tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116958972012-01-24T16:39:07.597ZAllanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.comBlogger5621100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-47012477363045885852012-01-21T19:57:00.002Z2012-01-21T20:03:17.427Z

On a short holiday outstation about five months ago, I paid a visit to a Guan Yin (Avalokitesvara or Goddess of Mercy) temple. A relative had mentioned that this particular temple’s oracles are accurate. It has been almost three decades since I last consulted a Guan Yin oracle, therefore I had to seek guidance from one of the temple assistants on how to go about it (qiu qian) the correct way.

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-78116815887392683452011-09-23T22:11:00.002+01:002011-09-23T22:23:20.703+01:00

Investors would be aware that since August till yesterday the global financial markets were in turmoil. According to Bloomberg reports about 10 trillion of dollars have been wiped out from the stock markets over this short period of time. Volatility in the financial markets has yet to subside. No one knows when it will subside. Those who have sold off their stocks in early July or those already

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-23890461460641751602011-03-21T18:21:00.002Z2011-03-21T18:49:31.542Z

If we want to deal with or write about something sensitive to others (regular readers, public, government authorities) we need to apply a softly-softly approach to the matter at hand. If it happens to be a matter of life or death then we may have to be more direct and to the point. Otherwise subtle hints will do if we want to be circumspect or discreet.Revealing and/or blogging on omens, given

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-280290553722491932011-03-12T11:48:00.003Z2011-03-12T12:11:10.897Z

In the study of the Book of Changes, how we question, divine, and interpret the prognostication depict our level of understanding of this ancient Chinese classic. The question can be simple and direct, the divination method can be through the use of yarrow stalks or three coins, and the interpretation by relying on the text and/or images of the Yijing. It goes without saying that the more

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-8127177882567609312011-02-25T19:01:00.005Z2011-02-25T19:57:42.478Z

Hexagram 43 Guai / Breakthrough is made up of a broken (dark) line at the top with five non broken (light) lines below. It signifies that one weak line is sitting on top of five strong lines. If in a prognostication, only the top line of Hexagram 1 Qian changes, the changed hexagram is Hexagram 43 Guai. It also means that the arrogant dragon in the top line of Hexagram 1 Qian becomes a weak

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-25848745138991444272011-02-14T09:58:00.002Z2011-02-14T10:11:50.262Z

It is noted in the Wikipedia that long distance or marathon runners would love to get a second wind where possible when they run out of breath during the distance running. The second wind, if any, would allow out-of- breath athletes “to continue the run at top performance with less exertion”. Such athletes would probably be in their prime and have trained very hard for this second wind

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-67266754137198003102011-02-04T16:39:00.001Z2011-02-04T16:44:48.341Z

The holy sages and the ancient sages (Laozi, Confucius, and Mencius) advise the able to go into hiding whenever there is no Tao on earth. Those who did not hide or were too late to do so suffered the consequences. And history keeps repeating itself down the millennia. The great wealth destruction from September 2008 onwards brought financial ruin to many across the world. Natural disasters

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-50319686059398561862011-01-26T19:36:00.003Z2011-01-26T19:46:55.839Z

The first time when I saw how a neidan student relate yin yang to his practice and the Book of Changes but fumbled, I had wanted to comment but I said nothing. Later the same student perhaps after checking with his teacher from a lineage in China tried to tie up the relationship between yin yang, earth and heaven but still could not convinced the audience (some discerning or skeptical Tao Bums)

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-1916251463189186342011-01-16T20:13:00.003Z2011-01-16T20:20:31.003Z

What the two great sages, Laozi and Confucius, know about the Book of Changes can be too deep for many Yi students. Therefore their thoughts on this ancient Chinese classic are often missed even by those who considered themselves scholars of ancient Chinese philosophy. Over the years, Yi students have tried linking up the Tao Te Ching to the Book of Changes without much success. It will be

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-22880635543811656372011-01-02T14:00:00.002Z2011-01-02T14:11:30.333Z

For thousands of years, people have searched for immortality. The best recorded example of such a search was that of Shi Huangdi, the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty. According to Sima Qian, the Grand Historian of the Han Dynasty, this emperor sent large groups of young girls and young boys to accompany the Daoists on two separate occasions in search for the mythical Peng Lai Island where

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-46388838216047721022010-12-15T17:28:00.002Z2010-12-15T17:45:49.959Z

It could be worthwhile for those who cultivate Tao or practise neidan to spend some time to read the Taobums forum. Especially on threads started by those taught by real masters in China, and where readers may pick up some knowledge on what cultivation or neidan entails. At times, although rare, what is written therein can provide a confirmation of various minor signposts of the Way. For

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-70139774364040079282010-12-09T19:11:00.003Z2011-02-14T10:17:00.046Z

It is always good to have friends whether we live in the mountains, the valleys, the countryside, towns, or cities. Even if we happen to be hermits, we may need some help from friends now and then. So would a cultivator of Tao, and sometimes his or her friends could be special in the spiritual sense. These special or true friends may come to help if the need arises. If we understand certain

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-83657255098476574332010-12-01T21:18:00.003Z2011-02-14T10:16:27.131Z

The West has an adage that says, “A friend in need is a friend indeed.” The Phrase Thesaurus if you Google for the proverb, indicates that a version, “a sure friend is known when in difficulty” translated from Latin was known by the 3rd BC. True friends come to help when we are in need, sometimes even without asking.The ancients also knew about this, if not more, and embedded this adage in the

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-91903394876201877572010-11-24T19:13:00.002Z2011-02-14T10:15:52.645Z

Those who meditate often find that arising thoughts tend to disrupt their every effort to quickly reach a tranquil and quiet state of mind for meditation. The more they try to stop them, the more, thoughts will arise. To quieten the mind, so to speak, is a basic and fundamental requisite for a fruitful meditation no matter what level we are at, or try to achieve. Therefore let us turn to a

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-63196648577085715212010-11-16T12:32:00.001Z2010-11-16T12:44:56.419Z

Over the past ten years, like many readers I have seen several changes happening on the World Wide Web. Daoist and I Ching Forums come and go. Websites that used to advertise and sell Daoist or neidan meditations or secrets at USD 30 a pop have probably disappeared. It seems that people who like these topics are becoming wiser and more discerning. It is all for the good.The reason the blog is

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-77979745928343634142010-11-07T20:26:00.003Z2010-11-07T20:49:27.971Z

When people spend ten years or more of their lives studying and practising an art form, for example, martial arts, yoga and/or qigong exercises, they consider themselves masters of that art. In comparison people who have spent decades in the study and cultivation of Tao and/or reading the Book of Changes still consider themselves, students. Why?For the subjects of Tao and the Yi are vast and

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-40243841884300514492010-10-30T21:18:00.002+01:002010-10-30T22:00:21.046+01:00

“If I were possessed of austere knowledge, walking on the Main Path (Tao), I would avoid the by-paths. The main path is easy to walk on, yet people love the small by-paths.” [TTC 53 as translated by Lin Yutan]Return to Tao is what Laozi had advocated in the Tao Te Ching. The road to Tao is broad and easy for travelers to walk on, yet down the millennia many still prefer the narrow and/or winding

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-62044851474298301562010-10-20T17:36:00.002+01:002010-10-20T18:11:31.222+01:00

Regular Malaysian readers probably have been waiting for a ‘free lunch’ from this blog for quite some time since the free lunch on shares investment given to readers living in Europe and the US. It is difficult to provide a free lunch on the stock market since our government has been shoring up the KLSE index instead of allowing it to ‘freefall’ like other countries. Let us then talk about

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-56515408780507202812010-10-10T21:08:00.002+01:002010-10-10T21:28:15.141+01:00

Over the years, I have written quite a bit on neidan (inner alchemy) with numerous quotations cited from the right books, Daoist texts, and ancient classics with the hope that readers can learn something for themselves in the event they intend to practise or are already into the practice. It seems that fellow travelers are far and few in between. Most others tend to think as they are told by

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-31168730121172057322010-10-02T13:28:00.003+01:002010-10-02T13:44:38.809+01:00

The Book of Changes (I Ching / Yijing / the Yi) can be considered the oldest ancient classic of China. Most sage kings, ancient sages, the wise and the learned down the few thousand years of its history have read and studied this classic. This classic can also be considered as profound as Tao. Therefore not many down the ages can really comprehend much of what is written in it. Some called it a

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-953299834701792592010-09-20T19:02:00.002+01:002010-09-20T19:09:14.483+01:00

Fear is a human and an animal emotion. Fear of the unknown can make people jumpy and nervous, if not driving them crazy. Not only do unscrupulous leaders and New Agers know that, they capitalize on this very emotion, fear, to sell their ideas in speeches, books, and films filled with Doomsday theories. One of these Doomsday or end-of-the-world theories that have garnered much worldwide

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-4829190472372371632010-09-11T10:51:00.001+01:002010-09-11T10:59:55.842+01:00

Whether you are swimming in liquidity or holding onto your stocks and/or realty investments, nothing much can be done over the weekend when financial markets close. You can no longer scramble to place more chips onto your favorite number(s) in roulette when the casino croupier calls out, ‘No more bets, please!’ Neither can you withdraw your bets fast enough, if rules allowed, before the spinning

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-47094354754042637562010-09-01T17:28:00.002+01:002010-09-01T17:40:56.106+01:00

In any studies, the student would be provided a suggested book list to read either by teachers, schools, or peers. Even if students happen to read the same book or classic, we may each come away with a complete different understanding especially on profound subjects like the Tao and the Zhouyi, as is often seen in the World Wide Web. Some differences in understanding these two ancient Chinese

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-2721212757695924522010-08-21T15:49:00.004+01:002010-08-21T16:19:36.931+01:00

King Wen, the ancient sage king, penned the words, ‘Zhi Fei Ren Bu Li’ (pinyin) as the opening verse for the judgment in hexagram Pi. In the Wilhelm/Baynes translation, it reads as ‘Evil people do not further.’ ‘Fei Ren’ can mean evil people and can also be taken to mean ‘not people’ or ‘non people’. The Chinese call person(s) who commits a dastardly act or acts against humanity - for examples

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-29701598194309175642010-08-14T21:50:00.002+01:002010-08-14T22:12:57.360+01:00

In Chapter 5 of the Tao Te Ching, Laozi taught that Heaven and Earth are not humane and treat all things as straw dogs. In line with that the sage is also not humane treating people as straw dogs. While many scholars try hard to discern what he meant by those words, his following explanation on the reason why escaped most mainly because scholars are not necessarily neidan practitioners:The space

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-86385390395930613882010-08-08T21:18:00.003+01:002010-08-08T21:26:12.272+01:00

In the previous entry of the same title, a fellow member of the dormant I Ching_Yijing forum kindly reminded me that the 2nd line and the 5th lines of Hexagram 57 Xun changed. Thanks. Upon checking the divination journal, indeed the two lines had changed. If I have not read the accompanying notes made after the divination and days of pondering, I would probably not have remembered how the timing

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-18057973247696518712010-08-05T18:02:00.004+01:002010-08-08T21:30:03.030+01:00

An I Ching prediction on the Iraqi war in 2003 posted by me on the IChing_Yijing @yahoogroups.com probably on 23rd April 2003(?) found while cleaning up my hotmail box, for those interested:In IChing_YiJing@yahoogroups.com, "chuko_kungming" wrote:> Hi to everyone. This is my first post. Just joined the group (23rd April)> > Now on the Iraqi war and Iching predictions:> > From the hexagram # 57

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-42481488615520069922010-07-28T19:54:00.008+01:002010-07-28T22:42:01.615+01:00

The first photo showing the guys holding up the national flag of Malaysia and published by WCG Malaysia is the Sudden Attack team of FMJ. The team formed in 2009 when the quite popular FPS (first person shooter) game developed in South Korea was first introduced in Malaysia and Singapore has won a few nationwide cum Singapore championships. My son, KC better known by his in game nick, nitroN,

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-91060657330288467342010-07-20T18:00:00.003+01:002010-08-08T21:30:53.480+01:00

Certain people like the heads of states, top religious leaders, Daoist disciples or devotees and Yi students at times have access to privy information provided by other heads of states or the divine including the ancient Book of Changes depending on the circumstances and probably on a need to know basis. Sometimes the privy information provided is the same but no timing is given, for example:•

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-28416019421993642432010-07-13T19:23:00.003+01:002010-08-08T21:31:38.843+01:00

It seems that the US has quietly been making preparations for all eventualities. While hundreds of millions of people on Earth watch the FIFA World Cup finals, four US submarines have moved closer to the Korean peninsular according to Yahoo.com online news last week. These submarines which usually carry rockets with nuclear warheads have instead been armed with cruise missiles. A total of four

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-52556139421657395392010-07-08T20:23:00.003+01:002010-07-08T22:26:00.784+01:00

The semi finals of the FIFA World Cup 2010 have just finished with the final and the third fourth placing to be played over the weekend. A day before the Spain – Germany semi final match, my son thought Germany was going to win since the team played so well against both England and Argentina in the round of sixteen and the quarter finals respectively. I said, ‘Let’s wait for the psychic octopus’

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-65693789423981493752010-07-01T19:12:00.002+01:002010-07-01T19:25:02.249+01:00

It is human nature to attach ourselves to someone (parents / spouse / children / relatives / friends) and/or something (house / pets / car / clubs etc). However attachment to someone or something invariably affects our emotions. And emotions can at times make us lose control of ourselves. Take for example, the fans supporting their favorite football team in the ongoing World Cup 2010 in South

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-69026346176851439252010-06-24T18:38:00.004+01:002010-06-24T19:08:06.728+01:00

A US fund manager was asked by CNBC on TV what position he would take amid the recent sovereign debt crisis in Europe. With no hesitation, he replied, ‘Raising cash levels.’ When probed further, he said his fund will raise its cash position to 5% from the normal 3%. Great stuff, that! Read on. A Japanese fund manager was quoted in Bloomberg recently about the liquidity position taken by the

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-279417190447324822010-06-14T20:31:00.001+01:002010-06-14T20:36:58.265+01:00

With the year 2012 approaching, many are asking if the Mayans got it right and that the end of the world is nigh. I will write something about it, I had promised. But it is FIFA World Cup time. Why don’t you watch the soccer games played at the highest possible level of skills and enjoy yourself instead of worrying about what is to come tomorrow, let alone in two and the half years’ time?Even if

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-26331464287651288472010-06-04T21:28:00.004+01:002010-06-04T21:39:34.479+01:00

In ancient times, when armies march to war, they do so accompanied by the beating of drums. The drumbeats boost the morale of their own soldiers and if beaten loud enough tend to frighten the opposing army. In modern times, before armies march to war, drums are no longer used but there is plenty of rhetoric published ‘drumming up’ the support. Some truths, some lies, with vital information hidden

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-5754328213066166132010-06-01T19:23:00.003+01:002010-06-01T19:47:58.848+01:00

Whether readers agree or not, there are seers who can often foresee the future through various means. Arguably the most ancient tool currently still in popular usage to foresee the future is via the consultation of the Book of Changes – I Ching / Yijing / Zhouyi. Since there is one and a quarter billion of Chinese and that the Book of Changes is an ancient Chinese classic, revered and studied,

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-25732160642404791352010-05-25T19:22:00.004+01:002010-08-14T22:16:58.992+01:00

The Zah Yung Ching or Classic of the Directory for a Day contains only three stages for cultivators to return to Tao. In the first stage, it is said: As to what should be done in a day, when the eating and drinking has been arranged, let one sit straight with his mouth shut, and not allow a single thought to arise in his mind. Let him forget everything, and keep his spirit with settled purpose.

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-52544807008756054682010-05-16T21:18:00.003+01:002010-05-16T21:36:24.178+01:00

"In ancient times the holy sages made the Book of Changes thus:Their purpose was to follow the order of their nature and fate.Therefore they determined the tao of Heaven and called it the dark and the light.They determined the tao of Earth and called it the yielding and firm.They determined the tao of Man and called it benevolence and righteousness. Counting that which is going into the past

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-48902597011592079322010-05-05T19:28:00.002+01:002010-05-05T20:08:01.320+01:00

Over the past fifteen months, I have only divined thrice. Two were on annual hexagrams and the one in between was an oracle cast because the Yijing had wanted to tell this student something. The annual hexagram for 2009 in the form of Hexagram Xun / The Gentle, Wind, foretold of wind borne diseases and air disasters, along with the reasons for those events which unfolded accordingly – of the

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-66718932613780808222010-05-01T20:53:00.002+01:002010-05-01T21:07:49.008+01:00

Over the past few weeks, I was faced with a dilemma whether to tell a regular reader who lives in an island state of what to do or just leave it to fate. But the person believes in Daoist deities providing protection. I would have followed my friends’ advice not to say anything, if the reader had not visited my blog this week, I had promised myself. But the person did. The way Tao works is

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-56977232220203626202010-04-25T20:21:00.002+01:002010-04-25T20:36:12.641+01:00

In the commentary to the Judgment of Hexagram 27 Yi, Wilhelm and his mentor penned this:In bestowing care and nourishment, it is important that the right people should be taken care of and that we should attend to our own nourishment in the right way. If we wish to know what anyone is like, we have only to observe on whom he bestows his care and what sides of his own nature he cultivates and

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-72895854376415978152010-04-17T20:12:00.002+01:002010-04-17T20:41:36.478+01:00

Mencius said, ‘Po-i, that he might avoid Chou, was dwelling on the coast of the northern sea. When he heard the rise of king Wen, he roused himself, and said, “Why should I not go and follow him? I have heard that the chief of the West knows well how to nourish the old.” Tai-kung, that he might avoid Chou, was dwelling on the coast of the eastern sea. When he heard of the rise of king Wen, he

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-23884422468878934362010-04-10T13:29:00.003+01:002010-04-10T14:09:34.236+01:00

No, I am not about to discuss the famous ‘Another brick in the wall’ song by Pink Floyd. This entry is on property bubbles in Malaysia, Hong Kong, and China. There is also some free lunch provided for pensioners on the safest investment in the world and the timing to invest in it. If you wanted to know why house prices in Malaysia have suddenly risen in the latter half of 2009 to a spectacular

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-15172258960080021452010-04-02T19:18:00.004+01:002010-04-02T21:41:08.970+01:00

One definition of a scholar is that of a learned person (especially in the humanities); someone who by long study has gained mastery in one or more disciplines. [wordnetweb.princeton.edu] Scholarly method or scholarship -- is the body of principles and practices used by scholars to make their claims about the world as valid and trustworthy as possible, and to make them known to the scholarly

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-86797222145385226732010-03-31T16:39:00.002+01:002010-03-31T16:57:57.952+01:00

Mencius said, ‘Po-i, that he might avoid Chou, was dwelling on the coast of the northern sea. When he heard the rise of king Wen, he roused himself, and said, “Why should I not go and follow him? I have heard that the chief of the West knows well how to nourish the old.” Tai-kung, that he might avoid Chou, was dwelling on the coast of the eastern sea. When he heard of the rise of king Wen, he

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-53031841236319801472010-03-26T21:12:00.002Z2010-03-26T21:29:51.573Z

The Ancient Tao is something like this: You cannot see, hear, or grasp it. By sitting and forgetting, you can feel the heat and see the mystical light. At higher levels, you can see forms and emptiness interchanging like what Laozi and the Buddha indicated. Without Te or virtues, you are not the right person.If pure, still, and empty, you can enter the gates and see galaxies or lands of the

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-10286987595438549822010-03-18T19:28:00.004Z2010-03-18T20:22:28.369Z

According to The American Heritage Dictionaries: Art is a skill that is attained by study, practice or observation. And Science is the observation, identification, description, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation of phenomena etc. which can be tested. For more definitions of Art and Science, please check online via thefreedictionary.comYi aficionados would be very familiar

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-55099322736062772462010-03-06T20:48:00.002Z2010-03-06T21:02:56.455Z

Just like those of Tao and the Yi, real masters whether they are practitioners of neidan, art, martial arts, fengshui, or fortune telling, they will get it right most if not all of the time. Since real masters would know what they are doing. If they have come down or sent down from the mountain with their teachers’ blessings, they would be ready to face the world. Unfortunately, if we really

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-71532592285685759122010-02-28T10:21:00.003Z2010-02-28T10:32:36.802Z

What else can a Yi student says, when the teacher, the Book of Changes at the start of the Year of the Tiger 2010 tells him to ‘spy about with sharp eyes like a tiger with insatiable craving’? And there would be no blame.‘For good fortune, one has to turn to the summit and provide nourishment.’ It is not easy, but each person or even country has to create their own luck. Some seemed to be more

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-758286511776236462010-02-22T17:12:00.002Z2010-02-22T17:25:41.397Z

‘Hexagram 58 Dui / The Joyous, Lake is one of the eight formed by doubling of a trigram. The trigram Dui denotes the youngest daughter; it is symbolized by the smiling lake, and its attribute is joyousness. The Judgment: The Joyous. Success. Perseverance is favorable.The Image:Lakes resting one on the other:The image of the Joyous.Thus the superior man joins with his friendsFor discussion and

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-6138241393378429732010-02-18T09:52:00.002Z2010-02-18T10:07:39.188Z

Those familiar with qin (divination slips) obtainable after offering prayers at temples of Daoist deities and celestial immortals know that the Ancient (Gu Ren), incorporated onto the slip, helps explain the divination. The ancient named, more often than not, would be someone popular or exemplary in Chinese history and/or folklore. However at times to get an ominous message across, the ancient

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-68356824730119462462010-02-11T18:08:00.002Z2010-02-11T18:42:13.524Z

In a blog entry on July 17, 2009 titled ‘Completing the four seasons of 2009’ which in brief discussed two prognostications given by the Book of Changes (the Yi / I Ching), the first omen just after Chinese New Year and the second omen in the middle of that year, one mentioned in the form of a qin (divination slip) that after the predicted wind borne diseases in Spring, as well as the air

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-25001751730020536882010-01-24T21:10:00.004Z2010-01-24T21:27:41.054Z

In February 2009, I mentioned that in a time of crisis there are opportunities for those who are ready to grasp them. While investors are often happy with a thirty percent gain on their investments, I often look for a few-fold gain with the help of the Book of Changes. (Refer to Crouching tiger, hidden dragon entry on 15 February 2009)At the height of the financial crisis and just before the

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-14290182126104242162010-01-09T17:00:00.003Z2010-01-09T17:12:27.522Z

The duality of spirits, Shen Gui has been briefly touched upon in the Da Zhuan (the Great Treatise – Chapter 4.2). According to the ancients, Shen (gods) the light spirits are outgoing while Gui (ghosts including demons) the dark spirits are returning. Shen Gui are also mentioned and carefully differentiated in the Leng Yen Ching (Shurangama Sutra) by the Buddha and in the Secret of the Golden

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-8384320329159032122009-12-25T14:56:00.003Z2009-12-26T05:27:54.871Z

The wisdoms contained in the Book of Changes are aplenty and can be a way of life for Yi students like that of Tao. If we look around us and reflect upon the wisdoms in the Yi, we may find that they provide good guides and wise counsel. And at times, good or bad luck are created by self through our thoughts and actions. Take for instance the entry on ‘Sincerity at stake’ written on September 27,

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-79993709874268161062009-12-19T19:48:00.004Z2009-12-19T20:50:37.712Z

Impartiality (Gongzheng) or in simpler terms, fairness, is important to the progress of human beings down the ages. It forms part of human nature. Public anger will be aroused if any person or a people is treated or deemed to be treated unfairly. There are many instances of such cases occurring during modern times not unlike happenings in ancient China. Take for instance that of Hurricane Katrina

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-64420581297599990972009-12-09T15:12:00.002Z2009-12-09T15:24:12.509Z

In the first entry of the topic, a reader came up with a few good questions about what came before Tao; immortals and deities; dual cultivation; and whether by consulting the Yi, we are in fact approaching Tao. Since my answers could be relevant to fellow travelers of the Way and students of the Yi, and/or other readers still trying to figure out what chapter 16 of the Tao Te Ching really means,

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-4763906695035820492009-11-29T13:58:00.003Z2009-11-29T14:19:50.114Z

When we want to learn a profound subject, we always want to study with the best. Tao and the Yi are among the most profound subjects available in the world. To learn more about these two subjects, we have to read the Yi and the Tao Te Ching written by ancient holy sages and Laozi respectively for posterity. The many truths that lay hidden within these two ancient classics are available for the

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-64756008749360958692009-11-26T16:38:00.002Z2009-11-26T16:47:05.368Z

Greed is part of human nature. That is why Confucius warned the old not to be greedy. If the old had not heeded it, their wealth could have been destroyed in 2008. It is sad to see many of the elderly who invested in the so called mini bonds which had paid a higher interest than their local banks and lost their entire fortune on the collapse of Lehman Brothers. If we happen to lose our wealth

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-33625616380155421882009-11-15T12:12:00.002Z2009-11-15T12:23:30.374Z

The philosophical Daoists claim that they understand Tao well enough and do not need to study the four Confucian books. They may have a point there or perhaps not. While ardent followers of Zhuangzi do not need to know about Confucian virtues; Daoists who follow the philosophy of Laozi cultivate those cardinal virtues as depicted in the Tao Te Ching, with the hopes of returning to Tao. To those

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-16082086577040976032009-10-30T18:38:00.002Z2009-10-30T19:07:36.467Z

The lotus position sometimes called the full lotus pose is much favored by practising masters of yoga. We often see these masters sitting in this pose in Yoga and/or meditation documentaries on TV. In these documentaries, the Yogis would also demonstrate various stretching exercises for health purposes. According to what is posted in the Wikipedia, “The lotus position is a cross-legged sitting

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-23289459159836854882009-10-17T18:12:00.002+01:002009-10-30T19:17:19.758Z

The ancients say that Tao can be vast and can be minute and so profound that only the right persons can penetrate all its mysteries. They proffered similar references to the Book of Changes (I Ching / Yijing) in the Great Treatise. Just like the pursuit of Tao, brilliant minds and the literati down the millennia try to penetrate the mysteries of the Yi. How many were actually successful is

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-70815176806314194212009-10-11T20:02:00.002+01:002009-10-11T20:14:19.747+01:00

Steve Marshall, the author of The Mandate of Heaven, is considering starting a regular Yi study group in London for likeminded aficionados depending on the response. This is a good opportunity for all Yi aficionados who live in London or near enough. If I were still living in London or even Brighton, you can count me among those who would gladly join. Alas I now reside back in Malaysia for a few

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-4643493456488539182009-10-10T12:48:00.001+01:002009-10-10T13:07:20.986+01:00

Right books and doing proper homework is the correct approach to the study and/or teaching of ancient Chinese philosophy. While I have been saying or hinting that in this blog from time to time, it does not seem to convey the message across. More particular, I am concerned about the various aspersions cast by some modern scholars (Chinese and Western) that raise doubts in the minds of students

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-49930785791010716532009-10-03T16:33:00.001+01:002009-10-03T16:40:41.050+01:00

While Confucians follow the doctrines of both Confucius and Mencius, Chinese mothers down the ages try to closely follow the example of Madam Chang, the mother of Mencius. “According to Chao Chi, it was the misfortune of Mencius to lose his father at an early period; but in his youthful years he enjoyed the lessons of his kind mother, who thrice changed her residence on his account. At first they

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-88970656061232332752009-09-27T22:11:00.002+01:002009-09-27T22:42:49.345+01:00

The elderly neighbor, a trader, living across the road had recently passed away probably left behind a small fortune for his wife and adult children. Within weeks of his departure, his family traded in his few-years-old Volvo for a brand new Mercedes and also bought a new Japanese make car. (Reserve my comments on their not following the wisdom of the Yi, and about luck) It would have been

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-58435607909140688782009-09-20T20:57:00.002+01:002009-09-20T21:40:06.760+01:00

The Chinese would know or have heard about the three years of mourning for parents. Many would say it is traditional. Those who know a bit more from their Chinese studies will say it is based on the Classics. And they are right. However, most may not know the real reason for the three years of mourning. The Book of Rites (Li Ki) elaborated about the required periods of mourning with three years

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-24008795535325268722009-09-04T21:28:00.003+01:002009-09-04T21:47:10.911+01:00

Probably many across the world still remember or mourn the September 11, 2001 massacre of a few thousand innocent victims in the United States of America by terrorists deliberately crashing hijacked airplanes into buildings and open space. Few (including Divinities) would know or remember the September 15, 2008 where Heaven and Earth closed with the able gone into hiding since there is no tao all

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-54642492276473020182009-08-28T20:02:00.004+01:002009-08-28T20:18:48.468+01:00

In Chapter 79 .4 of the Tao Te Ching, Laozi said: “In the way of heaven, there is no partiality of love; it is always on the side of the good.” During his long travels across China, Confucius was once detained and threatened by the men of Kuang. The followers of Confucius were afraid but he said: ‘Since King Wen is no more, who but I can be the standard bearer of culture? If Heaven had wanted

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-54317351628057895702009-08-21T18:12:00.002+01:002009-08-21T18:50:51.353+01:00

When can we consider a man, an inferior man (Xiao Ren)? According to the Book of Changes and the ancients, we judge the character of a person by his words and actions. The inferior man's words or rationale can be rather sweet and insinuating but they may not be good enough to cover up his mean actions to the discerning. Perhaps a good example is that of an Asian Central Banker who gambled away

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-34754163794517167152009-08-12T15:11:00.001+01:002009-08-12T15:17:38.508+01:00

After earlier entries where one discussed the notion that ancient masters (Shi) and/or neidan masters can heal Flu (inclusive of type A H1N1) victims with heat and the Light from their hands, I discovered that the same remedy can help lower the fever of a ‘patient’. Last week, my wife suffered from an itchy throat. She tried curing it by taking double action Vitamin C 1,000 mg tablets but to no

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-83037978012381192342009-08-05T18:59:00.003+01:002009-08-05T19:19:17.835+01:00

My eldest sister called the other day with news about her planned trip home with family. While on the line she told me that she had some trouble sleeping recently. She could only fall asleep after lying in bed for a few hours. Then she remembered the simple sitting meditation with the basic breath control I had taught her previously, and she practised it before going to bed. She sounded happy

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-80862942278800318062009-07-29T21:32:00.002+01:002009-07-29T21:41:30.874+01:00

To and fro goes the WayBut how many people could remember?Thousands, millions, billions have forgottenThe fall from TaoThe Ancients pointed the way homeSince they had rememberedUpon seeing the various signpostsReturn to Tao, they urgeNot to forsake the multitudeThey laid down means and waysCultivate essence and virtuesTo empty the mind and rectify the heartSit and forgetEmotions subsideIn peace

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-10858600946974435992009-07-17T22:38:00.004+01:002009-07-17T23:30:42.714+01:00

Spring has come and gone. Summer is about to end. Autumn will soon begin. Winter follows. Seasonal cycles have existed longer than the Book of Changes and the ancients. So what have we learned? The future can be foretold. Omens can be received. Heaven hold many secrets. All these can be known by consulting the Zhouyi. Over the years, one has blogged enough to prove beyond any reasonable doubt

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-44762482240453348682009-07-14T19:37:00.002+01:002009-07-14T20:00:27.547+01:00

It has been a long while since I last talk about investments. With the great destruction of wealth in 2008, few with no vested interest would like to touch on investments. Who wants to be blamed for causing further hardships to investors, or creating personal bankruptcies? Wise words are usually far and few in between. When a Da Ren (Great Man) gives advice, small investors like us have to take

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-2329903124596374712009-07-12T13:48:00.002+01:002009-07-12T14:00:23.601+01:00

The ancients say that sincerity is part of human nature. And that sincerity is the way of heaven. According to the Doctrine of the Mean (Zhong Yong), there are different levels of sincerity and the most complete of it allows the Yi diviner to divine like a spirit (shen). The Judgment in Hexagram 61 Zhong Fu / Inner Truth says:Inner Truth. Pigs and fishes. Good fortune. It furthers one to cross

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-79278693781515259912009-07-08T21:19:00.003+01:002009-07-08T21:38:21.963+01:00

An anonymous reader, most likely a fellow Tao Bum member, requested for my comments on how John Chang of Mo Pai, also known as the Magus of Java, Indonesia, and Wang Li Ping of Quanzhen in China have the special powers that few possess. Each master has a book written about them, and probably well respected in their own communities. Since I have not read the books on the two masters nor know them

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-13135982125453426332009-07-05T12:38:00.003+01:002009-07-05T12:46:12.866+01:00

The Master said, ‘Without recognizing the decrees of Heaven, it is impossible to be a superior man.’ ‘Without an acquaintance with the rule of propriety, it is impossible for the character to be established.’ ‘Without knowing the force of words, it is impossible to know men.’ [Analects 20 .3 Legge] To be a Junzi or a right person for Tao is not that easy and simple. It takes decades of earnest

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-32416341339990107362009-06-27T12:50:00.001+01:002009-06-27T13:26:30.031+01:00

If neidan practitioners or Daoist students harbor any doubts whether or not the Circulation of the Light meditation is as ancient as what Lu Dongbin had claimed in his Secret of the Golden Flower, and for assurance, they could study what Zhuangzi wrote in his well known ‘Fasting of the heart/mind’ known as ‘Xin Zhai’ in pinyin. (Also refer to my thoughts on Xin Zhai in the entry dated September

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-87285681465445788112009-06-19T22:51:00.003+01:002009-06-19T23:38:38.787+01:00

More than 2,500 years ago, Laozi taught it, years later Buddha spoke about it; Hindu deities had also mentioned this mystical light. Several centuries earlier, the Light was already incorporated in the Book of Changes by the holy sages, so was Tao, yet few seemed to notice or able to relate it with the Way. Perhaps it is rather hip to discuss yin yang instead of the dark and the light, since the

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-82033905430363838862009-06-14T21:30:00.002+01:002009-06-14T21:45:57.715+01:00

Now that the World Health Organization had, belatedly according to various health experts, announced a pandemic of swine flu known as A (H1N1), there was a sudden big jump in confirmed cases in certain countries that had hidden the real figures. It is in a way, unjust for hiding the confirmed figures, since they had been ‘exporting’ the flu via foreign students returning to their home countries,

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-35526795787525950052009-06-09T22:12:00.002+01:002009-06-09T22:30:46.204+01:00

After reading news on the Air France missing plane, a reader wrote in on June 2nd to ask if the revealed heaven secret for 2009 was for airborne diseases or for air disasters. My simple reply was that I had blogged the Air disasters' entry early (March 28, 2009) to forewarn readers so that they could plan their flights accordingly. If not for the sudden loud thunders, the entry title on March 28

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-50957558738511146012009-05-31T22:08:00.002+01:002009-05-31T22:34:21.251+01:00

People secretly admire or love cultural heroes or heroines especially those who are or thought to be exemplary. The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, a fictionalized version mixed with historical facts, written in the fourteen century by a Chinese scholar, Lo KuanChung, provided many down-to-earth heroes for the Chinese to admire and love or try to emulate. The popularity of the book spawned many

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-76236021501102531562009-05-29T21:59:00.002+01:002009-05-29T22:07:34.426+01:00

When we are young, we may not be too concerned about the differences between the terms: duty (qin wu / yi wu), loyalty (zhong xin), and justice (yi). The young like to have fun, more fun, if you will, than older folks. But as we grow older, we may want to know what these terms really mean either for self cultivation or for discourses with likeminded friends. In that we are going in deeper to

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-68865369151860064892009-05-24T12:23:00.002+01:002009-05-24T12:38:41.490+01:00

When Western or English educated students reached a deeper level of understanding in ancient Chinese philosophy, they tend to think they know much about Chinese culture and their civilization. They may fail to take heed of what the great Carl Jung had indicated about the minor difference between Western and Eastern minds because of their respective upbringing. Some of these students, possibly

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-50658073772484806732009-05-23T22:58:00.004+01:002009-05-23T23:42:00.272+01:00

Why do Laozi, Confucius, and the Buddha keep on learning till their final days? Probably like most of those reading here, they remained earnest and sincere students even after they had become sages. Reading from the ancient books and classics, we get to know that the Junzi and the Da Ren are called that because they still have more to learn and cultivate before they can become sages (Sheng Ren).

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-51665491376445365992009-05-20T22:11:00.003+01:002009-05-20T22:30:02.609+01:00

Law abiding citizens would invariably believe what their rulers or governments tell them. However if they have been fooled time and time again, they become disillusioned and will remain skeptical of government policies or of statistical information provided, especially in rich countries where a large proportion of the people are well educated and therefore more discerning. Rightly so, one would

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-91245673339179830742009-05-16T23:11:00.004+01:002009-05-16T23:46:35.721+01:00

Having spent much quality time with the Wu and Yi aficionados recently, probably readers do not mind if one writes something of importance for the Shi (ancient or neidan masters). It can relate to Yi diviners too, if they catch the drift, but many may not since they are not really into Tao and the Zhouyi, yet. Given time perhaps one day they will get it, if they ponder deep enough over what one

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-17784578106112460742009-05-09T20:09:00.003+01:002009-05-09T20:27:33.689+01:00

In my annual hexagram for 2007, the Zhouyi told me that a wanderer would steal my cow. The main culprit, Bear Stearns did just that on August 17, 2007. In the following year’s annual hexagram, the Zhouyi indicated that Heaven and Earth will close on September 15, 2008 and that the able have to hide since there will be no Tao on earth. Both events brought on panics in the global financial markets

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-20780669274166065202009-05-02T12:38:00.003+01:002009-05-02T13:29:26.060+01:00

On the 23rd of April 2009 I was having a long conversation on the phone with my learned Quanzhen Daoist friend when he brought up the subject of the expected air disasters blogged on March 28, 2009, and what the (related) omen was which could not be revealed then because of the ever encroaching and very loud thunders. Since the omen was about to occur, I told him over the phone, that it related

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-49472619613610219932009-04-26T23:22:00.005+01:002009-04-26T23:51:10.334+01:00

Many Yi aficionados would agree that some prognostications can be interpreted literally. And that is when we understand most from the oracle. The deeper and more experienced diviners would say it depends on the question and the answer, and our own levels of understanding, but this may not tell us much if the Yi never spoke. On the assumption the Yi actually spoke on this occasion and the question

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-54991162364761506012009-04-25T11:46:00.002+01:002009-04-25T12:09:50.693+01:00

In the Tao Te Ching, Laozi said, ‘Ancient masters (shi) of Tao possess a subtle and profound penetrating clarity of its mysteries; their depth beyond men’s knowledge.’ [TTC 15. 1 - AL] Nowadays, there are many who claim that they are masters of Tao. Since Tao is so vast and minute, many seemed to know or grasp it but few really do. When these ‘masters’ and scholars of Tao are not even aware of or

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-5403865692837876962009-04-18T11:18:00.002+01:002009-04-18T11:48:11.455+01:00

There is a saying that when a student is ready, a teacher will appear. Many relate it to modern day commercial relationships (paying students), but not so in this blog. Whatever shared here on Tao and/or the Zhouyi is for free. Whatever discussed and the pointing to; is for fellow students to follow up, learn, and to improve themselves. If they are enthusiastic in learning the profound

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-74835934977108812412009-04-12T20:08:00.003+01:002009-04-12T20:23:54.918+01:00

Global economists and investment strategists are currently having a field day calling the shots. The optimists amongst them are saying there are some signs the winter ice is finally thawing and ‘green shoots’ slowly emerge from the ground this spring. While the pessimists among the lot are predicting that the economy still has a way to fall and global stock markets which had rebounded since the

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-58276568402486409972009-04-06T15:32:00.002+01:002009-04-06T15:40:04.038+01:00

In a past entry, one had suggested that both the great sages, Laozi and Confucius had learned from their ancients. While Laozi could have studied the ways of Fu Xi, Huangdi and Jiang Ziya; Confucius could have studied the ways of Yao, Shun, King Wen and Duke Tan of Zhou. This particular passage from the Analects informs that Confucius was self taught and also confirmed he became learned by

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-39515276399908661762009-03-28T10:01:00.002Z2009-03-28T10:12:18.959Z

“The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported that 502 people died in airliner accidents around the world last year, compared to 692 in 2007. That was despite an increase in the total number of crashes, from 100 to 109. The association said there was one airliner accident for every 1.2 million flights. Authorities say commercial flying is at its safest in a 100-year history. ‘

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-5969915692655384822009-03-20T21:18:00.003Z2009-03-20T22:11:52.140Z

Amid the glut of bad news, it is heartening to hear that some Asian pension funds have recently sold down their equities holding and switched to the safer Government bonds (equivalent to Treasuries or Gilts). Perhaps recent wild swings in the stock markets and the past six months’ huge evaporation of wealth are more than what their trustees can endure, or perhaps they have wizen up to the fact

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-50354263877262195322009-03-17T19:48:00.004Z2009-03-17T20:39:47.977Z

One of the wise students of Confucius, known as the philosopher Yu had this to say on trust and respect:‘If trust (xin) is based on what is right or just (yi), speech becomes less complex. If respect (gong) is given according to ceremony or customs (li), it distances shame and humiliation. Then there is no loss to both kin and ancestors.’ [Analects 1 .13] [AL] (James Legge and Hinton gave diverse

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-83003072847083261652009-03-14T11:56:00.001Z2009-03-14T11:59:17.585Z

For the discerning, there are several instances or passages where Confucius made specific references to the Book of Changes in the Analects. Yet we get to hear from modern Yi scholars that the great sage did not know about this profound Chinese classic. It is rather specious. Perhaps these particular modern scholars have no shame for not being earnest and sincere in their Yi studies. Or

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695897.post-60320018856296766782009-03-06T12:58:00.002Z2009-03-06T13:18:39.746Z

The holy sages certainly knew human nature well when they dedicated in the Book of Changes, a hexagram called Kan / The Abysmal on crisis and how to overcome it. Abysmal means bottomless or extremely bad. Abyss means bottomless chasm, deep gorge or primal chaos. With the advent of science, there are similar bottomless pits out there in space, known as black holes. We now know that surrounding

Allanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07672893661330071037noreply@blogger.com2