Usually her examples are well drawn, and if sometimes exceptional, rarely are they sensationally drawn, and she never tries to make an outlandish conclusions. Some chapters were misses-some too anecdotal, some too focused on the occult. A lot of her observations seem right on, beginning with the first sentence of the first chapter, entitled, "The Invisible People": "The Chinese outnumber everyone else on this planet and they are also the most widely distributed ethnic group on earth, but they are perhaps among the least-known and least-understood people in the world too." There are chapters on Feng Shui (from how ugly factory buildings can cause school shootings, to how well-placed burial mounds can foster success for the future generations of that family), chapters on Chinese beliefs of spirits and ghosts (fascinating!), a chapter on spells, mediums, moon almanacs, healing, food & drink. Most of her examples come from Hong Kong, where she seems to be based, and Taiwan, as one of the last strongholds of traditional Chinese culture, expelled by the Communists (this book was written 30 years ago-but that's true to this day!). Instead of looking at the Chinese people through a study of Confucius, or the classics, which really tell us little about the Chinese as a people and the beliefs they base their day to day activities off of, she looks at the great wealth of occult practices that Chinese engage in, from ancestor worship, to ghost marriages (!), fortune telling, medium intervention, and so on. Fiona gave me this book to me for my birthday. Tongs - Ancient secret mystical societies that have dangerous modern counterparts This wonderful compendium of spiritual practices, healing arts and day-to-day attitudes is the perfect introduction to the mysteries of Chinese life. Chi - The mysterious healing energy that animates all of life I Ching - One of many methods of reading fate and telling fortunes
Fung Shui - Chinese Earth Magic, appropriate placement of objects to create the best energy flow for an environment Hsien - Powerful guardians, gifted in the arts of healing, wise in mystical studies Tong Sing - The "Know Everything Book," a bible of the practical and the spiritual in everyday life Here are fascinating explanations of customs that take you far beyond the superficial cliches about Chinese The Book Of Chinese Beliefs shows how the Chinese people have managed to preserve their beliefs for thousands of years, while at the same time successfully adapting to the contemporary high-tech era. Enter the world of Chinese Ancient Beliefs and Modern Realities Earth magic, ghost weddings, passports to the after-life - the spirit of ancient Chinese beliefs still exists side-by-side with everyday modern reality, and it affects every aspect of Chinese life, from diet and decor, to getting married and opening a business.
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