Yesterday I took a drive to the warehouse owned by the printers who are working on my book to pick up the first batch. They put the boxes of books in the car and my car took a 'dip'. One of the guys said, "I hope you don't have to drive far because those books will put a drain on gas mileage, and at $4.00 a gallon it won't be much fun". The original plan was to have the printing company deliver the books in a big van but I didn't want to wait for them so I drove out myself. In 4 days I will pick up another load of books. Then in a week and a half another very big load. I also put in another order for more prints. Wow! Those boxes are heavy. Who needs to work out in a gym, just write a book and go pick up your merchandise. You'll wake up with a sore body I can assure you. Well, I will spend the next few days taking inventory on the books and looking them over to make sure none are damaged. I am waiting for the printers to finish the jacket covers. Once I add the covers they will be ready to ship. The books turned out absolutely beautiful. Very high quality. Everyone who has seen them gave the printers and binders the highest compliments. The books are put together very sturdy and when the binder first told me they would easily last over 100 years I thought he was joking. He wasn't ! I haven't told many of my friends about the book because I don't want a bunch of misfits hangin around the premises at 2, 3, or 4 in the morning reading The Luo Shu Oracle while I try to get my beauty sleep...he! he! he! just joking. I guess they'll know about it when they read this.
In the next several days there will be some changes to this blog. I now have a Chinese Astrology website and will integrate the blog with it, so I don't have to maintain two separate sites. I will still write blog posts and they will be stored on the website. The site will be much more organized than the blog and there will be opportunities to do much more than can be done on a blog. I will list several charts, tables, and diagrams in the archives that you can view and work with. My nephew is helping me run the site and he is the one who actually built it. I am trying to come up with new ideas to make the site very interesting. It may have an option where you can leave voice messages to each other from anywhere in the world (either private or public messages) and the best part is that it's FREE. No phone bills. This could be a very valuable network for sharing information about Chinese metaphysics with friends or associates all over the world. There are a few other ideas in the plans, so we will see what might happen. Stay tuned.......there are some good times ahead.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
The Inherent Cycles Of Existence
If I were to say to you , "I predict that in 8 months in the winter time it will almost certainly be cold, and there will likely be snow on the ground in certain areas of the country", would you be impressed by this prediction? Probably not. Anyone can do this by following the weather patterns. What if I told you that I could predict the exact day, hour, and minute that the sun will enter a certain constellation in the year 2028, would that impress you? Again. probably not because any ephemeris can give this information by following the patterns of the planets to the utmost degree. But if I told you that next month I predict you will get a dollar an hour raise, your wife will get a speeding ticket, your son will sprain his left ankle, and your dog will bite the neighbor...and it all happens, you would be not only impressed but also quite shocked.
The truth is that everything has a pattern. The pattern can be represented by numbers, hexagrams, stems/branches, and other symbols. Our first example involved a Weather Pattern, the second example a Planetary Pattern and the third a Human Pattern. It is very important to understand that they all emerge from the same source. Theoretically speaking, one should be no more or less difficult to decipher than the other. Once you begin to align your thought process in this manner, divination becomes more clear and begins to lose its mystic quality. When I first started studying people's charts I looked at people as weather patterns or seasons. I reasoned that if seasons must go through their cycles then humans must follow the same patterns. If the Tao, or god, or whatever you choose to call the universal energy force truly creates all, then what applies to seasons must also apply to humans. So I looked at people's destiny as a cycle of spring, summer, autumn, and winter. If a person was in the autumn cycle of a specific event in their life I used the attributes of the energy of autumn to analyze the situation. What was so beautiful was that every single event in a person's life had its own cyclical imprint no matter how large or small the event was. I eventually understood that even a simple concern as "who will call me next on the telephone" had its own 'seasonal' signature and could be calculated with exact certainty...as long as you understood the patterns. After some time and study I extended the 4 stage 'seasonal' cycle into larger and larger segments. This made the divination much more detailed and it made it possible to pinpoint otherwise unforeseeable circumstances. It is kind of like pinpointing which day in the winter season is the one that is going to be unseasonably warm or which day in summer would be chilly. To repeat, once you understand certain patterns and principles, it should be no more difficult to predict weather patterns than to predict human events.
This brings us to that ever interesting issue of free will. The seasons have been following certain patterns for eons. It must be this way, the seasons must follow suit. Summer will always follow spring, autumn will always follow summer, and so on. Nothing can alter this natural process. One could say that the seasons have no free will. No amount of influence can change the cycle (pattern). The same can be said of Heaven and Earth. The sun always rises in the east and sets in the west, and the moon also has its specific cycle. That is why we can predict with certainty the rise and fall of solar and lunar phenomena. The world has been spinning for billions of years in a fixed cyclical pattern and has not strayed one tiny iota. I suppose one could also say that Heaven and Earth have no free will. Now if humans come from the same Tao as Heaven, Earth, and Nature, why should it be any different for them? Do we really make our own choices...or are they already inherent in our specific destiny pattern? If we believe the masters and gurus when they tell us we have the choice to change our fate or destiny, we are in essence saying that we are more privileged and more powerful than our own creator. We are saying that we can accomplish more than Heaven and Earth. How absurd.......only a human could think like that !
The truth is that everything has a pattern. The pattern can be represented by numbers, hexagrams, stems/branches, and other symbols. Our first example involved a Weather Pattern, the second example a Planetary Pattern and the third a Human Pattern. It is very important to understand that they all emerge from the same source. Theoretically speaking, one should be no more or less difficult to decipher than the other. Once you begin to align your thought process in this manner, divination becomes more clear and begins to lose its mystic quality. When I first started studying people's charts I looked at people as weather patterns or seasons. I reasoned that if seasons must go through their cycles then humans must follow the same patterns. If the Tao, or god, or whatever you choose to call the universal energy force truly creates all, then what applies to seasons must also apply to humans. So I looked at people's destiny as a cycle of spring, summer, autumn, and winter. If a person was in the autumn cycle of a specific event in their life I used the attributes of the energy of autumn to analyze the situation. What was so beautiful was that every single event in a person's life had its own cyclical imprint no matter how large or small the event was. I eventually understood that even a simple concern as "who will call me next on the telephone" had its own 'seasonal' signature and could be calculated with exact certainty...as long as you understood the patterns. After some time and study I extended the 4 stage 'seasonal' cycle into larger and larger segments. This made the divination much more detailed and it made it possible to pinpoint otherwise unforeseeable circumstances. It is kind of like pinpointing which day in the winter season is the one that is going to be unseasonably warm or which day in summer would be chilly. To repeat, once you understand certain patterns and principles, it should be no more difficult to predict weather patterns than to predict human events.
This brings us to that ever interesting issue of free will. The seasons have been following certain patterns for eons. It must be this way, the seasons must follow suit. Summer will always follow spring, autumn will always follow summer, and so on. Nothing can alter this natural process. One could say that the seasons have no free will. No amount of influence can change the cycle (pattern). The same can be said of Heaven and Earth. The sun always rises in the east and sets in the west, and the moon also has its specific cycle. That is why we can predict with certainty the rise and fall of solar and lunar phenomena. The world has been spinning for billions of years in a fixed cyclical pattern and has not strayed one tiny iota. I suppose one could also say that Heaven and Earth have no free will. Now if humans come from the same Tao as Heaven, Earth, and Nature, why should it be any different for them? Do we really make our own choices...or are they already inherent in our specific destiny pattern? If we believe the masters and gurus when they tell us we have the choice to change our fate or destiny, we are in essence saying that we are more privileged and more powerful than our own creator. We are saying that we can accomplish more than Heaven and Earth. How absurd.......only a human could think like that !
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Patterns Of Reality
There is no question that reality operates according to certain and specific patterns. If these patterns are known, one can theoretically and absolutely know the occurrences of events before they manifest. I would safely guess that most people today do not believe this to be true. Most people are not comfortable with or cannot accept the fact that the future can be foretold. To the few who do believe it, they see its possibility only being available to those with 'magical powers'. They envision stoic monks sitting cross-legged in quiet solitude on a high majestic mountain with eyes closed. Or perhaps, a little witchy looking lady chanting incoherent parables while stirring a strange smelling brew over a wood-burning stove. Well, these visions may be valid, but it is far from the complete story. The truth is that anyone can foretell events and it takes no special skills or intelligence. In fact, the more intelligent or logical one is, the more difficult it becomes. One doesn't even necessarily need common sense, although common sense would be more valuable than intellect. The most important attribute in my opinion would be imagination. One with a vivid sense of visualization or fantasy can tap into alternate realms much easier than people with the highest I.Q. I refer to imagination as 'Power Of The Heart' and people with heart power can align with reality to a much greater degree than the high I.Q. head-trippers.
Individualization is another all important necessity in aligning with higher frequency realms. If one is able to disassociate from mass-behavior and allow themselves to not be influenced by the rules of society, they have a greater chance of becoming a true master or even enlightened, depending on the degree of their disassociation. Some of the greatest detriments to enlightenment would consist of unhealthy eating habits, lack of quiet time, influence of the media such as television, radio, newspapers, etc., visiting doctors or dentists, organized religion, education from grade school to universities, and more than a million other influences. Understanding the ultimate patterns of reality calls for an individualized existence. This doesn't mean you have to necessarily be alone, it means that you must break away from the habits of modern day robotic tendencies. If you must adapt to mass behavior I would strongly suggest you turn to the habits and tendencies of nature. You will not be let down, as nature has no biased interest in what you have or have not. Nature will be your unconditional friend and will help you on your path to wherever you are heading regardless of your social position, finances, or beliefs. Simply put : Follow nature and you will be rewarded.
Back to the patterns of reality. In terms of astrology and divination, we can get a glimpse of the Tao before it transforms into various segments and forms of energy (chi) and reaches human perception. There are methods that will show us the future down to the tiniest little detail. Many 'masters' don't like it when people say this for one reason or another. One reason they try to sweep this thought under the rug is because they know it is true and if approached to give a divination they will look incompetent if they fail in their divination. So they say things like, " Do not use the I Ching, or the Luo Shu, or 4 Pillars (Ba Zi) for looking into the future...use it to cultivate yourself to become a better person". There's nothing wrong with becoming a better person, but there's also nothing wrong with looking into the future either. By concentrating on the moral aspects, they don't have to worry about losing face for failed predictions. The truth, however, is that 90% of them have failed at both. Another popular line by the master is, " Astrology and divination cannot tell you what is going to happen, it can only give you a general idea". I can assure you that divination will give you a general idea if you are a general diviner...a detailed idea if you are a detailed diviner...and no idea if you don't study or understand the patterns of reality. I can show you a simple square containing 9 numbers called a Luo Shu chart that will allow you a look into the future with uncanny accuracy, from weather patterns to world events to personal situations and everything in between. I can show you 8 three-lined figures called The Early Heaven Trigrams that will answer any question you care to ask with pinpoint accuracy. It sounds amazing, but it really isn't. It's only a matter of studying certain principles that reveal the patterns of reality.
Individualization is another all important necessity in aligning with higher frequency realms. If one is able to disassociate from mass-behavior and allow themselves to not be influenced by the rules of society, they have a greater chance of becoming a true master or even enlightened, depending on the degree of their disassociation. Some of the greatest detriments to enlightenment would consist of unhealthy eating habits, lack of quiet time, influence of the media such as television, radio, newspapers, etc., visiting doctors or dentists, organized religion, education from grade school to universities, and more than a million other influences. Understanding the ultimate patterns of reality calls for an individualized existence. This doesn't mean you have to necessarily be alone, it means that you must break away from the habits of modern day robotic tendencies. If you must adapt to mass behavior I would strongly suggest you turn to the habits and tendencies of nature. You will not be let down, as nature has no biased interest in what you have or have not. Nature will be your unconditional friend and will help you on your path to wherever you are heading regardless of your social position, finances, or beliefs. Simply put : Follow nature and you will be rewarded.
Back to the patterns of reality. In terms of astrology and divination, we can get a glimpse of the Tao before it transforms into various segments and forms of energy (chi) and reaches human perception. There are methods that will show us the future down to the tiniest little detail. Many 'masters' don't like it when people say this for one reason or another. One reason they try to sweep this thought under the rug is because they know it is true and if approached to give a divination they will look incompetent if they fail in their divination. So they say things like, " Do not use the I Ching, or the Luo Shu, or 4 Pillars (Ba Zi) for looking into the future...use it to cultivate yourself to become a better person". There's nothing wrong with becoming a better person, but there's also nothing wrong with looking into the future either. By concentrating on the moral aspects, they don't have to worry about losing face for failed predictions. The truth, however, is that 90% of them have failed at both. Another popular line by the master is, " Astrology and divination cannot tell you what is going to happen, it can only give you a general idea". I can assure you that divination will give you a general idea if you are a general diviner...a detailed idea if you are a detailed diviner...and no idea if you don't study or understand the patterns of reality. I can show you a simple square containing 9 numbers called a Luo Shu chart that will allow you a look into the future with uncanny accuracy, from weather patterns to world events to personal situations and everything in between. I can show you 8 three-lined figures called The Early Heaven Trigrams that will answer any question you care to ask with pinpoint accuracy. It sounds amazing, but it really isn't. It's only a matter of studying certain principles that reveal the patterns of reality.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Mission Accomplished !
Two days ago I received a call from the printers of my book who invited me to take a look at the finished product before they began mass producing the work. I sat at a private table and patiently went through the almost 400 pages and was very happy with the way the charts, diagrams, and text turned out. Aside from a few minor details that were quickly addressed, I was pleased with the results. When I stepped outside I looked toward the sky and breathed a huge sigh of relief and thought to myself " Wow ! Mission Accomplished!"
It reminded me of the days I used to run 15 miles in the hot summer sun and by mile 14 I was sure I was gonna die. Every step seemed like a hundred yards and took every ounce of energy I had. I would never quit though, and by the time I finished my 15 mile run my legs felt like rubber poles. The feeling however, was incredible. A big relief. A spiritual high unparalleled to anything I could have imagined. That's why I never needed to drink or do drugs...I got high from running.
The completion of "The Luo Shu Oracle" is a satisfying accomplishment in my life and took more energy than THREE of my 15 mile runs. I am drained, but the 'high' is indescribable. All the time, energy, efforts, and sacrifices that went into the writing of the book has left me a bit exhausted and I will gladly spend a little time lying in the sun and walking in the park. I will be relaxing for a month or so before going on the road and fulfilling my obligations to certain individuals who have scheduled some book signings and promotional tours. I am hoping it is in my destiny to be able to circulate the book to many interested in metaphysics. The book is not for me. Almost all the proceeds from my book will be given away. My greatest joy wil be in making a contribution in the field of Chinese metaphysics. A contribution created from many years of study.......a study and learning of true passion and bliss.
It reminded me of the days I used to run 15 miles in the hot summer sun and by mile 14 I was sure I was gonna die. Every step seemed like a hundred yards and took every ounce of energy I had. I would never quit though, and by the time I finished my 15 mile run my legs felt like rubber poles. The feeling however, was incredible. A big relief. A spiritual high unparalleled to anything I could have imagined. That's why I never needed to drink or do drugs...I got high from running.
The completion of "The Luo Shu Oracle" is a satisfying accomplishment in my life and took more energy than THREE of my 15 mile runs. I am drained, but the 'high' is indescribable. All the time, energy, efforts, and sacrifices that went into the writing of the book has left me a bit exhausted and I will gladly spend a little time lying in the sun and walking in the park. I will be relaxing for a month or so before going on the road and fulfilling my obligations to certain individuals who have scheduled some book signings and promotional tours. I am hoping it is in my destiny to be able to circulate the book to many interested in metaphysics. The book is not for me. Almost all the proceeds from my book will be given away. My greatest joy wil be in making a contribution in the field of Chinese metaphysics. A contribution created from many years of study.......a study and learning of true passion and bliss.
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