About Feng Shui
The words FENG and SHUI mean WIND and WATER, but Dr. Edgar Sung tells us that these words have not always
stood on their own as they do today. These two words come from an ancient and very popular poem that was
created to describe the ideal landscape for a site.
The wind is mild The sun is warm
The water is clear The vegetation, lush
This was such a popular poem that as time passed people began to abbreviate it, so that when
referring to the poem and richness of its meaning, they called it simply WIND WATER or FENG SHUI.
We all have one thing in common; we yearn to find relief, loveliness, and a sense of flow,
balance and good health. We want to be a peaceful soul. This is what has been the driving force
behind Feng Shui for thousands of years.
Feng Shui (fung shway) is an ancient Chinese philosophy which has been involved with the
study of the relationship between Heaven, Man and Earth for over 3,000 years. Actually,
Feng Shui itself is the study of the movement of Ch'i or Life's Energy Force, as well as the
CHINESE ART OF PLACEMENT. An interesting description of Ch'i is the idea of a vein of positive
and negative energy, constantly moving and trading positions within it, an activity which is
the result of the theory of Yin and Yang. This energy courses through the earth, holding the
earth together. This sum total of all energy is where all Life derives its power.
An invisible substance, Ch'i is an invisible force much like the wind; you cannot see it,
but you can see its affects. It expresses itself both in and around our Selves, permeating
all of life. This is what the art of Feng Shui is based upon; the flow of Ch'i and the art
of placing objects around us to have the most positive affect of this energy flow.
In a larger sense, on a grander scale, Feng Shui starts with studying the flow of Ch'i outside
a house encompassing the flow of energy of the neighborhood and a particular plot of land in order
to understand where to best place buildings upon it. Or, if the building is already in place, Feng Shui
supplies us with the knowledge of how to best enhance the property and its relationship to its
surroundings by manipulating the flow of energy of the land around the buildings to produce positive
affects. This will involve landscaping, the placement of a water feature, the positioning of rocks
and statues, bells, and other objects.
Once we have accomplished the best use of Feng Shui practices on the exterior environment and the
flow of Ch'i has been maximized, we begin to use Feng Shui inside the house or building. Once inside the
house or building, the principles of Feng Shui involve the relationship of the flow of Ch'i throughout
the inside of the structure. It is this part that refers to the placement of furniture, appliances,
beds, bathrooms, and colors. Feng Shui then guides us to use certain objects to adjust the flow of
Ch'i inside the home, office or building. It is in this interior analysis of ones environment where f
eng shui adjustments and cures are used to allow for personal transformations - stronger health, love,
a new career, peace, wealth and prosperity.
Now the art of Feng Shui takes on its most personal task as it is used to observe the chi of the
individual or individuals which are being affected by the buildings they spend time in, both at work
and at home. This affects an individual's internal Ch'i as well as their external Ch'i. There are
many external indications which reveal internal problems affecting an individual. How they feel
and how they appear to be are two sides of the same coin - if you know how to read the signs correctly.
We have already learned that Feng Shui (pronounced fung-schway) means WIND and WATER.
In Chinese culture, gentle wind and smooth water have always been associated with a good
harvest and good health, while harsh winds and stagnant water have been linked to famine
and disease. Therefore, GOOD Feng Shui has come to mean prosperity both personally and in business
and good fortune, and BAD Feng Shui has come to mean personal and business difficulties and misfortune.
Feng Shui is not a superstition or a rigid set of rules. Rather, Feng Shui the art and science of
understanding the forces of life in all of Nature both within us and around us in order to design
houses and workplaces to blend with the environment instead of clashing with it. To this end, Feng Shui
aims to help us live in harmony with all of Nature and mankind by promoting the flow of positive energy
and neutralizing or avoiding negative or destructive energy.
Feng Shui has a rich and subtle history of knowledge dating back thousands of years. It is available to
all of us to better our own lives and the world around us.
Simple Suggestions to Help you Improve the Feng Shui of a House or Work Area
- The number one rule to follow when applying the principles of Feng Shui to a
home office or study area is to arrange your work area so that you are facing the door of the room.
If you place a desk so that your back is to the door, you might have difficulty concentrating, as if
you are vulnerable from behind.
- Keep your room or office free of clutter so that the Ch'i, or life's energy, can naturally flow through the space.
After your work is completed cover up or close the door to your computer and workspace every night, especially if
it is located in your bedroom, or else you may feel the constant need to work.
- Place a crystal hanging from a red ribbon or Chinese coins connected with a red ribbon in the
wealth corner of your desk (top left corner) or office (left corner) to stimulate good fortune.
This will help ensure that the entire work done in this area will be positive and rewarding.
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