western fs vs. chinese fs

[Bam]

why is the western version feng shui bases all the sectors by the placement of doors. for example, in chinese fs, relationship sector is located in the southwest direction. western version places relationship sector in the far right hand corner of the room from the door or entrance. i find this confusing. can i get a clarification?

[Cecil Lee]

Dear Bam,
1. In my opinion, Black Sect Tantric Buddhist (BTB) appears to have been a modern "invention" fabricated in the mind of one person: Thomas Lin Yun. It has no basis in or connected to Traditional Chinese Feng Shui.
2. BTB is not recognised by many practitioners of Traditional Chinese Feng Shui. Traditional practitioners also consider BTB to be Psuedo-Feng Shui. It is based primarily on a marketing scheme derived from superstition and profit.
Hear the founder of Black Sect Lin Yun's confession. (You will be transported to Kate Bramble's website:)
http://www.qi-whiz.com/confess.html
3. The above article will certainly share light in the `marketing ploy'.
4. You are `correct' to say that BTB can be considered as a `western version' or rather western `invention' as the founder of BTB, has been populating this BTB in particular in USA.
5. For those who are staying in Asia, in particuar, Hong Kong; China; Taiwan and Far East i.e. Singapore, Malaysia, I can assure you that as far as I know, I have yet come across a BTB practitioner in such countries.
6. Thus, how can it be that, so many countries in Asia, does not even come close to such `teachings' or un-Feng Shui practises. This is thus a strong `signal' that we should not follow such methods.
Warmest Regards,
Cecil

Quote

On 1/5/2002 12:53:00 AM, Anonymous wrote:
why is the western version
feng shui bases all the
sectors by the placement of
doors. for example, in chinese
fs, relationship sector is
located in the southwest
direction. western version
places relationship sector in
the far right hand corner of
the room from the door or
entrance. i find this
confusing. can i get a
clarification?

[Bam]

I have bought a few books written by westerners and that means i wasted my money on them. Terah Kathryn Collins is one of the authors of the book I bought. She uses the doors/entrances as a basis for all sectors. Do you have any comments about her authority on Feng Shui. Her book "Western Guide to Feng Shui" mentions "Lin Yun" as part of her bibliography. Any comments on her. So, if I want to get a book on Traditional "real" Feng Shui, can you recommend an author? This means a great deal to me.
You might just have shed a light in this doubt I've had since I took possession of Collin's book.
Your feedback on any of these will be treasured.

[Cecil Lee]

Dear Bam,
1. Frankly, I have not read any books from Terah Kathryn Collins. But it the `Feng Shui' is based on fixed template then, it may not be relevant to authentic Feng Shui.
2. Nowadays, the market is flooded with (many, many) books on Feng Shui.
3. If you are in a book shop, take the opportunity to browse thru the books. It is preferred that one should purchase books that make us `learn' or understand.
Rather than many books that `sensationalises' Feng Shui. For example, books that may cause more harm then good: where the author, says .. play 3 coins in the accounts book or ehance the SW or romance sector.
4. It is because of such books, some published in the early 1980s that give the `wrong' signals and unfortunately give Feng Shui a bad name.
5. Two years ago, I read in a newsgroup; that a husband posted on the internet. He said that his life was ruined because, his wife, `kept' the secret of her FS consultations - as she had unfortunately consultated those who use a `marketing' ploy and inject some mysticism on the use of FS. The end result is, she spent a considerable sum on FS and the family got into financial difficulties.
6. Recommended Book authors:-
6.1. One good way to look at books are how many books did the author publish? Especially for one topic.
One classic book author, I would recommend is - Derek Walters .
7. Author: Derek Walters
For Feng Shui books, as far as I am aware, he wrote only two books:-
7.1. Title: " Feng Shui "
Perfect placing for your happiness and prosperity
In this richly illustrated and highly informative account, Derek Walters unravels the mysteries of traditional Chinese geomancy and presents simplified version of the ancient Chinese compass or Lo P'an to calculate fortunate locations and placings.
7.2. Title: " The Feng Shui Handbook "
This book gives a good understanding of the Five Elements Concept.
7.3. Although these books are written sometime back (one of the first books) on authentic Feng Shui, nevertheless, they are in my opinon `classics' for the beginner.
7.4. I like to caution that these books (really) teach or makes good grounding. If one is looking for " Fast food Feng Shui " or spoon fed tips, then these books are not for them.
8. Dr Evelyn Lip
Her books are always academically correct and has rich illustrations and most importantly ... facts and facts.
For those who are doing research for e.g. school projects on FS, can look up several of her books.
Titles like : Chinese Geomancy and other titles.
However, her books are (in my opinion) although contain history and facts, these books are more for reference. But if one reads them carefully, there are some good materials.
By the way, what led Dr Evelyn Lip wrote her first book was for her thesis when she first studied architecture in university.
9. Some of the `older' Lillian Too's book like " Basic Feng Shui " is acceptable especially for the understanding of Shapes and Form Feng Shui. But, I am not too keen to recommend other books as some of them do not really teach but as mentioned earlier, "sells" tips that may be too general and may ultimately cause damage.
10. You will not have a problem finding other FS books especially from authors who do not have associations with Lin Yun.
11. Nine Star-Ki
It is said and many confirm that Feng Shui started in China. There was a time where, Japan, which was close to China adopted another `holistic' method ie called Nine Star-Ki.
Today, Nine Star-Ki is popular in Japan and in the United Kingdom.
Essentially, Nine Star-Ki and The Flying Star Feng Shui are one and the same. As they use the Luo Shu Square.
But, Nine Star-Ki can be seen as a holistic `package' that looks more at personal " Flying Star. "
Unfortunately, it is difficult to `mix' Traditional Feng Shui e.g. The Flying Star FS with Nine Star-Ki.
So, it is best to learn one or the other.
If you decide to go for Nine Star-Ki then some of the authors include:
Jon Sandifer
and Simon Brown
12. Since you have alrady bought a few books on Feng Shui, I personally feel quite bad about it.
If you like to, please e-mail to Robert-Lee@geomancy.net so that we can give you a complimentary FREE download each of my two books:
a. Fun with Feng Shui and
b. Applied Feng Shui (which is derived from the course here). Gives a solid grounding in Feng Shui.
Warmest Regards,
Cecil

Quote

On 1/5/2002 1:31:00 PM, Anonymous wrote:
I have bought a few books
written by westerners and that
means i wasted my money on
them. Terah Kathryn Collins is
one of the authors of the book
I bought. She uses the
doors/entrances as a basis for
all sectors. Do you have any
comments about her authority
on Feng Shui. Her book
"Western Guide to Feng Shui"
mentions "Lin Yun" as part of
her bibliography. Any comments
on her. So, if I want to get a
book on Traditional "real"
Feng Shui, can you recommend
an author? This means a great
deal to me.
You might just have shed a
light in this doubt I've had
since I took possession of
Collin's book.
Your feedback on any of these
will be treasured.

[Bam]

Dear Cecil,
Thank you for your most informative feedback. I have to admit, I have visited Lillian Too's website a few times and noticed that she now has a "FS jewelry" being sold online. I was flabbergasted when I saw that. I immediately questioned her integrity. FS jewelries, of all things.......what's next, FS make-up or FS nail polish line? What color would give you luck on a job interview????? Anyway, I will look into the books/authors you mentioned.
Thank you again very much and hope you continue to share proper information.