Joey Yap proves that fengshui is more than just placing toads in a corner; it is a branch of Chinese metaphysics encompassing different pillars of a bigger picture, and that is of yourself.

Don’t call Joey Yap a fengshui master.

He is many things – principal consultant of the Joey Yap Consulting Group, speaker and author of over 179 books on Chinese metaphysics – but fengshui master is the one thing he rather you not call him.

“If I use the term fengshui, you have a limited view of what I do,” he explains. “When I don’t, that’s when your mind opens. It’s expanded to receive, understand and accept more.”

Such is the way of the human mind – our thoughts and wisdom are very limited to what we identify with. This particular consciousness is important because that’s exactly what fengshui and its counterparts of bazi and qimen are: they are elements affecting one’s identity, and ultimately, destiny.

It’s more than just the placing of some water element in an area or a couple of toads in a corner. All these branches of Chinese metaphysics Joey specialises in are but different pillars of a bigger picture, and that is of yourself. And the more you associate with yourself, the deeper a well you dig into, the more you benefit.

“Metaphysics is an ability to create life transformation through empirical science,” he breaks it down for us. “It requires experiential studies and practice, not theoretical. You’ve got to experience it.”

He adds, “That transformation, that shift in your mind and how you feel, that’s metaphysics. We can’t prove it but you know it’s there.”

He cites the human mind as the best example. “Science can prove a lot of things, but can it prove you have a mind? Which cell is your mind? The brain is not the mind. The heart is not the mind. So the mind does not exist according to science, but you and I know it exists. We experience it. That’s the same with fengshui.”

“I can’t prove fengshui, but we know it’s there.”

He is as sure of it as the first time he came to be acquainted with it 23 years ago.