Feng Shui - The Art of Placement
by Karen Havenor
http://www.fqhouse.com
By Karen Havenor
http://FQHouse.com
The ancient body of knowledge that feng shui contains has
been formally used in China for many centuries, but the
term has only become a commonly heard in the West in recent
times. Is feng shui just another fad in the West, or does
it have an enduring quality that can inform us about living
well anytime, anywhere? To begin to answer the question, a
definition is useful.
Essentially, feng shui is an environmental science used to
creating a proper and balanced flow of energy through the
art of placement. Feng shui is a philosophy as well as a
practice. Although it originated in China, all societies
have the knowledge contained in feng shui. Its use
contributes to individual well-being and ultimately to that
of entire communities.
Whether at home or at work or around out communities, feng
shui as practiced in the West today guides us in creating
environments that support us and set us at ease. Some feng
shui practices simply make sense: natural light, fresh air,
and clean environments are good for the well being of both
our bodies and spirits.
There are other environmental considerations that don't
usually occur to us as being so obviously beneficial. And,
there are yet others that are harmful, but go unnoticed
until we recognize problem areas in our lives and take
steps to make improvements. When our surroundings are
properly re-arranged, we can connect to the energy in the
spaces around us, allowing changes for the better to occur.
Have you ever noticed that some spaces instinctively feel
right? Whether they were created by intentional design or
by someone with a subconscious gift for placement and flow,
there are feng shui principles at work bringing the place
into harmony.
First, there is yin and yang. According to feng shui there
are always two forces acting together in order to create
energy. The positive and negative forces are called yin and
yang. When they are balanced, all is well, but when one
achieves dominance, the imbalanced influence can be
harmful. Yin and yang are opposing but interdependent. For
example, without the idea of softness, we wouldn't be able
to really understand hardness. High and low, still and
moving, heat and cold are further examples of yin and yang
forces. At their extremes these opposites can change into
the other: ice can burn, and sunstroke victims shiver. The
object is to balance the opposites.
Another principle at work in spaces that feel harmonious
is the idea of Chi. There is no exact Western translation,
but Chi can be understood as life force, the power of
weather and sun, the quality of inanimate things, and so
forth. "Energy" is the closest word. Acupuncture is Chinese
medicine that restores health by unblocking the flow of Chi
in our bodies. Feng shui uses placement to unblock Chi in
our surroundings. In both cases, proper flow of Chi
restores harmony and therefore well-being.
At the library or online sources, you can find very
specific instructions and suggestions for improving the
balance of yin and yang in your environment as well as
enhancing the flow of Chi. These two principles are a good
place to begin applying feng shui. But without referring to
another source at all, the single most powerful thing you
can do to improve your surroundings and thereby your
quality of life is to clear clutter. It will be immediately
beneficial to you.
Clutter makes a good flow of Chi impossible, so start by
clearing clutter out. You don't have to make a huge
beginning, just pick an area and go. Empty a closet, or a
drawer. Give away or toss what you know deep down will
always just be gathering dust. Put away neatly those items
you have decided to keep. Notice. Do you feel lighter
around that space? If you like the feeling, do it again in
another area. When you're done clearing up your
surroundings, you will feel a sense of uplift and well-
being. That's the time to get the books and other resources
to help you to go deeper with your understanding of the art
and science of feng shui.
Submit An Article
|
