ANCIENT WISDOM,
MODERN
PARLANCE
Mary Nondé, EDA Member and Feng Shui Consultant, explains some of the wisdom and common sense behind the ancient practice of Feng Shui by using concepts that are understood in the Western world
GOING WITH THE FLOW There is an expression, ‘going with the flow’, which we take to mean adopting the path of least resistance without being attached to the outcome.
When we rakes this mute, things seem to miraculously fall into place and our byes come together without us ‘efforting’ to make them happen. When we arc going against the flow, the symptoms are easily recognisable. We get sick, exhausted, feel depressed, lack clarity arid nothing seems to go right.
If we continue like this, we risk ‘burnout’ or adrenal exhaustion, which is increasingly common. Part of the solution is to make changes to our lifestyle. Another part is to become more conscious of the environments in which we spend most of our rime.
When our homes, offices, gardens and any space you care to consider - are going against the flow similar, symptoms to those described above manifest in the people who occupy these spaces.
Living and working environments that do not promote well-being, make additional demands on us — physically emotionally and psychologically - and our health is likely to suffer as a consequence. So by identifying how to develop our surroundings so that they too go with the flow’, we will correspondingly enhance the quality of our life. Enter Feng Shui...
CULTIVATING CHI Feng Shui is a practical tool which can be used to promote good health and well-being in any environment. At the heart of this ancient discp1ine, is the recognition of chi (universal life force energy) and how to cultivate it to our maximum benefit.
There is a similar, underlying principle to practising things like Yoga, Reiki, Tai Chi, Shiatsu, Qigong, tile purpose of which is to open up channels (meridians) m the body for chi to flow smoothly and freely so that vital life force energy can reach and recharge all parts.
When we embrace Feng Shui, we are doing exactly the same thing that we may choose to do to our bodies: we are cultivating good chi so that it enlivens our spaces. Where there are constrictions or blockages to the steady flow of chi (such as inappropriately placed walls, furniture or clutter), we remove them so that we can move through our spaces in an easy effortless manner — and enjoy the corresponding experience of our lives. And since everything that appears solid around us is actually energy in motion, then everything and anything is worthy of attention from a chi perspective.
THE ORIGIN OF FENG SHUI
The origin of the words ‘Feng Shui’ provide further understanding of this controversial phenomenon. Literally translated they mean ‘wind’ and ‘water’. Ask any Chinese farmer 3,000-plus years ago where lie would choose to grow crops and site his home, his answer would be in terms of prevailing winds, proximity to water and underlying soil quality. Ask a modern day farmer the same question and, despite high technology farming, he would still give a value judgment which included these qualities. Suitably located wind and water delivers good Chi - and every primitive culture in the world has had some understanding of Feng Shui and worked with the principles The wisdom is therefore ancient and timeless.INDIVIDUAL PREFERENCES
When we hear about Feng Shui, however, it may appear that all we have to do is to apply a set of rules and techniques to our homes and offices and all will be hunky dory: an aquarium here, a loo seat down there and chi will flow smoothly If only it were that simple! We could all purchase identical, Feng Shui-perfect homes and offices and live happily and healthily ever after.It’s this type of thinking which is in part responsible for giving Feng Shui such bad press. First, there is a strong historical and cultural context to many of the Feng Shui ideas and solutions that are put about. These need to be understood and evaluated for what they are rather than accepted as god-given absolutes and with out disrespect for the cultures in which they originated
If you don’t like fish, there is little point in having them in your home to improve your wealth; they are just another mouth to feed and take care of. Second, since we are all different, what constitutes good Feng Shui for one per-soil or type of business, really isn’t going to suit another. In addition, we need different things from our environment at different times of our lives and therefore our interactions with it will vary In order to maintain a sense of harmony and flow, therefore, we need to modify the spaces we occupy or move to new ones.
FENG SHUI FOR EVERYONE
It could be argued that our lives are incomplete without close attention to the environment in which they are unfolding. Feng Shui is not a philosophy since it encompasses many practical tools and techniques. It is not a religion, although some may consider it part of their daily practice. It is not a science as its principles are not proven by scientific method. However, it is a natural, delightful and aesthetically-pleasing way of living in harmony with the environment so that the life force energy that surrounds us works for us rather than against.
Mary Nondé is currently working on a project to create a showcase Feng Shui,Eco-design Centre in Berkshire. Through Precision Vision consultations to homes and business and introductory talks, workshops on Feng Shui are available as part of the Quest for the Authentic self programme. Please e—mail Patrick@nonde.freeserve.co.uk or visit their website www.nonde.freeserve.co.uk