Bazi Daily – 01/05/2010 – The ‘S’ Personality Type (Part 01)

Bazi & The Theory of Personality

The 'S' Personality Types of The DISC Behavioral Model (Part 01)

Today, we shall explore the personality type that is, to certain extent, the other extreme of ‘I’ Personality Types (similar to Explicit Talent Deity). It is none other than the ‘S’ Personality Type -

The ‘S’ Personality Type = Steady, Stable, Supportive

The ‘S’ Personality Type resembles Primary Resources Deity. If you are an S personality type, your are concerned about RELATIONSHIPS and PROCESS...

· You are loyal.
· You are sympathetic, friendly, and supportive.
· You are a good listener and a team player.
· Your goal is to help people.
· You respect the way things have always been done, and you are slow to change.
· You work hard, often behind the scenes, at creating a stable, harmonious environment.
· You dislike conflict and sudden change.
· You are patient. You stick with a project from beginning to completion.
· You believe that the environment is favorable, but that you lack the ability to affect it.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

If we do not plant knowledge when young, it will give us no shade when we are old.

Lord Chesterfield

23 - Liao Fan 4 Lessons

Liao-Fan: Another example is a person named Li Zhi from Jia-shan prefecture. His father used to be a clerk in the prefectural courthouse. Once, Li's father came to know about an innocent man who was given the death penalty. He attempted to plead this case with his superior. When the prisoner heard about this, he told his wife.


Prisoner: I am so indebted to this man who has spoken on my behalf, and I have no way of showing my gratitude. Will you invite him over to our house and offer yourself in marriage? Perhaps this will please him and increase my chances to live.

Liao-Fan: The wife cried as she listened to his request, for she really did not want to do it. But it was the only way she could help her husband in this time of need. So, the next day when the clerk came to visit, she offered him wine and told him of her husband's wishes. The clerk refused the offer of marriage, but continued with great effort to clear the case. When at last the prisoner was released, he and his wife both went to his house to thank him. The man said:

Man: One with such virtue as yours is truly rare to encounter these days, how can I show my gratitude? You do not have a son, please allow me to offer my daughter in marriage to you, this is the only way I can repay you. Please accept.

Liao-Fan: So the clerk accepted, and soon afterwards, she bore him his son, Li Zhi. Li passed the higher level imperial exam when he was just twenty years old. Li's son Gao, and grandson, Lu, and great grandson Da-lwun all passed high examinations and received imperial appointments.

Liao-Fan: The ten examples above all tell of the different deeds cultivated by different people. Although their actions differ, their intent was the same: to do good. If we were to examine goodness closely, we would find that there are many different kinds.

Bazi Daily - 30/04/2010

日弱食伤重迭，惧怕读书。

Literal Translation & Interpretation :-

Individual with Explicit Talents Deity can be very talented, smart & can be inspirational.  However, they can be distracted easily.  This is especially so when the DM is weak with strong Talents Deities.  

Under such circumstance, they dislike to be restricted and, hence, dislike study.   

Being the parents, what can we do to help the kids with such a configuration ?

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Collect as precious pearls the words of the wise and virtuous.

Abd-el-Kadar

22 - Liao Fan 4 Lessons

Liao-Fan: Another example is Kung-hsi Tu who lived in Chia-shing, Chehkiang Province. Mr. Tu used to work in the courthouse and would spend nights in the prison cells, talking with the inmates. Whenever he found anyone to be innocent, he would write a classified report to the judge, informing him of innocent cases. The judge would then question the prisoners accordingly and clear the case. Through Mr. Tu's effort, ten innocent people were released, and all of them were extremely grateful to him. Soon after, Mr. Tu also made a report to the Imperial Judge saying: [Mr. Tul: If even in the Imperial City there are so many innocent imprisoned, there must be many more throughout the nation. I recommend that the Imperial Judge send investigators to check the prisons for innocent people every five years, The sentences can be reduced or canceled in order to prevent the innocent from remaining in prison.


Liao-Fan: The Imperial Judge took his request to the Emperor, who agreed to Mr. Tu's suggestion. Mr. Tu was chosen as one of the special agents in charge of reducing sentences for those who may be innocent. One night he dreamed of a heavenly being who came to him and said:

Heavenly being: You were not supposed to deserve a son in this life, but this act of reducing prison sentences for innocent people is in line with the wishes of the heavens. You will be bestowed with three sons and they will all attain high positions.

Liao-Fan: Soon after that, his wife gave birth to three sons who all became prominent men in society.

Liao-Fan: Another example of attaining good outcomes from practicing kindness is Ping Bao who lived in Chia-shing. Ping was the youngest of the seven sons of the magistrate of Chih-chou, An-hui Province. He was sought into marriage by the Yuan family at Ping-hu Prefecture and was a good friend of my father. Ping Bao was very knowledgeable and talented, but he was never able to pass the exams. He put his time into studying the teachings of Buddhism and Taoism instead. Once, while traveling to Lake Liu, he came to a village and saw a temple in desperate need of repairs. He saw that the statue of Kuan Yin Bodhisattva stood wet from the rain which leaked through the roof Ping took out all his money and gave it to the abbot of the temple, asking him to please use it to restore the temple. The abbot replied.

Abbot: It will be a very big project, I'm afraid ihis amount is not enough to complete your wish.

Liao-Fan: Ping Bao then took out all his luxurious belongings and handed them to the abbot. His servant tried to persuade him into keeping his best outfit, but he refused, saying:

Ping Bao: It does not matter to me. As long as the statue of Kuan Yin Bodhisattva remains undamaged, I do not care if I have to go without clothes.

Liao-Fan: The abbot, with tears in his eyes, exclaimed.

Abbot: To give up money and clothing is not a difficult deed to accomplish, but your deep sincerity is truly rare and precious to encounter!

Liao-Fan: After the temple was repaired, Ping Bao led his father over to visit and spent the night there as well. That night, Ping dreamed of the Dharma Protector of the temple, Chie-lan, coming to thank him saying:

Chie-Lan: Since you have accumulated these merits and virtues, your children and descendants will enjoy having imperial appointments for a long time.

Liao-Fan: Later on, his son and grandson both passed high exams and were appointed as imperial officials.

Bazi Daily - 29/04/2010

伤官佩印为用，文章技艺必超群。

Literal Translation & Interpretation :-

Explicit Talent Deity denotes the ability to be able & dare to 'think of the box'.  He/she takes a different views on things & can innovatively differentiate/distinct himself/herself from the norms.  However, when it is unfavorable, he/she can be a freedom fighter & misuse his/her talents.

Under such circumstance, the presence of Resources Deity (which denotes calmness & stability) diminishes the negative traits of Explicit Talent Deity.

If this is the case, not only the DM is smart & talented, he/she is also able to think on the feet, think twice before taking or not taking any action.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Men soon the faults of others learn

A few their virtues, too, find out;

But is there one—I have a doubt—

Who can his own defects discern?

Sanskrit Proverb

21 - Liao Fan 4 Lessons

Liao-Fan: Another example is of Ta-jo Ying, the imperial secretary who lived in Tai-chou. When he was young, he used to study in remote mountain areas. At night he often heard the sounds of ghost and spirits but he never feared them. One day he heard a ghost say happily to another ghost:


Ghost l : There's a village woman whose husband left home a long time ago and has not returned. Her in-laws think that their son is dead and are forcing her to remarry. Tomorrow night she is going to commit suicide here, and will replace me so that I can be reborn.

Narrator: The souls of those who commit suicide have to wait for another to die at the same place they did in order to leave the ghost realm and attain rebirth at a higher level.

Liao-Fan: Mr. Ying heard this and immediately set out to sell his parcel of land. He attained four lians of silver and made up a letter from the daughter-in-law's husband and sent it to her home along with the silver. The father-in-law noticed that the letter was not in his son's handwriting, but examined the silver and said.

Father-in-law: The letter may be a fake, but the silver's not. Besides, who would send us this much money? Perhaps our son is truly alive and well, and we should not force our daughter-in-law to remarry.

Liao-Fan: Therefore the daughter-in-law did not commit suicide and her husband returned home after all. Mr. Ying heard the ghosts converse again:

Ghost l: Humph! Originally I was able to leave this place for rebirth, but my chance got messed up by Mr. Ying!

Ghost 2: Why don't you inflict some harm on him?

Ghost l: No, I can't. His goodness and virtue has been recognized by the gods and he's going to receive a prominent position in the future. How can I harm him?

Liao-Fan: Mr. Ying heard this and became even more diligent in practicing kindness and accumulating merit. Whenever there was a famine, he would use his own money to buy food for the poor and needy and was always eager to help those in emergencies. When things did not go his way, he always reflected within himself rather than complain of the outside conditions. Even today, his descendants are still very prominent.

Liao-Fan: There was another person, Feng-chu Hsu, who lived in Changso, Chiangsu province, whose father was very wealth. Whenever there was a famine, his father would donate his own grain and all the rent on the rice fields to the poor. One night he heard ghosts singing outside his home:

Ghosts: No kidding! No kidding! A person of the Hsu family is going to pass the imperial exam!

Liao-Fan: This went on for several days and sure enough, that year his son Fengchu passed the imperial exam. From then on, he was even more diligent in doing good deeds and accumulating merit. He often fixed bridges and took care of travelers and monks. One day he heard the ghosts sing again:

Ghosts: No kidding! No kidding! A person in the Hsu family is going to pass an even higher level on the imperial exam!

Liao-Fan: And sure enough, Feng-chu passed the higher exam and became the governor of two provinces.

Bazi Daily - 28/04/2010

伤官明显，择偶条件高，易晚婚。

Literal Translation & Interpretation :-

By now, we should be able to list some of the most merits of the Explicit Talent Deity (be it favorable or unfavorable).  

When it is favorable, he/she can be very talented, smart &, therefore, ambitious.   Accordingly, they set high standards / requirements for themselves as well as for others. 

It is no wonder that the females with obvious presence of Explicit Talent Deity in the natal chart have the tendency to be married late.  The reason is simply that they are looking for the one that is smart & capable as well as caring. 

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Yes, know thyself: in great concerns or small,

Be this thy care, for this, my friend, is all.

Juvenal

20 - Liao Fan 4 Lessons

Liao-Fan: Here is another true story that happened during the Ming Dynasty. once, an organization of bandits appeared in Fukien Province. The Emperor appointed General Hsieh to lead the imperial army to pacify them. General Hsieh wanted to make sure that the innocent were not accidentally killed in the hunt for bandits. So, he managed to attain a list of those who belonged to the organization and commanded that a white flag be given secretly to those who did not belong with the bandits. They were told to place the flag on their door when the imperial army came to town and the soldiers were ordered not to harm the innocent. With this one thought of kindness, General Hsieh saved tens of thousands of people from being killed. Later, his son Chian Hsieh placed first on the imperial exams and later became an advisor to the emperor. His grandson Pei Hsieh also placed highly on the exams.


Liao-Fan: Another example is the Lin family from Fukien. Among their ancestors was an old lady who was very generous. Everyday she made rice balls to give to the poor, and always gave as many as they asked for. There was a Taoist monk who came everyday for three years and each time would ask for six or seven rice balls. The old lady always granted his request and never expressed any displeasure. The Taoist monk, who was actually a heavenly being who came to test the depth of her kind heart, realized the deep sincerity of this woman's kindness and said:

Taoist: I have eaten your rice balls for three years with nothing to show my gratitude in return. Perhaps I can help you in this way: On the land behind your house there is a good place where you can build the ancestral grave. If you are placed there in the future, the number of your descendants who will have imperial appointments will be equivalent to the number of seeds in a pound of sesame seeds.

Liao-Fan: When the old lady passed away, the Lin family followed the Taoist's suggestion and buried her at the designated place. The first generation after that, nine men passed the imperial exams, and it continued that way for every succeeding generation.

Liao-Fan: Another example comes from the father of an imperial historian whose name was Chi Feng. One winter many years ago,. Chi Feng's father was on his way to school when he encountered a person frozen in the snow. Finding the man still breathing, he quickly took off his coat to wrap around the frozen man. He carried him back home and revived him. That night he dreamed of a heavenly being who told him.

Heavenly being: You helped the dying man out of utter sincerity, this is a great virtue. I will bring the famous General Han-chi of the Sung Dynasty to be reborn as your son.

Liao-Fan: Later the child was bom and his nickname was Chi.

Bazi Daily - 27/04/2010

日支坐伤官或天干透伤官，适合从事技术、创作、学者的工作。

Literal Translation & Interpretation :-

According to the above mantra, when the Explicit Talent Deity appears either in the Day Branch or in the Heavenly Stem (anyone), he/she should consider below as his/her professions :-

1.  Technological or engineering fields ;
2.  Industries where creativity & innovativeness is needed ;
3.  To be a scholar

I presume that most of us could understand the rationale behind the first two professions mentioned above. As for the third recommendation (to be a scholar), we maybe wondering why?

First of all, we have to understand that there are various different aspects / scopes in the field R & D.  Some require extensive research, involving repetitive experiment & compilations.  Whilst, others require looking the same things at different perspectives.   The scholar mentioned here refers to the latter.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Know thyself means this, that you get acquainted with what you know, and what you can do.

Menander

19 - Liao Fan 4 Lessons

The Third Lesson: The Way to Cultivate Kindness

Narrator: The previous chapters poke about the many ways to correct one's faults in this present life, naturally assuring that a good life will not become a bad one. However, we are still unable to transform a bad life into a good one. Though we may be good and virtuous in this life, we do not know if we committed offenses in past lives. The retribution for past deeds still has to be undergone. Therefore, in order to change a bad life into a good life, we not only have to reform our faults, but also have to practice all forms of kindness and build upon our virtue. Only in this way can we rid ourselves of the karma created in the past. Once the Member of our kind practices accumulate, our bad life will naturally turn into a good life; thus, the practice of changing destiny can be proven!

Liao-Fan: The I-Ching Book of Change stated:

Narrator: "Families who perform kind deeds will accumulate fortune which can outlast many generations".

Liao-Fan: Let me give you an example. Once there was a family by the name of Yen. Before they agreed to give their daughter in marriage to the man who later became Confucius' father, they looked into the past deeds of the family. After finding the family to be one that practiced kindness and accumulated virtues, the Yen family felt assured that their daughter would be marrying into a family that would be prosperous with outstanding descendants. Sure enough, their daughter later gave birth to Confucius.

Liao-Fan: Confucius had once praised Shwun, an emperor of early China, on his filial piety, saying:

Confucius: Due to his great filial piety, Shwun and his ancestors will be known and respected by others. His offspring will be prominent for many, many generations.

Liao-Fan: These sayings were later proven true through history. Now I will prove to you in these true stories that merits can be attained through performing kind deeds.

Liao-Fan: In Fukien province, there was a prominent man named Rong Yang who held a position in the imperial court as the Emperor's teacher. His ancestors were boat people who made a living by helping people cross the river. Once, there was a storm which lasted so long that fierce flooding washed away all the people's houses. People, animals, and goods were carried down river by the current. Other boaters took advantage of the situation and strove to collect the floating goods. Only Rong Yang's grandfather and great grandfather took interest in rescuing the drowning people. They did not take any of the goods that floated by. The other boaters all laughed and thought them to be very stupid. Later on, when Rong Yang's father was bom, the Yang family gradually became wealthy. One day a saint disguised as a Taoist monk came to the Yang family and said:

Taoist: Your ancestors have accumulated a lot of merit; your offspring should enjoy wealth and prominence. There is a special place where you can build your ancestral tomb.

Liao-Fan: So they followed the Taoist's suggestion and shortly after, Rong Yang was bom. Rong Yang passed the imperial examination when he was only twenty years old and later received imperial appointments. The emperor had even bestowed his grandfather and great grandfather with the same imperial honors. His descendants are still very prominent today.

Liao-Fan: Zi-cheng Yang from the prefecture of Ninpo, Chehkiang province is another example. Zi-cheng worked as a member in the staff of the prefectural courthouse. He was a kind, humane, and law-abiding man. Once, the prefectural magistrate punished a criminal by beating him until his blood spilled out onto the ground. The magistrate's anger did not subside and as he was about to continue, Zicheng knelt and pleaded with him to stop beating the prisoner. The magistrate said:

Magistrate: It's all right for you to plead, but how can I not be angry when this person has broken the law!

Liao-Fan: Zi-cheng replied:

Zi-cheng: When even those in government positions of prestige and power are corrupted and do not follow the Righteous Path, how can one expect the common people to abide by laws and orders? Also, extreme beating can force an innocent suspect to plead guilty. Thus in a case like this we should be more understanding.

Liao-Fan: The magistrate was quite touched by Zi-cheng's speech and ceased the beating. Although Zi-cheng came from a very poor family, he never took any bribes. If the prisoners were short of food, he would always take food from his own home even if it meant going hungry himself. This practice of compassion never ceased and eventually Zi-cheng had two sons. The elder's name was Shou-chen and the younger was named Shou-zi. Both sons became very prominent, and held important government positions. Even the descendants of the Yang family remained prominent for a long time as well.

Bazi Daily - 26/04/2010

伤官过重而又无财星转化，则终生奔波劳碌，不得清闲，虽巧却贫。


Literal Translation & Interpretation :-

From the previous postings, we do know & understand that Explicit Talent Deity denotes intelligence, flexibility & the ability to response to unexpected situations swiftly and aptly.   The Explicit Talent Deity, of course, have to be favorable in order to exhibit above positive traits.

According to the theory of Creative Relationship, Explicit Talent Deity gives birth to Wealth Deities (both Conventional & Unconventional Wealth Deities).  If the DM is strong, with favorable Explicit Talent Deity produces Wealth Deity, we can conclude that the DM is able to make use of his talents in generating & accumulating his/her wealth.

Conversely, in the event of the absence of Wealth Deity in the natal chart, even though the Explicit Talents Deity is favorable, the DM may not be able to accumulate or generate the wealth as compared to the above-mentioned scenario.

The chinese character 贫 (pronounce as 'Pin') stated in the above mantra denotes poverty.  It was, originally, meant that the DM would be poor as there is no sign of Wealth Deity.  

Personally, I would say that the deduction was 'over-stated'.   In the modern society, poverty is not a normal phenomena.  

Accordingly, in the modern context, we can conclude that  DM can be talented, but without the Wealth Deity, the outcome is less then desirable. The efforts put in is not in equilibrium to the wealth generated.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The only journey is the journey within.

Rainer Maria Rilke

18 - Liao Fan 4 Lessons

Narrator: What are the benefits of repentance? For one, you may feel very much at ease, and your heart will feet light and generous. A dumb person may suddenly become wise, and one can maintain a clear and relaxed mind even in a disturbing and confusing environment. One would also feel a great knowledge for everything. One would be able to drive out all hatred upon seeing an enemy and keep a happy attitude. One may dream of spitting out black things; a sign of expelling improper thoughts and negative energy, leaving the heart much cleaner and purified. One may also dream of it the ancient saints or sages who have come to promote and help them, or dream of flying in space without a care in the world. One may also dream of all kinds of colorful flags and ornately decorated canopies. These unusual phenomena are all indications of a successful reform and dissolving of past offenses.


Liao-Fan: However, one must not consider seeing these phenomena as a sign of perfection. Instead, one must resolve to further improve the self and put forth greater effort to reform.

Liao-Fan: During the Spring-Autumn period of China's history, there was a high senior government official in Wei, named Bwo-yu Chu. When he was twenty, he was already mindful of his past faults. He studied his mistakes and tried to correct them thoroughly. At the age of twenty-one, he felt he still had not completely corrected all be his faults. When he was twenty-two, he felt as if twenty-one was spent dreamily, without practical improvement. Thus, year after year, he continued to correct his faults. When he reached fifty, Bwo-yu still felt that the past forty nine years were full of wrongdoings. This was how particular our ancestors were regarding the correction of faults!

Liao-Fan: We are all just common people and our mistakes are as numerous as the spines on a porcupine. Oftentimes when we look back, we do not even see our own faults. This is because we are careless, and do not know how to reflect on our own actions. It is as if a cataract is growing in our eye, we become to blind we cannot even see that we're making mistakes everyday!

Liao-Fan: There are also indications when people have accumulated too many offenses and sins.

Narrator: For instance, one's heart may feel confused and oppressed, lacking energy and spirit. One becomes extremely forgetful, full of worries and feels embarrassed and depressed upon meeting a virtuous gentleman. One becomes displeased at hearing righteous reasoning and when showing kindness to others, is in turn treated with hostility. One will constantly have nightmares where everything is upside-down, and will talk incoherently and behave abnormally. These are the symptoms of those who have accumulated too many sins and offenses!

Liao-Fan: If you have any of the above symptoms, you should immediately gather your willpower and reform all faults. It is necessary to form a new life for yourself I hope you will not delay!

Bazi Daily - 25/04/2010

When the Explicit Talent Deity becomes unfavorable, the following negative traits shall surface :-

• Has broad interests, Jack of all trades but master of none, does not know own limitations

• Strong perception leads to conceitedness and complacency; Unable to accept sincere advice
• Scorns laws and regulations, unrestrained by norms
• Resorts to unscrupulous means at times to attain goals
• Meddlesome, troublemaker, will only stop when situations become irreparable
• If there are too many Deities of Wealth, DM becomes insatiably avaricious
• Speaks harshly and hurtfully without thinking, offends people unwittingly
• Fickle minded, quarrels and disputes are aplenty

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The searching-out and thorough investigation of truth ought to be the primary study of man.

Cicero

17 - Liao Fan 4 Lessons

Liao-Fan:

Lastly, what is meant by Changing the heart.? Though a person's faults can amount to thousands of different types, they all stem from thoughts of the mind. If my heart is still of thoughts, then actions will not arise and faults can be avoided. If your heart is rooted in vices such as desire, fame, profits, or anger, you don't have to find ways to get rid of each fault. All you need is a sincere, kind heart and the willingness to practice kind deeds. As long as your heart is virtuous and kind, then naturally your mind will not generate any improper thoughts.


Liao-Fan: All mistakes stem from the heart-, therefore, one should change from the heart. It is like getting rid of a poisonous tree. If you want to put an end to it, you must uproot it altogether so it cannot grow again. Why exert yourself to no avail by pulling out its leaves one by one and cutting it twig by twig?

Liao-Fan: The best way to reform our faults is through cultivating our hearts. If we are willing to cultivate our hearts, then it is possible to purify our faults right away.

Narrator: This is because wrongdoings originate from the heart. Purifying the heart can erase all improper and bad thoughts before they are carried out in action.

Liao-Fan: If my heart is pure, I can recognize and stop an evil thought as soon as it arises. The immoral idea will disappear the moment I lay my conscious on it. If I am unable to succeed at reforming a fault through changing the heart, then I will try at the level of understanding, knowing the reasons why I need to make the change. If I cannot succeed with this, then I will try to reform by changing through action and force the thought to dissipate. The best way is by cultivating the heart and understanding the reason behind the need to change. The alternative way is forcing ourselves not to commit the wrongdoing again. Sometimes all three methods have to be used to succeed at reforming a fault. Don't be a fool by dismissing the best way and preferring the alternative way.

Liao-Fan: But even when one vows to change, assistance is needed to truly reform. We will need constant reminders from true friends who are witnesses to our actions in everyday life. As for our good and bad thoughts, we can ask the spirits and gods to be our witness. I practice this by writing down all my faults and reporting them to the heavens, earth, spirits, and gods. You also need to repent sincerely and wholeheartedly from morning to evening without laxity. If one can sincerely repent from one to two weeks, then one to three months, continuing this way, then one will definitely attain results and benefits.

Bazi Daily - 24/04/2010

Below are the Merits of Explicit Talent when it is favorable to DM. 


• Beautiful and at ease
• Learned and accomplished, versatile
• Lively and optimistic, expressive
• Shrewd, circumspective and far-sighted
• Excellent perception and creativity
• Full of lofty aspirations
• Strong self-confidence and fighting spirit
• Strong drive to succeed, always thinking about how to surpass others’ achievements

You may wish to make a comparison to ascertain in what way they are similar to 'I' Personality Type.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

~ WILLA CATHER ~

That is happiness; to be dissolved into something completely great.

16 - Liao Fan 4 Lessons

Liao-Fan: Second, let me explain changing through reasoning.

A person who form can refrain from wrongdoings by understanding the reason and principle behind why he should not do it. In the instance of killing, one can reform through contemplating.


Narrator: Loving all living things is the virtue of heaven. All living beings love life and afraid to die. How can I be at peace with myself by taking another's life nurture my own? At times, animals were even cooked alive, such as fish or crabs. They may not have been completely slaughtered before going into the cooking pot. Such pain and suffering reach down into the bones, how can we be so cruel to these animals? When we eat, we use all kinds of expensive and tasty things to nourish our bodies, enough to fill the whole dinner table! But once the meal is done, even the delicacies become body waste and are excreted. The result of our killing accomplishes nothing. We can be nourished just as well by consuming vegetarian foods. Why let your stomach become a graveyard and reduce your fortune through the sin of killing?

Liao-Fan: Think again of all the living beings with flesh and blood. Like us, they have a consciousness. We should cultivate virtue and allow these living beings to feel safe around us. How can we continue to harm their lives and make them hate us? If you think about it, you will naturally feel sorrow for these animals and be unable to swallow their flesh.

Liao-Fan: Here's another example of change through reasoning. One who often gets angry should stop and think of the fact that everyone has their individual strengths and weaknesses. According to my reasoning, if I touched on someone else's weakness, I should pity him for his weaknesses and forgive his shortcomings. If someone offends me for no reason at all, then it is their problem, and that has nothing to do with me. There is no reason for me to get angry. I can also think:

Narrator: There isn't a right minded person who thinks he is always right, for anyone who thinks he is perfect must be a fool.There isn't a learned person who blames another for being knowledgeable, because a truly learned person would be humble, and he will only criticize himself and treat others with tolerance. Therefore, one who complains about others is not a genuine learned person.

Liao-Fan: Therefore, when things do not go the way we wish, it is because we haven't cultivated our virtues and morals, and have not accumulated enough merits to move others! We should always reflect upon ourselves first and see whether we have mistreated others. If we practice thus and diligently cultivate this virtue, then adversity and slander can actually become our training ground to refine our character and to fulfill our goals. Therefore, we should be very glad to accept someone else's criticism and teachings. What is there to be angry and complain about?

Liao-Fan: Additionally, to remain unmoved by slander is like letting a torch bum itself out in space. If we hear others slandering us and try to defend ourselves, it would be like the spring silkworm spinning its own cocoon. There was an old saying which stated 'one who ties himself in a cocoon is looking for suffering'. Therefore, no benefit but harm is derived from getting angry. There are other faults and offenses we can change along the same lines. If we can understand the reasoning behind the need for reform, we will not make the same mistakes twice.

Bazi Daily - 23/04/2010 – The ‘I’ Personality Types (Part 06)

Bazi & The Theory of Personality

The 'I' Personality Types of The DISC Behavioral Model (Part 06)

I Personality Type (i.e. Explicit Talent Deity) have both the strengths and weaknesses. The question that follow would be how to capitalize one’s strengths & reduce the weaknesses.

How to WORK with an I personality type...

• Be friendly. Start your conversation in a personable way before getting down to business.
• Help them set clear, realistic goals. Develop timetables and check back with them frequently.
• Maintain an open door policy with them. Make them feel included.
• Set clear objectives and time frames for any major task.
• Look for ways to make the best use of their verbal skills.

What NOT to do around an I personality type...

• Bore them with details.
• Freeze them out. Exclude them. Make them feel like an outsider.
• Ignore their ideas.
• Expect them to cope well with bureaucracy.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

~ THOMAS JEFFERSON ~

But friendship is precious, not only in the shade,

but in the sunshine of life; and thanks to a benevolent arrangement of things,

the greater part of life is sunshine.

15 - Liao Fan 4 Lessons

Liao-Fan:


The third way to reform is: one must have determination and courage.

A person who hesitates to reform his faults is one who really does not want to change, but is content with what he can get away with. His willpower may not be strong enough, making him afraid to change his wrongdoings. For a refon-n to take place, one must use all his efforts and resolve to change immediately. One should not doubt or wait to reform one's faults. We should not postpone our resolve to change until tomorrow or the day after. A minor fault is like a thom sticking into our flesh, and should be quickly removed. A big fault is like a finger bitten by a poisonous snake. We must cut off that finger without hesitation to prevent the poison from spreading and taking our life.

Liao-Fan: If a person can follow the three ways of shame, fear, and determination to reform, then his personality will surely be transformed. Just as a thin layer of ice is melted by the sun's rays in springtime, one's faults will also disappear when dealt with through these three ways.


Liao-Fan: There are also three methods of practice in helping one reform.

First is changing through action
Second is changing through reasoning, and
Third is changing from the heart. Since the methods vary, so do the results of change.

Narrator: First let us talk about changing through action.

Liao-Fan: For example, if I killed living beings in the past, I now would not to kill again starting today. If I was angry and yelled at others in the past, I would not to get angry today. This is how a person changes through action, and refrains from wrongdoing by would not to do it again. However, it is a hundred times harder you force yourself not to do something than if you just stopped doing it. If you do not uproot your faults, but merely suppress them, the faults will resurface even if you have temporarily stopped doing them. Therefore, the changing through action cannot help you get rid of your faults permanently.

Bazi Daily - 22/04/2010 – The ‘I’ Personality Types (Part 05)

Bazi & The Theory of Personality

The 'I' Personality Types of The DISC Behavioral Model (Part 05)

After knowing the personality type, next thing we would like to ask is :-

How to RECOGNIZE an I personality type ?

• They tend to be extroverted, friendly, and charming.
• They speak with animation (using gestures and facial expressions), tell stories, and laugh.
• They like to make gatherings (meetings, sales presentations, etc.) into social events.
• They enjoy working with people, often trying to include others in their projects.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

~ W. BERAN WOLFE ~

If you observe a really happy man you will find him building a boat, writing a symphony, educating his son, growing double dahlias in his garden.

He will not be searching for happiness as if it were a collar button that has rolled under the radiator.

14 - Liao Fan 4 Lessons

Liao-Fan: 

The second way to reform is that one must know fear.

What are we to fear? We must know that the heaven, earth, spirits, and gods all hover over our heads in observation. They are different from man in that they can see everything without obstruction. Therefore, it is not easy to deceive them. Even when my wrongdoings are done in a place where nobody is around to witness it, the heaven, earth, spirits and gods are just like a mirror, clearly reflecting all my faults. If my offense is serious, then all kinds of disasters will befall me; if the fault is minor, it will still deduct from my current fortune. How can I not feel fear?


Liao-Fan: Every moment, even when I'm in an empty room, the spirits and gods watch over me very carefully and records everything. We can try covering up our evil doings from others, but the spirits and gods can see through to our hearts and know our every action. Ultimately, we cannot deceive ourselves. We would feel embarrassed and dishonored if others happened to see our misdeeds. Therefore, how can we not be constantly cautious of our every actions and be fearful of the consequences they might evoke?

Liao-Fan: But there's more to it! As long as a person still has one breath left, then he has the chance to repent of the most serious mistakes and offenses.

Narrator: Once, a person who behaved badly during his entire lifetime felt remorse just when he was about to die. He had realized his past mistakes and regretted all the bad things he had done. His heart came to a very kind thought, and immediately afterwards, he passed away peacefully.

Liao-Fan: This is to say, if a person can have an overwhelming and courageous kind thought at the most important moment, then it can cleanse away hundreds of years of accumulated sins. This is just like how only one lamp is necessary to bring light into a valley that has been dark for a thousand years. Therefore, it does not matter how long one has been sinful, or if the offenses were newly made; he or she is a surpassing person as long as they are able to change!

Narrator: Though we make mistakes, it is good to correct them. But don't think it is all right for you to do bad things now because you can always repent later. This is definitely not allowed. If one commits a wrongdoing purposely, then the sin is even greater than before.

Liao-Fan: Besides, we are living in a tumultuous and constantly changing world. body, being made of flesh and blood is extremely perishable. If our next breath not come, then this body will no longer be part of us. By then, even if we did t to reform, we would not have the chance to do so.

Narrator: Also, when a person dies, he cannot take any worldly possessions with him, for only his karma stays with his spirit.

Liao-Fan: Therefore, when you commit evil, your retribution in the physical world is a bad reputation and name which will last for hundreds and thousands of years. Even filial children and loving grandchildren cannot cleanse your name for you. Whereas in your afterlife, you might end up in hell suffering immeasurable pain. Even the saints, sages, Buddhas, and Bodhisattvas you may meet cannot save or help you from your consequences. So how can one not be fearful?

Bazi Daily - 21/04/2010 – The ‘I’ Personality Types (Part 04)

Bazi & The Theory of Personality

The 'I' Personality Types of The DISC Behavioral Model (Part 04)

When an I Personality individual are stressed out, he/she can...

• Shirk your homework, relying on your ability to talk your way out of any trouble.
• Lack follow ?through, rarely finishing what you begin. You can overpromise and underdeliver.
• Be superficial and glib.

At their worst, they can be a gossip, a blow hard, a light weight.

If that is the case, how can an individual be their best?

To be your best...

• Develop time management skills.
• Listen. Question. Pause. Consider.
• Be more discriminating. Learn how to appraise people more realistically.
• Resist the urge to do something new. Rein in your impulsiveness.
  Cultivate perseverance. Become more reflective.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

~ THOMAS JEFFERSON ~

The happiest moments of my life have been the few

which I have passed at home in the bosom of my family.

13 - Liao Fan 4 Lessons

The Second Lesson: Ways to Reform

Narrator: How can we be free from faults when we were not born as saints or sages? Confucius once said, "One with faults should not fear to correct them. " After Liao-fan spoke of the ways to create destiny, he proceeded to tell his son about the three ways to reform. First, one mustfeel shame, second one must know fear, and third, one must have determination and courage. If we are mindful of correcting even the tiniest mistake, then large wrongdoings would naturally be avoided.


Narrator: The Spring-Autumn Period mentioned throughout this book refers to a period in China's history over 2,000 years ago when the country was undergoing great change and turmoil.

Liao-Fan: During the Spring-Autumn Period, China was divided into several small nations. Many prestigious advisors and counselors of these nations were able to accurately predict whether a person's future would be good, bad, disastrous or fortunate, based on their observation of that person's speech and behavior. These can all be seen recorded in several history books.

Liao-Fan: Usually, there are signs which signal impending danger or of coming good fortune. These signs are a reflection of one's heart; though it is the heart from which thoughts arise, the body and its limbs can fully portray a person's character. For instance, if a person is kind-hearted, then his every gesture would indicate steadiness and solidity. If a person is evil and mean, then his body and limbs would naturally portray a petty and small character. Often a person is more fortunate when he tends toward kindness and invites trouble when he tends toward meanness. Worldly people often do not see what is actually going on, as if their vision was blurred. Since they cannot see reality, they claim that fortune and disasters are unpredictable.

Liao-Fan: When a person is absolutely honest and truthful, his heart is in agreement with the heart of heaven. Therefore, when one can use this sincere attitude in treating people and dealing with everyday matters, good fortune will naturally follow. This means that in observing someone, we only need to pay attention to his behavior. If his behavior portrays kindness, then you will know for sure in advance that his good fortune is not far behind. On the contrary, when we see unkind behavior from a person, we will know that troubles await him. If you really want to have good fortune, and stay away from adversity, it is necessary to first reform your faults before practicing kind deeds.

Liao-Fan: There are three ways to reform one's faults.

First, one must feel shame.

Think of all the ancient saints and sages whose names and teachings have lasted through hundreds of generations. They were people just like us,but why is my name tamished and my reputation ruined in just one lifetime? I find that it is because I over-indulge myself in material pleasures and have been badly influenced by the polluted environment. I also secretly do many things I'm not supposed to do, and think others won't know about it. Sometimes I disregard the nation's laws and am not ashamed of it. Without realizing it, I stoop lower each day until 11 in no different from an animal. There is nothing else in the world which calls for more shame and remorse than these behaviors. Mencius once said,

Mencius:  "Shame" is the greatest and most important word in a person's lifetime. Why? Because one who knows shame, will put forth his best effort in reforming faults and will eventually attain sage-hood or become a saint. One who cannot comprehend the word 'shame' will be unrestrained and immoral. This person would then be just like an animal.

Liao-Fan:  These are really key words to reforming your faults.

Bazi Daily - 20/04/2010 – The ‘I’ Personality Types (Part 03)

Bazi & The Theory of Personality

The 'I' Personality Types of The DISC Behavioral Model (Part 03)

I have shared with you on the circumstances whereby how an I Personality Type (i.e. Explicit Talent) can be energized.

Have you ever wonders the circumstances whereby such individual lose his/her energy? Below are the answer :-

• Being around negative, cold, or pessimistic people
• Performing routine, detailed tasks
• Being held to rigid schedules
• Working alone
• Feeling left out
• Being criticized in public

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

~ THICH NHAT HANH ~

Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile,

but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.

12 - Liao Fan 4 Lessons

Liao-Fan: Tien-Chi, my son, I wonder how your life will be? In any case of destiny, we should always prepare for the worst; therefore, even in times of prosperity, you must act as if you were not, and when things are going your way, you must be mindful of adversity. When you are wealthy, be mindful of poverty, and when loved and respected by all, you must remain careful and conservative. When the family is greatly respected and revered, you must carry yourself humbly, and when your leaming is broad and deep, you must not display it, but keep it humbly within. [Narrator]: The six ways of contemplation mentioned above are a means to tackle the problem from its opposite side. If one can thus cultivate the mind, then virtue and morality will grow and fortune will increase on its own.


Liao-Fan: When mindful of the past, we should spread the virtues of our ancestors, and when mindful of the present, we should conceal the faults of our own parents. This is what Mencius said as 'Parents caring for children and children caring for parents'. When mindful of the nation, we should think of how we can repay its kindness to us, and when mindful of the family, we should think of how to bring about good fortune. When mindful of the outside, we should think of how to help those in need around us, and when mindful of within, we should prevent wicked thoughts and improper actions from arising.

Narrator:  These six contemplations are all positive ways to cultivate good character. If one can practice accordingly, one will surely become a true gentleman.

Liao-Fan: A person must be able to detect his faults everyday in order to correct them everyday. If you are unable to detect any faults in yourself, then improvement of character is out of the question. There are many intelligent people in the world who refuse to cultivate morality and virtue, and cannot put forth diligent effort in their work. Their failures later in life are owed to a single word: Laziness.

Liao-Fan:The teachings which Master Yun Gu taught are truly the most worthy, deep, real, and proper teachings, and I hope you will study them closely and practice them with all your effort. You must use your time wisely and not let it slip by in vain.

Bazi Daily - 19/04/2010 – The ‘I’ Personality Types (Part 02)

Bazi & The Theory of Personality

The 'I' Personality Types of The DISC Behavioral Model (Part 02)

I have introduced some of the characteristics of I Personality Types. As you may have already answered it correctly, it is comparable to the concept of Talent Deity (specifically, to Explicit Talent Deity).

Individuals with I Personality Profiles (similar to Explicit Talent) can be energized by :-

• Working with people in a fast-paced, varied environment
• Being in the spotlight (not necessarily being in charge)
• Tackling new projects and learning new things
• Gaining public recognition
• Initiating change and being able to be creative


Hence, to be at your best you can...

• Communicate a vision, mission, or goal in a way that inspires others to adopt it and work toward achieving it.
• Be enthusiastic and creative.
• See the best in others and you help them believe in their abilities.

You can be a visionary, a motivator, a catalyst.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

~ THICH NHAT HANH ~

The amount of happiness that you have depends on the amount of freedom you have in your heart.

11 - Liao Fan 4 Lessons

Liao-Fan:  That night, after your mother (i.e. Liao Fan’s wife) spoke these words, I dreamed of a heavenly being, and told him of my difficulty in completing the ten thousand kind deeds. The heavenly being said to me:


Heavenly being: When you became mayor, you reduced the taxes on the rice fields, that was a great kind deed, and that deed itself was worth ten thousand merits. Your vow is already fulfilled!

Liao-Fan: As it turned out, the farmers in Bao-di prefecture had to pay a very high tax, and when I came to office, I reduced the taxes on the rice fields by nearly half But still, I felt strange...

Narrator:  How did the heavenly being know about the tax deduction? Liao-Fan still held doubts and wondered how a single deed could be worth ten thousand merits.

Liao-Fan: Coincidentally, the Zen Master Huan-yu was traveling from the Five Plateau Mountains and stopped in Bao-di. I invited him over and told him of my dream, and asked whether it was believable.

Master Huan-yu said:

Master Huan-Yu: When doing kind deeds, one must be true and sincere, and not seek any rewards, or act with falsity. If one does a kind deed with such a true and sincere heart, then one deed can indeed be worth the merit from ten thousand kind deeds. Besides, your act of reducing the taxes in this prefecture benefits more than ten thousand people; you have relieved the suffering of heavy taxes on all these farmers. The fortune you will gain from this act will surely be great!

Liao-Fan: Upon hearing his words, I was overwhelmed with gratitude and immediately gave a month's salary for him to take back to the Five-Plateau Mountains as donation. I asked the Master to use the money to offer food for ten thousand monks and dedicate the merits for me.

Liao-Fan: Mr. Kong had predicted that I would die at the age of fifty-three. However, I survived that year with no illnesses though I did not ask the heavens for a longer life. Now I am sixty-nine, and I have lived sixteen more years than what was destined!

Liao-Fan:The Chinese Book of History had said:

Narrator: 'The way of the Heavens is undetermined, and neither is one's destiny. It is also said that, 'Destiny is not set, but is only created and determined by oneself'

Liao-Fan: These are all true, and I have come to understand that both fortune and adversity are all results of one's own doings. These are truly the words of sages and saints! If one is to say that fortune and adversity are all determined by the heavens, then I would consider that person to be mundane and common.

Bazi Daily - 18/04/2010 – The ‘I’ Personality Types (Part 01)

Bazi & The Theory of Personality

The 'I' Personality Types of The DISC Behavioral Model (Part 01)

We have touched on the subject of ‘D’ & ‘C’ Personality Types of DISC Model, which resemble Imposing Authority Deity & Proper Authority Deity, respectively.

From today onwards, I shall continue to introduce the third variable of the DISC Model, that is the ‘I’ Personality Type.

The "I" Personality Type

Influence, Image, Enthusiasm

If you are an I personality type, you are concerned about COMMUNICATION and PEOPLE.

• You are optimistic, charming, and outgoing.
• You are a "people person."
• You genuinely like people, and you want them to like you.
• You trust people and enjoy bringing out their best.
• You are a consummate communicator. You enjoy telling stories and you tend to exaggerate.
• You enjoy meeting new people, working with others, and networking.
• You tend to ignore the rules (since you don't think they really apply to you).
• You are energized by working with people and you energize any group you work with.
• You see the "big picture" and you can be inspirational.
• You dislike details and you can be scattered.

After reading the above descriptions, which of the 10 deities do you think the ‘I’ Personality type fit in?

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

~ THEODOR FONTANE ~

Happiness, it seems to me, consists of two things: first, in being where you belong, and second -- and best -- in comfortably going through everyday life, that is, having had a good night's sleep and not being hurt by new shoes.

10 - Liao Fan 4 Lessons

Liao-Fan: Every time I performed a kind deed, I would record it in a book. Your mother, who could not read or write, would use a goose feather dipped in ink and make a red circle on the calendar for every kind deed she did. Sometimes she gave food to the poor, or bought living creatures from the marketplace to free in the wild. She recorded all of these with her circles on the calendar. At times she could accumulate more than ten red circles in one day! [Narrator]: That means she performed more than ten kind deeds in a single day.


Liao-Fan: Everyday we practiced like this, and in four years, the three thousand deeds were completed. Once again I made the dedications, this time in our home. On September 13th of that same year, I made my third wish, and that was to pass the next level in the imperial exam, thejin-shr level. I also vowed to complete ten thousand meritorious deeds. After three years, I attained my wish and passed the jin-shr level. I was also made the mayor of Bao-di prefecture. While in that office, I prepared a small booklet to record my merits and faults, and called it the Book of Disciplining the Mind.

Narrator:  The book was called Disciplining the Mind in hopes of helping him avoid selfish and improper thoughts.

Liao-Fan: From that day, I recorded all my good and bad deeds in that booklet, and kept it on my desk. Every evening, I would bum incense and make a report of my deeds to the heavens at the little altar in the garden. Once, your mother was concerned when she saw that I had not accumulated many merits and asked:

Wife: In the past, I was able to help you in your accumulation of kind deeds, and we were able to complete the three thousand meritorious deeds. Now, you have made a vow to complete ten thousand kind deeds, and there are fewer opportunities to practice them here at the government residence-, how long will it be before your vow can be fulfilled?

Bazi Daily - 17/04/2010

七杀有制有生，威镇边疆。

Literal Translation & Interpretation :

When favorable & reasonably strong, Imposing Authority Deity denotes determination & dare to take 'calculated' risk.  They are sensitive to external environment and response swiftly & appropriately to it.  They are action oriented.  Hence, in term of achievement, they can perform better than Proper Authority Deity.  This is especially true in a fast pace environment.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

~ TENZIN GYATSO, 14TH DALAI LAMA ~

The basic thing is that everyone wants happiness, no one wants suffering.

And happiness mainly comes from our own attitude, rather than from external factors.

If your own mental attitude is correct, even if you remain in a hostile atmosphere, you feel happy.

09 - Liao Fan 4 Lessons

Liao-Fan: My name used to be Shuei Hai, which meant 'broad learning', but after receiving these teachings from Master Yun Gu, I changed it to Liao Fan, which means 'transcending the mundane'. It signified my understanding of the fact that destiny is created by ourselves, and I did not wish to be like worldly people, who allowed destiny to control them.


Liao-Fan: From then on, I began to be constantly aware of my thoughts and actions, and I was very cautious and careful in whatever I did. Soon I felt quite different from before. In the past, I used to be careless and lived my days in distraction, and had no self-discipline at all. Now, I found myself being naturally respectful, careful and conservative in my thoughts, speech, and actions. I maintain this attitude even when I'm alone, for I know that there are spirits and gods everywhere who can see my every action and thought. Even when I encounter people who dislike or slander me, I can take their insults with a patient and peaceful mind, and not feel compelled to quarrel with them.

Liao-Fan: The year after I met Master Yun Gu, I took the preliminary imperial exam in which Mr. Kong had predicted I would come in third place. Amazingly, I came in first! Mr. Kong's predictions were beginning to lose their accuracy. He had not predicted I would pass the imperial exam at all, but that autumn, I did! None of these were part of my original destiny. Master Yun Gu had said that destiny could be changed, and now I believe it more than ever!

Liao-Fan: Although I had corrected a lot of my faults, I found that I could not wholeheartedly do the things I ought to do. Even if I did do them, it was forced and unnatural. I reflected within and found that there were still many wrongs in my being, such as seeing an opportunity to practice kindness and not being eager enough to do it; or, harboring doubts when helping others in need. Sometimes I forced myself to act kindly, but my speech was still untamed and offensive. I found I could contain myself when sober, but after a few drinks, I would lose self-discipline and act without restraint. Although I often practiced kind deeds and accumulated merits, my faults and offenses were so numerous, they seemed to outnumber my good deeds. A lot of my time was spent vainly and without value. It took me more than ten years to complete the three thousand meritorious deeds I had vowed to do.

Liao-Fan: I was not able to dedicate the merits from these three thousand kind deeds at a temple until I returned to my hometown in the south a few years later. Then I made my second wish, and that was for a son. I vowed to complete another three thousand good deeds. A few years later, your mother gave birth to you, and named you Tien-chi.

Bazi Daily - 16/04/2010

In order to fully understand the concepts of Imposing Authority Deity, a comparison between the merits & shortcomings is a good idea.   Below are some of the shortcomings of Imposing Authority :


• Introverted, extremist and rebellious
• Impetuous, risk-taker
• Lacks proper consideration before carrying out actions
• Rash and foolhardy
• Strongly vengeful
• Takes competitive stance towards all things, sometimes to the point of being extremist, inviting enemies and discontent
• Overwhelming Imposing Authority – gloomy, competitive and fond of alcohol and sex
• If the DM is extremely weak, his personality will be timid and cowardly

 
 

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

 

~ TENZIN GYATSO, 14TH DALAI LAMA ~

 

Consider the following.

We humans are social beings. We come into the world as the result of others' actions.

We survive here in dependence on others.

Whether we like it or not, there is hardly a moment of our lives

when we do not benefit from others' activities.

For this reason it is hardly surprising that most of our happiness arises in the context of our relationships with others.

This entry continued ...

08 - Liao Fan 4 Lessons

Master Yun Gu: The issue of life and death is the most critical issue of one's life. Therefore, long life and short life is also the most important issue to us. The same applies to wealth and poverty, low and high prestige. These are all encompassed by the issue of long life and short life. That is why Mencius did not need to mention the latter in his principle of creating destiny, since he had already spoken about long and short life.


Master Yun Gu: then told me about Mencius's teaching on cultivating said that one who wishes to cultivate himself must do so day by day, and f his conduct every moment, ensuring that no transgressions are made. s for changing one's destiny, that depends on the accumulation of merit, seeking for a response from the heavens. When cultivating the self, one should be aware of one's resolve to correct them just as in curing a sickness. Perseverance is inment comes when one's practice matures and ripens. In that case, ill most definitely change for the better. We should work toward severing all bad habits and thoughts. It would be quite an accomplishment for the e benefits of these teachings to be felt once you reach the state of 'no thought'.

Master Yun Gu: The actions of worldly people usually follow their thoughts. hatever has to be 'thought' is not considered natural. I know that you are still able to accomplish the state of 'no thought', but if you practice reciting the Jwun Ti antra continuously, it will help you to overcome scattered thoughts in the mind. hen you recite, you must not think of reciting, but recite consciously and diligently thout any attachment. When the reciting becomes second nature to you, it will be efficacious.

Narrator:  But the essence of this practice can only be understood after you practice it.

Bazi Daily - 15/04/2010

I have covered the subject on 'D' Personality Type of DISC Model.   Now, I shall list down the merits of Imposing Authority Deity for your comparison & better understanding.

The merits of Imposing Authority are as follows:


• Imposing and authoritative, extraordinary vitality
• Brave and resolute, indomitable
• Intuitive, strong judgement
• Strong determination, makes daring breakthroughs
• Strong revolutionary spirit
• Chivalrous
• Poor at pretence
• Has excellent leadership ability, revered by offspring and subordinates

Dear friend, have you got a clearer picture of the characteristics of Imposing Authority Deity by now?
 
 
 

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

 

~ TENZIN GYATSO, 14TH DALAI LAMA ~

 

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.

07 - Liao Fan 4 Lessons

Master Yun Gu: Mr. Kong had predicted that you will not receive an imperial appointment or have a son. We can think of these as the decrees of heaven, but even that can still be changed. You only need to reform your ill ways, practice kind deeds and work to accumulate merit and virtue. These are your own transactions to create fortune, no one can take it away. How is it then possible that you will not get to enjoy it? The I Ching, Book of Changes, was written to help kind people bring about good fortune and avoid adversity. If everything is predestined with no room for change, how can we improve upon our fortune and avoid adversity? The very first chapter of I-Ching Book also said,


Narrator: 'families who often perform kind deeds will have an excess of good fortune to pass onto the next generations.' Do you believe in this?

Liao-Fan: I understood and believed in the Master, and paid my respects to him in gratitude. Then I began to repent of all my past wrongdoings, whether large or small, in front of the Buddha image. I wrote down my wish to pass the imperial examinations, and vowed to complete three thousand meritorious deeds to show my gratitude towards heaven, earth, and ancestors. Upon hearing my vow, Master Yun Gu showed me a chart, and taught me how to keep a daily record of the kind and evil acts I committed . He told me that bad deeds could neutralize the merits I accrue from good deeds. The Master also taught me how to recite the Jwun Ti Mantra; it is a way to train my mind for single-minded concentration. Only with a pure and unscattered mind could what I seek for come true. Master Yun Gu then said:

Master Yun Gu: You can also learn the proper way to practice the art of written mantras. It is said, "Those who practice the art but do not know the right way to do it will be laughed at by gods and spirits." The secret behind writing mantras is the absence of thought from start to finish. In the process of drawing, one must not give rise to a single improper thought; even kind thoughts have to be let go of. Only under these circumstances can a mantra be successful. When one prays or seeks something in terms of changing fate, it is important that one does it when the mind is still. In this way, wishes will be easily fulfilled.

Master Yun Gu: Mencius stated in his Principle of Forming Destiny that there is no difference between longevity and short life. At first glance, one would find this hard to understand - how can longevity and short life be the same? In actuality, when we look within our hearts, we will find no duality, no difference. We should see everything with eyes of equality and live morally regardless of good or bad times. If one can practice accordingly, then one can master the fate of wealth and poverty.

Master Yun Gu: Therefore, when we are able to create and form our own destiny, it does not matter whether we are presently rich or poor . Just as a wealthy man should not become careless in his thoughts and actions because he is rich, a poor man should not resort to committing evil deeds due to his poverty. In either case, one should keep to one's place in society and be a virtuous person. If one can practice morality regardless of conditions, then he or she will surely change a poor life into a prosperous one, and a prosperous life into an even longer lasting prosperity.

Master Yun Gu: One should also look upon long life and short life equally. A person who knows he is short-lived should not think, 'I'm going to die soon anyway, so there's no point in being virtuous, I should steal and kill for my benefit while I can.' Instead, one who already knows he has a short life to live should be even more diligent in cultivating kindness, hoping to gain a longer life next time, and perhaps his or her merits from practicing kindness can even elongate the present life. One who is long-lived should not think, 'I have all the time in the world, it doesn't matter if I do some evil once in while.' We should know that longevity does not come easily, and should be cherished and used to cultivate even more kindness and virtue. Otherwise, you may very well use up your longevity all too soon. If you understand this principle, then you will be able to change a short life into a long life through virtuous behavior.

Bazi Daily - 14/04/2010 - The 'D' Personality Type (Part 05)

Bazi & The Theory of Personality

The 'D' Personality Types of The DISC Behavioral Model (Part 05)

How to WORK with a D personality type...


• Be clear, specific, and to the point.
• Be prepared. Present your requirements, objectives, and support material without wasting their time.
• Involve them in developing a solution. Let them decide how to accomplish it and give them the freedom to do it by themselves.
• Clarify the limits of their authority and available resources.
• Don't back down when they attack. Take issue with the facts without confronting the person directly.


What NOT to do around a D personality type...

• Chitchat. Try to develop a relationship. Approach them casually.
• Waste their time.
• Tell them what to do and expect them to do it.
• Expect them to pick up on your feelings or unspoken agenda.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

 

~ NORMAN MACEWAN ~

 

Happiness is not so much in having as sharing.

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.

06 - Liao Fan 4 Lessons

Narrator:  The following section is Master Yun Gu's advice to Liao-Fan, using the views of worldly folk, persuading him to cultivate virtue.


Master Yun Gu: Bearing children is similar to bearing fruit from seeds, if the seeds are planted well, so will the fruits they bear. If the seeds are not planted well, then the fruits will become malnourished. For example, if a person has accumulat ed enough merit and virtue for a hundred generations, then he or she will have descendants to last a hundred generations. One who accumulates enough merit and virtue to last ten generations will then have ten generations of descendants to live out that fortune. The same goes for three generations or two generations. For those who have no descendants at all, it is because they have not accumulated enough good merit and virtue - they may have amassed sins instead!

Master Yun Gu: Now that you recognize your own shortcomings, you can work to change and reform the misdeeds which cause you to not have a son or become an imperial official. You must cultivate virtue, tolerance, and treat others with compassion and harmony. You must also care for your health and conserve your energy and spirit. Live as though everything of the past dissolved yesterday, and all of the future begins today. If you can accomplish this, then you are a person bom anew. If even our physical body is governed by the law of fate, then how can a mind of virtue and discipline not evoke a response from heaven? As said in the Tai Ja Chapter in the Chinese Book of History,

Narrator:  'One may run from the decrees of heaven, but one can never escape the retribution for one's own evil deeds'. In other words, one can alter the retribution due from past deeds, but if one continues to behave immorally, then there is no chance of avoiding disaster.

Master Yun Gu: It is also said in the Book of Poems,

Narrator:  'A person should often reflect upon his own thoughts and actions, to see if they accord with the ways of heaven. If one practices such, then fortune will come without being sought. The choice to seek either good fortune or to bring about adversity is all up to you.'

Bazi Daily - 13/04/2010 - The 'D' Personality Type (Part 04)

Bazi & The Theory of Personality

The 'D' Personality Types of The DISC Behavioral Model (Part 04)

Since, the 'D' Personality Type can be very blunt & straight forward, how can we recognize such a person?

How to RECOGNIZE a D personality type (Imposing Authority Deity) ...

• They tend to be active, extroverted, and always in a rush.
• They speak loudly, interrupt others, and come right to the point in conversation.
• They like to take charge of meetings and to set the agenda and make the rules.
• They can be aggressive, blunt, and impatient.

Given that they can be emotionally unstable, it is crucial to know how to work with them.  We shall examine it tomorrow.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

~ NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE ~

Happiness is as a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but which if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.

05 - Liao Fan 4 Lessons

Liao-Fan:  Master Yun Gu continued to ask:


Master Yun Gu: What were Mr. Kung's predictions regarding your entire life?

Liao-Fan: I told him in great detail, from the placement positions in the examinations, to my appointment as an official, and finally, the date of my death.

Master Yun Gu: Do you feel you deserve imperial appointments or a son?

Liao-Fan: I reflected upon my previous deeds and attitudes in the past for a long time. Then I answered him saying, "No, I do not feel I deserve an imperial appointment or a son. Those who receive imperial appointments all have the appearance of good fortune, and I do not. I do not work towards accumulating virtues to build up my fortune, either. I am very impatient, intolerant, undisciplined, and speak without any restraint. I also have a strong sense of pride and arrogance. These are all signs of scant fortune and non-virtue. How is it possible for me to receive an imperial appointment?

Narrator:   Next we will see why Liao-Fan has no children. Liking cleanliness is a good thing, but it can become a personality problem if one gets too immaculate. There is an old saying, 'life springs from the dirt of the earth, and water too clean often harbors no fish.'

Liao-Fan: The first reason why I feel I do not deserve a son is because I am addicted to cleanliness, resulting in the lack of thoughtfulness for others. The second reason is that 'harmony is the cultivator of all life', but I have a quick temper and easily become angry. The third reason is based on the principle that 'Loving kindness is the basis of reproduction, and harshness is the root of sterility', I overly guard my own reputation and cannot sacrifice anything for the sake of others. The fourth reason is that I talk too much which wastes a lot of chi, or energy. The fifth reason is that I also delight in drinking alcohol, and that depletes my spirit. To remain healthy, one must not sleep during the daytime and stay up through the nights. The sixth reason I do not have a son is my habit of staying up nights, not knowing how to conserve my energy. Aside from these, I have many, many, other faults which are too numerous to mention.

Master Yun Gu then said:

Master Yun Gu: According to you then, there are too many things in life you do not deserve, not only fame and a son! We should know that both good and bad fortune are all formed from one's heart- a wise person knows that everything one achieves or fails at in life are only consequences of their own actions and thoughts. Only a fool assumes that all is the work of fate and destiny! We must understand that those who have thousands of dollars in this life must have cultivated the fortune worthy of that amount in the past. Those who have hundreds of dollars must also have fortune which is worthy of containing that sum. Those whose fate is to die of starvation, in fact were meant to die in that manner. We must understand that the fate of these people was created by their own past thoughts and actions the retribution today is simply the fruit of their deeds. Heaven does nothing more than punish evil beings with the suffering they deserve, and reward kind ones with the fortune they deserve.

Bazi Daily - 12/04/2010 - The 'D' Personality Type (Part 3)

Bazi & The Theory of Personality

The 'D' Personality Types of The DISC Behavioral Model (Part 03)

We have learned and knew that the 'D' Type (i.e. Imposing Authority) can be their best at certain circumstances.  They, however, can lose energy when they are :

• Are closely supervised or micromanaged
• Are questioned or overruled
• Can't affect the outcome
• Have limited access to resources
• Perform routine, predictable tasks


And when they are stressed out, they can...
• Be blunt to the point of being rude. Like a tank, you run over people's feelings.
• Be hypercritical, demanding, and short-tempered.
• Make rash and reckless decisions.
• Explode when you don't get your way.

At their worst, they can be a bully, a loud mouth, a tyrant.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

 

~ MOHANDAS K. GANDHI ~

 

Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.

04 - Liao Fan 4 Lessons

Liao-Fan: Taken aback, I proceeded to ask Master Yun Gu, "According to you then, is it true that one can change one's fate, that one can escape from it?"


The Master answered:

Master Yun Gu: Fate is created by ourselves. Good fortune or bad fortune are also determined by ourselves. When I commit evil, disasters are bound to strike. When I cultivate kindness, good fortune will naturally come my way. It says so in all the great ancient books of wisdom. In the Buddhist teachings, it is written that if one wishes and seeks wealth, position, a son, a daughter, or longevity, one can attain them. One only has to cultivate kind deeds in order to escape the control of fate. Since untruthful speech is one of the greatest offenses in Buddhist teachings, we can be assured that these are not lies. Buddhas and Bodhisattvas certainly have no reasons to deceive us.

Liao-Fan: I did not quite understand what he meant by 'attaining all that one wished for', and so I asked him, "Mencius once said, 'Whatever is sought for can be attained. The seeking is in oneself.' This refers to inner qualities such as virtue, kindness, and morality. These are all qualities one can work towards. However, when it comes to outside factors such as wealth, fame, and prestige, how can we seek and attain them? Don't these have to be granted by others in order to be achieved? The Master replied:

Master Yun Gu: Mencius was correct, but you misinterpreted his meaning. HuiNeng, the Sixth Patriarch of the Zen school has taught that all the fields of merit are within one's own heart. If one seeks from within, one can be in touch with all fortunes and disasters. The outside is merely a reflection of the inside. By seeking within ourselves, we can not only attain the inner qualities of virtue, kindness, and morality, but we can also attain wealth, fame, and prestige.

Narrator:  If wealth, fame, and prestige are embodied in one's fate, then one will attain them even without having to seek. If they are not, then one cannot attain them even through plotting and scheming.


Master Yun Gu: Therefore, if one cannot reflect within his own heart but instead blindly seeks fame, fortune, and longevity from external sources, then this seeking will be in vain. Just as Mencius once said: 'In seeking, one should follow the right path. In attaining, one attains what one's destiny entities him to.' Whatever is attained in the end is still part of one's own fate. If one tries to seek these qualities from the outside, and even goes to the extent of committing evil deeds for them, then one will not only lose one's inner qualities of virtue and kindness, but predetermined fortune as well. Furthermore, evils committed in one's greedy mind to obtain more will often reduce the fortune of one's original fate. From this we can see that no benefit is derived from blind seeking.