The Zen of Feng Shui

Feng Shui is built on three principles:

1) EVERYTHING IS ALIVE
The first principle is that every person, place and thing is alive with the vital energy called Ch'i. Along with being molecularly alive, our material possessions are also alive with our thoughts, feelings and associations. We want to be surrounded by possessions that strengthen our well being and nurture us. It is important to assess your material possessions. What are they saying to you? The quality of your inner life is constantly influences by what you're keeping alive in your surroundings.

2) EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED
The second principle is that every person, place and  thing is  connected by Ch'i. We are intimately connected with everything that surrounds us. We cannot separate our health from our finances, our finances from our creativity, or our creativity from our relationships. Therefore, it is crucial to simplify, organize and properly house our possessions (including closets and garages). Your material well being tends to increase in the presence of order. Just let go of anything you don't have a great relationship with because external order and harmony create internal harmony, and energy.


3) EVERYTHING IS CONSTANTLY CHANGING
The final principle is that every person, place and thing is constantly changing. The one constant thing in the universe is change. Change can be a gift when we understand it as a force that can improve our lives and embrace it.  Change happens! When we fully embrace the dance of change we grow in wisdom and experience and allow our homes to reflect the changes within us. There is an old Chinese saying: "If you want a change in your life, move 27 things in your home." Make changes and enjoy the moment!

Feng Shui Balance - Yin and Yang

A harmonious life is all about balance; not too hot or cold, not too dark or light, not too small or large. In Feng Shui these extremes are defined as Yin or Yang.
Yin is  associated with curved shapes and small, dark and/or ornate settings.

 

Yang on the other hand is associated with angular shapes, and/or large light, open settings.

The more extreme our home designs are, the more uncomfortable they may feel. People tend to be happiest and most comfortable with a balanced mix of Yin and Yang features in their environments.

Use the chart below to analyze and help you balance any room:

Yin -  Yang Home Balance Analysis

                                                                        

                                                           Yin                                            Yang                                                                                           

Room size	Small	Large
Location in House	Quiet/Private	Noisy/Busy
Room’s View	Intimate/Private	Grand
Room’s View	Natural	Houses/Buildings/Street
Ceiling	Low	High
Natural Light	Low	Bright
Electrical Light	Dim	Bright
Open  Floor Space	Small Amounts	Large Expanses
Floors	Carpeting/Rugs	Tile/Cement/Stone
Wall Colors	Medium/Dark/Muted	Light/Bright
Furniture	Many Pieces	Few Pieces
Furniture Colors	Medium/Dark/Muted	Light/Bright
Furniture and Décor	Small	Large
Furniture and Décor	Low	High
Seating	Soft/Padded	Hard/Unpadded
Furniture Shapes	Curved/Rounded	Straight//Angular
Patterns	Floral	Geometric
Fabrics	Textured	Smooth/Shiny
Design	Elaborate/Ornate	Plain/Uncomplicated
Display Collections	Many	Few/None
Art	Many Pieces	Few
Art	Small	Large
Pillows	Many	Few
Books	Many	Few
Mirrors	Small	Large
Plants	Many	Few
Storage Areas/Closets	Organized	Chaotic/Disorganized

When Yin and Yang are balanced, you experience each room  in your home as comfortable and beautiful. The idea is to create a personal paradise that nourishes and protects your health, and happiness. Go for the balanced Human Comfort Zone!

Exercise Equipment and Feng Shui

   Two keys to a healthy body are exercise and rest. Unfortunately, in Feng Shui these two elements don't live well together in the same room. It's wonderful having exercise equipment at home so you can quickly and efficiently get in the minutes you need to get your heart rate up. At the same time bedrooms are designed for serenity, romance and rest. Exercise equipment is associated with activity that can chase  the feeling of serenity right out of the room. Remember that in Feng Shui everything is alive and constantly talking to you. Treadmills, stationary bikes etc. are constantly reminding you to get up and exercise. This can be especially frustrating if you are not using them and constantly  reminded of your guilt. Just when you need to rest, these action figures are announcing to you that you're looking a bit flabby and haven't used them for a while. Do you really need that constant reminder in your life?
  To maintain peace and tranquility in the bedroom, dedicate it to its original role - the room for the bed, and furniture that suggests relaxation such as comfortable chairs and soft lamps.

    So where is the best place to put exercise equipment? If you are truly planning on using it regularly the best places in your home are in more active rooms such as dens, exercise rooms, family rooms, garages etc. Bagua locations are good in the Health, Creativity, Helpful People areas. Wherever you put this equipment, make sure its being used,  otherwise it becomes a nagging reminder. Better then to sell it and use the money to go to the gym, like one of my clients ended up doing. She is having much more fun now, has met more friends, and has more space in her home.

Feng Shui Water Features

Water features invigorate Chi flow. Chi is the positive life energy flowing through your environment. There are many indoor and outdoor varieties in nurseries, department stores,  catalogues and on line. The two most auspicious areas of your home for water features are your Career Area and the Wealth and Prosperity Area.

The Career Area is located in the front center of your home, where many have their front entrance. This is where career opportunities flow in. The Wealth and Prosperity Area is in the back left corner, and again this is where you want a flow of prosperity. 

This garden fountain further enhances the wealth area with its beautiful purple color.

 I have this 360 degree bubbler by my front steps, greeting guests and welcoming the Chi. 

I then have a small fountain just inside of the front door in the entrance foyer, which is in my Career Area.

Whether inside or outside, place directional water features so that the water "points" toward the house or into the room. 360 degree bubbling fountains work very well at bringing energy to the home. Still water features such as birdbaths also enhance the Chi but must be kept clean at all times.

Aquariums are very powerful Chi enhancers because they act as "5 element displays," bringing the energy of all 5 elements: plants (wood), fish (fire), sand (earth), rocks (metal) and of course water. Make sure these are well functioning and clean so that they enhance and don't drain energy.

Pools, jacuzzis and hot tubs are considered water features and must be kept clean and in good repair. Enhance these with good lighting, flowers and comfortable seating.

Using Personal Feng Shui Chi Enhancers

Feng Shui is not about just hanging crystals. It’s about finding the personal Chi enhancers that match your personality and style.  

Chi  Enhancers are the basic Feng Shui tools that are used as remedies for treating, stabilizing, enhancing and balancing the energy in any environment.  Select items from this list using the Bagua attributes to guide you.  As always in Feng Shui, they have to be ones that you love!  You can choose one or more per given area, but for them to work make sure that they delight you when you see them, and that they are placed with intentionality and affirmations. 

v  Art – Paintings, sculptures, collages, collections, textiles 

v  Colors – Surround yourself with the ones you love! 

v  Crystals – Round and faceted to circulate Chi  

v  Lighting – Electric, candles, oil, natural sunlight

v  Living Things – Plants, flowers, animals 

v  Mirrors – In general, the bigger, the better, except in bedroom

v  Objects of Nature – Rocks, shells, potpourri, seeds, pods, etc.

v  Sound Makers – Wind chimes, bells, music, instruments

v  Water Features – Fountains, waterfalls, ponds, birdbaths, etc.

v  Wind Dancers – Mobiles, whirligigs, flags, banners, weathervanes

Have fun with it!!!