What is Feng Shui and How Does It Work?

Feng shui (say fung shway), often called the art of placement, could just as accurately be called the art of flow. This ancient Chinese practice, literally translated as wind and water, aims to maximize the beneficial movement of chi--the universal life force present in all things--through an environment.

Just as fresh air and clean water nourish our bodies, so does fresh, clean chi nourish our homes and our lives. When the flow of chi through our space is blocked, weak, or misdirected, our relationships, cash flow, creativity, health, and career can suffer. Chi wants to meander gracefully through a space, like a gentle breeze or a winding stream. When it flows too strongly, it becomes like a hurricane or flood. We are likely to feel tossed about by winds of change, unstable, prone to crises, struggling to keep our heads above water. Where chi is blocked it becomes stale and stagnant, like a pond choked with algae and fallen leaves. We may feel tired, run down, depre ssed, unable to focus, hampered in our efforts to move forward in our lives.

In a corporate environment, poor feng shui can result in miscommunication between managers and employees, conflicts among team members, and lack of support for key initiatives. Individuals may be overlooked for promotions or deserved raises, suffer damage to their reputation in the company, or even lose their job. The company may have difficulty attracting or keeping key customers.

In a retail store, feng shui problems can block the flow of customers into and through the store, contribute to theft and staffing problems, and have a negative effect on the amount and size of sales.

Feng shui provides tools and guidelines for analyzing and correcting the flow of energy into and through our space. It uses the arrangement of rooms and the placement of furniture to create a smooth pathway for chi through a home, office, or retail location. Blockages and other forms of negative chi are rem oved or counteracted in order to welcome in opportunities and encourage progress. Colors and shapes associated with the five elements-wood, fire, earth, metal, and water-are used to create movement, balance, or protection, depending on the needs of the client. Imagery and objects such as paintings, photographs, statuary and other accessories are chosen and placed to enhance and reinforce the client's intention.

Feng Shui reminds us that everything is connected, and that our physical surroundings have a significant impact on our mind, body, and spirit. It teaches us to be mindful caretakers of our environments, so that we may be mindful caretakers of our lives.

Copyright 2002 Stephanie Roberts

About The Author

Stephanie Roberts is a feng shui consultant in Maui, Hawaii, and the author of the best-selling Fast Feng Shui books (rated 5-stars by Amazon.com readers). To find out how you can use contemporary Western feng shui to help you achieve greater su ccess and happiness in your life, please visit http://www.fastfengshui.com or subscribe to the Fast Feng Shui newsletter at mailto:subscribe@fastfengshui.com and receive free feng shui tips by email.

stephanie@fastfengshui.com

Author:: Stephanie Roberts
Keywords:: feng shui,chinese art,chinese belief,Peace,Harmony,Attraction,self improvement,Fortune,Luck,Prosperi
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Communism Is On The March

Many have said that Democracy is on the march and we now have 126 countries in the world; nearly half which have a democracy style of government. Decades the prior we were all worried about Beehive Syndrome and Communism, as the Domino Affect was to be prevented at all costs, including US countrymen and soldiers blood. But today we see a new trend towards socialism and communism in South America and one would have thought in watching all the national successes due to Democracy that indeed this would continue.

However, today we see Bolivia, conveniently stealing foreign business and taking over gas and oil companies in their country. Refusing to honor contract renewal arrangements and spitting in the face of capitalism, one of the main components of their economies strengths and of their Democracy. Why? Have we failed to show the best side of Democracy or are those entrusted by the people too short sided to see the benefits for the leadership and the whole of the peop le?

Are communism style dictatorships on the March in South and Central America? Is Democracy fading away and those nations who ditch this gift of freedom, liberty and rule for the people and by the people doomed to repeat the fall of past civilizations of mankind in this Hemisphere? Is the leader of Bolivia, busy taking advice from Castro, Red China, Venezuela? If so, doesnt the USA need to send out Video Tapes, manuals, visual presentations to all these nations to educate them on the reality of the flows of civilization and why Democracy is the best long term choice?

Lance Winslow

Author:: Lance Winslow
Keywords:: Communism is On The March
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Child Muay Thai Boxers

One Friday night in January I was in Hua Hin, Thailand with nothing to do so I decided to go and watch the Friday Night Muay Thai contest held at Grand Sport Hua Hin on Petchkasem Road. I had received a flyer earlier in the street promoting the event and decided that it might be worth checking out.

Apparently there are two Muay Thai venues in Hua Hin and this wasn't the real one, but if I wanted to go that night I didn't have much of a choice. It wasn't a stadium as such, more like a gym that had a ring in the middle and some chairs set up on two sides. I believe they have Muay Thai lessons there every day. There wasn't a live band there either so the music didn't get faster as the matches progressed, we had to make do with a taped loop.

The admission price was 500 baht, a little expensive I was informed by a local bar owner, but I wasn't complaining. Also any tuk tuk or taxi in Hua Hin will take you to the venue for free, just show them the flyer. That amazed me.

The first fight started at 9pm, if I remember correctly it was a couple of 12 year old or so boys. Interesting enough and I was amazed by their already ripped physiques, especially their stomach muscles. There were a number of other fights including a 16 year old girl versus a 19 year old girl that was stopped after the second round because the older girl sustained an injury. After a while a section on one side of the ring that didn't have any seats set up by it started to fill up with Thai patrons. A number of them had brought blankets and were sitting there watching the matches. I remember wondering at the time if they too had paid 500 baht to get in. Somehow I doubted it.

Anyway, to get to the point of this story, one of the main events that was being touted all night by the announcer was a match between a nine year old boy and a nine year old girl. This long awaited match finally got underway at 11pm. As they were entering the ring it was announced that the boy was so confident that he would win that he had bet 7000 baht on himself. This was announced several times over the loudspeaker. I pondered where a nine year old boy would get 7000 baht as I sat there looking up at the No Gambling sign posted to the wall (in English only) above the bar. The fighters came out to much excitement by the crowd, including myself and they were gorgeous, especially the little girl.

I may be mistaken but I believe the ceremonial dance that the boxers do before the match is called the Wai Klu. In each of the matches that night one of the boxers did the dance while the other stayed in his or her corner. For this match the girl was the one to perform the dance. Only this time she did something that I had not seen any of the other boxers do during their ceremonial dance s. I'll do my best here to describe it but I doubt that I can do it justice. Starting in her corner she would face her opponent who was standing in his corner on the other side of the ring. She would take one or two steps forward while twisting her body back towards her corner, then she would stomp her foot towards her opponent at the same time as sending an imaginary punch his way, which he would deflect with his hands, much to the delight of the crowd. This continued until she reached his corner, with him knocking away her imaginary punches each time. Then she would head back towards her ring, two or three slow steps at a time, looking back over her shoulder with each step, give him an appraising look, shake her head and take some more steps. Finally she looked satisfied that he was weakened enough and she concluded her dance. I don't think I can sufficiently explain how exciting this was.

Finally the match gets underway, and just like a mouse's heart beats a hundred times faster than the much larger dog, their movements seemed to be a lot faster than the previous boxers' movements. I was as excited if not more so than the rest of the crowd. Her arms were longer than his so she was getting in a few more punches than he was. Whenever she hit him I'd let out a roaring cheer, however when he kicked her I would cringe and have to stifle a cry of , Hey she's a girl! leave her alone!! I think I might have been a little too into it. The rounds were only two minutes each as opposed to the 3 minute rounds of the older fighters, but by the 4th round the girl's face was showing clear signs that she was getting tired. My heart broke. After a while though I started to have terrible misgivings about the whole adventure. Thoughts like What are you watching?! and You are paying people who make two little kids fight! ran through my mind. I was feeling very conflicted by the whole situation. I was able to put those thoughts to the back of my mind though when they announced that the winner was the girl. The whole place erupted and I am not afraid to say that I almost had a tear in my eye. I was so happy for her.

But then I started to feel a little sorry for the boy, who not only had to live with being beaten by a girl, but he had lost 7000 baht (if that story was to be believed.) After the fight both of the kids went around the audience and posed for photos and accepted money from the crowd. I gave her 100 baht and him 20. Now all he needed was another 6980 baht. When I posed for my photo with her I put my arm around her shoulder and I could feel her arm on the other side. It was rock solid. There was one more match after that, apparently a champion of the south versus a champion of the north, but I soon lost interest and went back to the hotel after the kids had gone.

In the songtaew on the way back I started to think about the whole night and had a number of questions. I wonder if they were really fighting or i f they were like a brother and sister and have that same fight for the tourists every week? I wonder if they go to school like other kids. I would imagine it takes a lot of training to get to that kind of level, plus the announcer had mentioned that typical Muay Thai boxers train for 12 hours a day. I wonder if they get to keep the money that they are given by the tourists or if unscrupulous event organizers pocket it. Or do their parents collect it?

Aaron Christe writes about Thai culture, people and experiences at www.christicles.com He will also show you how to fly cheaply to Thailand at Cheap flights to Thailand

Author:: Aaron Christe
Keywords:: Thailand,Muay Thai,child boxers,
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The Museum of Buddhist Art A Rare Collection of Buddha Statues

The Museum of Buddhist Art in Bangkok is reputed to have the biggest collection of Buddha statues, sculptures and figurines based on Buddhist Art work from kingdoms dating back to the 6th century AD. The exhibits reflect the cultural heritage of the various kingdoms in Thailand and neighboring kingdoms as well.

Visitors to the Museum of Buddhist Art are usually advised to stArt their tour in an annex to the main building that houses the Kuan Yin Palace and Museum which displays statues of Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy. The courtyard outside this museum has six miniature wooden palaces housing Chinese deities.

The main theme of the Museum of Buddhist Art, however, is housed in eight rooms upstairs in the main building displaying Buddha statues, sculptures and figurines from the different kingdoms that had an impact on Thai Art and culture.

The various schools of Buddhist Art of each era blended with the previous and added its distinct touch. Detailed explanations are provided for the Buddha statues, their characteristics, different postures and subtle variations in the folds of the robes.

The museum is a useful source of knowledge for the scholar of Buddhist Art and Buddha sculptures. The casual visitor, seeking an overview of an important aspect of Thai culture, would find this museum interesting as well.

Buddhist Art from the various kingdoms displayed in the Museum of Buddhist Art

Dvaravati Art (6th 11th centuries AD)

Dvaravati Art is based on the culture of the United Kingdom of Dvaravati in Nakhon Phahom, Central Thailand established by the Mon from Burma. The Buddhist Art work of this period is based on the Southern India and Sri Lanka models.

Srivijaya Art (7th 14th centuries)

The Srivijaya kingdom covered Sumatra, Java, the Malay Peninsula and Southern Thailand, right up to Surat Thani and Nakhon Sri Thammarat. The Art form from this era had a rich mix of Indian, Khmer, Sri Lanka, Java and Sumatra cultures.

Khmer Art (11th - 19th centuries)

From 6th 14th centuries, the Khmer Empire in Cambodia ruled over Laos and northeastern Thailand (Isarn). Khmer Art was to have an enduring legacy on Buddhist Art work for centuries to come.

Burmese Art (11th - 19th centuries)

Burmese Art evolved from the various ethnic groups in the ancient Burmese kingdom of Pagan. The Burmese, Mon, Arakan, Tai-yai kingdoms developed Buddhist Art during their respe ctive reigns. All these groups had an influence on Thai Art.

Sukhothai Art (13th 15th centuries)

Art flourished in the Sukhothai Kingdom under the reign of King Ramkhamhaeng. Classic Sukhothai Art soon emerged from the Khmer influence and established its unique style.

Ayuthaya Art (1350 1767)

The exhibits on Ayuthaya Art in the Museum of Buddhist Art represents the longest period in Thai Art. Pre-Ayuthaya Art was a combination of Khmer Art of the Bayon period (the Bayon temples in Cambodia) and Dvaravati Art, a mixture which was known as U Thong Art.

The establishment of Ayuthaya produced a blend of Khmer and Sukhothai styles which gradually evolved into its own distinctive character in the 16th century.

Lanna Art (13th - 20th centuries)

The Lanna kingdom (Land of a M illion Fields) was established by King Mengrai in northern Thailand in 1296. Pure Lanna Art developed when the kingdom was independent. Lanna came under Burmese rule and later under Thai rule. The Buddha statues during these periods had their subtle differences.

Lan Xang Art (14th 18th centuries)

The Lan Xang kingdom (Land of a Million Elephants) was founded by King Fah Ngum in the 14th century after the fall of Sukhothai. The kingdom covered present day Laos and pArts of nor theastern Thailand. King Fah Ngum made Buddhism the state religion and so began an Art form that also left its mark on Buddhist Art.

Thonburi Art (1767 1782)

Thonburi Art had a brief period as the kingdom lasted for only 15 years.

Rattanakosin Art (1782 present)

What followed was Rattanakosin Art of the modern Bangkok era. The Buddha statues and sculptures during the reign of the Chakri Kings developed a distinct identity of their own.

The other eight rooms in the Museum of Buddhist Art are not directly related to the central theme but are equally interesting. These cover Artifacts from the pre-historic Ban Chiang cult ure, Yao paintings, stone sculptures.

An unusual set of exhibits in this museum is the room displaying statues of Jesus Christ and Mother Mary, a reflection of the religious tolerance in Buddhist society.

The Museum of Buddhist Art embodies not just the Art and culture evolved for more than a millennium through the rise and fall of several kingdoms. It symbolizes the philosophy of moderation and tolerance, values that serve as a beacon of light in these troubled times.

For more Bangkok Museums.

The Museum of Buddhist Art first appeared in Tour Bangkok Legacies a historical travel site on people, places and events that left their mark in the landscape of Bangkok.

The author Eric Lim, a free-lance writer, lives in Bangkok Thailand.

Author:: Eric Lim
Keywords:: Museum of Buddhist Art, Buddhist Art work, Buddha statues, Buddha sculpture, Buddha figurines
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Cultural Traditions In China

Unlike the United States which is 200 plus years old, China is an Ancient country and Civilization. This has led to long standing rules of conduct in society that are of great interest.

China is an Ancient country, with thousands of years of history which lay a rich basis for the lives of its inhabitants today. While some of the Ancient Chinese myths and cultural traditions have been forgotten or are no longer observed, many of them are still remembered and incorporated into everyday life. Taking a look into the cultural traditions of China can reveal a lot about the way that the people live.

One of the most interesting bits of Chinese lore can be found in what is known as the Jade Culture. Jade is a stone that was first identified in the first Chinese dictionary, known as Shuo Wen Jie Zi, in around 100 AD. There are two types of Jade: soft Jade, known as nephrite, which is native to China, and hard Jade (Jadeite) which was imported from Burma starting in the 1 200's. Jade is important in China not only because of its beauty, but also for its virtue and cultural significance. Confucius said that Jade had 11 virtues, some of which include the fact that it stands for beauty, purity and grace. The Chinese character for Jade, Yu, is often used in names and sayings to connote beauty.

Another of the many Chinese cultural traditions is the Bamboo Culture. Bamboo is one of four favorite plants seen in China they are Bamboo, Chinese plum, chrysanthemum and orchid. The characters of these plants are highly prized, so much so that Chinese people want to be like the plants in character. Bamboo is grown pretty much everywhere in China, with most people having gardens in which they grow Bamboo. Bamboo chopsticks are the most common form of tableware in China, and Bamboo is also the material out of which the Chinese flute is made. People often use Bamboo paintbrushes, and Bamboo Culture festivals are even held throughout the year.

A final cultural tradition can be seen in the dragon Culture. Dragons are an important part of Chinese tradition, so much so that people from China often consider themselves to be the descendants of the dragon. China's emperors believed that they truly were dragons, calling the beds they slept on dragon beds, and even their robes dragon robes. Dragons are also seen all over the imperial palaces, and dragon screens are seen as a symbol of the emperor's power.

Richard Monk is with Facts Monk - a site with facts about everything.

Author:: Richard Monk
Keywords:: China, Culture, Chinese, Bamboo, Jade, Civilization, Ancient, Asia,
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