Joyful, Bountiful Tui

Tui is expressed beautifully in this painting by Lester Ancheta.

Tui, or Lake, is the trigram or symbol of the I Ching which expresses the energy of this time of the year. As we head into fall and the time of harvest, the efforts of the spring planting and summer heat begin to bear fruit. This is evidenced in the natural physical world as well as in our inner realities.

If we have worked hard to plant seeds of the highest quality in our gardens and our lives throughout the year, our efforts have been paying off with an abundance of fruits, vegetables and beautiful flowers. The bounty of fall brings us great joy, and an abundant harvest allows us to share that joy with others.

In contrast, if the seeds that we have planted were of low quality, if our gardens were not tended regularly, and if our thoughts and actions were less than expressions of our highest nature, these too will bring forth fruit of a different nature.

In our homes, Tui represents creativity and children. The bountiful product of our minds and our bodies. It is a metal gua in five element theory, supported by earth, reduced by water and melted with fire. The use of images and materials which reflect these elements can help to create balance in Tui areas. The colors of metal; gray, silver, and gold all work well in metal areas and bringing earth tones and materials into these areas is also helpful. Limiting fire, fiery colors and images will keep our metal from being destroyed.

Perhaps the most important element in all Feng Shui cures is the element of intent. Our strong intention to plant seeds which we know will bear the type of fruit that we want to see manifest in our lives is of utmost importance. Seeds of kindness, of honesty and of love will create a ripple effect in the Lake of our lives which we can enjoy the bountiful harvest of.

H.H. Grandmaster Professor Lin Yun

Professor receives the honor of the White Hat in Calgary, 2009

The BTB Feng Shui community is in mourning this week over the loss of the beloved Grandmaster, Professor Lin Yun. 'Professor' as he is commonly referred to, changed the history of Feng Shui forever with his revolutionary, modernized theories about the workings of Ch'i in the person and the environment.

BTB stands for Black Hat Sect Tantric Buddhist (Feng Shui). While the entire explanation of the name is not the intention of this post, two words are important today. Black as a color is the inclusion of all colors. It represents a deep, oceanic wisdom unsullied by outside influences. Tantra is a word with many connotations and definitions, most of which are inaccurate and misunderstood. The Sanskrit root of the word means 'loom, or warp' as in the weaving of a fabric into a consistent whole. These two words are important in understanding Professor's lineage and teachings.

They are also important words in understanding Professor himself, his impact on his students and the current versions and schools of Feng Shui in the world. Professor wove many cultures and ideas together, incorporating modern thinking, science and ideals into his world view. He taught his students to see Feng Shui as the Tao, a living and ever changing path. A wisdom which has forever altered thinking in this field of study.

Professor also wove together people from all over the world. His students come from many countries and have taken his teachings across the globe, sometimes modifying them into their own unique schools. He encouraged his students, many of them teachers in their own right, to be seekers of knowledge and understanding first and foremost.

He created a community; a tantric web of like-minded individuals all looking to improve their lives and the lives of others. It is a community which I feel honored to be a part of. I am forever changed and deeply grateful.