi-men-Dun-Jia” w/ 10 hr. video
“Daoist Talismans for Feng Shui & Blessing” v.2 w/ 24 hr video
“Practical Door Feng Shui for Wealth” w/ 3 hr. video
“4-Pillars Forecasting Bootcamp” with 12 hr. video
http://www.kenlaifengshui.com
http://kenlaifengshui.blogspot.com

I have only offered these metal talismans to my “Daoist Talismans” class students in the last 4 years. I got reports about that cars were totaled during accidents but the drivers did not suffer any injury with these metal talismans. There are also reports about protection from fire from the home protection talisman. So they are tested to be working pretty well.

I bought these metal talismans from a Daoist temple in Hong Kong. These talismans were put on the altar of the “Celestial Mother of the Stars” (Dou Mu) in a Grand Duke Hall. Dou Mu is the “boss” of the 60 Grand Dukes (Tai Sui). You may see some incense smoke on these talismans if I do not clean them before sending it out. So these talismans have absorbed the prayers and blessings of people and Daoist priests who had prayed to Dou Mou.

What is the big deal with Dou Mu? Most accidents, injuries, sickness and misfortunes are attributed to one’s annual luck pillar (as in 4-Pillars) or current year’s Grand Duke. So if you have something that has the blessing of Grand Duke’s boss or mother, you may be able to get away from the misfortunes (Pal, it is all about relationship! ).

Why metal and not paper talisman? Most paper talismans last only one year. Metal talismans will last forever– your great-great- great grandson can use it even after a few hundred years. All you need to do is “recharging” it once per year with my simple instructions.

These talismans come in 3 versions:
1. Safe-driving talisman (Hexagon shape, 5 cm diameter)
– a must if you have teenager driver
– if your city has too many crazy drivers
– if your animal sign clashes the current Grand Duke

2. Home-protection talisman  (Hexagon shape, 5 cm diameter)
– protects your home from fire, burglary
– compensate for bad Feng Shui

The front side has a portrait of Immortal Lu (one of the 8 Immortals in Daoism). Back side has a powerful talisman. I’ve enclosed a picture of these talismans.

Although these hexagon-shaped talismans are inscribed with specific purpose, you can still take it out and carry with you when you:
– do Feng Shui audits, for spiritual protection
– go to hospitals
– go to funeral home or cemetery
– haunted places

3. Pendant version talisman (Oval shape, 3.4 cm. diameter w/ red neck string)
– the hexagon talisman may be too bulky, this one is easily to carry around
– general protection purposes

All the metal talismans have been benedicted and empowered by Daoist priests.

Here is how to order this talisman:
PRICE: US$30 each    (while supply lasts)
– please specify “safe-driving”,  “home protection” or “pendant“
SHIPPING: US$1 (USA); $2 (outside USA)
PAYMENT TYPE: VISA/MC or PAYPAL
Email to: kenlai88@yahoo. com
– for instructions on how to make payment

“30″ sounds like “guarantee to survive” in Cantonese.

Be prepared!  People with Ram animal sign need one for this year’s Grand Duke.  People with Monkey animal sign will need one for next year.

Too poor to spare $30? No problem– if you had purchased any correspondence course from me in the last few years, you have already gotten a red talisman card with each course. You can stick that card onto your car windscreen or home windows as protection.

Ken Lai

“Practical Date-Selection Methods (incl. XKDG) w/ 12 hr. video
“Practical Imperial Qi-men-Dun-Jia” w/ 10 hr. video
“Daoist Talismans for Feng Shui & Blessing” v.2 w/ 24 hr video
“Practical Door Feng Shui for Wealth” w/ 3 hr. video
“4-Pillars Forecasting Bootcamp” with 12 hr. video
http://www.kenlaifengshui.com/
http://kenlaifengshui.blogspot.com/

Click on the pix to see bigger image

http://kenlaifengshui.blogspot.com/2008/07/big-black-cat-and-baby-cricket.htmlI notice that meow-meow tends to sleeps on certain locations. She sleeps on Feng Shui system’s timely “8-white star” location. “8-white star” is the most auspicious star during Period 8 (2004- 2023).

My house has 3-levels. She just sleeps on the “8-white star” locations of each level! This feline knows Feng Shui. I can rent it out to do Feng Shui for people. Next section is some Feng Shui tips for cat directly from Master Meow-meow.

FENG SHUI FOR CATS
The Chinese zodiac animals do not really include little cats. But it has a big cat– tiger. So we also group cats under the tiger category.

Cat’s elemental nature is wood. Metal chops wood. Too much metal will hurt the health of your cat. So you should not put too many metal objects around your cat.

Period 8 is current Feng Shui’s time dimension. The ruling star is 8 or Gen trigram. Tiger or “Yin” is part of the Gen trigram (dog is Gen under the Yi-jing system ). So taking good care of a cat means you are taking care of the ruler star 8 or your wealth! Go adopt a cat from your local Animal Humane Society will bring you more good luck during Period 8.

The following link is another blog message about cat.
http://kenlaifengshui.blogspot.com/2008/05/4-pillars-reading-for-cats.html

Ken Lai

“Practical Date-Selection Methods (incl. XKDG) w/ 12 hr. video
“Practical Imperial Qi-men-Dun-Jia” w/ 10 hr. video
“Daoist Talismans for Feng Shui & Blessing” v.2 w/ 24 hr video
“Practical Door Feng Shui for Wealth” w/ 3 hr. video
“4-Pillars Forecasting Bootcamp” with 12 hr. video

http://www.kenlaifengshui.com

Why some people’s dogs are sick all the time while others are strong and healthy? This may be due to their “dog Feng Shui“.

Dog is one of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals. Under this system, dog is located in NW or the “Xu” mountain of the 24 mountains system in Feng Shui.

The 12 zodiac animals also represent the earthly branch system in Chinese metaphysics and calendar system. Dog or Xu combines with tiger (“Yin“) and horse (“Wu“). It also combines with rabbit (“Mao“). So the directions represented by these animals will be favorable to dog.

If your main door is located in one of the following directions, it will be good for dog-raising and your dog is likely be strong and healthy:

–NE (tiger) direction
–South (Horse) direction
–East (rabbit) direction
–NW (dog) direction

If your main door does not fall into none of these 4 favorable directions for dog, you can put your dog kennel in one of the above directions in your house or yard.

Dog clashes with dragon. Dragon stands for SE direction. So if your main door sits on SE, your dog may get sick more often. You at least put its kennel in one of the 4 good directions listed above.

Dog’s elemental nature is earth. Earth produces metal. Too much metal will drain the health of your dog. So you should not put too many metal objects around your dog and avoid metal kennel.

Period 8 is current Feng Shui’s time dimension. The ruling star is 8 or Gen trigram. Gen also stands for dog in Yi-jing (I-Ching, the Book of Changes). So taking good care of a dog means you are taking care of the ruler star 8 or your wealth! Go adopt a dog from your local Animal Humane Society will bring you more good luck during Period 8.

If you want to understand the logic behind these favorable dog directions, you can check the rules governing heavenly stems and earthly branches OR simply take my “4-Pillars Bootcamp” video correspondence course.

Ken Lai

“Practical Date-Selection Methods (incl. XKDG) w/ 12 hr. video
“Practical Imperial Qi-men-Dun-Jia” w/ 10 hr. video
“Daoist Talismans for Feng Shui & Blessing” v.2 w/ 24 hr video
“Practical Door Feng Shui for Wealth” w/ 3 hr. video
“4-Pillars Forecasting Bootcamp” with 12 hr. video

http://www.kenlaifengshui.com
http://kenlaifengshui.blogspot.com