Feng Shui- How to Improve It at Home or Office
This is article is not intended as a comprehensive reference on feng shui but rather a brief overview and some helpful tips on improving feng shui in your home or office. So have fun and improve your feng shui today.
While most individuals have heard of feng shui, if you were to ask them what feng shui is, most would probably only have a vague idea. feng shui is the age old Chinese practice of the arrangement of objects and space to achieve harmony with the environment. The practice is estimated to be more than three thousand years old and in recent years has gained significant interest in the west. In Chinese, "feng shui" literally means "wind and water".
feng shui has its origins in the Chinese reverence for nature and the belief in the oneness of all things. The assumption is that the key to living a harmonious life is to reflect the balance of nature in our daily lives, which means balancing Yin and Yang, Chi, and the Five Elements — Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water.
The concept of balancing the “Five Elements” is fairly straight forward; each of the “Five Elements” should be represented in the home or office environment, none to a significantly greater extent than the other. On the other hand, the concept of Yin and Yang comes from ancient Chinese metaphysics, which describes two opposing but complementary forces found in all things in the universe.
Yin, the darker element, is passive, downward seeking and corresponds to the night; yang, the brighter element, is active, upward-seeking and corresponds to the day.Yin and Yang are complementary opposites rather than absolutes. The Chinese believe that most forces in nature can be broken down by their respective Yin and Yang states.
Chi, is a fundamental concept of Chinese spirtuality, most often defined as the “life force” or "spiritual energy" that is part of everything that exists.
In China, feng shui is used to increase wealth, health, and harmonious relationships. In the west homeowners use Feng Shui to bring peace and harmony to their surroundings, and businesses use it to increase sales and morale.
When it comes to homeowners and business owners there is a misconception that in order to improve feng shui they need to make significant changes to their environment. In fact, taking small steps to introduce balance into the environment by balancing the forgoing elements will have a significant impact on improving feng shui.
According to feng shui practitioners, an inexpensive way to improved positive energy and balance in a home or office environment is to balance the “Five Elements”, add plants or other living things, add water or a water fountain and/ or a symbolic feng shui object.
The beauty of a water fountain is that it reminds us to flow with life. That is, to constantly change and adapt to life’s challenges. By reconnecting with the many natural elements contained in a high quality water fountain such as stone, river stones, plants and water, we are revitalized by the subtle currents, sounds and beauty that flow throughout our life. As we reconnect, we are nourished and revitalized, and stress flows away.
In addition, feng shui objects represent positive energy in that there symbolic nature reinforces positive thoughts, which in turn, reinforce the spiritual aspects of feng shui. Their presence is considered inspirational for their high ideals.
In Chinese folklore these traditional feng shui objects represent the following:
Fu Dogs
The Fu Dog, also known as a Chinese Temple Dogs or Keiloons are Chinese mythological creatures. They are part lion, part dragon, and part deer. They come in a pair and they are intended to be placed together. The male’s left foot is raised and rests upon the world - protecting worldly possessions and success. The female’s right foot is raised and rests upon the belly of the baby Fu Dog - protecting the home and family.
The pair are placed so that the raised foot is on the inside so that world and family stay safe. Chinese folklore indicates that the Fu Dog, Chinese Temple Dog or Keiloon sense the intentions of those who approach, and allow only those with good will and kind thoughts to function within their area of influence, like your home or office. When placed facing the front door, the Fu Dog, Chinese Temple Dog or Keiloon are believed to be sentinels that neutralize any harmful elements entering the home or office.
Guan Yu
Guan Yu is believed to have lived between the years 160 – 219 and was a Chinese military general during the late Eastern Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms period in ancient China. Guan Yu is known by many names including, General Guan, Lord Guan, General Kwon Kon, Kuan Kung and many more. Many of these variations are due to language translations from various Chinese dialects to English being somewhat imperfect.
To the Chinese, Guan Yu represents honor, righteousness, loyalty and strength. Guan Yu is held to have been a ferocious protector of the innocent and a defender of the righteous. Bronze and brass sculptures of General Guan Yu wielding his large dragon sword are highly prized by serious Chinese Art collectors.
Buddha
Buddhas- are commonly used to create a relaxing environment, for good luck, harmony, and positive energy. Buddha is commonly referred to in Chinese culture as the enlighten one. Many Chinese believe that Buddha discovered Dharma (that is, he discovered truth; the nature of reality, of the mind, of the affliction of the human condition and the correct "path" to liberation) by enlightenment, which comes after skillful or good karma (action) is perfectly maintained and all negative unskillful actions (negative karma) are abandoned.
The Three Immortals
The Three Immortals, Fuk, Luk and Suk represent wealth, happiness (or power) and long lives which many Chinese believe are the three principal desires of human beings.
The forgoing are but a few of the few feng shui objects available but are some of the more significant ones. We hope you find these Feng Shui tips helpful and that they help you on your way to better feng shui.
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