What's the first thing you do when you visit a foreign country? Check the internet service, and then open a map! You want to be properly orientated first; then based on the purpose, budget, and time allowed, you start making plans. To do that, checking the local weather is essential as this may affect your schedule and means of transportation. You should also make sure that you are well packed for various weather conditions. Knowing the local specialties and seasonal activities in each area along the way will also help greatly in making the journey more memorable and delightful.
Good cartography makes half the journey. These days, Google Maps provides information beyond just directions and locations in such detail and accuracy. Our ancestors also practiced accurate mapping for life, using the many different methods that have been used for thousands of years. Still, the basis is the Eastern philosophy of yin & yang and the five elements.
In Records of the Three Kingdoms (三國志), Zhuge Liang was the master of life maps and one of the greatest military strategist in history. After he joined Liu Bei's military, he led them to win a series of major battles. His legendary war strategies were layered with perfect timing for execution in addition to the various wise tactics he used. With the help of Zhuge Liang, Liu Bei was able to establish a country called Shu Han (蜀漢), which is presently around the Sichuan (四川) area in China.
The moment we took our first breath, we were given a map and a user manual with specifications in codes. Life mapping takes the codes as a foundation and builds a general map on the terrain of the current time. Then, based on your specifications with the present environment and patterns you created so far, the next possible routes are suggested. On top of that, timing and strategies are recommended depending on the weather and seasonality of the areas you may possibly go through in the future.
Sometimes, however, we get lost in life; a mirage appears as a superhighway and leads us nowhere, or we are stuck in a maze, or what seemed to be a shallow stream turns out to be much deeper and wider to cross. When this happens, it is time to call a timeout and draw a new plan.
Not every day is a good day and not every road is paved, but we need to turn every situation into an opportunity to improve ourselves and grow wiser. With our effort, our destiny can be altered as much as 60%. There is no right or wrong way to live your life. We just need to do what we can with our best ability. We must run at full speed when we're on a highway, but at the same time, we must not forget to get off the car occasionally and smell the beautiful flowers on the roadside too.
Maggie's life mapping is deeply rooted in Eastern philosophy and is combined with unique qigong methods/practices (Buddhist and Taoist methods/practices). For any enquiries, please email jungdohon@gmail.com.
