As we embark on a brand new year – both western and Asian – Business Traveller Asia-Pacific consulted Master Yun Long Zi of Singapore about the synergy between feng shui and the ambitious achiever. Master Yun is not just any feng shui expert. A descendant of five generations of feng shui masters, he learned the intricacies of the art apprenticing with his grandfather, Master Tian Yi Ju Shi, who eventually conferred on him the title of “Yun Long Zi”, making him the sixth generation Feng Shui Master of the family. His client list is impressive, if not, varied, and includes top bankers and fashion designers as well as taxi drivers and food stall owners.

How does the knowledge and practice of feng shui help the business person whether on the road or back home?

We know that the environment affects one’s residence. It can make the person feel “good”; be in a better mood; have the appetite to eat; and be more enthusiastic to perform at work. But how do we explain this? Here is where we turn to feng shui because never has there been such a science that explicitly explains how a particular environment affects the home and the (positive or negative) bearing it has on the health, wealth, and even intelligence of the people living there.

In what way does feng shui accomplish this?

Whatever happens in the physical “reality” is a manifestation of what takes place in a person’s soul. The qi of the environment (feng shui) affects the soul of a person. It causes him or her to be active and healthy, sound and enthusiastic, ambitious and acquisitive, witty and alert. During sleep, the conscious mind (superficial self) is silenced, and the subconscious mind (the soul) becomes more open to the effects of feng shui. The soul then manifests itself in the physical reality. A person then can be alert to opportunity (wealth),  attract good vibes from others (benefactors), awaken to creativity (gravitate to the literati and the stars) and assume a more optimistic outlook on life (health).
Travel doesn’t stop feng shui from working. Because home is where one’s soul resides and gets rejuvenated. Thus, a business traveller should not be away from home too long, especially if it has good feng shui.

What about feng shui in the office where a person spends much of his waking hours?

The office feng shui is most effective in wealth-making and promotion for obvious reasons. It’s the place where one is attuned to making money and winning favours from benefactors. However though, feng shui at home still greatly affects one’s performance in the office.
Feng shui, despite having been in existence and practiced for centuries, is still regarded by some as superstitious nonsense. What do you say to them? For those who dismiss feng shui as rubbish, I would ask them to read up a bit more and to try it first. Some feng shui moves are neither expensive nor difficult. We all know that we need a bit of luck and opportunity besides mere hard work. If not, the ants and the bees would be millionaires. It is silly and illogical to dismiss anything without finding out more about it. Especially a science that has worked for so many people throughout several generations.

How does one find the right master?

Is it advisable to “shop around” for one? A good feng shui master is one who is precise and accurate. He should be able to analyse what has happened in the past. He should be able to tell you the benefits and problems a house has brought. After suggesting remedies, he should be able to tell you roughly when positive results will occur. Generally, these should take place within a year. Sometimes, it may be within the same month. Of course,
you pay each time you engage a feng shui master’s service. So a good way to “shop” is to check with people – your relatives and friends
– who have engaged a feng shui master’s service before. The personality of the feng shui master also plays a part. The more traditional masters are usually quite authoritative. They issue instructions which you have to follow closely. Some are more negotiable. A good feng shui master should have a repertoire of remedies up his sleeve.

Will feng shui work for some and not for others?

Feng shui not only works for people; it works for animals and plants as well. If a place has good feng shui, even the plants and animals are healthier. Of course, feng shui works faster for certain people. It works faster for people whose bazi (the elements of one’s date and time of birth) also brings in good luck at that time.

Why is it necessary to do different feng shui arrangements every Lunar New Year?

In general, the flying stars of a place (the analysis of five elements and star combinations that characterise a building) undergo a big change every 20 years, and a small change every year. For those who are eager to tap regularly into the good qi should, of course, get a master to do a review of their home or office every festive season.

It will soon be the Year of the Dog. What should business travellers do to tap into great qi?

For 2006, the most auspicious directions are the east and north-east. Try to face either of these two directions whenever you are doing important things like meeting important clients. You may wear more green, yellow and brown as they are the most auspicious colours for 2006. Generally, those born in the Year of the Dragon are the worst off now. But it also depends on the elements in the month, day and time of one’s birth. The next group of people, who need to be more careful this year, are those born in the Year of the Dog.