How to Boost Your Inner Charisma

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As the saying goes: "The foundation is life, fate, and feng shui; next is cultivating virtue and reading books. The sixth is fame, the seventh is appearance, the eighth is honoring the divine; the ninth involves befriending the honorable, and the tenth is maintaining health; the eleventh is choosing a career and a partner, and the twelfth is attracting good fortune and avoiding misfortune." For a happier life, consider these elements carefully.

During the early Song Dynasty, it was believed: "The heart is the root of appearance; by examining the heart, we can discern good and evil; actions reveal the heart's intentions; by observing actions, we understand fortune and misfortune." Today, I want to focus on the seventh factor: 【Appearance】

【Appearance】 influences life's trajectory; a person's complexion reflects the year's fortunes. In this context, "appearance" mainly refers to one's looks and complexion, which can be broken down into nine aspects:

• One facial features: Including the concepts of twelve palaces, three stops and three talents, four schools and eight schools, five senses, five mountains and four rivers, five stars and six days, and the annual fortune locations song.
• Two palmistry: The true self is revealed in the palm, with patterns like heaven, earth, human, jade pillar, moon halo, and travel mystery.
• Three physical traits: round waist, broad shoulders, strong back, protruding abdomen, and long arms that reach the knees…
• Four movement characteristics: walking like a dragon or tiger, smiling without showing teeth, moving quietly as a pine, sitting with the steadiness of a bell, moving with the swiftness of the wind…
• Five vocal qualities: Speaking with variations in volume, clarity, speed, substance, depth, warmth, and coolness.
• Six heart attributes: The heart shapes form, and form mirrors the heart. Before judging appearance, observe the heart. An evil eye reflects an evil heart; a kind eye reflects a kind heart. Cultivating a virtuous heart can alter one's fortune, and a kind heart attracts all blessings.
• Seven clothing styles: Neat attire, harmonious colors, styles that suit one's status; differences between luxurious, simple, dignified, and casual styles.
• Eight self-awareness and awareness of others: Understanding personal strengths and weaknesses, and discerning the character of others.
• Nine transformative traits: Appearance arises from the heart. A kind heart yields a kind appearance, while an evil heart produces an unpleasant look. Techniques like massage, beauty treatments, and cosmetic surgery can also modify one's appearance.

In traditional Chinese thought, the "heart" encompasses the brain. The "Huangdi Neijing" states: "The heart is the sovereign organ from which the spirit arises." Here, "spirit" refers to human consciousness, a function of the brain. Thus, the traditional Chinese concept of "heart" includes the functions of the brain. When introduced from the West, the anatomical concept of the heart was translated as "心" (heart), which differs from the traditional Chinese notion. Modern education often recognizes the former while neglecting the latter, leading to misunderstandings!

From a psychological standpoint, a person's appearance reflects their physical and mental state. A healthy and joyful individual typically displays a full forehead, rosy cheeks, and a vibrant demeanor in physiognomy. Conversely, someone who is sick or distressed often has a gloomy expression and furrowed brows, making happiness elusive. Perspective stems from the heart, and appearance reflects the heart; this encapsulates the idea that "appearance arises from the heart."

Evidence shows that appearance can change, and whether it changes for better or worse depends on the heart. Inner thoughts inevitably express themselves subtly in facial muscles; over time, this accumulation leads to changes in overall appearance. Someone with a kind heart and pure intentions will naturally develop an attractive exterior, regardless of conventional beauty standards. Conversely, those with troubled hearts often exhibit a crude or unpleasant appearance.

The more cheerful and kind-hearted a person is, the better their temperament becomes, leading to positive changes in appearance and improved fate. Appearance originates from the heart; a kind heart radiates warmth and positivity. Even if outwardly beautiful, a person with a negative heart cannot conceal their inner flaws.

A Story of Transformation:

There was once a sculptor who was very handsome as a child. As he matured, he noticed that his appearance deteriorated, becoming quite unattractive, with significant facial deformities and drooping features. Distressed, he sought solutions, consulting both traditional and Western medicine, but none proved effective. Various examinations revealed no issues. Finally, he turned to a highly virtuous master for help.

The master said: "I can help you with your appearance, but not without a favor in return. You need to help me first."

The sculptor eagerly agreed: "Of course! What would you like me to do?"

The master replied: "I need you to sculpt several statues of Guanyin for my temple."

So, the sculptor began creating Guanyin statues.

Previously, the sculptor specialized in carving demons and monsters. However, as he started crafting Guanyin, he instinctively began to adopt Guanyin's expressions. Guanyin embodies kindness, beauty, and compassion, which reflect a positive appearance. The sculptor concentrated on his task, day by day emulating Guanyin's expressions, and soon he felt changes in his body, mind, and facial expressions. After six months, the statues were finished, and the sculptor realized his appearance had improved, regaining the esteemed and handsome look of his youth.

He asked the master: "Master, did you help me heal?"

The master smiled and said: "No, you healed yourself. What's the secret here?"

A sculptor often mirrors the expressions of the subjects he carves. By focusing on demons and monsters, he unconsciously adopts their fierce expressions, which eventually creep into his own appearance. Sculptors creating Guanyin infuse their work with compassion, kindness, joy, and beauty.

As the sculptor carved, he naturally adopted these beautiful expressions and appearances, thereby subtly transforming himself.