What is Feng Shui?
The basic feng shui principles are briefly explained and the different types of feng shui are discussed, along with a description of other subjects that are related to feng shui.
WHAT FENG SHUI IS NOT
Feng shui has been called the art of placement. This describes feng shui well, as it is an art rather than a science, a religion, a philosophy or a belief system.
In the West, feng shui is not a science, as its principles cannot yet be proven by scientific method. It is not a religion as, although some of its advocates may consider it part of their religious practice, it is not necessary to follow any religion to understand or practice feng shui. It's not a philosophy as it encompasses many practical tools and techniques. It is not a belief system. Asking someone if they believe in feng shui is like asking them if they believe in the weather. It's not a question of faith but a fact of life.
The Chinese have always considered that success in life is dependent upon five influences - (1) fate, destiny or karma; (2) lucky and unlucky eras; (3) feng shui; (4) virtue; (5) personal factors such as our background, inheritance, family and our actions, education, experience, and so on.
Whether you concur with this Chinese belief or not, it does make an important point. The first two of these influences - fate and luck - are beyond our control. Therefore, feng shui is only one of the three influences on our lives that can be controlled. Although it can be very effective, feng shui is not magic or the ultimate power tool. It cannot guarantee great wealth, health and happiness, so beware of people who claim otherwise.
Good feng shui can simply help us to overcome difficulties during our times of bad luck and can help us reap maximum benefits from the good times. It is generally used to increase wealth, enhance health, improve relationships and protect against misfortune and harm.
HISTORY OF FENG SHUI
Feng shui is an ancient Chinese discipline dating back at least 3000 years, although its philosophy can be traced back to the teachings of the I Ching - from 6000 years ago.
Feng shui was first used to determine the best sites for tombs. Later it was used to site palaces, government buildings and monuments, until finally whole cities were designed and built according to feng shui principles. Over time, the classical practice of feng shui developed to include detailed observation of the living world and the way in which earth's energy affects our daily lives.
Feng shui remained an integral part of Chinese culture until recent times when Western influences and Communism relegated feng shui to a more superstitious and mystical practice and the Chinese in Hong Kong reduced its essence to helping businesses thrive.
Feng shui was devised through the cultural paradigms of China, with its unique geography and rather stable social structure, which varies little from generation to generation.
Despite these origins however, its core truths are central to human awareness and experience.
When it is stripped of culture and ritual, and synthesised with other bodies of knowledge to meet the specific requirements of culture, geography climate, and human uniqueness, the essence of feng shui can be applied to any space and time.
WHAT FENG SHUI IS
Feng Shui means 'wind and water' - the two most powerful forces of nature - and the fundamentals of life. The underlying principle of feng shui is to live in harmony with your environment so that the energy surrounding you works for you rather than against you.
Feng shui is a complex art involving many disciplines from site planning to psychology, based on the Chinese understanding of the dynamic flow of energy throughout the universe.
Feng shui explains how the environment in which people live affects their lives. Beyond this, it is the art of using the environment to influence the quality of a person's life.
Ultimately, feng shui is a sound and sensible way of living with a conscious connection between our outside environment and our inner world.
FENG SHUI TODAY
Despite the fact that the West has not had the benefit of a consistent person-to-place philosophy through the ages, many people, on discovering feng shui, recognise things that they always knew deep down to be true. Many successful people practise some form of feng shui without realising it.
The integration of the external world and our internal environment is a cornerstone of most traditional philosophies. Indigenous people all over the world have long understood that we are not separate from our planet, our homes, or one another.
In the West we have lost this connectedness with our earth and our environment and this lack of balance is a cause of much physical, mental, emotional and spiritual disease. Feng shui offers a means to reconnect and regain our balance, our health and our good fortune.