Western Luck vs Chinese Luck

The Western concept of luck can be summed up by the way we define it. The definition I found in my home copy of the Collins English Dictionary of luck is:

“1. Events that are beyond control and seem subject to chance; fortune”.
This concept of “beyond control” and “subject to chance” is the key in understanding the Western view to all things lucky or unlucky. To understand any other concept or definition of luck, we need to look at what we think we are, our purpose or fate;

what or who are we?
We (in the West) consider ourselves privy to favour by our society, religion and/or philosophy. However we are disadvantaged by limited understanding of what we are. To illustrate, our belief systems are influenced by:

• Our parents
• Our Teachers/Schooling
• Our Society
• Our Culture, Traditions and Locality (Country)

These form our paradigms, the way we see things. Personal paradigms are formed by either accepting information uncritically from an external source, as evidence that satisfies our acceptance or through experience. This in turn affects the way we think about external references and we make decisions based on both the way we think (influenced/guided by our paradigms) and how we perceive circumstances.

To understand the grand plan, we turn to religion, science or philosophy, nothing wrong with that. As a matter of fact, so do our Eastern counterparts. The key difference is what information is being fed to establish early paradigms in our Eastern neighbours that makes the understanding or perspective of ‘Luck’ so different.

In the West we think in terms of rationality, what is logical and reasonable. Things do happen by mere chance, thereby these events are lucky or fortunate. Until recently there is little understanding of the universal connectivity, the inter-relationship of everything.

In the Chinese culture (specifically) their paradigms are established and based on their common philosophy. The common aspects of this philosophy, like in the West are based on the oldest aspects of knowledge which remain unchallenged or in the face of contrary evidence remain unobjectionable.

In the Chinese instance the paradigms are formed around the accepted beliefs of universal connectivity, Heaven, Earth and Human Qi (life energy or life force) and that their luck is blended with destiny and fate.

The Chinese believe that we; our characteristics, destiny and fate are tied to the first breath at the time of your birth. Literally it is understood and accepted that the first post-natal breath taken we consume the specific Qi present at that exact moment and with this breath we receive our destiny and luck.

Therefore the cycle nature of Qi as understood via almanacs like the “Yijing” (Book of Changes) and the “Treatise of Harmonising Times and Distinguishing Directions” document the nature of Qi and how to ensure the positives are amplified whilst the negatives are minimized; thereby maximizing persons “luck”.

One other consideration in the Chinese understanding of luck is similar to the Hindu understanding of “karma”. “Man-luck” is the accumulation of good fortune through good/virtuous deeds. Man-luck is collected by using the “golden rule” (treating others how you would want to be treated), assisting others who are less fortunate than you, giving before expecting to receive and maintaining diligence over your mind in the search for auspicious opportunities to serve.

The practice of Feng Shui is the environmental equivalent; by the combination of Heaven, Earth and Human luck (via Qi) collected via controlling your environment. This is conducted by using traditional Feng Shui practices resulting in the amplification of positive Qi and the minimization of negative Qi in your home, schooling and working environments.