Chavalit Frederick Tsao ushers us into a meeting room in his handsomely decorated office spread across two floors of prime real estate in Singapore's central business district. He is wearing a vivid blue suit cut from what appears to be a wool-silk-linen cloth, accessorised with a belt bearing a golden peace sign. "I grew up in the 1960s," he explains. "Anti-authority, the hippie movement, communal living, free love, great music. Then gradually, we moved into the 'Me' era. Wall Street. Greed is good! Consumerism. Globalisation. Full-blown market economy."
With an accent that reveals his cosmopolitan upbringing-born in Hong Kong, raised across Southeast Asia, college-educated in the US-Tsao speaks in concise sentences, a mix of whispers and exclamations. (His cadence and philosophical tone are reminiscent of Bruce Lee: "Empty your mind. Be formless. Shapeless, like water.") He also frequently finishes statements with a cry of "Right?" or "Correct?". Tsao seems eager to get your buy-in; it's like he wants to bring you around to his unique perspective on things. "When we change our world view," he says, "how we change our way of seeing informs how we think, how we feel and how we respond."
Tsao's own outlook was forever altered following a spur-of-the-moment visit to a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine 30 years ago. He recalls: "I went in to see this doctor. I was a young man then. I was not sick. It was just curiosity." There, Tsao was exposed to the ancient Chinese practice of qigong. "This is interesting," he thought. "Better do some more research."
Intrigued by his discovery when he first began exploring qigong exercises, Tsao says: "I could feel the qi moving. 'Wow, it's a miracle. Something is moving. This qi thing is real! Let's study some more. Then, as I practised qigong, I started doing meditation."
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
A Family Jewel
Fanty Soenardy unveils the crowning jewel of her vault-a Chaumet tiara that she dreams of passing down to her daughter on her wedding day
GROWTH MINDSET
Three women entrepreneurs share their smart habits to managing money and growing wealth—and doing so meaningfully with purpose
A Classic Redefined
Through the organic beauty of wood veneers, Steinway & Sons' limited edition Masterpiece 8X8 explores an alternative to the established aesthetic of pianos
Oak Artistry
Born of a collaboration with contemporary circus producer Cirque du Soleil, Vibrant Oak, the fourth release in The Macallan's Harmony Collection, pays homage to the Scottish whisky house's rich history with oak and the sherry-seasoned oak casks central to its heritage
Full Potential
Philippine tourism is buzzing with activity, and Christina Garcia Frasco is at the forefront of it all
Live & Learn
When Anthonia Hui and Leonardo Drago still lived in Hong Kong nearly three decades ago, they came across a beggar on the streets. “Just as I was about to pull out my wallet, Leo held my hand and said, ‘How do you know he’s not scamming you?’”
Hip to Be Square
Patek Philippe launches Cubitus, its first new collection in 25 years, in Munich, Germany, debuting three sporty and elegant watches By Annabel Tan
Marine Wonders
Rolex's Perpetual Planet Initiative and Mission Blue join forces to support the conservation of Indonesia's island paradise of Nusa Penida and its magnificent biodiversity
Deep Purpose
Rolex champions environmental conservation through its Perpetual Planet Initiative, which supports ocean-focused organisations such as Sylvia Earle's Mission Blue and Titouan Bernicot's Coral Gardeners
Grand Designs
When it comes to grand touring, few carmakers can boast the storied history of Maserati, which has been producing vehicles that embody grand touring's golden era, which originated in the mid-20th-century, for more than 75 years.
