See also: How to choose an authentic Feng Shui practioner

THE JOURNEY TO FENG SHUI
Born and raised in small town New Zealand, with parents whose lifestyle took them about the North Island countryside to various conventions on many weekends of each year it is easy to see why Danny grew up with a love of packing his bags and heading for the vista of fresh and unknown pastures. Add to this the steady flow of overseas visitors, both family and friends from exotic and far away places, especially South East Asia, who constantly knocked at the door, it was almost a foregone conclusion that he too would develop a passion for travel. The fact that that passion would take him to some of the more remote and historic sites in Asia and that during these many years of living and travelling it has always been the people rather than the sites he encountered who helped mould his character and at times change his life forever in very unforeseen ways, perhaps was not so expected. As the Latin poet Horace once said, "He who travels away from his home changes his sky but not his mind." It has been the 'changes of mind' that have been the greatest surprise of all and which have also provided the greatest delight in Danny's life.

His first trip to China and Hong Kong was in the early 1980s. China was still only recently opening up to the west. Deng Xiaoping's 'open door policies' were just beginning to work and there was a sense of fascination and awe with both people and things Occidental. The traditional Chinese philosophies and practices were still somewhat mired in the taboo of the 'Cultural Revolution'. There was a "frontier" feeling to wandering about China's vast landscapes. However, one day he had the great good fortune to meet an elderly gentleman in a park in Hong Kong's Kowloon who had had a life as fascinating and diverse as any of the travellers that had passed through Danny's parents' doors. This elderly gentleman tried earnestly and passionately to dissuade him from going to China and from the perils he said were bound to befall any unwary traveller at the hands of the hated communists. Far better to visit his brother and sister and their families in Taiwan where the traditional ways, the "knowledge of old" was still intact and in use on a daily basis. "Go to them and learn the ways of the Masters Danny! Learn from them how to consult your Feng Shui. Learn the secrets of Kanyu and have nature help you in your work!" Danny did indeed visit them and learn from them but not till later. First he travelled throughout China and saw the ancient sites for himself; in spite of the communists!

This was his introduction to 'The Master'. Modest and severe, he developed a wish to introduce Danny to the things which were of greatest meaning to him in his encroaching old age. Having been devastated by the loss of his only child, a son, and later his wife, he had a burning passion to pass on the knowledge he had accrued from his own father and grandfather to someone who would value it as much himself and who would in turn one day hand it on in his Master's name. Danny has no explanation as to why old "Master Sun" chose him but choose him he did and having made that choice there was no going back! Danny does not pretend that he was always as obedient or as respectful of "The Master" as he should have been but then he also suspects that "The Master" in turn was consciously flouting some of the traditional laws by choosing a 'Gweilo' or foreigner to inherit this body of knowledge in the first place!

They boxed along with a great deal of humour, in spite of the frequent dourness of "The Master" and Danny's, "scatty and rebellious gweilo mind". From time to time he would visit "The Master" from his home base in Tokyo. And it was at his insistance that Danny made the trek to the city of Qufu in Shandong province to visit the Temple and Mansions of the Kong family, descendants of Confucious and where he almost got himself killed. But that is another story. He returned again and again on his journeys to the fascination of "The Great Within", the halls and courtyards of the forbidden city in Beijing and saw for himself with renewed vision and insight the workings of the ancient art of traditional Kanyu or Feng Shui. With his Master's encouragement Danny sought out the use and workings of Feng Shui in the Temples and Palaces of Korea and Taiwan and then later through some of the monks who were to befriend him in Thailand. They also introduced him to the profound changes that the daily practice of Theravada Buddhism would bring in his life.

"It has been a fascinating and rewarding journey and with my daily work of introducing the principles of traditional Feng Shui to New Zealanders I think often of my deceased mentor and friend and see his head nodding sagely and patiently, proffering kindly and timely advice and the occasional word of caution. I do also frequently shudder at the dismay he would feel with the popularisation and Feng Phooey so evident here in the west. It is my belief, however, that with time the fake and popular 'westernisation' of this wonderful and time honoured body of learning will turn full circle and be seen for what it is, just that. Feng Phooey! In the mean time of course, there is bound to be confusion and some scams. Make sure that anyone you consult or take courses from has been properly trained in a one on one apprenticeship with a recognised Master. Read and learn as much as possible and apply what you learn with discretion and patience. Consult a professional who is able to explain what they are doing and why!" Remember, proper Feng Shui is as much applied science as it is art form and has nothing to do with religion or philosophy in its everyday application. It is an ancient and venerable art form which takes as its basis the effects that electro-magnetism and the shape and placement of man made structures has on life on the planet and within the universe. It is very much a time honoured system for observing and manipulating natural laws to man's advantage and to the greater good of all concerned.