Feng Shui: Sitting vs. Facing 山与向

When doing Feng Shui audit, the most critical part is figuring out the "facing" and "sitting" of the house because this determines the energy distribution within the property.

"Sitting" is also called "mountain" in Feng Shui terms.  This obviously implying the "back" of the house.  "Facing" is the angle measured based on the "sitting" of the house.

However, how to define "facing" and "sitting" is not this simple.  The topic remains a "hot potato" in Feng Shui circle.

Approaches to facing and sitting:

• Using door location as facing-- the opposite of door facing will be the sitting.
• Using mountain or back-support (buildings at the back) to determine facing-- door location may not be the opposite side of mountain.
• Using the "yang-est" side like big open space or ocean or the side with most street traffic as facing-- even the door may be at the back of this "facing".
• For Qi-Men-Dun-Jia Feng Shui (non-divination type)-- door location is very flexible and can be located in any trigram or palace.

For multiple storeys building with multiple tenants:

1. Using the main entrance of the building as the facing,  the opposite of door facing will be the sitting--- all the units/ apartments will use the same sitting/ facing.
2. Using the main door location of individual unit/ apartment as the facing,  the opposite of door facing will be the sitting.
3. Using the "yang-est" side (side with most windows/ balcony) of individual unit/ apartment as the facing,  the opposite side will be the sitting.
4. Combination of #1 and 3 with this rule:  For storeys 1 to X ("X" usually is 10+) storey, use rule #1 and after "Xth" storey, use rule #2.  The rationale is "Xth" below storeys will be more affected by earth energy and "Xth" above will be affected more by "heaven" or star energy. 

There are numerous arguments on which method is more "correct" using how "qi" or energy travels and moves around a house.  For example, the argument against using the yang-est side of a highrise apartment as facing:  qi must be carried by people into the apartment.  People walk through building main entrance, take the elevator and walk to their apartment door.  They do not and cannot walk into their apartment through the balcony high above ground.

I have deliberately skipped the argument on whether "facing" OR "sitting" is more important to keep this short.

Regardless of the arguments, most schools think their method is the best!  This is why if you hire Feng Shui practitioners from different schools, you may get totally opposite readings if facing/ sitting measurement methods are different.

Ken Lai

© 2017 Ken Lai, all rights reserved.

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Luopan Feud

I have visited a retail outlet of a prolific Feng Shui writer and master in Hong Kong.  This outlet showcases his luopans and Feng Shui remedies like Kilun, bagua, ethnic cures and the likes.

When I entered this Feng Shui center, the salesmen there had a heated argument with two customers who looked and sounded like from out of town. Both side repeated the same arguments again and again and emotion was getting high.

The customers had complained the luopan that they bought from this center is inaccurate and off by 2 degrees when benchmarking it with their friend's luopan.

The salesman said that he has already exchanged a better model for him.

The customers said the "better model" is also off by two degrees with their friend's luopan as benchmark.  They said they are not satisfied with the quality of the luopan products in this center.  They want their money back.

In Hong Kong and most Asian countries, refund for a product is rare unless specified and written in advance.  The salesman had refused refund but nevertheless offering the refund as store credit to purchase anything in the store.

The customers got very irritated and yelled that they will take the luopan if they can see the famous master and hear that "it is OK for a luopan to off by 2 degrees".

The salesman did not fall into this trap and refused.

This famous master has sold thousands of luopans over the last 30 years.  I do not believe his luopans can be this bad to have two in a row off by 2 degrees.  The salesman probably is not smart enough to counter-argue that customer's benchmark luopan is inaccurate.

On a spiritual level, luopan needs to "match" the energy imprint or "qi" of a user. It works well and gives accurate measurement when there is an affinity between the luopan and the user.  A luopan can be an extension of your body and mind.  It can feel your heart-beat when your mind is not quiet during a measurement.  This is why loaning your luopan to another person is not a good idea.

Anyway, anyone who believe luopan is infallible probably is naive.  Most luopans using a non-fluid magnetic needle in the market is at most accurate to +/- one degree.  By the same logic, Feng Shui measurements requiring accuracy down to less than one degree, like Xuan Kong Da Gua, is probably wishful thinking. There are more arguments on the problems of luopan measurements even in the less demanding situation like 24 mountains.  I may cover it in the future.

Happy May 1 Labor Day!


 Ken Lai
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