The Journey of The Firepig - Part II
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By
the Firepig
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on
Thursday, February 04, 2010
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Here it's time to raise another question I am often asked: Do you really believe in Chinese Astrology? When I hear this I wonder if the person is trying to establish a religious context, as this is what I associate with belief. My answer is always to say it is not a question of belief with me. I do Chinese Astrology because it works. You could say I'm more of an engineer rather than a scholar, scientist, or theologian. The more I study and practice Chinese Astrology, the better I am able to help people understand themselves and to make choices in their lives. So I continue.
All that is not to say I don't have beliefs. I do. Twenty five years ago I was halfway through the prestigious, PhD in government program at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. I dropped out and headed to Hawaii where I pursued my new passion, Chinese studies. I figured the world didn't need another political scientist.
What I do believe is there is much we in the West, and even people in Asia, can learn from the ancient wisdom of China. I do not, however, believe in any of the Asian religions. Rather, my philosophical leanings go through Henry David Thoreau and back to Lao Tzu, that is, philosophical Taoism. I "believe" there is great truth in the Tao Te Ching. My study of Chinese Astrology, therefore, extends to the entire field of Chinese culture itself. Thus I consider Lao Tzu as another of my Master teachers.
In Hawaii I not only began in earnest to read books on Chinese culture in general and Chinese Astrology in particular, but I starting traveling to Asia. I made a number of trips to Korea and Japan. During one trip to Korea I met with a professional fortune teller and turned the tables, that is, I did a reading for her. She said I did a good job and encouraged me to continue my study and practice.