Feng
Shiu, An Introduction by Jenny Liu
What
is feng shui?
Feng
shui is a philosophy that creates an environment 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 so that is can
funtion 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
philosphy 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 well-being. 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 ecosytem 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 benficial 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.
| Authors
Details:
Jenny
Liu
Jenny Liu is a fourth generation practitioner who holds a BA in Environmental
Design from UC Berkeley and an MA in Architecture from UCLA. Awarded for
her Master's Thesis on Feng Shui, she is an expert in the ancient Chinese
philosophy of Feng Shui. The
Authors Web Site |
More Articles On Feng Shui
(What Is Feng Shui?)
(Intro
To Feng Shui)
(Office
Feng Shui Tips)
(Feng
Shui Tips For Wealth)
(Feng
Shui Tips For Health)
(Feng Shui
For Your Bedroom)
(Free Feng
Shui Tips)
(Color And
Feng Shui)
(Feng
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(Feng Shui
Elements) |
