Feng Shui works for sure, but how and why does it work? This question has brought forth tons of books, websites and discussions, including ones that say it is all bunk. The answer follows around 4000 years of observation, practice and the unfolding of feng shui itself.
I see it as a profound mirror for how the universe functions, especially on this planet. Each of us has an opportunity to explore our inner and outer lives through the practice of feng shui. And we don’t have to be experts on it to do this.
Our objects in our homes are gathers and dispersers of energy. When we consciously and intentionally place these things, using feng shui, principles, a subtle shift can occur that ripples out through our lives.
If you are feeling stuck, overwhelmed or just plain too tired to embrace feng shui, move 27 things. Move them any where. But as you move them, notice that you are making a very small effort that could surprise you.
The eight sided pattern, called the bagua, is what I use to practice feng shui in my home. It actually has nine sections if you count the center. It is depicted traditionally as an octagon with pie shaped sections. But you can also depict it as a rectangle with nine equal spaced squares, three on all sides.
You line up the bagua on the floor plan of your home, with the bottom of the pattern aligned with the wall that contains your front door. If your door is in the center of the wall, you will enter your home via the career section of the bagua. If it is one the left of the wall, you are in the knowledge or contemplation area. On the right, and you enter through helpful people.
Then you see what parts of your house are found in each section of the bagua, and the fun begins when you intuitively rearrange each section, moving things attentive to the specific realms.
Leo Babauta says there are two reasons we don’t seem to be able to get rid of clutter:
1. clinging to the past
2. fear of the future
Read the rest of his zen approach to clutter at zenhabits.com.
“Our mission, and one good reason for using Feng Shui, is to find ways that are safe and comforting to allow us to reconnect with our inner self so we are always able to go there to receive higher guidance and solace. By understanding how to create sacred spaces outside of ourselves, we are then able to design areas that will ‘mirror back’ to us our ‘vision of inner sacredness.’ By turning our home into a sacred place, we create very special places that help us to reshape and reopen to our sacred place inside…”
Nancy SantoPietro from Feng Shui: Harmony by Design
Feng Shui Fun 