Title: Feng Shui Living


The Chinese revered nature and as a result, Feng Shui focuses on how we can live in harmony with the natural environment. Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese art and science of balancing the forces of nature to promote prosperity, harmony and good fortune. The basic principles of Feng Shui are the Yin and Yang, I Ching, and the Five Elements (fire, earth, metal, water and wood). Feng Shui is not related to any religion or belief system. It is a scientific discipline based on the analysis of your environment and its Ch'i for a particular cycle. Feng Shui is the art and science of being in harmony and being at one with nature.

Feng Shui means the way of wind and water, the natural forces of the universe. These forces affect everything in our world. The ancient Chinese believed in and lived their lives by these natural forces. The Europeans call this science geomancy. The Hawaiians and the Native Americans practice their own forms of this science.

The art/science of Feng Shui uses the eight-sided BaQua shape and the corresponding eight stations of life: prosperity, relationships, helpful people, knowledge, family, children. fame., and career. Each one of the life stations correlates to a location in your home and business. These physical locations house energy that you have created for that station of your life.

In Feng Shui, the hills, buildings, trees, walls, doors, windows and the way they are place or oriented have an effect. And since we spend most of our time at home or at the workplace, the layout, orientation and placement of items in these areas are of particular concern. Feng Shui, in practice, is somewhere between and an art and a science. Certain practices can be logically and scientifically explained while others defy explanation and some are in the realm of superstition.

What Feng Shui is related to is all that matter a great deal to people: their environment, places, people, time and the interaction between the potential factors. Through the knowledge of Feng Shui, people are able to make themselves more compatible with nature, their surroundings and their own everyday life, so that they can make an impact on their finances, health, and emotions. Obviously, it's a theory to trigger awareness of the relations between human beings and nature. Only when the world is well-manipulated, can it be well availed of and become productive and favorable to humans. The underlying principle of Feng Shui is to live in harmony with your environment so that the energy surrounding you works for you rather than against you. After all, why swim against the tide ?

Change 27 things in your space and your life will change

This is a pretty powerful statement, yet so true, if you understand the basic principles of Feng Shui (the Chinese Art of Placement also called the Acupuncture of the space). Our direct surroundings (exterior or interior) determine the type of energy our home has, and this in turn will have a very strong influence on our body’s energy; our thoughts, feelings and actions. As it is on the outside, so it shall be inside.

But let’s not go any further with this analogy before fully understanding what lies behind this notion-energy. In Eastern philosophies energy is called Ch’I (in Chinese) Ki (in Japanese) or prana (in Indian) – meaning and talking about the same substance, which is the vital force. It is the underlying principle behind everything living and inanimate, and is a force that keeps things running. Chi is created through the movement of certain natural phenomena, such as wind and water, as the masters of Feng Shui would have explained some 6000 years ago.

We people, as living things, are not only made of energy, but are constantly "swimming" (literally) in a pool of energy. Some people refer to this pool as universal knowledge, or higher intelligence. It really does not matter what name we attach to it, but it will help us to understand why we feel better in certain places and how we get bad feelings about some people even before we talk to them. Maybe we are getting unexplained vibrational messages, hunches or bodily sensations, which translate into physical reactions. The following example will illustrate this point.

Have you ever tried to do your routine laps in a public swimming pool where some of the other patrons have decided to just simply splash around and create huge waves around you? Well, if you are just a bit like me, and you are the kind of swimmer who likes to keep her head well above the level of the water and as dry as possible, you would get slightly disturbed if the waves are starting to reach a bit higher then you would like them to. Chi, energy, or vibrations work very much the same way.

We are connected to everything (that means every single object in our homes) and everyone’s energy. Any slight change, movement, or negative effect can reach you as the ripples of change start from a source and go on their way in concentrical circles. The other swimmers’, ever so splashing and waves getting dangerously high, could be just like some unwanted negative affects of our environment. This could translate into some kind of annoyance, but very often could be quite detrimental if we are exposed to them for a long time.

From what we understand, observing the behavior and mechanism of this vital force, some environmental factors can keep the chi of your environment very low and depleted. Those are the waves that annoy us, or the ones that create stress in our bodies if we are exposed to them for a long period of time. Thus, constant cleaning of your space of detrimental environmental influences and negative thoughts (thoughts are energy as well, they just move into form as they are realized) has to be done periodically.

We select a portion of this pool of energy when we move, take over our new homes, or move into a new apartment. We need to know the kind of energy this home has for us, and the kind of vibrations the objects around us have. Ideally we should try to fill our homes with only the ones that are the best for us. Vibrations or "waves" that will help us to go further ahead in life, or let’s say, that will allow us to do our laps in the most pleasant way.

How do we know if we are exposed to negative influences and we need to clean our spaces? If you feel sluggish, sad, frustrated or negative (even depressed) this would be a sign. Of course, we have the ability to override any negative energies and unwanted environmental influence with our most powerful tool at our disposal, our mind. But we can all agree that a space, which is elevated to the highest vibration by using Feng Shui principles, space clearing and any other alternative modalities, would be a much better ground with which to start on.

Below, I will try to explore ways we can use Feng Shui in our space as a tool for self-empowerment, which can help us to realize our dreams and achieve our goals. By learning about Feng Shui and applying its very sound and practical principles we can open the door to a world that is ever so simple yet very profound - the world of energy and its different manifestations. Feng Shui helped me to evolve and it changed my life in ways I could never imagine possible and it would be selfish of me not to share these experiences with you.

You could start the process by simply following the saying in the title. It will start your own little whirlpool of revitalizing energy movement that can help you to get out of your old ways and on to a new path.

While watching the Olympics last February, I was reminded how we intuitively uplift the Ch’i that is everywhere and attached to everything in our lives. The opening ceremony was an excellent example of uplifting Ch’i on a grand scale. The ceremony was inspired by the athletes that would be performing, while the athletes and all those participating or watching were inspired by the ceremony. It included auspicious surroundings, music, the lighting of the torch, lots of physical activity, and fireworks. All great Ch’i Enhancers. As the athletes participated in the various events, the crowd, who was inspired by the energy generated by the athletes and the whole event, were directing their energy toward the arena to inspire the participants, and the countries they represent, to win the metal that they have worked so long and hard for.

As an American, I personally felt extremely proud of those representing my country, and an admiration for all the athletes who have dedicated themselves to performing at the very highest level possible in there perspective events. Even while watching the events on television, I was directing positive Ch’i toward that event and it’s participants those many miles away.

Former medal winners when interviewed, attempted to express the actual feeling of standing on the podium, with the coveted metal around their necks, hearing the national anthem of the country they‘re representing, knowing they had fulfilled a personal goal, and surrounded by all the energy, or Ch’i, from all those watching and participating. It’s easy to see why they define the experience as indescribable. One can only imagine the overwhelming energy that would surround them positioned at the center of it all.

As Valentines Day approaches, we also have a great example of how we intuitively uplift the Ch’i of those around us. We search for special Gifts, Cards, and Flowers (all of which are Ch’i Enhancers) to express our feelings and joy for those we love. Ch’i Enhancers uplift the Ch’i. We intuitively use whatever Ch’i Enhancer that we feel will best express our sincerest feelings. There is a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction in making someone feel good by expressing your admiration for them.

We don’t analyze the situation, but if we placed our attention on it for a moment, we may see what we have accomplished before we’re on to the next moment. In a new way, we may see just how important that gesture really was, when we see and record the expression on someone’s face, and acknowledge the impact of the words we delivered at that precise moment. If you savor the moment and recognize the effect you produced by raising the level Ch‘i with a compliment like, “You’re Wonderful!” or “I Love You!”, (affirmations are great Ch’i Enhancers) you will also understand the concept of placing a Ch’i Enhancer within a room, with wisdom and sincere intent, in the appropriate position, thus enhancing that particular area of the home to execute a change in the aspect of life that the area relates to.

The principles of Feng Shui are about being surrounded by Ch’i, connected by Ch’i, and having the Ch’i constantly changing. There are ten Ch’i Enhancers in Feng Shui that we use to uplift the Ch’i. They are: Colors, Sound, Water Features, Objects of Nature, Wind Enhancers, Art, Plants, Lighting, Mirrors and Crystals. You may have already intuitively integrated many things on this list into your living space. Furthermore, you may have intuitively positioned them in the most appropriate places.

Understanding the tools of Feng Shui may offer an explanation and further information on what you already feel intuitively. By placing specific attention on an item using the principles of Feng Shui, you may decide to make a small adjustment regarding it’s position, or perhaps you may see that item in a totally different way which may warrant relocating it. Working with the tools of Feng Shui will enhance your natural intuitive ability.

We generally and intuitively raise our Ch’i level with uplifting occasions such as a holiday, birthday, anniversary, wedding, or the birth of a new baby. If we thoughtfully put our focus on the moment, we can recognize that we also have the opportunity to choose how we want to react to any of these occasions. Positive or Negative. Do you know someone who, no matter what the occasion, chooses not to feel the joy in it? If you focus on this person for just a moment.

I’ll bet you can think of one thing that you could say or do to uplift their Ch’i. Whether it’s a greeting card, something homemade, a phone call, or whatever you’re intuition and heart dictate, you have the power to change the Ch’i in someone else’s life, not to mention keeping your own Ch‘i uplifted. For whatever reason, they are particularly in need of “random acts of kindness” themselves. It may take repeated acts of kindness, but don’t give up. Positive Ch’i is contageous. Remember the game, “You’re It?“ You tag someone and then it’s up to them to go tag someone else? If they want to continue playing they’ll participate. Choosing to uplift the Ch’i, as Martha Stewart would say, is a good thing.

Although we want to be informed about the “war on terrorism” continually on the media forefront, it is equally important to continue to place our focus on uplifting the Ch’i wherever and whenever we can by continuing to perform “random acts of kindness” in our own efforts to make the world a better place. So, the news program I had seen on television the previous evening had little to do with my being stranded on the road with a flat tire the following morning, it’s about what I have control over in the now moment, which for that particular moment, was being on a dirt road with very little traffic and appointments that I had scheduled for the day.

You can probably relate to the anxiety I experienced in knowing that I’d be late for all my appointments for the remainder of the day or maybe having to call to cancel some of them totally. Within minutes a cheerful, or should I say “ch’iful”, gentlemen stopped to help me. He was so positive and pleasant; and without hesitation my tire was changed quickly and efficiently. I felt so grateful for his kindness yet concerned because I had most likely disrupted his day. Not only did his generosity affect me, but it would also effect the people I had scheduled to see that day as I would not be running late after all. When I offered to pay him for his kindness, he refused but simply asked me to offer my assistance to someone else who needed help. What made this man stop to help me? He was on his way to work, yet he intuitively felt the right thing to do was to stop and lend some assistance.

Listening to our intuitive self can help us make a decision, place an object in it’s appropriate place, or express our intentions. Feng Shui reminds us that in each and every situation we can enhance and uplift the Ch’i for positive results.

May your journey of self-realization be an enlightened one, powered by vital energy in  body, mind and spirit. May your journey of self-realization be an enlightened one, powered by vital energy in
body, mind and spirit.


Recommended Books:
 

Feng Shui Handbook by Kam Chuen Lam, Lam Kam Chuen

Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui by Kren Kingston

Feng Shui & Your Health by Jes T.Y, Dr. Lim

Unique Feng Shui - this is a shop