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Feng shui (say "fung shway"),
often called the art of placement, could just as accurately be
called "the art of flow." This ancient Chinese practice,
literally translated as "wind" and "water,"
aims to maximize the beneficial movement of chi--the universal
life force present in all things--through an environment.
Just as fresh air and clean water
nourish our bodies, so does fresh, clean chi nourish our homes
and our lives. When the flow of chi through our space is blocked,
weak, or misdirected, our relationships, cash flow, creativity,
health, and career can suffer. Chi wants to meander gracefully
through a space, like a gentle breeze or a winding stream. When
it flows too strongly, it becomes like a hurricane or flood.
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We are likely to feel tossed
about by winds of change, unstable, prone to crises, struggling
to "keep our heads above water." Where chi is blocked
it becomes stale and stagnant, like a pond choked with algae
and fallen leaves. We may feel tired, run down, depressed, unable
to focus, hampered in our efforts to move forward in our lives.
In a corporate environment, poor
feng shui can result in miscommunication between managers and
employees, conflicts among team members, and lack of support
for key initiatives. |
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Individuals may be overlooked
for promotions or deserved raises, suffer damage to their reputation
in the company, or even lose their job. The company may have
difficulty attracting or keeping key customers.
In a retail store, feng shui problems can block the flow of customers
into and through the store, contribute to theft and staffing
problems, and have a negative effect on the amount and size of
sales.
Feng shui provides tools and
guidelines for analyzing and correcting the flow of energy into
and through our space. It uses the arrangement of rooms and the
placement of furniture to create a smooth pathway for chi through
a home, office, or retail location. Blockages and other forms
of negative chi are removed or counteracted in order to welcome
in opportunities and encourage progress. Colors and shapes associated
with the five elements-wood, fire, earth, metal, and water-are
used to create movement, balance, or protection, depending on
the needs of the client. Imagery and objects such as paintings,
photographs, statuary and other accessories are chosen and placed
to enhance and reinforce the client's intention.
Feng Shui reminds us that everything
is connected, and that our physical surroundings have a significant
impact on our mind, body, and spirit. It teaches us to be mindful
caretakers of our environments, so that we may be mindful caretakers
of our lives.
Copyright © 2002 Stephanie
Roberts |
