A divinational art by sheer curiosity

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by Ranga Chandrarathne

Feng-Shui is not a panacea for all ills but an art through which you can either mitigate the bad effects or enhance the fortunes says Thilangani Herath, a consultant and practitioner on Feng-Shui. Through Feng-Shui one cannot change the destiny but can minimize bad times up to one third and enhance luck up to the maximum. Feng-Shui is a Chinese Art which had been originated 4,000 years ago in China. For centuries, it remained as an exclusive art of the Imperial families and Chinese ruling class. However, it has become popular in the world. Feng-Shui is the traditional Chinese art and science of living in harmony with the environment, deeply rooted in Chinese culture and Taoist philosophy. It is a way of seeing and interacting with the energy of the universe. The Chinese way of viewing the universe, where all things on the earth are categorized into five basic elements. (Fire, Metal, Earth, Wood and Water). These elements consist of positive and negative energy. This energy known as "Chi", or more colourfully the dragon's cosmic breath, which brings good fortune for those who are surrounded by it. Literally translated, Feng-Shui means wind and the water and refers to earth, its mountains, valleys and water ways, shapes and sizes, directions and levels which creates the interaction of those powerful forces. As a technique for living, Feng-Shui is better understood as the science of selecting or arranging a living environment, where five elements of "Yin" and Yang" energies are in complete harmonious balance. Feng-Shui is not difficult to practice.

The practice of Feng-Shui, some times, seems to be coming out of common sense. But one must be careful to select the 'correct Feng-Shui'. "Correct Feng-Shui" is an external condition that would lead to achieving harmony and success. Incorrect harmony brings disharmony. Feng-Shui is not a religion and it is only a tool for happiness. Commenting on the present state of Feng-Shui, she claims that there are, some persons in Sri Lanka practising and providing consultancy service on Feng-Shui and their qualifications in Feng-Shui are a mystery. She is of the view that like in other countries, the people have every right to ask for the qualifications of consultants. It is essential to find out the quality of the consultant whether he/she is qualified to change the destiny of another person. Thilangani Herath claims that she is the only qualified and experienced Consultant on Feng-Shui in Sri Lanka. She studied Feng-Shui under world renowned FengShui experts Lillian Too and Joey Yap and eventually qualified as a certified practitioner and consultant in Feng-Shui from the World of Feng-Shui Institute and Mastery Academy of Chinese Metaphysics in Malaysia. These teachers conduct most of their sessions in Europe and in Western democracies like U.K, France and Germany. Thilangani had studied all most all the courses of studies under Lillian Too and Joey Yap including the hardest examination that qualified her to become a consultant. The three-hour examination was the hardest examination and a just pass is considered as a great achievement. She passed the examination with a Credit while most of her class-mates either failed or got ordinary passes. Only fortunate few got Distinctions in her class (2 Distinctions and 12 or 13 ordinary passes). As the art of Feng-Shui belonged to the Chinese emperors consulted Feng-Shui before going to war and if the time was bad, they did not go to war. Some

traditional astrologers are continuing with the art of Feng-Shui in the light of 'bad' Feng-Shui practitioners. Most of those who are publishing articles in newspapers do not know the correct Feng-Shui. They project Feng-Shui as a game or a magic. She is of the view that Feng-Shui is at work, at every time, irrespective of whether you believe it or not. It is an art that teaches how to manage the cosmic energy in a proper way. The Feng-Shui means wind and water. The cosmic energy comes through wind and water. It is through the wind and waters those five elements; namely, fire, wood, metal and water are activated. Thilangani is grateful to her father the renowned veteran musician R.A Chandrasena who was known as "Lanka Naushad" and was a guru of Dr. Premasiri Khemadasa, Victor Ratnayake, Dharmadasa Walpola and Nihal Nelson. Thilangani studied at the Clifton Girl's school Colombo and St.Paul's College Milagiriya. For a stint, she was employed at the Tea Control Department. Thilangani, professional Feng-Shui consultant, authored, among other things, the book "Feng-Shui for 2005" (How to be Healthy, Wealthy and Happy in 2005) and also compiled the biography of the most venerable Bellena Kgnawimala Thero titled "Bellena Kgnawimala Maha Nahimi". She is a directress at "Nirmana Consultants "which is a leading engineering consultancy firm and at "Kapruka.com" a company specialized in providing international commercial internet Services. She is married to Cashian Herath who is the Secretary to the Ministry of Local Government and Provincial Councils. Her eldest son is a software Engineer domiciled in USA and who is credited with inventing 'Sinhala E-mail' and also the Web master of "Kapruka.com". Her youngest son is a scholar in Architecture. She intends commencing classes, in the near future, in an attempt to spread the knowledge of 'Correct Feng-Shui' to deserving Sri Lankans who are interested in this unique art. The only web site in Sri Lanka on Feng-Shui is www.fengshui.lk. *** The divinational arts should only be taught to:

* Those who respect the teacher and teachings of the art. * Those who are filial, upright, selfless, and dedicated in upholding the virtues. Those persons may not be given the teachings; * The person whose heart is not good and whose character is shallow. * Who has committed crimes against humanity. * Who has unhealthy habits and unethical intentions: * Wo has an attachment to riches and material gains. * Who has a fierce and violent disposition. * Who desires comfort and craves sexual pleasure * Who is aggressive and vengeful. * Who is not honourable and not honest in his or her dealings with fellow human beings. *** Five yellows in North East Three killings West Grand Duke Jupiter in North West If you do disturb these areas it will be much regretted as you and your family members would eventually face the threat of health problems, losses of wealth, career problems, accidents and even death. DETAILS OF THE FOUR PILLARS IN 2007 We are made of five elements; they are, * Earth

* Metal * Fire * Water * Wood Similarly everything in this world is made out of these five elements as well. Every year the energy levels vary according to the Chinese Luna calendar. The year of the Pig started on the 18th of February 2007 and is a representative of all of the five elements mentioned and therefore is very auspicious. According to the Chinese almanac this year too has no lap-chun (spring) as was the case in 2005 and consequently this is a year with no beginning. However the year starts on a good day; the ruling element of the year Yin Earth and the five elements produced Earth. This results in the year having a good economy which can continue to grow though there is no Lap-Chun. In the year pallor of this year there are two secret friends - the Tiger and the Pig. This indicates that your secret friend will bring you the power and recognition luck of this year. Thus, it will be very beneficial to activate your secret friend this year by wearing an allies' amulet.