Feng-Shui

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Feng-shui
Topic Editor: Kim K.

Feng Shui is defined in many ways. The noted expert Terah Kathryn Collins defines it as “the art of arranging your outer world to enhance your inner world.” Feng Shui actually translates to “Wind and Water” and observes the relationships between the forces of nature. We, and our environment, can be compared to these two forces of nature.

Our homes mirror our inner selves. Every thing in our homes was something that consciously or unconsciously was put there by us. Each thing has significance on some level, and has an effect on our lives. When we are in harmony with our environment we thrive in our personal lives, professional careers, finances and relationships. Feng Shui allows us to create a union between the forces of our homes and our selves to allow positive changes to begin to happen.

Feng Shui originated thousands of years ago in ancient China. Originally it was used to determine where ancestral tombs should be placed in order to best help the living descendants. Then it was used to determine where palaces and government buildings should be placed until eventually whole cities were built according to Feng Shui principles. In the 1990s Feng Shui made its way to the United States has become most popular in London where most of the workshops and training programs for Westerners now originate.

There are three basic principles of Feng Shui:

#1 Everything is Alive with Ch’i

Ch’i is the “life force” or “vital energy” that makes up all things, animate and inanimate. When we believe that all things are alive, we begin to choose more carefully which things we bring into our personal space. Things then are treated in a more dignified way. We begin to ask ourselves “What are my things saying to me?” The objects that surround us constantly influence the quality of our inner lives. When we hang onto items that remind us of people and the past, we have to ask ourselves the question “How does this piece make me feel?” If an item brings back happy memories and brings an overall

One of the primary goals of Feng Shui is to design our personal space in a way that enhances our lives and allows happiness, health and prosperity in. It allows us to find peace and tranquility in a busy world. If we set up our personal space in a way that allows positive Ch’i to enter, we can attain those goals.

#2 Everything is Connected by Ch’i

Ch’i connects every person, place and thing. The same energy that connects us to our personal space connects us to the whole planet, although we are most connected to those people, places and things that are closest to us. When practicing Feng Shui, we realize that all negative reactions, feelings and events that are left unresolved affect the quality of life. Therefore, practicing Feng Shui requires that we use the qualities of compassion, generosity, forgiveness and honesty in all our thoughts, words and deeds. When we have an awareness of our connectedness to all people, we become courageous. We speak the truth more often.

In relation to our belongings, practicing Feng Shui dictates that we are conscious of every single thing we possess. In a simple world of few possessions that would be easy. However, most of us possess thousands of things. In order to honor the connection we have to all these things, we have to let go of the excess and organize the rest. In Feng Shui, even spaces like garages, attics, drawers, cabinets and basements count! Again, remember, external order and harmony reflects internal order and harmony. Letting go of unnecessary possessions allows positive Ch’i to flow into our lives with all its rewards.

#3 Ch’i is Always Changing

Nature, our bodies, relationships, even our energy levels are constantly changing. In Feng Shui, change is embraced. It is an invitation to constantly make our lives better. We can move forward when we are in a state of change. In the western culture, change is resisted. We value constancy and stability and choose homes, careers and even furniture with an eye towards “keeping it forever”. When we fully embrace change, we are drawn to reinventing our lives, relationships and homes to reflect the inner changes we are constantly experiencing as we grow and mature.

Often when we leave home for periods of time, we return to realize that the home no longer reflects who we are and how we are evolving. This is the prime time to remove things that are no longer useful or energizing us in a positive way. As experiences change us, we need to remember to keep our inner and outer environments balanced and in alignment. Ch’i is stimulated by change and if we don’t follow our instincts to change, we find our energy, vitality and inner growth and development grows stale. In order to be our best selves, we need to make our homes into personal spaces that reflect the best in ourselves and each of the people living there.

Coming Soon:

• Practical guidelines for implementing Feng Shui principles and Baguas

The above information is taken from several recommended resources:

The Western Guide to Feng Shui: Creating Balance, Harmony and Prosperity in Your Environment

The Western Guide to Feng Shui: Room by Room

Both by Terah Kathryn Collins and published by Hay House,Inc., New York

Also used and recommended:

Creating Sacred Space With Feng Shui and

Clear Your Clutter With Feng Shui

Both by Karen Kingston and published by Broadway Books, New York

Sacred Space: Clearing and Enhancing the Energy of Your Home by Denise Linn published by The Ballantine Publishing Group, New York

Practical Feng Shui by Simon Brown published by Ward Lock, London

Recommended Web Sites:

The American Feng Shui Institute
www.amfengshui.com

The Learning Annex
www.thelearningannex.com

The Art of Feng Shui
www.theartoffengshuiinc.com

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