Mourning the World

People have always been subjected to periods of grief, anguish and fear.  But these events were confined to their own local area so those periods of negative energy were balanced with periods of security, well-being and happiness. Today in our era of 24/7 global news coverage we hear of riots and oppression in Iran, a bus accident in Mexico, plane crashes in Africa and earthquakes in Japan to mention a few. Today we mourn for the whole world all the time. Our sympathetic responses are set continuously on high.  This negative overload can lead us to become desensitized to suffering of others or create a feeling of hopelessness and anger. It is all the more imperative for us to balance all of this negative energy by creating a peaceful positive environment in our personal space.

Depending on your own personal reactions and needs Feng Shui principles can help you to balance all of this negative energy. If you are feeling depressed or lethargic, fill your space with yang energy.  Open up your space to light, take down heavy curtains, clean all of your shiny surfaces until they sparkle, surround yourself with bright, cheerful colors, accessorize with art that makes you smile and clear all horizontal surfaces of clutter.

If you are feeling overwhelmed and anxious you need yin energy.  Create a peaceful space by clearing away clutter, then add a few comfy pillows or throws, surround yourself with subdued colors and light and add a bubbling fountain.  You will find that creating balance and harmony in your physical space will help you to realize that with all the suffering and tragedy it is still a beautiful world full of promise.

Fact of Life

Do you remember your mothers saying,"a place for everything and everything in its place?"  Its a fact of life that we all have to put stuff somewhere in space. Does it really matter where you put your bed, your computer, your favorite easy chair?  The answer is a resounding, Yes!  Each object that you place in your living space affects every aspect of your life. Wouldn't it be nice if we could intentionally arrange the stuff around us to enrich our lives?

Feng Shui is all about making your space and the objects in that space work for you. Each direction has its own particular energy and that energy can be enhanced or minimized by thoughtful placement of the objects we use every day.  Just as placing a dam in a stream can redirect the flow of water so can we redirect the flow of energy.  For instance if you are sitting at a desk in front of a door, at the end of the day you may find that you are more tired than expected.  Because you are sitting directly in the path of an energy stream you are being bombarded by that energy all day.  Try moving your desk to a position facing the door but not directly in front.  You may find your work less fatiguing.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for more posts.

Got Ghosts?

When I say ghosts, I'm not going all metaphysical on you. Do you remember a time when you have walked into a space where the atmosphere is thick with tension?  Strong emotions linger in a space and have a subtle influence long after the contention or illness has passed.  Remember the expression, "let's clear the air?'  Feng Shui has a way to do that. In fact Feng Shui offers us many ways to clear away negative energy in our space.

• The most important step in clearing your space is to be clear about your intention. If it helps write it down.

• Next stand in the center of the space and expand your sense of self until you fill the room. Here you are becoming one with the space.

• Open your mind to the location of stagnant or negative energy.

• Starting in the east move around the space clearing with either a smudge stick, water sprayer, bell, rattle, singing bowl or sea salt. 

• When the space is clear, stand in the center of the space again and fill the space with the kind of energy that will be positive for you.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for more posts.

Everyone Looks Right

Did you know that when entering a space that everyone looks to the right?  So whether you are thinking about your business or home, consider what experience you want to create for your guests or clients. If you want them to think that you are all business, that's where you put you files.  If you want them to be welcomed, that's where you put a beautiful flower arrangement. 

In Feng Shui this is the Relationship area of the ba'gua.  Relationships encompass friendships, family and clients.  Which relationship you wish to enhance will determine what to place in the far right corner of the bag'ua. But to activate the energy in the relationship area in a general way you could place a beautiful water fountain, a live plant, fresh flowers or pictures of the people in the relationship in this space.

Be sure and check back tomorrow for more posts.