What is Feng Shui?
Feng Shui may seem like a very superstitious science but it is actually based on the very sensible notion that living with rather than against nature benefits both humans and the environment. It is all about how to create good energy (also called Chi) in your life so that you can manifest positive things into your immediate sphere.
The art and science of Feng Shui also recognizes that our lives are deeply affected by our physical and emotional environments. If we surround ourselves with symbols of negation, contempt and indifference toward life and nature and choose to live in places that are actually repugnant to the human soul then we will attract misfortune.
Hard edges, uncomfortable furniture and clutter create what is called "sha" or "shar" which are the Chinese words for "bad energy." However if we trade in noise, concrete, mess and other agitating elements for organization, cleanliness and objects that are an expression of the sweeter things in life such as art, beauty and order, then we will ennoble our souls as well as our environment.
The theory is that the kind of energy that we surround ourselves with creates more of the same energy. If we court negative qualities our homes can become a fertile breeding ground for such woes as cash flow problems and relationship troubles. The theory behind Feng Shui is that some of these problems can be remedied simply by organizing your space so that Chi (good energy) is allowed to freely flow through your life.
The literal translation of the Chinese word Feng Shui (pronounced fung-shway) means wind and water. The combination of these two elements creates good "chi." 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 good livelihood and fortune, and "bad" Feng Shui has come to mean hardship and bad luck.
The purpose of Feng Shui is to comprehend and control the natural flow of energy in order to design houses and workplaces that harmonize with the environment instead of clashing with it. A Feng Shui "cure" (which might involve the placing of a mirror to double the size of a space or the removal of a heavy object from a sector of a room) promotes the flow of positive energy by neutralizing or avoiding negative or destructive energy.
Like traditional Chinese medicine, Feng Shui has a rich and subtle tradition with a standardized body of knowledge that takes years of formal training to master. To be frank, you can't become a Feng Shui Master overnight. However there are some steps you can take to learn how to diagnose if your space as problems and try to improve the overall "vibe" of your environment.
This principle that you must raise your own vibration is part of ancient Taoist and Buddhist teachings. The more you raise your own vibration, above the grossness of such elements as clutter and chaos, the more you personally will be able to draw things to you that consist of a higher vibration such as career opportunities, a healthy lifestyle, mentors, good friends and soul mates.
