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.
Today in the West, the practice of feng shui can advise us
in creating surroundings in which we feel supported and at
ease, whether at home, at work or around the community.
Many of the principles of feng shui are common sense, such
as using natural lighting, fresh air ventilation, and
cleanness to help both our bodies and minds remain healthy.
Other environmental considerations might not occur to us
so obviously as potentially beneficial or harmful until we
recognize problem areas in our lives and take positive
steps to improve them. When we arrange our surroundings
properly, we are able to connect to the energy of the space
around us, bringing about desired changes and improvements.
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.
You could find resources online or at your local library
that give very detailed and specific instructions about
balancing yin and yang or enhancing the flow of Chi. But
you don't need to start with books and research in order to
immediately improve your surroundings and therefore your
quality of life. The most practical and beneficial place to
begin applying the principles of feng shui is so simple as
to be deceptive in its power. Begin by getting rid of
clutter.
Pick a place to begin that will give you momentum. In
other words, start small and complete the job. Organize a
drawer, empty a closet, clear a table top. Toss or give
away what you deep down know you should, and then neatly
put away the rest. Now, notice how you feel around that
clear and clean place. If you like the feeling, continue.
Over time, de-clutter everywhere. When that's complete, if
you like the feeling of uplift and renewal that results,
you've reached the point when it's time to get the
resources and books. Use them to delve into the fascinating
art and science of feng shui.
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