Feng Shui literally means wind and water. It is an ancient Chinese system about the relationship between humans and their environment. It is about how everything is energy and is interconnected and constantly changing.  Based on the laws of nature, its theories, principles and techniques offer us a way of understanding how we can create a comfortable environment that is supportive and  can enhance specific areas of our lives. 

The underlying principle of feng shui is chi.  Another word for chi is energy. It is an energetic, formative principal that is spontaneously expressed throughout all life. It is the underlying principle of energy linking all things. This principle is common to other traditions as well. The Hindus call it prana, the Japanese call it qi, and Catholics call it spiritus. Chi can be of the earth, the atmosphere, or of people.  The quality of chi is expressed through form, shape, color, sound and cycles of time nature.  A lot of feng shui is concerned with ensuring that chi does not get stuck, stagnate, depleted or too concentrated. 

Its purpose is to modify the energies of our environments both at home and where we work, in order to enhance our personal chi or energy. When  the energy of our environment has been properly adjusted, it then supports each of us in all aspects of our lives. When feng shui principles are employed, they can increase the energy in those areas of our lives that we wish to enhance, minimize non supportive energies, while at the same time experiencing a greater sense of overall balance, harmony and contentment. It is, however, not a magic bullet. Feng shui is only one component in life. It can not overcome all challenges in life, but can give us greater awareness to change the things in life over which we do have control. 

There are many different methods or schools of feng shui that are being practiced today. New methods are being revealed as more of the old books are being translated into English and are being taught. Among all these different schools there is little consensus as what is mutually agreed upon. There is no This is the best school of feng shui” or This is the only true school feng shui”. They all are valid and have effectiveness, depending on the level of expertise of the practitioner and the willingness of the client to implement the feng shui remedies given by the practitioner. 

Feng shui is a part of Chinese metaphysics, which is a vast and very deep subject. There is a whole cosmology that exists that attempts to explain how the universe works and our relationship to it. The knowledge acquired through an understanding of the I Ching is of paramount importance and contributes to the understanding of feng shui. 

Firstly, it is important to understand that a major school of feng shui works within a framework of time and space. In other words, there is a belief that we, as humans, are in direct relationship with time according to specific cycles that have been laid out over millennia. This applies to both Chinese astrology, of which there are many different types, as well as feng shui. 

Secondly, it is import to understand that most feng shui that is being taught today is about our relationship to how the energy flows in the environment in which we live and work. There are two types of feng shui to consider in the environments, one is physical, referring to actual visible surroundings, such as landscape, mountains, buildings, waterways, roads, and the interior design of the building, as well as the placement of furniture. The second type is more abstract, and that is the directional influences, which are invisible, but which many believe can have a significant influence on us. When evaluating feng shui influences, it is necessary to take into consideration both the visible and invisible energetic qualities of the environment. 

There are some aspects that are generally agreed upon by all schools and practitioners of feng shui. They are: 

• One should have an understanding of Form School and how the forms in an environment, both external and interior forms, affect the people. 

• One should have an understanding of the Five Elements and how they relate to one another and how to balance the elements with one another. This includes an understanding of yin and yang theory. 

• One should have an understanding of how to determine the best directions for sleeping, working and studying and which directions should be avoided. 

• One should have an understanding of how symbolism and intention can affect the energy of the environment and the people in the environment. This deals with the beliefs, attitudes and perceptions that the client desire to project into their environment.

• One should be aware of the annual energies that are present and how to adjust for them. 

Once the energy of the place has been cleared and ideally the people have been cleared and/or Psych-K™ work has been done, then it is the perfect time to place the appropriate elemental remedies and symbolic remedies where needed. Additionally, arranging your environment to have “good form” will allow for the chi to flow in a more balanced and beneficial way. Your environment will then reflect your intentions and beliefs that are important and meaningful to you.

Why All The Feng Shui Methods Work

Over time people have come to believe that having good feng shui in their home or business is a way to attract and have prosperity, good relationships, health, etc. This is true.

However, as I have explained, there are several different methods or schools of feng shui. Energy or chi is evaluated and interpreted differently by a feng shui practitioner, depending on the method or methods that they have learned and what they believe according to what they have been taught. Aside from Form School or Landscape Feng Shui, which is the basis of all feng shui methods, there is generally not a lot of consensus as to what is agreed upon in terms of how to analyze and interpret the energy of a place and the ways to adjust the energy of a place. If you have read more than one book on feng shui you have probably noticed some inconsistencies or conflicting information.

With so many different methods being used by practitioners with their clients, why do they all seem to get positive results for their clients when many of the methods seem to conflict with each other? The simple answer is Belief, Intention and Resonance.

Everyone creates their reality based on both their conscious and unconscious beliefs. This statement is both a scientific and metaphysical fact. If you, as a client are drawn to and resonate with a particular practitioner who practices a particular method of feng shui, then there is an implicit agreement between the two of you, based on belief,  that the recommendations for adjusting the feng shui of a place will balance the energy and generate harmony and attract the things you are desiring. It is even more powerful if there is agreed upon intention behind the feng shui remedies. It is as simple as that.

Another way of looking at this is, the chi in your body acts very similarly to the way the energy in a magnet works, it draws to it the same type of energy it magnetizes out.

This is another way of saying that your consciousness is represented in your environment.  For instance, if your chi is sending out signals that resonate to a sense of harmony and balance, then it will draw to it things, events, and opportunities that will harmonious and balanced. That’s why is so important to work with and balance the chi in your environment because it directly affects what type of relationships, finances, career opportunities, etc., that you will attract. This is why you must make sure that your environment reflects what you want to pull in.  If you don’t like what you have or see, then change it.  But change it with conscious intention, positive beliefs and attitudes and with an understanding of feng shui principles.

You cannot make changes to the external environment without having corresponding changes take place on the inside. These changes can be perceptual, emotional or spiritual.  In many case these changes confer growth and self-transformation.  Conversely, you can’t make internal changes without corresponding external changes needing to be made to your environment. If you don’t make changes to your external environment to match your inner energetic state, then your environment can pull you back into old habits and old patterns. It is a matter of resonance. You want the inside and the outside to have similar resonance. It is similar to two tuning forks that are vibrating at the same frequency.

Simply stated, the majority of people are attracted to where they live and work as a result of their karma and their consciously and subconsciously held beliefs. It is this combined energy that they project out into the world. It is this combined energy that attracts all of their experiences in life. Fortunately, if we don’t like what we are experiencing, we have the ability to change this through conscious choice and focused intention and by creating a home or work place with good feng shui.

On another level, if you have cultivated yourself through a spiritual practice and raised your consciousness and personal energy vibration, over an extended period of time, it is possible to get to the point where your environment does not negatively impact you. This is in the realm of saints, sages, and advanced spiritual seekers. In these situations, the person can positively affect the energy of the environment and those around them.

Know that feng shui works. When looking for a feng shui practitioner, ask questions about what method or school of feng shui they practice. If you resonate with them and believe they can help you, then consider using their services.