Before we know about others, we must know about ourselves first. We must understand our weak points and our strengths.
– Master Siaw
Everything in the universe happens for a reason. With decades of experience in Chinese geomancy, Master Siaw talks about his early days as a feng shui master and his journey to the present day.
The Path to Prosperity
Time holds a precious testament, where the future is unknown, but is believed to have already been written. In most cultures, many people believe that everything happens for a reason. For one Siaw Khoi Nam, he has always been curious about why things happen and how they will end.
Siaw, a feng shui master based in Nirvana Memorial Park, Kuching recalls his childhood days of being aware of his surroundings while trying to understand them. Having stayed in the vicinity of India Street, he often wandered to the Chinese men who resided in the lodging house there.
“I was always curious about my future. There were men from China who sold koyok (medicated plaster) and herbal medicines at the lodging house in India Street, and some were fortune tellers. I would always pay them a visit, sit down, and talk with them,” said the 72-year-old.
While studying about Chinese pseudoscience methods, Siaw learned how to conduct a ba zi (destiny reading), face reading, and palm reading. He also bought books on them from Hong Kong, which were sold in Kuching. With his understanding, he was able to be the class sifu during his secondary school years.
Growing up in a business-oriented household, after graduating from school, he began his career as a salesman, obtaining goods from other countries.
“I’ve gone to Thailand, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. While abroad for business, I would pay visits to the masters and learn about Chinese pseudoscience from them.”
What fuelled his passion went beyond his curiosity. Siaw believed that knowing the future would help him manage his time more effectively. To him, visiting a master to better understand one’s life is equivalent to getting a medical check-up.
“In ancient China, they believed in yi ming er yun san feng shui (which translates to: first — destiny, second — luck, third — feng shui). (One fate, two fortunes, and three feng shui) First, once you are born, you cannot change your fate. Second, from birth to death, there are many periods when things might change, allowing us to manage our lives. The third is feng shui, which you can employ to improve your way of living,” he said.
Improving life with feng shui
Throughout the interview, Siaw explained several aspects of how feng shui may help a person manage his/her life in order to achieve a healthier and more prosperous future. Before diving into feng shui, one must first understand what it is. Why can’t we do things this way? Why should we do it that way?
Siaw, who is based at Nirvana’s Bau site, shared an example from his decades of experience as a feng shui master.
“For example, during a ba zi reading (reading based on a person’s date and time of birth), I found that this person will experience bad luck for five years. However, he cannot simply sit there and do nothing. Life must go on.
“When I do a reading, I write down what has to be done. I would usually point out that in the first year, he can manage his luck by wearing Five Elements Colours Needed in Destiny. Or he may change the direction of his bed to improve his energy and prevent anything unwarranted from happening throughout these five years,” he said.
Siaw would reposition certain furniture in Nirvana’s office each year based on the best feng shui energy of the year.
“I believe that feng shui is very important for us; even now, I rely on it constantly.”
Managing fate
Feng shui means “wind” and “water” in Chinese. Also known as Chinese geomancy, it is an ancient Chinese practice that uses energy forces to harmonise the environment. When it comes to improving one’s luck using feng shui, Siaw said that everything begins with where we are the most.
“The first place to look into improving is your room, which you can spend more than eight hours in. Next, the workplace environment is important as it affects the person’s life. We often say that if a person sits with his back to the wall, he will have sturdy support.”
Siaw said that the art of feng shui does not imply relying on spiritual beings. Rather, it scrutinises the elements in the surroundings to ensure a better lifestyle.
“When you are content with your surroundings, you can lead a healthier life.”
Siaw further said that buying a house that has strong wind circulation is bad because the air is usually dry, making it easier to get sick. It is also bad if there is too much water surrounding the house because the air would become too humid.
“There is a reason behind every feng shui decision.
“However, feng shui varies with time. People in ancient China were advised not to sleep near windows because they feared robbers or rain. Meanwhile, in today’s time, it is fine to sleep next to the window as we now have protective grills and air-conditioners,” said the feng shui master.
Feng shui for 2024
When asked for feng shui advice for the year of the Dragon 2024, Siaw said that the year will be challenging.
“Many bad things happened around the world on the first day of the year. This year will be a bumpy road. It is not advisable to change careers, and those who want to start a new business should proceed with caution.
“This year’s bed must be situated away from the west, south, and east corners. We cannot sit or spend too much time there. We can say that there is negative power there. If you sleep or sit there, you will encounter many problems. You can make the feng shui adjustments before February 4,” he said.
With over 50 years of experience in the field, Siaw’s clientele includes those who are struggling with their careers, health, and families.
“Most parents would reach out to me to inquire about their children’s future, work, career, or marriage. Meanwhile, children would come over to ask about their parents’ health and longevity. Middle-aged people would come and ask about career development and investments.”
He also said that Dayaks are among his clientele in addition to Chinese; emphasising that feng shui is not a religion, but rather the crystallisation of Chinese wisdom.
“I therefore serve as a psychological counsellor for those who hold different religious views and are having doubts or are unable to solve their problems on their own.”
