Mystical Power of Wood

In any practice of sorcery or magic, the use of right raw ingredients are utmost important. Lack of even a single ingredient can sometime cause the intended effect to fail. Raw ingredient on most cases reflect the natural characteristics of the intended effect plan by the practitioner.

 For example in types of wood used, there are practically hundreds of variety with different type of effect. Effect means that how the particular ingredient, in this case a type of wood will cause the energy change or aura change to the person. Some wood in their natural environment will cause wild animals to fear it's smell. Some will cause other plants/trees to grow in a particular manner when it's species is growing in the area. The list can go on and on.

 One of the simple way to use harness the effect of this wood on a person is to have them wear it on their body. The wood's natural energy print will cause changes in the person's aura. Aura and energy prints are pick up by our unconscious mind. Energy prints or aura on most cases are not visible to the naked eye unless the person is trained or have a tendency to differentiate subtle colors through their eyes.

Agarwood beads bangle and other woods to be combine.

 For my Agarwood 沉香 bead bangle, I am adding the White Wood of Submission, the Red Wood of Submission, Yellow Wood of Submission and also what is called the King of Wood. It is said that when the tree of Wood of Submission grows in a particular area, all the trees in the area would grow in a bowing shape towards the tree. King of Wood, is mainly use for healing. The wood when it is burn, will produce a smell which is unfavorable to spirit entities and also wild animals.

Why Agarwood beads bangle? Agarwood have been long favored by meditators. Prices of old Agarwood can go up to hundreds of thousands per kilogram. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agarwood. Why do meditators like the smell of agarwood? Well according to high cultivators, when they reach a certain deep stage of meditation, their nose will pick up a sense of aroma fragrance. When they are awake, they search for the closest smell of this fragrance to remind them of that state of meditation. Agarwood is the only wood that has the closest smell to what they have experienced.

Holes that are drilled and will be added the other woods into it.

Completed add-on

 I will write more on the usage of different types of wood in my future postings. This serves as a preview :). I have also used wood with natural characteritics of warding wild animals and add it with Taoist talisman to serve as a wand for making spiritual demarcation lines at any given place. That is of course in future postings.

I can see Boddhisatvas and Angels......

Many in cultivation wish to see higher beings such as boddhisatvas, deities and Buddhas. Some would like to be touched by angels, know that there is a higher form of power or the existence of real unconditional love towards them or among human beings.

Actually for many of us, we do not need to have high cultivation to recognize a Boddhisatva or Angels in our human realm. They are everywhere, if only we search and see with our eye unconditionally and free of judgement. This video highlights one of them.

Rejoice ! To be able to witness such unconditional love in action. Definitely all of us can learn a thing or two from him.

Centipede Pearl 蜈蚣珠

Centipede pearl size in comparison to a grain of rice

 I have finally added a pair of centipede pearl into my collection among many other mystical stuff ;). This pair of genuine centipede pearl came into my collection through a very experienced and knowledgeable source of centipede pearls. Since I have promised him that I will write about these pearls, after I have confirmed that they are genuine.

So what are centipede pearls? Centipede pearls are fossil like pearls that are form on either the crown of the centipede, at the tail of the centipede or at the mouth of the centipede. The micro bite marks usually can be seen on genuine pearls. Why do I stress on genuine? Because on the internet and world at large, there is a lot people selling fake glass, silica grain and even rock and claim it to be centipede pearls.

Why do people look for these pearls? Well it is claim that when the pearls are able to help the owner with good luck and in particular luck that involves risk ventures for example gambling. Because of the centipede swift action in nature, it is also deem to have the characteristics of swift clutch on opportunities that arise for the owner. Some traditional practitioners will use centipede pearls to aid in treating many different ailments and sickness. 

However long time legend has it that owner of crown centipede pearls would have the ability to see through walls/barriers or will be grant the ability to have deep instinctive abilities in any situation. Seeing through walls? I think we can pretty much do that with modern x-ray and infra-red machines. To develop deep instinctive abilities, you can do that too without centipede pearls - all you need to do is to hone your skills in meditation. Those abilities that I have mentioned are actually reserved for those who cultivate on these abilities. The centipede pearls will be use as a medium to enhance their ability. If you cannot even differentiate between being awake and relax, then no pearl can help you on training for these abilities.

How do I distinguish genuine from fakes?

1. Genuine pearls when you put them on your palm and close it gently, you will feel a throbbing sensation on your palm. Some with stronger energy vibrations would enable the person to feel the energy creeping or crawling up on their arms. 

2. Genuine pearls, if being taken care after some time, the pearl would turn into even deeper red tone and hence the energy vibration would be even stronger.

3. Size. Even centipede that have grown in big size in deep jungles, would not have pearls that are as big as some small rock. IF the size is able to reach the size of a single rice grain, then it is considered very big.

No editing of colors was done on this photo.

What do I feel when I hold this pair of pearls?

1. I do feel my palm throbbing when I place it on my palms after about 2 minutes.

2. There is also a method that is taught to me by a close friend. If you hold these pearls on certain fingers and try to turn your elbow as a form of pressure, you would discover that your elbow would be very difficult to bend. I did felt this when I tested these pearls.

I have received it last week and when I took photo for this article, I find that one of the pearls seem to got bigger a bit since last week. Here are the photo. of when I received it last week and posted on Facebook for my friends viewing

Red in colour are centipede pearls, Yellow one is a VITAMIN E for size comparison

So what do I do with these pearls? Since I don't gamble, because it was part of the prime directives that was given to me when I  initiated in Taoism. I just keep it in my collection and whenever I chant mantra such as The Great Compassionate Dharani 大悲咒, I will either dedicate or blow on it. The grew in size, could very well meant that its the right thing to do.

These pearls are best kept long term in the dark, due to the nature of centipedes. I have an instinct that they like to be kept in a gourd. Therefore the pearls are each place in a glass container, tied to a red string and suspended within the gourd. They will be place on my Taoist work table.

The purpose of this write up to give the readers a chance to view and recognize GENUINE centipede pearls. These are hard to come by and the price is high as well.

The Strike of LightningWood

Recently when I was in Hong Kong on a yearly meeting with my Feng Shui master, I received a call from Eric. When I called him back on the next morning (Wednesday), he told me a friend from his previous work place suspects that his sister is possessed. Eric did ask his friend, before the incident where did his sister went and what did she do? And the information that was relayed to Eric was she went to a funeral and after returning home on Sunday evening - she will cry and laugh on her own for no apparent reason.

Image from http://www.theofantastique.com/

Eric already told his friend J, to use the Shi Gong Fan to fan the possessed lady. J is also a temple member and disciple, which was given a Taoist fan on Chao Yuan Zhu Shi 潮源祖師 Celebration last year. However J and his friend was reluctant to do it, because they are worried something might go wrong.

One of the Taoist Fan in Kam Dong San

Eric also suggested to them that why not use the Lightningwood (wood taken from trees that are struck by lightning) and place it on her head. Logically that would be able to drive any minor to medium spirit that have just resided in the person. Anyhow they did not do it.

Thursday morning, Eric gave me a call and told me that everything is back to normal and the person will not be coming up to temple. The details of how it was settled was the brother of the lady who was possessed went to a few temples to ask for help, and was given talisman to ingest among other things. But his sister still repeat the action of laughing and crying for no reason.

Lightning Stroke TEAK Wood

After everything was done as he was almost running out of help, he decided to try what Eric has advised. He place a Lightningwood in her sister's pocket, the lightning wood was inscribed with some protective 花字 (Taoist spell symbols). Instantaneously she recovered and is alert of her surrounding. Eric's friend was very relief that his sister recovered, even though initially he doubted whether 1 just piece of wood would be able to help his sister.


Upon further conversation, they told Eric that before she went to the funeral, that very same day she went to a Taoist temple to request for invitation of deity into her body 請師父. This process is somewhat popular, in which certain temple do offer to invite Taoist deity as the person's protector. It is what we would called the 3rd Generation Trance Medium. In which the high level spirit will come close to the cultivator and aid them in whatever questions or problems they have dealing with the spiritual world.

Every process does have its inherent risk. For the lady that was possessed, most likely she went to a temple that did not invite deities into her body instead they could have invited something else into her. Therefore if someone who really wants to cultivate as medium or invite of deity into their body, first they have to know very clearly what is the reason for them in doing so - having the wrong reason is sometime enough to drive you over the edge.

Why did the lightningwood worked? Whenever there is lightning strike in nature, all animals run for cover. It is also a popular belief that when a lightning strike something on the ground, it means that the area have some bad spirits or demon, and heaven just send some bolt shock to take care of it. Imagine a thunderbolt can reach up to 100M Volts - that strike alone would be able to turn ANY spirits into smithereens! Therefore the tree that was stricken by lightning, it's wood would have the strong imprint of the Yang energy. Which is the perfect raw material to use in exorcism.

8 Ways to Increase your luck for the Dragon Year

Chinese New Year is very near and everyone is talking about how to increase their luck 升運 or 開運. I am will keep it short and straight to the point. Here are 8 ways to increase your luck for the coming Dragon Year.

1. Charity. Most of the time when a person tries to increase their luck through spiritual means, they will encounter obstacles or difficult to complete the required practice. This has to do with the person's individual merit in their destiny. Just like borrowing from a bank, everyone has their credit rating. If you don't consistently increase your merits, you will definitely encounter no result when you try to achieve it through spiritual means. Charity of any kind is a good start to increase your luck, once you increase your capacity for good luck, it will be easier to ask for divine intervention!
   
   
2. Increase of luck can also be done through REQUEST with specific Deities in Taoism. Base on your Chinese Zodiac sign, there is a specific deities within the Taoist pantheon that is responsible to 'look after' you for this particular year. Therefore you have to ask in the right places. Below are the list on which Taoist Deity to request for an increase in luck for Dragon Year.
   

   

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Sponsor a Buddhist or Taoist statue in temple. Sponsoring of statue in temple is like a fixed deposit that keeps on growing. Because as long as the statue is in the temple, and it is benefiting others through its image or inherent spiritual energy, parts of the merits will go to you. Sponsoring of big statues are difficult because not everyone has the first hand information in order for you to contribute your share. Therefore sponsoring even a small statue that will be place in a temple is a good way to keep the flow of good luck to you.
   
   
4. Feng Shui ready your house and office. Living and working in harmony with the surrounding energy of your home and office is one way to increase your luck. Using the environment energy to suit your own destiny make up is like a plane flying with a strong tail wind, you will arrive at whatever goals you set much faster, easier and effortless.
   
   
5. Before knowing how to live in harmony with your environment, you must first able to know what are your own personal cycles and timing. Check your Destiny through a good analyst, find when you should go all the way, and when to just lay low is winning more than half of the game in your individual destiny.
   
   
6. This method is long and tedious for some, but it works. Chant specific Buddhist mantra in thousands or millions – it will definitely help eliminate your past baggage of bad merits.
   
   
   For Ways 7-8, I will talk on short term boost that you will see in the shortest time possible. 
   
   
7. 
   Take a Flower Shower! :) Buy 7 or 9 types of flowers, the flower itself must not have torns and Lily is a MUST in your flower grouping. Theory of the Flower Shower is simple, flowers are Yang and vibrant energy, shower with it and it will wash away any 'foggy' energy that you have stuck in your own energy field. If you are really foggy, best is to add some Epsom salt into the mix. Both of this will definitely cleanse and recharge your own energy field.
   
   
8. During Chinese New Year, on the first day – travel to a favorable Qi spot base on 奇門遁甲 – harness the energy of that bi-hour then you are set for the following week. For this year, on the first day of Chinese New Year from 9am – 11am you can travel to a NORTH location from your house for your Chinese Year visit. This will gather a boost of Qi for yourself in that week.
   
   
   Have a great and prosperous Chinese New Year. 新年快樂！

Papa, I saw white shadows

On Dec 10 evening, I receive an SMS from Jack who is now a temple member.(Earlier accounts of Jack's encounter) He told me that her 6 years old daughter have been telling him that for the past few days she dreamt of ghost in her dreams. And also dreamt a white ghost sleeping next to her.

And according to him, the daughter cried while relaying her experience. He asked me to 'investigate' for him whether there is any truth in her story. Because Jack and his wife are now chanting certain Buddhas mantra in their daily practice. So for him, he cannot feel any spirit in his surrounding which is why he is suspicious of his daughter's story. Nevertheless, during this period, his daughter would 'stick' to them like glue whenever they are in the house. And she would feel miserable if left alone, when she is out of the house, she was instantly more cheerful.

I went into meditative stabilization the next morning and indeed saw what his daughter have seen or what she have dream. When I am conscious, I double check with my Metal Shell oracle and my Deities also confirmed my findings. Initially, I was thinking of maybe just remotely handling the 'case' for Jack and that would not require any ingestion of talisman. However, when I double confirm with my Deities, they instintively let me know that I cannot be done remotely.

Photos from newhumanist.org.uk

I immediately drawn up 3 Liu Ren Talisman 六壬除邪符 for clearing evil and bad qi. Jack came by and took it back for his daughter to be burn and drink consecutively for 3 days. 

After 3 days, I receive a call from my wife whom have met up with Jack's wife. My wife told me that Jack's daughter is still crying. I was very puzzled, because after ingesting 3 talisman - everything should have cleared. Then I've told Jack to bring her daughter to our temple on Thursday evening on the same week. However by afternoon, Jack's wife message me again saying that her daughter is quite back to her old self.

Just to make sure, I asked them to bring the daughter to the temple as arranged. When I saw the little girl in temple, first quick glance, I saw a very light green patch of qi on her forehead. This is one of the tell tale signs that she have had a brush with spirits. It is not very evident, meaning it is just and encounter and nothing very serious.

I have specifically drawn up another talisman for her to ingest in the temple, and make sure she drank the whole of the small cup. What majority of the peoples' perception when comes to drinking burn talisman in water is that, they have idea that a little sip would be enough. In actual fact, one should drink the whole cup including all the residue. When I give specific talisman for ingestion to my disciples, they would need to drink 'everything'. That is to guarantee the passing of the Taoist Fa into the body.

After ingesting the talisman, I've also use a paper cutout as representation of the girl. Then using Tao Fa, to transfer all the bad qi onto the paper representation.

Paper cutout as a body double

Then I inscribe certain specific mantra on her forehead and put a deities seal on it. All of this of course cannot be seen with the naked eye. 

I have followed up with Jack and his wife after few days, and according to them their daughter is back to her old self and willing to sleep in her own room.

How was the little girl expose to spirit? Well it happens that the parent had to go for relatives wedding that was held out of Penang. And after the wedding, they did not stay for the night but did a late night trip back to their home. She must have been exposed during the trip. Children are more susceptible is because their Yang Qi is not at their peak yet.

Can cultivate both Taoism and Buddhism together?

When friends and relatives visit my home, the are often puzzled by 2 dominant altars that are located in my altar area. Primarily I have Taoist altar of 六壬 Liu Ren 風火院 Feng Huo Yuan and 伏英館 Fu Ying Guan. My Buddhist altar has many Tibetan Buddhist Statues.

Some who are outspoken will sometimes ask "How come you have 2 altars, will you get confuse?" Often, I just replied smilingly "Don't worry, the one who is praying is not confuse" and did not explain further or inform them how two can come together.

Well now, I am going to write a bit more on how these 2 can combine together. My initial lineage transmission is from Taoist Feng Huo Yuan. Then I have got interested into Buddhism and took refuge under Gelugpa lineage in Tibetan Buddhism from Tibetan Gurus. I have also took refuge with Gurus who have Nyingma and also Sakya lineage transmission.

Why didn't you give up on Taoism since you have already took refuge in Tibetan Buddhism? One of the most important teachings in Tibetan Buddhism is Guru Devotion. My first Guru are all the Deities in Taoism, without them I would not have discovered and took serious upon Buddhism. It is through their guidance, that I took refuge in Triple Jewels.

Deities in Taoism practice are actually all my Dharma protectors, if you look from a Buddhist perspective. Dharma protectors help cultivators overcome obstacles in life so that they can practice better without mundane disturbance of daily life. And I have a lot of Dharma protectors that have 'spiritual response' towards me. Spiritual response is a term used in Tibetan Buddhism for a person who have succeed in their practice with either Vajras, Boddhisattvas or Buddhas (elaboration of spiritual response need a whole new article to get into detail).

Therefore in our Taoist Temple 金洞山 Kam Dong San, everytime when we do distribute wealth enhancing talismans (招財符） or benefactors talisman（貴人符）. I have always followed by giving and explaining about merits, karma and the need to do some form of donations after they have obtain a spiritual response through the talisman.

Primary role of Deities in Taoism is to create more merits in their own cultivation. When we setup a temple for all the deities, public and members that have obstacles in life can and would come to ask for assistance from the Deities. If it is matter of righteousness or against evil, the Deities would act swiftly in solving those problems. 

When it pertains to wealth matters, and asking for more wealth then Deities would evaluate on what is are the merits of the person and their karmic 'accounts'. When wealth is granted in Taoism, it is through converting of ones merit. Therefore, when we obtain more wealth through spiritual means, 99% of the time it is for you to gather even more merits with those wealth. Therefore it is crucial to maintain the momentum in an upward spiral, instead of spending all your merits from previous life. Money is also a form of energy, it cannot be created or destroyed - but it can be transform from one form to the other.

Hence, Taoist Deities allowed a person to request for help in life's daily problems. When we obtained the help, then we have to do more meritorious activity with our expanded financial capabilities. That is being congruent in our request and also our cultivation as a Taoist.

As a Buddhist, I have to do my daily practice that was passed down to me by my Gurus. Keeping strong Guru Devotion and Boddhisattva Vows. Help other sentient beings whenever possible, with 道法 Tao Fa, I can help more people and also brings them to a path of cultivation.

So back to the question, can I cultivate both Taoism and Buddhism together? Of course, if you can keep your vow, devotion, practice and promise. Otherwise you are threading into deep water....