five elements

In this episode we are joined by Dr Danil Mikhailov who has practised kung fu for 29 years and has spent a decade researching kung fu culture in different parts of China, as part of Wushu Scholar, under the leadership and guidance of Chief Instructor Dennis and Instructor Sharon Ngo from Fujian White Crane Kung Fu & Tai Chi in the UK.

Danil has been awarded 4th Dan in kung fu from the Chinese Wushu Association, has won multiple gold medals in international competitions in China, is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, and has written a successful book, History and Philosophy of Kung Fu: an Introduction. 

Danil has himself applied kung fu philosophy in all aspects of his life as a successful academic and entrepreneur and CEO of a global data and AI organisation and will draw on his experiences in his lecture.

Pen to Sword is brought to you by Phecda.One. An exploration of, and education in Chinese Culture and how this relates to the rest of the world.

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Have You Ever Walked Into A Room and Felt an Instant Wave of Peace or Energy?

In our latest episode, discover how it's not just about where you put your couch or what color your curtains are. It's about going deeper into the energy, the balance, and understanding how your space reflects and affects the happiness in your life.

Join Hélène for an absolutely fascinating chat with Sabbah Khennouf, an expert in the ancient Chinese practice of Feng Shui and interior design. You’ll learn how to establish a 'command position' and how Biophilic design connects us to the natural world, even in the heart of the city.

Chapters:
14:14 - Revealing Underlying Challenge of Feeling Stuck Through Feng Shui
17:47 - Animals Symbolize Fire
24:30 - Biophilic Design: The Key to Recovery
32:47 - Creating Balance with the 5 Elements in Feng Shui

Sabbah explains how the colors around us, and even the colors we wear, can profoundly influence our lives. It's like your personal color palette is a key to unlocking different energies and vibes.

There's so much more to unpack in the full episode. Hélène even shares her personal experience of how a few changes in her space led to better sleep and a boost in confidence.

Press play, grab a comfy spot, and maybe rearrange a thing or two Feng Shui style!

If you've ever been curious about the magic behind arranging your living space or how your environment affects your mood and life, you're in for a real treat.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

Connect with Guest: Sabbah Khennouf 

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Learn how to cultivate more spirit and energy (Qi) in your bedroom.

In this episode we interview Dr Sophie Liu, an expert in Chinese daoist culture and the I-Ching, who explains why the structure and layout of your bedroom is so important.

Sleep is vital for all of us.  We spend one third of our life asleep, in your bedroom. This is important to build up your spirit, your energy and allow your body to recouperate.

This episode we go into detail around energy flow in your bedroom encompassing the five elements into Feng Shui to increase a harmonious environment for sleep, rest, recovery and energy.

Pen to Sword is brought to you by Phecda.One. An exploration of, and education in Chinese Culture and how this relates to the rest of the world.

Check out: https://www.phecda.one/

In this latest episode, we talk about your reception area and welcoming guests into your home using Feng Shui.

We discuss, what most of us know as a 'Living Room' - the room where you would spend a lot of time in and where you would welcome guests and family members when they come to visit.

Enjoy

Pen to Sword is brought to you by Phecda.One. An exploration of, and education in Chinese Culture and how this relates to the rest of the world.

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The Five Elements. In this episode we discuss the relationship with the elements and humankind, where the five elements came from, and how they are applied and integrated into Chinese life.

In traditional Chinese culture, the five elements, or five phases, theory outlines the relationship between the different elements in nature and the life force, or "qi," that flows through them.

The five elements are wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.

The five Elements theory is an ancient Chinese analogy theory, which combines philosophy, divination, fortune-telling, calendar, traditional Chinese medicine and sociology.  

The essence of the Five Elements theory holds that the world is composed of five basic material substances: wood, fire, earth, metal and water. The development and cycle of changes within nature (eg.. seasons ) are the result of the continuous movement and interactions of these five different conditions.

The concept of "five elements" first appeared in Huangdi Neijing, in which the relationship between the five elements and the human body was first proposed.  

The regulation of "five elements" was first observed from the movement regulation of the five planets in the Universe. Later, With the observation and study of nature by Chinese ancestors, the relationships between and within the five elements was gradually formed.  

In Xunzi, Mencius 孟 子  was the earliest creator of The Five Elements theory.

In the late Zhan Guo (Dynasty) period, Zou Yan 邹 衍 was one of the main people who applied the theory of Yin-yang and the Five Elements to the calculation of national fortunes.  

In order to define the five elements, the author SHANG SHU. HONGFAN 尚书.洪范 specifically puts forward the names of the five elements: metal, wood, water, fire and earth  

ZUO ZHUAN-Cai Mo 左传 蔡墨 then Proposed the theory that the existence of human life depends on the Five Elements.

The Ancient Chinese holds that the nature of the universe is composed of five elements. The rise and fall of the five elements makes the universe and nature change, which not only affects the fate of people, but also tells people the law between the universe and nature.  

Pen to Sword is brought to you by Phecda.One. An exploration of, and education in Chinese Culture and how this relates to the rest of the world.

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Episode two in the second series of Pen to Sword where we interview Master Su Yin Han live from Yong Chun in Fujian province in China.

We ask what has made White Crane Kung Fu so famous and why it is has gone on to influence so many other martial arts styles, such as Karate.

We talk about soft and hard power, we talk about the origins of Crane system deriving from a woman's necessity to defend herself and the necessity for people to be able to copy and train it easily.

Yong Chun White Crane has historical facts that can be traced all the way back to Fan Qi Niang. This documentation is unique for a classical Chinese martial art to have survived the test of time and supports the origins of the system, the names of the patterns and names of the moves. 

Many new styles are now looking to Yong Chun White Crane to learn more about the origins of their styles and are copying the names of their moves and linking back.

If you enjoy this content, please remember to like & share.

Pen to Sword is brought to you by Phecda.One. An exploration of, and education in Chinese Culture and how this relates to the rest of the world.

Check out: https://www.phecda.one/

In the final episode of series one, we are joined by Dr Sophie Liu again discussing Chinese cultures; I-Ching, Bagua, 5 elements, Tai Chi, Yin Yang and Feng Shui.

This episode is a third on Feng Shui and focuses on the practical layout of your house, advising on how to make your house as efficient with the right feeling, energy flows and ambiance. 

We zone in on George's house as he is going through a re-build, he capitalises on the knowledge and advice from Dr Liu, our resident expert on Feng Shui. 

Pen to Sword is brought to you by Phecda.One. An exploration of, and education in Chinese Culture and how this relates to the rest of the world.

Check out: https://www.phecda.one/

In this episode of Pen to Sword we speak to Dr Sophie Liu, expert on Daoist philosophy from Beijing university to help us understand the significance of the year of the rabbit.

We discuss the character of the rabbit, combined with this being a water year and go into the considerations and awareness needed to navigate your way through.

This will be a tough year for some and caution needs to be applied in health, the workplace and relationships.

However, there is good news too and light at the end of the burrow!

Please remember to like, share and subscribe.

Pen to Sword is brought to you by Phecda.One. An exploration of, and education in Chinese Culture and how this relates to the rest of the world.

Check out: https://www.phecda.one/

Feng Shui Part. 1

In this episode we open the subject of Feng Shui.  Where does it come from?  How is it used in China, and what does it mean to Chinese people? 

We open our discussion learning how Feng Shui developed from Daoism philosophy roughly 2000 years ago, and how it was used to study the natural environment. 

We go on to talk about the importance of burial locations in Feng Shui.  Dr. Liu explains how Feng Shui has expanded over time in it's understanding of the flow of Chi, and has come to govern many aspects of life in China, ranging from our associations with it in the West, to several unexpected disciplines!

feng shui | noun - (in Chinese thought) a system of laws considered to govern spatial arrangement and orientation in relation to the flow of energy (chi), and whose favourable or unfavourable effects are taken into account when siting and designing buildings.

Pen to Sword is brought to you by Phecda.One. An exploration of, and education in Chinese Culture and how this relates to the rest of the world.

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Feng Shui part 2
In this episode we are joined again by Dr Liu Zi Han, expert on the I-Ching.  Here we talk about the relationship between Feng Shui and Yin-Yang, Bagua and the Five Elements. 

We look into two different systems of Feng Shui - the environmental system and the Chi system - although similar, we explore both theories, where they came from and what makes them famous. 

Pen to Sword is brought to you by Phecda.One. An exploration of, and education in Chinese Culture and how this relates to the rest of the world.

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In this episode of Pen to Sword we take a twist and explore a fascinating topic around the daoist diet.

Sophie Liu discusses how she follows a particular diet to manage balance within her body. 

We discuss the difference between men and women (yang and yin) and how different food groups offer different qualities.

Remember, it's all about balance within the natural world and within our bodies.

Please like and share!

Pen to Sword is brought to you by Phecda.One. An exploration of, and education in Chinese Culture and how this relates to the rest of the world.

Check out: https://www.phecda.one/

In this episode of Pen to Sword we continue the conversation around Daoism speaking with Mr Carl Lin and Dr Sophie Liu live from China.

This is part two of a three part discussion into Yin Yang.  It's symbolism, what this means, how it came about and how it has come to be used today across the world. 

We ask our resident expert, Dr Lui, to explain the basic principles of Yin Yang and discover the nuances of pronunciation, symbolism and how the balance of this within ourselves can determine our health and demeanour in life. 

Beware of the toe watcher!

If you enjoy our conversations, please like, share and subscribe!

Pen to Sword is brought to you by Phecda.One. An exploration of, and education in Chinese Culture and how this relates to the rest of the world.

Check out: https://www.phecda.one/

In this episode of Pen to Sword we continue the conversation around Daoism speaking with Mr Carl Lin and Dr Sophie Liu live from China.

This is part three of a three part discussion into Yin Yang.  In this episode we explore the link between Yin Yang and the impact into health.  Covering how the principles of Yin Yang manifest in the body, health, and medicine.  

We begin by discussing how Yin Yang balance directly relates to health, and how organs and general anatomy each will have either Yin or Yang properties.  These properties across the body must be in balance for good physical and mental health. 

We go on to discuss which organs act in pairs and how they balance with each other.  Dr. Liu explains how Chinese medicine is developed from Daoism.  We also discuss in detail a case in which Dr. Liu's master was able to cure an autistic child.

If you enjoy our conversations, please like, share and subscribe!

Pen to Sword is brought to you by Phecda.One. An exploration of, and education in Chinese Culture and how this relates to the rest of the world.

Check out: https://www.phecda.one/

In this special episode of Pen to Sword we talk to Dr Sophie Liu, expert in Daoism and discuss the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival.  Where the conversation starts around crops, harvest and mooncake, we take some interesting twists and turns into some of the richer significance of this festival.

Mid-Autumn Festival, Zhongqiu Jie (中秋节) in Chinese, also known as the Mooncake Festival or Moon Festival, is one of China’s biggest holidays. The festival is a joyous celebration with family reunions, mooncakes, parades, and lanterns.

Mid-Autumn Festival is held on the 15th of the 8th lunar month in the Chinese calendar, within half a lunar month of the autumn equinox (from about Sep. 6 to Oct. 6).

On the Chinese lunar calendar, the 8th month is the middle month of autumn and the 15th is its middle day. As, traditionally, the four seasons each have three lunar months, day 15 of month 8 is "the middle of autumn". So it got its name. 

The date of the festival is a full moon, and that is why it is also called the Moon Festival. On the 15th of each lunar calendar month, the moon is at its roundest and brightest, symbolising togetherness and reunion in Chinese culture.

If you are enjoying this content, please like, comment and share! 

Pen to Sword is brought to you by Phecda.One. An exploration of, and education in Chinese Culture and how this relates to the rest of the world.

Check out: https://www.phecda.one/

In this episode of Pen to Sword we continue the conversation around Daoism speaking with Mr Carl Lin and Dr Sophie Liu live from China.

We discuss Yin Yang.  It's origins, how it came about and then go on to discuss how we can spot Yin Yang balance within ourselves, within our bodies and all of the natural world that surrounds us.

If you enjoy our conversations, please like, share and subscribe!

See you on the next episode where we will dig deeper into Yin Yang principles and how it impacts us daily, especially in our health and diet.

Pen to Sword is brought to you by Phecda.One. An exploration of, and education in Chinese Culture and how this relates to the rest of the world.

Check out: https://www.phecda.one/

In this episode of Pen to Sword we once again are joined by Dr Liu Zi Han, an expert in the I-Ching, who guides us around how Tai Chi was created, the core principles, philosophy, and much more.

Pen to Sword is brought to you by Phecda.One. An exploration of, and education in Chinese Culture and how this relates to the rest of the world.

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This is an in-depth interview with Dr Liu, who has a fascinating upbringing.

From birth, she had health issues with her heart. At the age of 4 her parents made the bravest of decisions to send her to live with a Daoist Monk in a temple.

Waking up at 3am, meditating and training before 9am breakfast, learning the medicines and teachings of the I-Ching, Dr Liu is now thriving having graduated with  PHD in mathematics from Beijing University and is now an Inheritor of the I-Ching system.

Please like, share and subscribe!

Pen to Sword is brought to you by Phecda.One. An exploration of, and education in Chinese Culture and how this relates to the rest of the world.

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"An auspicious beginning" Welcome to the year of the Tiger! Will this year be a good one full of health, wealth, happiness and prosperity? Or will 2022 be the year to hunker down and play the safe game? 

In this 'New Year special' the team at Pen to Sword are joined by I-Ching experts Dr Chen and Dr Liu direct from Xian in China with Carl Lin translating from a stormy Fuzhou.  

Using expert knowledge from the I-Ching and Book of Changes we go in-depth into the meaning of the Tiger year, the 60-year cycle and why the elements of water and wood play such a strong part, explaining why the first six months of 2022 are set, for some, to be pretty volatile and stormy.

Learn about friends and foes in the Chinese zodiac, who to avoid, who to align with and who to fight!

We hope that you enjoy the podcast and whatever this year has in stall for you - from all of us - Happy Lunar New Year "Gong hei fat choy" (恭喜发财) 'Wishing you happiness and prosperity and "Happy Chinese New Year everyone!"  "Xīnnián kuàilè" (新年快乐) Wishing you 'New Year happiness'

Like, share, subscribe!

Pen to Sword is brought to you by Phecda.One. An exploration of, and education in Chinese Culture and how this relates to the rest of the world.

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The Hetu 河圖 "Yellow River Chart" and the Luoshu 洛書 (also written 雒書) "Inscription of the River Luo" were two cosmological diagrams used in ancient China. 

In this episode of Pen to Sword we interview Dr Liu Zi Han who graduated from Beijing University with a PHD in mathematics and who is an Inheritor of the I-Ching.

We continue the conversation around the I-Ching and in this episode we discuss the origins of Hetu and Luoshu; what it must have been like to live 14,800 years ago in ancient China, how mankind would have belief systems in the stars and nature and how this myth of the dragon-horse and sage Turtle evolved to what we know and understand today.

Hetu & Luoshu are the origins of the I-Ching and in episodes to come we will discuss how this evolved into Tai Chi, Bagua, Yin Yang and more.

If you are interested in learning more about Classical Chinese culture, please subscribe and spread the word!

Pen to Sword is brought to you by Phecda.One. An exploration of, and education in Chinese Culture and how this relates to the rest of the world.

Check out: https://www.phecda.one/