Feng Shui: Windbreak-Watercourse Earth Science
Feng shui is a highly refined and ancient art which guides individuals, families, communities and businesses to the optimum use and enhancement of a specific location.
While the words "feng shui" translate literally from Chinese as "wind-water", the term "windbreak-watercourse earth science" more visually expresses the idea of approaching powerful environmental elements systematically and effectively. While feng shui deals with much more than wind and water, the nature and character of these two elements, humble and penetrating, powerful and persistent, is closest to the feeling and even the way of movement of Chi, expressed in nature.
Early records show that feng shui was in use at least 2,400 years ago as part of a highly developed ancient astrological system. The shaman of the ancient Chinese nomadic tribes developed this early science to measure the amount and quality of chi affecting a given site through the seasons.
Starting with simple and seemingly obvious considerations like whether a site is open or protected, calm or windy, shady or sunny, an assessment could be made of a site's suitability. This expanded to assessment of the effects on local "chi quality" of major physical features like mountain ranges and oceans, the movement of the sun through the seasons of the year, and, ultimately, even the position and effect of the planets on the goals or objectives for the site.
In other words, all things express chi, and feng shui can determine the quality and type inherent in a given site while offering ways to increase or modify that chi to suit the purpose at hand.
A Proper Place for Every Thing and Every Function
The feng shui system is based on the idea that humans are just one part of a vibrant and harmonious system. The original state of the environment was viewed the primary guide to the proper uses of a particular site. The impact of changes to that site or to the natural energies bearing on that site were weighed very carefully, so that adjustments or corrections could be made to avoid setting up a local energetic or "misdirected Chi" backlash. Put another way, the feeling of human connection to the being or energy of the environment meant that harming the environment was equal to harming oneself or one's clan.
This is very different from the dominant inclination to reshape or re-create the environment to support human needs and goals. In modern times, much of the environment has been forced to bear human actions or purposes regardless of that place's Tao or natural and true expression.
Indeed, extreme environmental alterations such as the great canals and the Great Wall in China were considered by some feng shui adepts to be assaults on the earth, certain to yield dire consequences. In modern times, examples of such assaults and consequences abound: assaults like giant strip mines and giant hydroelectric dams with their consequences of species and habitat destruction and myriad other breaks in the natural expression and movement of the earth's Chi. In fact, a growing awareness of the impact these types of changes have on the human body and on the body of the entire earth has sparked interest in feng shui. The growth of feng shui is a refinement or natural extension of the modern ecology movement.
The feng shui system assumes that all life forms, minerals, and energetic forces such as wind and sun, play a significant role in determining the quality of life. Feng shui measures and calibrates the power of the effective force of all elements involved or impacting a situation - including geographical features and buildings, colors and shapes, and even the effects that culture and symbolism have on the ultimate expression of chi in that situation.
Feng Shui Is Practical and Results-based
Most anyone knows that keeping a plant near the window instead of inside the closet would be the "right feng shui" for supporting that plant on its Tao of air-cleaning and human spirit-lifting. Determining the right function of a room or the right placement of a house may be quite a bit more complicated, but it comes down to essentially the same type of practical, results-based evaluation.
Feng shui tools and the feng shui perspective and can actually simplify the analysis of the myriad elements in the environment so that healthful and supportive elements are magnified while unhealthful and counterproductive elements and energies are minimized.
The function of feng shui and the feng shui adept is to keep in mind ALL forces and to deal with the full implication or meaning of any given element within a site. The adept must then, with great sensitivity and the tools of feng shui, determine how or if the intended use of a site will be harmonious with the forces naturally at play on that site.
Feng Shui Compass or Ba Gua Explained
The Feng Shui Ba Gua is like a roadmap to the Chi in your home. Feng Shui practitioners are guided by this Ba Gua, or eight-pointed compass, as they determine how your life or work space can be prepared or adjusted to best suit your needs. The Ba Gua allows practitioners to overlay the dynamic interplay of the Five Elements - or Five Phases of Chi - onto a physical space. In this way we can see the purpose for which specific rooms or areas are most suited. Once a purpose is chosen, the Ba Gua can also help to make the most of each space. The Feng Shui Ba Gua is not a mystical map – it is essentially a practical guide and checklist for managing the energy of physical spaces.
We've all had the experience of entering someone's home or office only to feel instantly uncomfortable: that's a sign that something is wrong with the flow and interaction of Chi in the room. On the other hand, if you've ever entered someone's home and immediately felt welcome - that's a sign that the energy elements are in harmony and well-suited to the use of the space. The insight offered by the Ba Gua will help to explain the why and how of what is going on in these spaces.
In practice, the Feng Shui Ba Gua (ba-gua literally means eight-corners) is laid over a map or representation of a room or environment. An experienced practitioner can quickly determine which energies are present or absent, in harmony or discordant and then recommend a solution. There is a lot of debate over how the Feng Shui Ba Gua should exactly be used for a given space. Traditionally, the career Gua was associated with the direction north: this Gua was assigned to the front door or entryway. Each Gua had its cardinal direction and its optimum position. In modern practice, the approach is to stand facing the space you wish analyze holding the Feng Shui Ba Gua in your hand with the black (Career) Gua closest to you.
Once oriented, the Ba Gua provides an energy profile for each sector or Gua of your space. Is the space clean or cluttered? Is a sector missing, or is it enlarged? Typically, your living space will reflect the energy profile expressed throughout your life, which can make home-improvement into a sort of self-help undertaking. In fact, for some clients, feng shui is the best form of self-help available.
Feng shui is a highly refined and ancient art which guides individuals, families, communities and businesses to the optimum use and enhancement of a specific location.
While the words "feng shui" translate literally from Chinese as "wind-water", the term "windbreak-watercourse earth science" more visually expresses the idea of approaching powerful environmental elements systematically and effectively. While feng shui deals with much more than wind and water, the nature and character of these two elements, humble and penetrating, powerful and persistent, is closest to the feeling and even the way of movement of Chi, expressed in nature.
Early records show that feng shui was in use at least 2,400 years ago as part of a highly developed ancient astrological system. The shaman of the ancient Chinese nomadic tribes developed this early science to measure the amount and quality of chi affecting a given site through the seasons.
Starting with simple and seemingly obvious considerations like whether a site is open or protected, calm or windy, shady or sunny, an assessment could be made of a site's suitability. This expanded to assessment of the effects on local "chi quality" of major physical features like mountain ranges and oceans, the movement of the sun through the seasons of the year, and, ultimately, even the position and effect of the planets on the goals or objectives for the site.
In other words, all things express chi, and feng shui can determine the quality and type inherent in a given site while offering ways to increase or modify that chi to suit the purpose at hand.
A Proper Place for Every Thing and Every Function
The feng shui system is based on the idea that humans are just one part of a vibrant and harmonious system. The original state of the environment was viewed the primary guide to the proper uses of a particular site. The impact of changes to that site or to the natural energies bearing on that site were weighed very carefully, so that adjustments or corrections could be made to avoid setting up a local energetic or "misdirected Chi" backlash. Put another way, the feeling of human connection to the being or energy of the environment meant that harming the environment was equal to harming oneself or one's clan.
This is very different from the dominant inclination to reshape or re-create the environment to support human needs and goals. In modern times, much of the environment has been forced to bear human actions or purposes regardless of that place's Tao or natural and true expression.
Indeed, extreme environmental alterations such as the great canals and the Great Wall in China were considered by some feng shui adepts to be assaults on the earth, certain to yield dire consequences. In modern times, examples of such assaults and consequences abound: assaults like giant strip mines and giant hydroelectric dams with their consequences of species and habitat destruction and myriad other breaks in the natural expression and movement of the earth's Chi. In fact, a growing awareness of the impact these types of changes have on the human body and on the body of the entire earth has sparked interest in feng shui. The growth of feng shui is a refinement or natural extension of the modern ecology movement.
The feng shui system assumes that all life forms, minerals, and energetic forces such as wind and sun, play a significant role in determining the quality of life. Feng shui measures and calibrates the power of the effective force of all elements involved or impacting a situation - including geographical features and buildings, colors and shapes, and even the effects that culture and symbolism have on the ultimate expression of chi in that situation.
Feng Shui Is Practical and Results-based
Most anyone knows that keeping a plant near the window instead of inside the closet would be the "right feng shui" for supporting that plant on its Tao of air-cleaning and human spirit-lifting. Determining the right function of a room or the right placement of a house may be quite a bit more complicated, but it comes down to essentially the same type of practical, results-based evaluation.
Feng shui tools and the feng shui perspective and can actually simplify the analysis of the myriad elements in the environment so that healthful and supportive elements are magnified while unhealthful and counterproductive elements and energies are minimized.
The function of feng shui and the feng shui adept is to keep in mind ALL forces and to deal with the full implication or meaning of any given element within a site. The adept must then, with great sensitivity and the tools of feng shui, determine how or if the intended use of a site will be harmonious with the forces naturally at play on that site.
We've all had the experience of entering someone's home or office only to feel instantly uncomfortable: that's a sign that something is wrong with the flow and interaction of Chi in the room. On the other hand, if you've ever entered someone's home and immediately felt welcome - that's a sign that the energy elements are in harmony and well-suited to the use of the space. The insight offered by the Ba Gua will help to explain the why and how of what is going on in these spaces.
In practice, the Feng Shui Ba Gua (ba-gua literally means eight-corners) is laid over a map or representation of a room or environment. An experienced practitioner can quickly determine which energies are present or absent, in harmony or discordant and then recommend a solution. There is a lot of debate over how the Feng Shui Ba Gua should exactly be used for a given space. Traditionally, the career Gua was associated with the direction north: this Gua was assigned to the front door or entryway. Each Gua had its cardinal direction and its optimum position. In modern practice, the approach is to stand facing the space you wish analyze holding the Feng Shui Ba Gua in your hand with the black (Career) Gua closest to you.
Once oriented, the Ba Gua provides an energy profile for each sector or Gua of your space. Is the space clean or cluttered? Is a sector missing, or is it enlarged? Typically, your living space will reflect the energy profile expressed throughout your life, which can make home-improvement into a sort of self-help undertaking. In fact, for some clients, feng shui is the best form of self-help available.
Understanding the Meaning and Development of Feng Shui
Even visually, the juxtaposition of yin and yang moves chi.
The interplay of Yin and Yang is at the heart of Feng Shui. The Five Elements and the Ba Gua (see samples below) are refinements and tools for understanding the transformations inherent in every Chi situation.
