Feng Shui

Introduction to Feng Shui

Leaking Chi In this room the chi enters through the door and goes straight out through the large windows because there is nothing in the room to make the chi linger. This kind of chi is of no benefit.

Contained Chi Rounded edges of furniture, round decorative objects, plants, lamps, window dressings all help to contain the chi within with an optimal flow. This creates beneficial chi.

The Chinese phrase Feng Shui (fēng shuǐ, 风水) translates literally into English as “Wind-Water”. In practice, it is the art of living in harmony with the surroundings and creating an environment that supports and works for people instead of holding them back. The key words involved here are balance and harmony.

In practical terms, in Feng Shui anything of which there is too much is removed and anything of which there is too little is brought in. A balance is sought between square and round forms, soft and hard, cold and warm, matt and shiny, light and dark, black and white.

These pairs of opposites are refered to by the complementary poles known in Chinese as Yin (yīn, 阴) and Yang (yáng, 阳). These can appear to be contradictory, but they work with the processes of life which are refered to by the term Chi (qì, 气), and when Yin and Yang are in balance, Chi becomes optimal.

In literal translation, Chi simply means wind or air, but in the context of Feng-Shui, much more is intended.

Beneficial Chi can be brought in through a beautiful entrance, but one also has to take care that this Chi circulates the living space properly; not too fast and not too slow. If it is too fast and goes right out through large windows or a door, it fails to benefit the inhabitants.

If it is too slow it stagnates and can become harmful. So there is no such thing as “bad Chi”, but stagnant or arrow Chi . It is very important to be surrounded by fresh flowing Chi to feel more balanced, healthy, creative and productive.

Living spaces with stagnant chi can cause tiredness, lack of inspiration and perhaps even health problems in the long run. However, once this type of problem has been spotted correctly, it is fairly easy to correct.

There is another point needed here to understand and appreciate how Feng Shui works. Our inner world is reflected in our exterior world, our living spaces. That which surrounds us expresses who we are, who we have been and what our future aspirations are.

It is in this way that it is possible to “read” a hand or a face, or tea leaves or crystal balls. We only have to know how to read and interpret the information that is there. Skilled fortune tellers can see the possibilities for growth and have the ability to guide one to a better future if this information is used in a constructive manner.

A Feng Shui practitioner works in a similar way. Signs of decay or stagnation in building interiors are spotted and corrected with age old Feng Shui cures. Once the external expression is altered, the internal processes can only follow.

But there needs to be a certain commitment and desire to change for the better, on the part of the Feng Shui client.

Of course, if your life is perfect, you do not need Feng Shui. “If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it!” But if you realize that certain aspects of your life could use some improvement and if you have the necessary dedication, then you should be ready for some major changes!