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Literally
wind-water, Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese art of placement based upon a
philosophy of the movement of chi or natural energy through our
environments or house. By following the patterns of nature, the Feng Shui
practitioner will advise on the placement of everything from an individual
object in the house or workplace to the positioning of a building upon
property. Feng Shui shows us how to support the flow of energy in our
lives to augment health and prosperity which is ergonomic; it lets us work
efficiently, comfortably and successfully by following the patterns of
nature.
Think of yourself as a boat, it is simply easier and more effective to
sail with the current and wind rather than against it. This idea is one of
the basic concepts of Feng Shui. Imagine your house as an extension of
yourself, like a shirt that you can wear. If you were to wear the shirt so
that your neck were to fit through the sleeve, you probably would not
function very well, finding it very constrictive and hard to breathe. In
Feng Shui, a house is designed to fit the body comfortably, orientated to
allow the body to take in vital energy or qi (pronounced chee) so that is
can function effectively.
There are many aspects to getting dressed for success - you can't just put
on a shoe and walk out the door for an interview. Similarly, there are
many aspects to understanding and designing with Feng Shui. It is not just
about orientation and opening the door in the right direction. It is about
being aware and in tune with yourself and your environment: the
combination of interior and exterior space, light, sounds, smells,
materials, furniture arrangement, etc. and how they affect your metal and
physical energy. In the philosophy of Feng Shui, everything has qi or the
ability to affect you, regardless of your awareness. Feng Shui theories
guide us in creating an environment tailored to promote our individual
well-being.
What is qi? Understanding the concept of qi is the key to understanding
Feng Shui. Because there is no equivalent of qi in English, the following
examples give a general ideal of qi. For instance, Feng Shui literally
translated means "wind-water". Qi is like the wind, a natural energy
source that is constantly flowing all around us. We cannot see it, but we
know it exists by the way it affects the landscape and physical matter. Qi
is also like water, an energy source that can be diverted to where it is
needed and be more beneficial to our wellbeing. At the same time, qi like
water also cycles endlessly from one phase to another: it is a cycle that
if broken or interrupted will affect everything else that depends on the
continuity of this cycle. This can be compared to the ecosystem of a
forest where every plant, insect and animal depend on one another to
evolve and survive. A decline or increase in any of the species will
affect the whole ecological system.
In relation to our built environment, Feng Shui theories guide us in
seeking naturally beneficial site conditions, designing landscapes and
buildings, arranging rooms, furniture and such so that they are all in
sync with natural qi patterns. In doing so we channel natural energies to
empower us in doing what we do better.
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