Could Feng Shui hold the key to changing your destiny? Internationally renowned Feng Shui expert Joey Yap tells us why it can.
Some dismiss it as superstition; others swear by it. Regardless of where you stand, it’s clear that Feng Shui has long played a major role in Asian tradition. Deeply rooted in Chinese culture and backed by classical texts, Feng Shui is a metaphysical science focused on assessing the quality of natural energies, known as Qi, which converge and affect a certain area. “The most general principle is that it supports the creation of a comfortable, happy place to live in and return home to,” Feng Shui consultant Joey Yap explains. “It’s about assessing the flow of Qi and utilising it to benefit the residents. Being aware of the continuous flow of Qi and its effects allows us to use it to our advantage and plan our actions accordingly.” Having set up one of the world’s preeminent Feng Shui consulting groups advising CEOs and multinationals, Joey regularly finds himself speaking to thousands, who come to hear his advice on how to use his tactics at home and at work. He talked us through the secrets of harnessing the power of one of China’s most ancient traditions to arm us for success today.
Joey started self-studying Chinese Metaphysics and Feng Shui at the age of 15, and by the time he was 20, he was offering consultations all over Australia. Graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, he ultimately chose to devote his full attention to Chinese metaphysics, becoming a bestselling author of over 170 books and holding annual touring events to promote the practice of Feng Shui. At 32, he founded the Joey Yap Consulting Group, a multi-million dollar consulting firm that specialises in Feng Shui assessments. Ten years on, working with Fortune 500 companies and CEOs, it focuses on life transformation, helping people push the boundaries of personal development and boost their business performances by using Feng Shui and other Chinese Metaphysics, such as BaZi, a personality chart used to gain insight to one’s hidden potential, inner talents and even hidden opportunities that can then be used to make an action plan. “It is like a diagnostic method designed to understand the condition of the person to help plan ahead,” Joey explains. “If Feng Shui is the prescription, BaZi is the diagnosis.”
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Working with the likes of Citibank, Samsung and Microsoft, Joey not only provides Feng Shui assessments, helping businesses select favourable dates for important activities and major events, but also offers advice to companies and founders, analysing the company from every angle to ensure strategic plans are effective. Optimisation of their chances of success can be found in the most unlikely corners. Once, he worked with a popular Spanish football club to help them overcome a bout of bad luck by improving the flow in the team’s locker room and rest areas, increasing the negative flow of the opposing team’s space. After revamping their surroundings, the team grew more confident in their abilities, hitting a winning streak and rising to the top of the league.
Joey has found himself regularly providing services to property developers as buyers gradually place a stronger emphasis on Feng Shui. Beginning from the ground up, Joey offers his advice throughout the planning and land selection process as well as overlooks the development phase including architecture and design, troubleshooting and solving any potential problems with the Qi in the area. A popular strategy is to ensure that the direction, as well as layout and flow of the development, are favourable, which will help to welcome positive Qi into the area. “Landforms should be your first consideration,” he explains. “Land is the container of Qi and should be analysed carefully to determine what kind of Qi is carried.” He points to the importance of having mountains and water in an area, as these are both features that create and collect Qi. “If you find a spot where the Mountain and Water converge, this is known as the Dragon Spot where positive Qi resides.” The shape of the land is also important: square or rectangular land, which both symbolise balance, stability and structure, receive the best Qi and can minimise the influence of negative Qi in order to maintain a peaceful and harmonious space. And then, they must consider the position of the main door, known as the ‘Qi Mouth,’ which is the Qi’s primary entrance.
One of the first things Joey has to deal with when working with new clients is dispelling some preconceptions. “Decor does not play a big role in improving Feng Shui,” he states. “As they do not create their own Qi or cosmic energy, man-made good luck charms will not fix your Feng Shui issues.” Instead, he believes that it is all about using the Qi around us to create a pleasant and harmonious space. “By being aware of what is happening around us, we have opportunities to access the positive Qi, which may give us a boost in certain aspects of our lives,” he explains. “Having this knowledge not only allows us to plan and act accordingly, but to also navigate around any unfavourable aspects.”
Having worked as a Feng Shui consultant for over a decade, sceptics are no strangers to Joey. “There is a lot of information out there, and not all of it is based on Classical Feng Shui. In fact, most can be myth and superstition, so don’t believe everything you hear. But, make sure you are open to new information. Remember, just because you cannot see Qi doesn’t mean you can’t see its effects.” He also cautions against falling for scam artists who take advantage of believers by pretending to be Feng Shui experts. “Keep yourself knowledgeable about what is being said and make an educated decision. Most importantly, do your research.”
Stepping into the Lunar New Year, Joey offers his insights for the year of the Metal Rat, which he predicts to be full of highs and lows that will “keep your senses sharp and your mind sharper. There are always subtle opportunities available for those who are prepared and vigilant.” Those ups and downs mean we need to arm ourselves with caution, however. “This is not a good year for speculative endeavours. It would be best to focus on bolstering your financial security. While the global economy might be suffering some uncertainties, this would be the best time for those who are prepared to take advantage of these fluctuations to amass resources for the future,” he explains. “Businesses should start the year with a clean financial slate by clearing any outstanding debts and then building a steady cash reserve for emergencies.” And, beyond that, it’s about good old hard work – even he agrees Feng Shui can only get you so far. “Simply tapping into the positive energies will not welcome a flood of good luck into your life without a bit of effort on your part. Nothing will get done if you twiddle your thumbs hoping for a miracle. If you do not work in tandem with the good Qi you have accessed to maximise its effects, then the results might still be very moderate.”
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